Rock M Pick ‘Em: Week 4

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Week 4 of the College Football season is here, and it’s a loaded slate featuring four ranked matchups within the SEC — setting a college football record. That includes our 19th ranked Missouri Tigers heading to Starkville for the SEC opener to take on Kamario Taylor and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. College Gameday is in Knoxville for top-ranked Texas at Tennessee. Let’s make some picks (with the odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook).

But first, a standings recap after Week 3:

Stava: 13-6

Gustafson: 12-7

Matejka: 10-4

Lewis: 7-2

Hurst: 2-2

No. 19 Missouri Tigers at No. 24 Mississippi State Bulldogs (-5.5) (6:45 p.m. CST on SEC Network)

Sammy Stava: Mizzou’s performance against Troy feels like an overreaction to me. The Tigers are certainly capable of playing better and I think they will show it. Mississippi State has the QB edge in Kamario Taylor, and this sets up to be a tough one on the road in Starkville. But if Eli Drinkwitz is the 11th highest paid head coach in College Football , this is a game the program needs to win. Give me Missouri 37-31 as the Tigers find a way.

Matthew Gustafson: This game reminds me a lot of last year’s matchup with Auburn at Jordan-Hare. Mizzou has the talent advantage, but it’s going to be incredibly tough facing the Bulldogs in a night game with all those cowbells. Last week was not how the Tigers wanted to wrap up their nonconference slate, but they’ve shown enough flashes for me to believe they can put it together — at least enough to escape Davis Wade with a win. I’ll take Mizzou, 35-31.

Josh Matejka:

Jaden Lewis: A big test defensively for the Tigers in regards to the style of offense Mississippi State operates, paired with the personnel, more specifically Kamario Taylor and the wide receiver group. If Mizzou’s passing game can get back in sync, I think this will be a fun game. But on the road, it’ll be tough. Mississippi State 33-25.

Nathan Hurst:

No. 1 Texas Longhorns (-5.5) at No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers (11:00 a.m. CST on ABC)

Sammy Stava: There’s a sense of urgency with Steve Sarkisian in a pivotal year and the Longhorns have momentum after their statement win over Ohio State. Arch Manning leads Texas to a road win in Knoxville. 30-21, Hook ‘Em.

Matthew Gustafson: If this game had taken place the week after Texas’ win over Ohio State, I would have been a lot more worried about a potential hangover for the Longhorns. Tennessee has impressed so far but Sark’s squad is on a different level, and I think they’ll simply be too much to handle for a true freshman QB in Faizon Brandon. Give me Texas, 31-24.

Josh Matejka:

Jaden Lewis: I feel that Texas is on a mission this year, and their comeback against Ohio State makes me believe they are the team to beat. Neyland Stadium is a fun environment, but the Longhorns have the quarterback advantage in this one. Texas 34-20.

Nathan Hurst:

No. 4 Ole Miss Rebels at No. 21 Florida Gators (-3.5) (2:30 p.m. CST on ABC)

Sammy Stava: Ole Miss is coming off an emotional win over LSU, and now they have to go on the road against Florida in The Swamp? Feels like a good spot for the Gators who has some momentum in Year One under Jon Sumrall. 24-20, UF.

Matthew Gustafson: Remember that potential hangover I was talking about with the Longhorns? Well I think there may still be some folks in Oxford waking up with a massive headache. That’s not what you want heading into The Swamp against a Florida team that just outdueled Auburn on the road. The Gators win this one in a 38-35 thriller.

Josh Matejka:

Jaden Lewis: I remember when Mississippi went into Florida in 2024 and lost any hope of making the College Football Playoff. Florida is coming off an explosive win over Auburn a week ago, and the Jadan Baugh hype train continues. Mississippi is coming off an emotional win against LSU, but in Gainesville, I gotta take the Gators and Baugh again. Florida 43-40.

Nathan Hurst:

No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 18 Michigan Wolverines (-5.5) (2:30 p.m. CST on CBS)

Sammy Stava: Just feels like Iowa is the more well-rounded team. I’ll take the Hawkeyes, even on the road because their offense is just a bit better. 20-16, Iowa.

Matthew Gustafson: Michigan remains a very unconvincing team after falling behind 14-0 to UTEP last week. But Iowa has not beaten a ranked Big Ten team on the road since 2015 against Northwestern (side note: remember when the Wildcats would consistently threaten for a Big Ten Championship Game berth? Fun times). I don’t think that streak ends in the Big House. I’ll take the Wolverines, 24-20.

Josh Matejka:

Jaden Lewis: If this game were in Iowa City, I think the result would be different, but I expect a low-scoring defensive battle where Michigan comes out on top, 16-10.

Nathan Hurst:

No. 23 Texas A&M Aggies at No. 10 LSU Tigers (6:30 p.m. CST on ABC)

Sammy Stava: Texas A&M might be in for a down season after losing to Kentucky, especially at home. A night game in Death Valley with LSU coming off a loss? Big spot here for Lane Kiffin’s Tigers to prove something. 35-23, LSU.

Matthew Gustafson: I’m not going to hold last week’s loss against LSU too much — that was a practically impossible environment to win in. Texas A&M’s loss to Kentucky at home, though? Yeah, I’ll take the Tigers in Death Valley on Saturday night. The Bayou Bengals win it 41-28.

Josh Matejka:

Jaden Lewis: Is Kentucky legit under Will Stein, or did A&M just drop one on Any Given Saturday? Anyway, LSU should be fired up after last week’s loss, and this one is in Baton Rouge as well. LSU 34-17.

Nathan Hurst:

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