College football betting, odds, predictions: 3 early Week 4 bets to make right now

Three weeks into the 2025 college football season, and the hierarchy is beginning to take shape.

Contenders are finding rhythm, pretenders are getting exposed and oddsmakers are adjusting by the week. For bettors, that means early numbers can still offer value before the market fully catches up. Week 4 brings a mix of buy-low opportunities and spots to fade struggling rosters.

Here are three wagers worth locking in early for Week 4.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM.

Week 4 early bets to make

Nevada at Western Kentucky (-10.5, 54.5)

This is the exact type of progression spot that pays dividends early in the season. Western Kentucky’s new offensive coordinator/quarterback pairing has had time to jell — two cupcakes, a test against Toledo and a bye week to recalibrate. Now, they face a Nevada team that simply hasn’t found its identity. 

The Wolf Pack squeaked by Sacramento State 20-17, then followed up with a lifeless 14-13 loss to Middle Tennessee, allowing its opponent to set the pace. Nevada was completely thrown off any offensive scheme that was prepared, as demonstrated by their 3-for-13 third-down conversion rate. WKU’s defense isn’t perfect, but its offense is built to score in bunches. Nevada doesn’t have the firepower to keep pace and with a strange rotation of QBs to try to find some sort of offensive rhythm. I’m not too confident they will have any offensive success in the coming weeks.

Bet: Western Kentucky -10.5 (-110)

West Virginia at Kansas (-11.5, 54.5)

With some weird rotations inside the West Virginia locker room, this number feels inflated. Much of it stems from uncertainty at quarterback for West Virginia, but last week’s rotation against Pitt wasn’t panic — it was Rich Rodriguez’s plan. Nicco Marchiol remains the starter, and after leading a game-winning drive, his grip on the job should only tighten. The Mountaineers also found something in running back Tye Edwards, who missed spring with eligibility issues but flashed once he got real reps. 

Kansas laying nearly the same price it did against Fresno State in Week 0 is steep. There is a concern that West Virginia, off a major rivalry game, isn't fully prepared for this Kansas team (who has plenty of talent), but at the current price that is a bet I’m willing to take.

Bet: West Virginia +11.5 (-105)

Syracuse at Clemson (-17.5, 55.5)

It’s been a sluggish start for Clemson, with losses to LSU and Georgia Tech and a flat win over Troy (in which the Tigers were trailing 16-0 in the first half). Public sentiment is fading, but that’s exactly when Dabo Swinney tends to push the gas. The Tigers' captain and star QB Cade Klubnik’s early season slump has taken him from a Heisman front runner to one of the worst odds on the board (currently 100-1). History tells us Swinney doesn’t hesitate to run up the score, even letting backups execute two-minute drills when games are out of hand. 

Syracuse entered the season clouded by offseason turmoil, and a road trip into Memorial Stadium isn’t the place to figure things out. If Clemson gets rolling, this game could unravel quickly.

Bet: Clemson -17 (-115)

Week 3 betting recap

Oregon State vs. Texas Tech: Covered from about the opening kickoff. Classic beatdown from Texas Tech.

Miami vs. South Florida: USF came out hot, but Miami -17 cruised after settling in.

Kansas State vs. Arizona: Sloppy game all around, great for our under ticket.

Arkansas vs. Ole Miss: Under bet hinged on QB Simmons being hurt — he was, but it didn’t matter. Total got smoked.

Duke vs. Tulane: Duke’s tempo continues to exceed projections. Under was dead.

Oklahoma vs. Temple: Most frustrating loss of the week: Oklahoma let off the gas, no points scored for 20 minutes, and the under lost by six.

Overall: 2-4 (2-1 from early article plays)

The lesson remains the same: information (injuries, steam, rotations) is crucial, but oddsmakers are just as plugged in. By week’s end, the markets get tighter. That’s why hitting early edges can be the difference between profit and frustration.