The 2025 college football season rolls with Thursday and Friday games to kick off Week 4. Welcome to our CFB Best Bets as we break down CFB picks for this week’s action. Let’s focus on two matchups for our CFB predictions. Plus, check out more college football bets below. 

The Week 4 college football slate starts up on Thursday night with Rice vs. Charlotte in an AAC showdown. Plus, Iowa vs. Rutgers headlines our Friday night CFB picks. Note that all bets below are for one unit unless otherwise noted. All odds and lines are accurate as of this writing, but subject to change. Without further ado, let’s dive into our CFB Best Bets. 

 

 

 

CFB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: Thursday, 9/18

College football Week 4 kicks off on Thursday night with an American Athletic Conference matchup. Charlotte hosts Rice in what projects to be a close, defensive battle. Let’s break down the game in which points could be at a premium. 
 

Rice vs. Charlotte Prediction: Thursday, September 18th

Both of these teams had low-scoring offenses last season. Against FBS competition, Rice averaged just 17.9 PPG (125th in the country) while Charlotte put up 23.4 PPG (94th). This year, it appears the Owls and 49ers may both struggle offensively again. 

In the first two games of the season, Rice was held to 14 and 9 points against Louisiana and Houston, respectively. It then scored 38 in a win over Prairie View, but that’s not saying much against a below-average FCS opponent. This year, the Owls’ offense ranks 117th nationally in total yards per game. 

Rice also uses a very run-heavy offense. It’s 135th among FBS squads in both passing attempts (13.7) and passing yards per game (70). Conversely, the Owls are 3rd in rush attempts per contest (56.0). This offensive style will not only keep the clock moving, but it could be an issue in this week’s matchup. 

Charlotte has one of the worst pass defenses in the country, ranking 135th in passing yards allowed per game. However, as noted above, Rice simply doesn’t have the air attack to exploit this weakness. In what’s expected to be a close game, don’t expect the Owls to stray away from their run-focused offensive game plan. 

As for Charlotte, it scored only 14 combined points in the first two weeks against Appalachian State and North Carolina. Yes, the 49ers also put up 42 points in a win over Monmouth. Similar to Rice, though, that came against an FCS-level team that’s also given up 28 and 39 points to Fordham and Colgate, respectively. 

Charlotte averaged just 244.5 total yards of offense in the two games vs. App State and UNC. Quarterback Conner Harrell looked inefficient and even got benched at one point. Plus, the 49ers’ run game is gaining only 2.78 yards per carry this season (127th in FBS).

It’s hard to get excited about either offense in this conference matchup. With both teams playing on a short week, sloppy and conservative offensive play also enters the equation. It’s also worth noting that the under has hit in the past two matchups between Charlotte and Rice. Let’s make it three straight years. 

 

 

 

CFB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: Friday, 9/19

Time now to turn our attention to Friday’s slate for our Week 4 CFB Best Bets. Rutgers hosts Iowa in an interesting matchup of Big Ten foes. Our CFB picks for this game center on a particular side with a few notable edges. 
 

Iowa vs. Rutgers Prediction: Friday, September 19th

We’ll get to more X’s and O’s for this matchup, but it’s important to understand something first. Handicapping this game begins with one simple fact. Iowa is more battle-tested this season than Rutgers, which has yet to face a tough opponent. That should matter as both teams begin conference play this week. 

Iowa played two easy opponents in its first three games. However, the Hawkeyes also have a road matchup against rival Iowa State under their belt. It was a narrow 3-point loss with the difference being an ISU field goal with less than two minutes remaining. Iowa nearly pulled out a road win over a ranked team. 

Meanwhile, Rutgers has faced three non-power conference teams to begin the season. The Scarlet Knights’ 3-0 record looks good on paper, but the results deserve context. Their 3-point over Ohio in Week 1 isn’t aging particularly well after the Bobcats just lost by four touchdowns to Ohio State. The 45-17 win over Miami (OH) was impressive, but that same team also got shut out by Wisconsin. 

Rutgers’ easy strength of schedule early on could backfire as it jumps into Big Ten play this week. Yes, the Knights get to play at home. But Iowa already dealt with a hostile road environment at Iowa State and will be ready for this. 

As for the game itself, Iowa’s rushing attack will be a difference-maker here. The Hawkeyes lean on their physical run game with a strong offensive line and a talented backfield with multiple contributors. Plus, dual-threat QB Mark Gronowski adds a veteran presence and a new dimension to the ground-and-pound offense this season after logging four productive years at South Dakota State. 

Iowa usually boasts an upper-tier rushing offense every year. This season should be no different as long as Kirk Ferentz is in town. The Hawkeyes’ run game can expose a Rutgers defense that’s been shaky against the rush. 

Rutgers is allowing 148.7 rushing yards per game (91st in FBS) and 5.58 yards per carry (128th). That’s a problem with Iowa averaging 214 rushing yards per contest and 4.86 yards per carry. The Scarlet Knights’ run D was also an issue last year, giving up 5.21 yards per rush attempt (118th). 

Plus, Rutgers’ struggles to stop the run have come against three easier opponents. It’ll be a much tougher test with Iowa coming to town. Furthermore, the Knights have had issues containing running QBs already this season. Gronowski’s legs will be an X-factor for the Hawkeyes in this matchup.

On the other side, Rutgers’ offense may be averaging 46.3 PPG this year. But again, the competition hasn’t tested them much. The Knights now face an Iowa defense that’s allowing just 10.0 PPG (14th in FBS). The Hawkeyes also held opponents to only 17.8 PPG last year (11th). Back the road favorites to get it done on Friday. 

 

 

 

Best CFB Prop Bets & Other Picks For Friday Week 4

Â