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Spread Options: Dr. Saturday's Week 4 picks against the spread

Spread Options: Dr. Saturday’s Week 4 picks against the spread
Spread Options: Dr. Saturday’s Week 4 picks against the spread

We picked an 11th game last week to get back to even numbers. And went 5-6. Better than Week 1, at least? Our overall record is now 13-17.

Virginia at Boise State (-13), 8 p.m. ET FRIDAY: The Broncos should get back quarterback Brett Rypien after he suffered a concussion vs. Washington State. But even if Rypien doesn’t play — or doesn’t play the entire game — Boise State should be in good shape. Kansas transfer Montell Cozart has emerged as a dual-threat option he never was with the Jayhawks. Perhaps the supporting cast is better?

Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (+2.5), Noon ET: We’re intrigued that Arkansas is an underdog. TCU is a good football team. Meanwhile, Texas A&M hasn’t exactly dominated Nicholls State and Louisiana-Lafayette. Though the second half of the game vs. the Ragin’ Cajuns was a stark improvement for the Aggies. Arkansas, inspired by its Cowboys-themed uniforms, pulls the upset.

[Watch on Yahoo: Ravens vs. Jaguars live from London Sept. 24]

NC State (+13) at Florida State, Noon ET: This could be a weird game. Florida State is playing for the first time since Week 1 and is breaking in a true freshman quarterback. Meanwhile, NC State has won two easy games since losing to South Carolina in Week 1. Even if South Carolina isn’t as good as we thought they were after losing to Kentucky, the Wolfpack should keep this within two possessions.

Pitt at Georgia Tech (OVER 55), Noon ET: Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense is a good attack to face after getting obliterated by Oklahoma State’s spread. Good luck, Pitt. Meanwhile, we keep waiting for the Panther offense to get going in its post-Matt Canada era. Is this the week?

Army (+2.5) at Tulane, Noon ET: Both teams got beaten soundly by top 10 opponents in Week 3. Army lost to Ohio State while Tulane fell to Oklahoma. Though that game was on pay-per-view so did it even happen? This could also be the shortest football game of the season. Tulane has thrown 40 passes in three games while Army has tossed 18. Long live the option.

New Mexico at Tulsa (-10), 12:30 p.m. ET: Tulsa was outscored 40-23 in the second half of a 54-51 loss at Toledo in Week 3. We’re comfortable that won’t happen again on Saturday. New Mexico is starting No. 3 quarterback Coltin Gerhart because both starting QB Lamar Jordan and backup Tevaka Tuioti have concussions. Jordan was hurt in a nasty hit vs. Boise State in Week 3.

Alabama at Vanderbilt (OVER 43), 3:30 p.m. ET: It’s tempting to take the underdog against Alabama for the third week in a row. Instead we’ll go with the over. Vanderbilt and Kansas State was a slugfest, though we’re not sure how much of that had to do with Kansas State’s offensive ineptness vs. Vandy’s defensive excellence. An Alabama defensive touchdown could be what flips this game.

San Diego State (-3.5) at Air Force, 7 p.m. ET: Air Force lost a lot of talent from its 2016 team, though it hung tough against Michigan in Week 3. Though the Wolverines’ offense hasn’t exactly been the example of efficiency this season. Meanwhile, SDSU running back Rashaad Penny is the best running back you haven’t heard of. Though after the Aztecs’ win over Stanford, you might have heard of him.

Penn State at Iowa (UNDER 52.5), 7:30 p.m. ET: How much will Iowa’s run game be affected without running back James Butler? He’s out for a bit, which means Akrum Wadley will shoulder more of the workload. Meanwhile, Penn State RB Saquon Barkley faces his toughest test of the season.

Washington at Colorado (OVER 50), 10 p.m. ET: We’ve been touting Colorado’s offense for a while and now it’s the time to put our fake money where our mouth is. The Pac-12 title game rematch headlines a Pac-12 After Dark slate that also includes Oregon and Arizona State and Stanford and UCLA.

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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!