Iowa Hawkeyes Face Big Ten Test at Michigan: Week 4 College Football Odds, Picks, and Predictions

The Week 4 college football schedule is loaded with marquee matchups, but for Iowa fans, all eyes are on the Hawkeyes' Big Ten road clash against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday. SportsLine's advanced model has crunched the numbers for every game on the slate, offering predictions and best bets for a weekend that features six ranked-versus-ranked showdowns.

Iowa enters the game with a perfect 3-0 record, anchored by a dominant defense that has posted two shutouts this season. The Hawkeyes opened with a 16-13 Cy-Hawk Trophy victory over Iowa State, then blanked Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa. Michigan, meanwhile, sits at 3-0 after surviving a scare against Western Michigan in the opener before rolling past Oklahoma and UTEP.

The Wolverines are favored by 4.5 points at home, with the over/under set at a low 38.5 points, reflecting the defensive identity of both programs. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

What are the top Week 4 college football matchups?

The weekend's biggest games feature several conference-opening battles with College Football Playoff implications. No. 1 Texas travels to face No. 14 Tennessee in a noon ET SEC showdown, while No. 10 LSU hosts No. 23 Texas A&M on Saturday night in a game that could already be an eliminator for the postseason.

Other notable games include No. 5 Indiana hosting Northwestern on Friday night, Clemson traveling to California, and a massive SEC clash between Oklahoma and Georgia in Athens.

How does the Iowa-Michigan matchup shape up?

This game pits two of the Big Ten's premier defenses against each other. Iowa's defense has been historically stingy, allowing just 16 points total through three games. Michigan has been solid on that side of the ball as well, but the Wolverines have shown some vulnerability against the run.

For Iowa to pull the upset, the Hawkeyes will need to establish offensive consistency against a Michigan front seven that has been aggressive. The low point total suggests oddsmakers expect a grind-it-out affair, which typically favors Iowa's style of play.

Week 4 college football betting previews and predictions

Indiana vs. Northwestern (Friday, 8 p.m. ET)

The defending national champion Hoosiers are 3-0 and begin Big Ten play as 21.5-point home favorites over Northwestern. Indiana has cruised through its non-conference schedule, while the Wildcats are coming off a 41-7 blowout win over Colorado.

Texas at Tennessee (Saturday, Noon ET)

The Longhorns are coming off a 30-6 win over UTSA and a dramatic comeback victory over Ohio State. Tennessee brings a powerful rushing attack averaging nearly 300 yards per game. Texas is favored by 5.5 points on the road, with the over/under at 55.5.

Oklahoma at Georgia (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)

Georgia has outscored its first three opponents by a combined 138 points, but faces its first real test against the Sooners in their inaugural SEC meeting. The Bulldogs are 14-point home favorites.

LSU vs. Texas A&M (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET)

Both teams are reeling from losses last week. LSU fell to Ole Miss 32-24, while Texas A&M lost 31-21 at home to Kentucky. LSU is an 8.5-point favorite in Baton Rouge.

Oregon at USC (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET)

The Ducks bounced back from a shocking loss to Oklahoma State with an 84-0 demolition of Portland State. USC is 4-0 but was pushed to the limit by Rutgers. Oregon is favored by 1.5 points on the road.

Full Week 4 college football odds and schedule

Here is the complete list of FBS games for Week 4, with spreads and over/unders as of publication:

Friday, Sept. 25

• Army at Temple (+3, 48.5), 4 p.m. ET
• Howard at Rutgers (-42.5, 53.5), 7 p.m. ET
• Navy at UAB (+7, 51.5), 7 p.m. ET
• Northwestern at No. 5 Indiana (-21.5, 49.5), 8 p.m. ET
• Clemson at California (-1.5, 50.5), 10:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, Sept. 26

• Colorado State at UTSA (-13.5, 58.5), 12 p.m. ET
• San Diego State at Toledo (-3, 49.5), 12 p.m. ET
• UNLV at Akron (+13.5, 49.5), 12 p.m. ET
• Sam Houston at Texas Tech (-34.5, 55.5), 12 p.m. ET
• Texas at Tennessee (+5.5, 55.5), 12 p.m. ET
• Colorado at Baylor (-10, 55.5), 12 p.m. ET
• Virginia Tech at Boston College (+14, 48.5), 12 p.m. ET
• Wake Forest at Louisville (-12.5, 58.5), 12 p.m. ET
• Illinois at Ohio State (-27.5, 53.5), 12 p.m. ET
• South Alabama at Kentucky (-20.5, 54.5), 12:45 p.m. ET
• UCLA at Maryland (+1.5, 57.5), 1:30 p.m. ET
• Notre Dame at Purdue (+27.5, 57.5), 2 p.m. ET
• NIU at Georgia State (-9.5, 55.5), 2 p.m. ET
• Central Arkansas at Florida State (-44.5, 60.5), 3 p.m. ET
• Hawaii at Wyoming (+3.5, 45.5), 3 p.m. ET
• Boise State at Western Michigan (+7, 53.5), 3:30 p.m. ET
• UConn at Miami (Ohio) (-3.5, 48.5), 3:30 p.m. ET
• Oklahoma at Georgia (-14, 44.5), 3:30 p.m. ET
• Ole Miss at Florida (-3.5, 58.5), 3:30 p.m. ET
• New Mexico at New Mexico State (+11.5, 57.5), 3:30 p.m. ET
• TCU at UCF (+3, 48.5), 3:30 p.m. ET
• Utah at Iowa State (+7.5, 49.5), 3:30 p.m. ET
• Iowa at Michigan (+5.5, 38.5), 3:30 p.m. ET
• Vanderbilt at Auburn (-9.5, 54.5), 4:15 p.m. ET
• Wisconsin at Penn State (-9.5, 45), 5 p.m. ET
• Nebraska at Michigan State (+5.5, 48.5), 5 p.m. ET
• South Carolina at Alabama (-12.5, 54.5), 7 p.m. ET
• Kansas State at Cincinnati (+6.5, 53.5), 7 p.m. ET
• Oklahoma State at West Virginia (+1.5, 60.5), 7 p.m. ET
• Texas A&M at LSU (-8.5, 51.5), 7:30 p.m. ET
• Oregon at USC (+3, 62.5), 7:30 p.m. ET
• Missouri at Mississippi State (-6.5, 58.5), 7:45 p.m. ET
• Minnesota at Washington (-10, 45.5), 11 p.m. ET

How can Iowa fans watch and bet responsibly?

All games will be available on major networks and streaming platforms. For those looking to wager on the Hawkeyes or any other Week 4 matchup, several sportsbooks are offering sign-up bonuses for new users.

Responsible gaming is a serious priority. All major sportsbooks offer tools including wager limits and voluntary self-exclusion options. If you or someone you know is dealing with a gambling problem, please seek assistance from trained professionals such as the Problem Gambling Help Network at 1-800-GAMBLER.