Week 4 of the college football season has arrived, and by now, we're starting to learn who teams really are. The conference season is fast approaching, and there's no more time for teams to hide their weaknesses or conceal their strengths.
This week, I have identified four moneyline underdogs that are worth considering to pull the upset, and depending on your risk tolerance, playing in a round robin or a parlay.
While I've had some success with long-shot parlays in the past, a round-robin can also be a very effective way of betting underdogs.
Each week, I'll be back with a long-shot parlay/round robin that will hopefully turn out some profit.
Some weeks will have just a handful of games involved, while there may be more legs in other weeks. And remember, this is an extreme long shot for a reason — please bet responsibly.
Read on for my Week 4 college football parlay and round robin.
College Football Round Robin & Parlay Odds
- By 2's: +434
- By 3's: +1123
- 4-Leg Parlay: +2685
Pick #1: Minnesota ML +114 vs. Iowa
The latest rendition of the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy game will take place in Minneapolis this year, and the bronze pig is back on the line.
Last season, Minnesota emerged victorious after Cooper DeJean's game-winning punt return touchdown was controversially overturned.
Now, new Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester will face the coach he took over for at Western Michigan in PJ Fleck.
Many key pieces (outside of DeJean) are back for both sides here, and through three weeks, Minnesota has found success more consistently.
Iowa blew a two-score lead to lose to in-state rival Iowa State at home and then laid an egg in the first half against Troy. The Hawkeyes even trailed at halftime before rallying for a 17-point win.
This will be an ugly, low-scoring game, but Minnesota is fine with that this year. The Golden Gophers are coming off back-to-back shutouts, defeating Rhode Island, 48-0, and beating Nevada by a score of 27-0.
Turnovers have been a specialty for Minnesota, which ranks in the top six nationally with a turnover margin of +6 on the year.
Under the lights at home, expect the breaks to favor Minnesota again this year.
Pick #2: Oklahoma State ML +110 vs. Utah
Some key injuries to Utah will linger over this game, as star quarterback Cam Rising missed last week with a hand laceration. Rising will try to return this week, but it remains to be seen just how much of an impact that injury will have.
But it's not just Rising who has injury concerns. Utes linebacker Karene Reid and cornerback Kenan Johnson have been hobbled, and without them at full strength, Utah's pass defense has taken a hit.
That's big news for an Oklahoma State passing attack that ranks eighth nationally with 334 passing yards per game.
Alan Bowman has dominated games thus far, which is good news since star running back Ollie Gordon II has yet to assert his will. Gordon has averaged under three yards per carry in both of his last two games, but that's rare and won't last forever.
He's due for a return to form, and with Utah's injury questions, this may be the game where we see him break off a few huge plays.
Getting the healthier home team at +110 here feels like great value. It's a must-add to our round-robin for Week 4.
Pick #3: Arkansas ML +124 at Auburn
This should be a fun matchup to kick off the SEC season, as both teams rank in the top six of the conference in offense.
Auburn has made changes to its quarterback depth chart already, benching veteran Payton Thorne after a four-interception performance in a loss to Cal in Week 2.
New starter Hank Brown is a freshman, but he showed potential against New Mexico, totaling 235 yards with four touchdowns on 25 attempts.
Under center for the Razorbacks is the dual-threat Taylen Green, who was phenomenal in Arkansas' double-overtime loss to Oklahoma State in Stillwater. The Boise State transfer logged 416 yards through the air and added 61 more on the ground.
Green transferred in after three years with the Broncos, and his experience could prove to be a key factor in Brown's first big conference game.
While both defenses have been solid against the run, the secondaries have been vulnerable through the air. This one could simply come down to which quarterback plays better.
We'll take the veteran Green to out-duel the inexperienced Brown at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Pick #4: Michigan State ML +190 at Boston College
Boston College returns home to face Michigan State after nearly upsetting Missouri last week.
This matchup will be an emotional game for all involved, as this is Boston College's annual "Red Bandana Game," where the Eagles honor Welles Crowther, a BC lacrosse player-turned-volunteer-firefighter who gave his life to save others at the World Trade Center on 9/11.
First-year Boston College head coach Bill O'Brien has turned things around quickly for the Eagles, forming a potent pair with Thomas Castellanos under center.
Castellanos will have his hands full with the new-look Michigan State defense, though, as the Spartans have allowed just 164 yards passing per game.
This marks the second time this season that Michigan State has been an underdog of a touchdown or more on the road against a solid opponent. The Spartans won the game outright last time, knocking off Maryland behind a huge performance from quarterback Aidan Chiles.
Chiles totaled 363 yards passing and three touchdowns in that game, propelling the Spartans to victory with huge plays late.
Chiles has looked more comfortable of late, and after throwing four interceptions combined in his first two games, he finally went turnover-free last week against Prairie View A&M.
Chiles is the better talent under center in this game, and if the Spartans can win the turnover battle and force Castellanos into long third downs, they have a great chance to win this game outright.
