Week 4 picks

Empty your 401(k) here:

Clemson -3 vs. Florida State

The Tigers don't often make a habit of winning back-to-back big games, especially against the likes of Auburn and Florida State. But freshman Sammy Watkins opened some eyes last week in the Auburn win, and the Noles are battling injuries, most notably to QB E.J. Manuel. If there's ever a time for Clemson to win the ACC, a win here would go a long way in that direction. The visitor is 1-8 in the last nine games in this series, and FSU has dropped four straight at Clemson by 15 points per game.

The pick: Clemson and give the points.

LSU -5.5 at West Virginia

A road win in Starkville last week only strengthened the Bayou Bengals' position as a BCS contender. Now they go to Morgantown, but LSU is 4-0 in true non-conference road games in the last eight years. LSU gets QB Russell Shepard back this week from a three-game suspension. The Mountaineers, who beat Maryland 37-31 last week, are also 3-0. While West Virginia has a high-powered offense, behind QB Geno Smith, LSU is yielding just 12 points per game, which includes the season opening win against Oregon.

The pick: LSU and give the points thanks to its defense.

It's OK to dip into the spare piggy bank:

Florida -21 at Kentucky

The wheels are quickly falling off the Big Blue wagon. And since the Cats don't exactly have a confidence-boosting history against the Gators, this one could get ugly quickly. Florida has won 11 straight in Lexington, and hasn't lost there since 1986. In the last three years, Florida has beaten UK 154-26. While the UK defense has been a bright spot (it has allowed 13 points per game), the likes of Western Kentucky, Central Michigan and Louisville don't quite have the backfield speed of Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps.

The pick: Take the Gators, and it's almost basketball season in the Bluegrass.

Only touch with your father-in-law's cash:

Notre Dame -6.5 at Pittsburgh

The Irish may have solved their quarterback woes, and gained momentum after last week's 31-13 win over No. 15 Michigan State. Pitt, conversely, is recovering from a loss to Iowa where the Panthers lost a 21-point second half lead. Pitt was just 4-for-13 on third downs last week, and its defense will be tested again with Tommy Rees and Michael Floyd in the passing game.

The pick: Irish and give a touchdown

Last week: 3-2

Season:

401(k): 1-0

Piggy bank: 2-1

Father-in-law: 0-1