Last week did not have much in the way of marquee matchups. Of the teams in last week’s AP Top 25 that played, 18 either faced FCS opponents or were favored by at least three touchdowns. This week will be a lot more interesting with five games between ranked opponents led by No. 6 Ohio State at No 9 Notre Dame. One of those games is among my picks this week.

Each week, I will use this space to tell you what I think are a few of the best bets heading into the weekend. I will also throw in an upset of the week, which will be a team that is at least a touchdown underdog that I am picking to win outright.

I will also give you picks on other games involving potential College Football Playoff teams. This early in the season, any major conference team that hasn’t lost twice yet is technically still a CFP candidate. So for now, I’ll go with the top 12 teams in the current AP Top 25.

Week 3 was unkind, but I am not ready to give up yet. I’m back to .500 on the season and still looking for the first hit on the upset special  Here are this week’s picks.

Odds via SportsLine consensus

Week 4 picks

No. 24 Iowa at No. 7 Penn State (O/U 40)

Iowa’s much maligned offense put up 41 points on Western Michigan last week. That is noteworthy because that is typically a two game total for the Hawkeyes. There is no reason to believe that Iowa can put up numbers like that in Big Ten games, especially one in Happy Valley. The Hawkeyes defense will slow Penn State some, but their offense will go back to its typical slumber. Pick: Under 40

Cal at No. 8 Washington (-21)

Washington has been laying waste to its schedule so far. The team to come closest to the Huskies was Michigan State last week. The Spartans lost by 34 only because Washington mostly put the…