Three previews for the Week 4 NCAAF games and our picks based on spreads for 10 games on the slate.
(12) Ole Miss vs Alabama
There will be a lot on the line in this NCAAF game, when Mississippi (3-0) travels to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama (4-0). Heisman hopeful Matt Corral gets a chance to take a firm grasp of the race if his Rebels can walk into Alabama and pull off the upset.
For the Rebels, it starts and ends with the aforementioned Corral at quarterback. He’s been outstanding through three games, totaling over 1,000 yards with 14 total touchdowns to zero interceptions. Dontario Drummond has taken a big step for Ole Miss in 2021, becoming Corral’s favorite target. For the season, Drummond has 20 receptions for 339 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Jonathan Mingo has been a steady contributor as well via the air.
Ole Miss works in three running backs who have all been efficient. Leading the pack is talented runner Jerrion Ealy. He’s mixed in with Snoop Conner and Henry Parrish. If the Rebels are to pull off the upset, they need Corral to be excellent, but continuing to be able to run the ball will be a crucial factor as well.
For Alabama, Sophomore signal-caller Bryce Young has been as advertised. Young is off to a sizzling start, throwing for 1124 yards, 15 touchdowns with only one interception. Young is completing 72.1 percent of his passes.
The Crimson Tide rolls out a plethora of talented running backs as well. Brian Robinson leads the team in rushing. He’s day-to-day with a rib injury, so his status is something to monitor. Jase Mclellan will be in the rotation as well. If Robinson can’t go, the tide may turn to Roydell Williams, who’s coming off a 110-yard rushing effort against Southern Miss.
It’s going to be fascinating to see if Ole Miss is for real or not this Saturday. Bryce Young and Matt Corral have tremendous opportunities ahead of themselves. Whoever comes out on top this Saturday afternoon will have a leg up in the Heisman race and an eye on the NCAAF College Football Playoffs.
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- Matt Corral – QB – Ole Miss: All eyes are on what Matt Corral can do against Alabama. A solid performance against the Crimson Tide could cement Corral as the favorite for the Heisman trophy, but also becoming a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Corral has risen up Devy boards all year long.
- Jase McClellan – RB – Alabama: Jase McClellan has been a steady top Devy asset over the past year or so. He’s been good this year, splitting time with Brian Robinson and Roydell Williams. McClellan has accounted for 249 yards in four games. He’s totaled four touchdowns, and three of them have been through the air. McClellan is a toolsy back with three down traits. If Brian Robinson can’t go this week, keep an eye out to see if Jase McClellan can take the reigns.
Alabama -14.5
- Brandon @hayeb3: Ole Miss +14.5
- Brian @vandygrad92: Ole Miss +14.5
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Ole Miss +14.5
(7) Cincinnati vs (9) Notre Dame
In only the second meeting of all time, Cincinnati travels to South Bend to take on Notre Dame. UC comes into the game at 3-0, while Notre Dame will bring in a perfect 4-0 record.
Senior QB Desmond Ridder leads the Bearcats in passing, having completed 54 of 83 pass attempts (65.1 percent) for 748 yards and seven touchdowns. UC’s other primary NFL prospect, Junior RB Jerome Ford, has rushed 50 times for 300 yards and six touchdowns.
In the receiving department, there are four wide receivers who have more than six catches and over 100 yards receiving. These four are:
- Senior Alec Pierce (nine catches for 150 yards, 1 TD)
- Michael Young, JR (8 catches for 110 yards, 0 TD)
- Sophomore Tyler Scott (7 catches for 172 yards, 2 TD)
- Sophomore Jadon Thompson (6 catches for 112 yards, 0 TD)
Coming off a big win against Wisconsin, Notre Dame comes into this game with momentum. Just like UC, Notre Dame has a very balanced offensive attack, led by graduate transfer (Wisconsin) Jack Coan. Coan has completed 77 of 128 passes for 986 yards and nine touchdowns.
The other two primary stars on this team are Junior RB Kyren Williams and Sophomore TE Michael Mayer. Williams has 64 carries for 244 rushing yards, with 11 catches for 155 yards and four total TDs. Mayer leads the team in receiving with 24 catches for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Graduate WR Avery Davis (12 catches for 204 yards, 1 TD) and Senior Kevin Austin (14 catches for 230 yards, 3 TDs) lead the team in receiving.
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- Desmond Ridder – QB – Cincinnati: The preseason Devy QB19, Ridder has lived up to the advanced billing. In a raucous environment, Ridder will need to limit turnovers to pull off this tough road win.
- Jerome Ford – RB – Cincinnati: as he has done all season, Ford will need to be efficient to help maintain the balanced offense. Ford was the RB18 at the beginning of the season.
- Michael Mayer – TE – Notre Dame: The preseason TE1, Mayer will need to continue opening up the middle of the field to allow room for Kyren Williams to operate.
Notre Dame +2
- Brandon @hayeb3: Notre Dame +2
- Brian @vandygrad92: Cincinnati -2
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Cincinnati -2
(8) Arkansas vs (2) Georgia
In this NCAAF Top-10 matchup between Arkansas and Georgia, each team has had different challenges. Georgia had a tough opening game against Clemson, but have had an easy schedule since then that has kept them motivated. On the other hand, Arkansas has won two of three contests against Top-15 opponents in Texas and Texas A&M.
This game has two great defenses. Both teams are Top-10 in opponent yards per game and opponent points per game. Both teams also love to depend on the run game, with each in the Top-50 in rush yards per game.
Arkansas is led in rushing by RB Trelon Smith and QB KJ Jefferson, but have five players with over 100 yards already this season. The passing game can be inconsistent, but is lead by Treylon Burks and Tyson Morris. Burks is a matchup nightmare and should be a challenge for the Georgia defense.
Georgia does not have the rushing QB, but instead has three backs who share the ball in Zamir White, James Cook, and Kendall Milton. The passing game has been hampered by injuries, but is led by Freshman TE Brock Bowers and WR Jermain Burton. The key for Georgia will be able to stay balanced to keep the strong Arkansas defense off balance.
This is another marquee matchup in the SEC and could play a part in the playoff race and these two teams could possibly meet again in the SEC Championship game.
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- JT Daniels – QB – Georgia: Daniels is ranked 8th in total QBR but has missed some time because of injury already this year. He is passing over 73% with 5 TDs to 2 INTs this season and continues to show flashes of his potential but just needs to be more consistent for Georgia to reach its ceiling this season.
- Treylon Burks – WR- Arkansas: Burks has put together two straight games over 100 yards and a TD. Burks has been putting up these numbers even with QB KJ Jefferson throwing for only 59% completion rate. Burks has a lot of potential and if he can show consistency the sky is the limit for him at the next level.
Georgia -18.5
- Brandon @hayeb3: Arkansas +18.5
- Brian @vandygrad92: Arkansas +18.5
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Arkansas +18.5
Other NCAAF Game Picks Based on the Spread
Brandon Haye
Brandon grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and works as a health insurance data analyst. He has no children, but two fur babies - Squirt and Brownie. He and his wife, Katie, spend their time playing poker and enjoying time with their pups. Brandon is a huge Michigan Wolverine and Jacksonville Jaguars fan. He at one time was in 77 fantasy leagues and loves the game of football. Brandon started writing for The Leauge Winners in 2021.