The college football season is heating up, and the NFL enters week 4. This week offers valuable betting opportunities in both leagues to deliver our betting picks.
With massive playoff implications and potential financial windfalls, these picks stand out in this week’s slate. Here are my two favorite plays: one college, one NFL.
This Week’s Winners In NFL and College
First Best Bet
Preview: No. 6 Oregon (4-0) at No. 3 Penn State (3-0)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 27, 2025, 7:30 PM EST
Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
Broadcast: NBC
Current Line: Penn State -3.5
This is the first real test for both teams after easy cupcake schedules. It’s likely the biggest Big Ten game not involving Ohio State or Michigan. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has a chance to show the Nittany Lions are National Title contenders, and his experience plus the whiteout home field gives a major edge. This will be Allar’s first real challenge since losing last year’s National Semifinal against Notre Dame. Penn State’s defense shines with impressive metrics, including a noteworthy success rate and havoc rate that rank them among the top defenses nationally.
For Oregon, this is arguably the biggest game quarterback Dante Moore will have played in so far in his young college career. The spot is tough for Moore, going into a hostile environment in Happy Valley and looking to pull out a win against a stout defense. I expect Penn State’s defense to force turnovers, creating short fields for the offense.
Too much experience and just a good spot here for Penn State at home to show why they are possibly the best team in the country. Look for a little revenge spot here as well for Penn State after losing to Oregon in the Big Ten championship game last season.
Notes
- Rematch of last year’s Big Ten Championship Game, which the Ducks won.
- Both teams look to return to the College Football Playoff after making it last year.
Betting Pick: Penn State -3.5
Second Best Bet
Preview: Baltimore Ravens (1-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)
Date & Time: Sunday, September 28, 2025, 4:25 PM EST
Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Broadcast: CBS
Current Line: Baltimore -2.5
As week 4 in the NFL approaches, most would not have said the loser of this game would go to 1-3 and be at risk of not making the postseason. But that’s what we have in this matchup after the Baltimore Ravens fell to the Detroit Lions and Kansas City got their first win against the New York Giants last week.
The Ravens offense is among the best in the NFL and will be able to move the ball on a tough Kansas City defense. While some might argue Baltimore’s defense can’t be trusted, its performance is backed by its higher DVOA rankings. Baltimore’s offensive DVOA ranks higher than Kansas City’s, highlighting their efficiency against all opponents. Although the Ravens’ defense has struggled, they still maintain the edge, as the Chiefs’ offense isn’t as dominant as it was in years past. This gives the Ravens’ defense a chance to secure enough stops, returning the ball to their offense.
The Chiefs are 1-2 and have shown that when playing a higher-tier opponent, they can’t produce enough to win. Both losses this season have come against higher-caliber opponents in the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs’ offense doesn’t appear to be showing signs of improvement. There aren’t many weapons at Patrick Mahomes’ disposal. The loss of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy has been a critical factor as Travis Kelce’s production continues to spiral downward.
Notes:
- Ravens are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games.
- The OVER is 5-1 in the Ravens’ last six games.
- Chiefs are 4-1 ATS in their last five games vs. Ravens.
Betting Pick: Ravens -2.5
We go with two favorites here to get us to a 2-0 week.
Main Image: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
