By the time we reach Week 4 of the 2022 college football season, conference games will be underway for much of the nation, as some conferences feature nine games for member teams. In other parts of the nation, you’ll see rivalry games, and you will also see some teams working in an FCS team or two. Injuries may take a toll by this time in the season, although having a full year without COVID-19 restrictions should improve offseason preparation and conditioning significantly. Let’s look at some top College Football betting opportunities for Week 4.
NCAA News: Must-Bet Football Games in 2022 for Week 4
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Arkansas Razorbacks vs Texas A&M Aggies (Arlington, TX)
This is an old and storied rivalry, dating back to 1903. The teams were foes in the old Southwest Conference, but when Arkansas left that league to join the SEC, the schools went 17 years without playing. The teams started to meet again in The Southwest Classic in 2009, and then it became a conference game again when the Aggies joined the SEC. Arkansas has won 42 of the 78 meetings, with Texas A&M winning 33 times and with three games ending in ties. However, the Aggies have dominated the series in recent years, winning nine times in a row from 2012 to 2020. However, the Razorbacks bounded back in 2021, winning, 20-10.
The Razorbacks have returned to defense-first principles with Sam Pittman at head coach, and the team’s fortunes have improved as a result. The Aggies drew in the #1 recruiting class in the nation last year, but one of the four teams to beat Texas A&M in 2021 was Arkansas. The Aggies should be improved this year, and if they have chosen the right quarterback from a competition among prospects, they should be better at moving the ball. With all this said, I think the Aggies get caught looking ahead again.
Final Score Prediction: Arkansas 23, Texas A&M 20
TCU at SMU
These two teams meet for the Iron Skillet, and this year’s game will be the 101st edition of the rivalry. TCU has won 51 of the first 100 meetings, with SMU winning 42 and seven ending in ties. SMU has won the last two meetings, in 2019 and in 2021, as TCU refused to play in 2020, despite SMU’s offer to play the game on the Horned Frogs’ home field. The rivalry has some additional spice to it this year, as TCU’s new head coach, Sonny Dykes, led SMU for the past four seasons. SMU replaced Dykes with Rhett Lashlee, Dykes’ former offensive coordinator who had gone to Miami (FL) to take that same position.
Dykes was not able to get his blue-chip quarterback recruit, Preston Stone, to transfer with him to TCU, despite the fact that senior quarterback Tanner Mordecai returns for SMU. Receiver Rashee Rice is also back for a Mustang team that will have a dozen starters returning. Defensive linemen Elijah Chatman and DeVere Levelston are the two main leaders on that side of the ball coming back. With this game taking place in Dallas, expect a raucous atmosphere in the stadium, and expect the SMU offense to make hay against a Dykes-coached team that will not prioritize stopping the ball.
Final Score Prediction: SMU 41, TCU 34
Clemson at Wake Forest
Clemson and Wake Forest have met 87 times, but this has been an incredibly one-sided rivalry, with Clemson winning 69 games, Wake Forest winning 17 and one game ending in a tie. Wake Forest had a better season than Clemson did last year, though, reaching the ACC Championship, while the Tigers missed out on the conference title game. The Tigers return a ferocious defense, but the Demon Deacons return just about all of their key starters and have added Kobie Turner at defensive end via transfer. The offense has put up at least 30 points per contest since 2017, and in 2021, they ranked fourth in the nation, putting up 41 points per contest. The defense had problems, ranking 88th in scoring and 111st against the run, but they were tied for 17th in tackles for loss and fifth in takeaways, relying on big plays. Clemson has a problem to solve at quarterback, as D.J. Uiagalelei had an extremely tough 2021, throwing nine touchdown passes against 10 picks. He should be better this season, as his conditioning has improved significantly. This could come down to a battle of defenses, but don’t expect Wake to roll over.
Final Score Prediction: Clemson 27, Wake Forest 16
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