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ESPN College “GameDay” Predictions for Week 4

Vaseline September 21, 2024

Week four is here and it’s the dawn of a new era for Oklahoma Football. The long-awaited SEC debut is here and it’s going to be an electric one in Norman. ESPN and ABC rolled out the red carpet for Oklahoma’s introduction to their new conference, sending the “College GameDay” crew to Norman for the inaugural SEC showdown.

Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso will be live in Norman from 8-11 to help set the stage for what should be an incredible matchup on the field. They’ll be joined by this week’s guest picker and country music sensation, Blake Shelton.

In addition to the top-15 matchup featuring a pair of former five-star quarterbacks, Saturday marks the return of the Oklahoma Sooners’ last national championship leader, Josh Heupel. Heupel cemented his legacy in Norman, leading the Sooners to their seventh national title and being the catalyst for Oklahoma’s emergence as an offensive powerhouse.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a formidable defense to go along with an emerging offense. It’s a team that’s getting fit in time, with key players like Nic Anderson, Branson Hickman, Tory Everett, Kendel Dolby and Andrel Anthony returning. On the other hand, Tennessee will be without star forward Lance Heard, who was ruled out in Friday’s injury update.

Oklahoma vs. Tennessee doesn’t start until 6:30 CT Saturday night, but there are several really intriguing games on the schedule. Here are this week’s predictions from the “College GameDay” crew, including OU vs. Tennessee.

More: Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for Oklahoma vs. Tennessee

More: SEC Predictions for Week 4

USC vs. Michigan

Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; A look at the USC Trojans helmets and the Cotton Bowl logo during the USC Trojans vs. Tulane Green Wave game in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Required Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Howard: USC
Saban: USC
McAfee: USC
Shelton: Michigan
Autumn stem: USC
Direction: Michigan

Michigan State vs. Boston College

MSU’s Germie Bernard and OL Spencer Brown celebrate a TD in the first quarter against Western Michigan, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, during the season opener at Spartan Stadium. Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK

Howard: Boston College
Saban: Boston College
McAfee: Boston College
Shelton: Boston College
Fall Streit: Boston College
Gang: Boston College

Louisville vs. Georgia Tech

Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets offensive lineman Joe Fusile (67) celebrates his win against Georgia State Panthers at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Howard: Louisville
Saban: Louisville
McAfee: Georgia Tech
Shelton: Louisville
Autumn stem: Louisville
Street: Louisville

Kansas State vs. BYU

Dec 28, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) waits for a play call against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first quarter during the Pop-Tarts bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Howard: Kansas State
Saban: Kansas State
McAfee: Kansas State
Shelton: Kansas State
Fall Stem: BYU
Course: Kansas State

Baylor vs. Colorado

Sep 16, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) struggles in double overtime against the Colorado State Rams at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Howard: Colorado
Saban: Colorado
McAfee: Colorado
Shelton: Colorado
Fall Region: Colorado
Gang: Baylor

Arkansas vs. Auburn

Aug 31, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) throws a pass against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Howard: Arkansas
Saban: Arkansas
McAfee: Arkansas
Shelton: Arkansas
Fall Color: Auburn
Corso: Arkansas

Rutgers vs. Virginia Tech

Sep 10, 2022; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; A Virginia Tech Hokies helmet lies by the team bench during the first quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Lane Stadium. Required Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Howard: Rutgers
Saban: Virginia Tech
McAfee: Virginia Tech
Shelton: Virginia Tech
Autumn streak: Rutgers
Gang: Virginia Tech

TCU vs SMU

Nov 11, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; A view of the field, TCU logo and flags before the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Texas Longhorns at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Howard: TCU
Saban: TCU
McAfee: SMU
Shelton: TCU
Autumn streak: TCU
Gang: SMU

Oklahoma vs. Tennessee

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Howard: Tennessee
Saban: Tennessee
McAfee: Tennessee
Shelton: Oklahoma
Herbstreit: Can’t make a choice because the match on Saturday evening has to be cancelled
Course: Tennessee

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