Joel Klatt picks USC vs. Michigan, other Week 4 marquee games

There are four ranked-on-ranked matchups in Week 4, and FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt picked a winner of each of those showdowns Thursday on his show.

No. 24 Illinois is making the trip to Lincoln to play No. 22 Nebraska Friday night. Then, on Saturday, three more highly-anticipated meetings take place: No. 11 USC plays at No. 18 Michigan, No. 6 Tennessee plays at No. 15 Oklahoma and No. 12 Utah plays at No. 14 Oklahoma State.

Klatt also predicted how No. 8 Miami will do at USF. Klatt is particularly high on USC, Tennessee and Miami this season, so it’s no surprise he opined about all three while revealing his Week 4 picks.

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No. 24 Illinois at No. 22 Nebraska

Spread: Nebraska (-7.5) | Klatt’s pick: Nebraska 24, Illinois 14: Nebraska and Illinois are both undefeated through three games, and they’re facing off under the lights of Memorial Stadium. The Cornhuskers have held 10 straight opponents to 24 points or fewer dating back to last season. The Fighting Illini haven’t given up a touchdown since the third quarter of a Week 2 upset win over then-No. 19 Kansas. This one could be low scoring, but Klatt likes Nebraska, which is protecting the ball better than in years past under the direction of true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola.

“I think Nebraska is going to come out, maybe [use] a trick play [with] all that emotion early and jump on them early,” Klatt said. “I think that they get to 24 [points] overall, and with Nebraska’s defense, as physical as they play and as loud as that environment is, I think that Illinois is going to struggle offensively and only get to 14. I’ve got Nebraska winning at home by 10, 24-14, so I’m laying the points. I’m taking the Huskers Friday night football on FOX.”

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No. 11 USC at No. 18 Michigan

Spread: USC (-5.5) | Klatt’s pick: USC 28, Michigan 17: After an early-season off week, USC is poised to play its second game against a ranked opponent this season, once again entering a top-25 showdown away from the Coliseum. The Trojans and their revamped defense, piloted by coordinator D’Anton Lynn, will go up against a Michigan offense that’s trying out its second starting quarterback, Alex Orji, who has just seven career pass attempts but is a dynamic runner. Klatt believes the game will come down to the Wolverines’ defensive philosophy. He thinks defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has to blitz significantly less than he has been. Otherwise, Klatt sees USC quarterback Miller Moss manipulating the pocket — like Texas’ Quinn Ewers did two weeks ago — and making Michigan pay.

“I don’t think that Michigan is going to change their philosophy on defense,” Klatt said. “Therefore, I think USC is going to carve them up a little bit. I think they’re going to get a lead. And I don’t know if the Alex Orji offense can come back. That’s something that we don’t know. Michigan has to play from in front in this game and with this quarterback. They have to play from in front, which is another reason why they should not blitz on the defensive side. That goes against the play caller’s nature on the defensive side. So I think they blitz, I think that fall they behind, and I think USC wins this game, 28-17.”

No. 6 Tennessee at No. 15 Oklahoma

Spread: Tennessee (-7.5) | Klatt’s pick: Tennessee 21, Oklahoma 20: Tennessee has steamrolled its competition so far. The Volunteers have outscored their first three opponents, 191-13. They’re going to get a much stiffer test this week, and it comes from a familiar foe. Head coach Josh Heupel will face Oklahoma, the school he quarterbacked to a national title in 2000. Back then, current Sooners head coach Brent Venables was co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. This matchup is rich with storylines. Heupel’s Tennessee is humming offensively. And Venables’ Oklahoma has made notable strides defensively, holding Temple, Houston and Tulane to a combined 34 points.

“I think that the Oklahoma defense has been great, but they’ve been very opportunistic,” Klatt said, alluding to the Sooners’ SEC-leading 10 takeaways. “They’re going to get a pick early. I just feel that, again the environment, young quarterback, first road start, but that’s not going to be enough to sustain. I think it’s a really close game. I cannot in good conscience say that [Nico Iamaleava] in his first road start is going to go cover. … I’m going to say Tennessee wins this one by one. Tennessee wins, 21-20, but Oklahoma covers the points. Look for a turnover or two from Nico, and then they overcome it, because Oklahoma can’t capitalize, because that offense is just not what we thought it could possibly be.”

No. 12 Utah at No. 14 Oklahoma State

Spread: Oklahoma State (-2.5) | Klatt’s pick: Utah 31, Oklahoma State 21: Utah is expected to get veteran quarterback Cam Rising back this week, and that’s key considering this the Utes’ first Big 12 game after leaving the Pac-12. Not only that, but it’s a pivotal Big 12 contest that could influence the conference race. Oklahoma State has a seasoned signal caller of its own in Alan Bowman, not to mention star running back Ollie Gordon II. Slowing down Gordon will be priority 1A and 1B for Utah. So far, the Utes are giving up only 109 yards per game on the ground, good for fifth in the Big 12.

“I like Utah in this one,” Klatt said. “I think Utah’s defense is really strong. I don’t love Oklahoma State’s defense, even though I like their program a lot. I think Utah wins this one by 10, 31-21 … and the Utes kind of announce themselves as the direct competitor with Kansas State. I think Kansas State and Utah are going to be the clear cut No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the Big 12 coming out of this week.”

No. 8 Miami at USF

Spread: Miami (-16.5) | Klatt’s pick: Miami 35, USF 10: Miami has already taken care of Florida and Florida A&M. Now, the Hurricanes are up against another in-state foe, USF. The Bulls are searching for their first win over a top-10 opponent in close to 17 years (the last one came versus West Virginia during the 2007 season). Washington State transfer quarterback Cam Ward has been sensational for Miami through three starts. If he keeps his momentum going, and the Hurricanes take care of the ball against a takeaway-hungry USF squad, the Hurricanes could be on their way to a 4-0 start. Klatt thinks they’ll get there.

“I like Miami scoring at least 35, so I’ll put them on the low end to try to be conservative: 35, and I think South Florida scores 10 points,” Klatt said. “I think Miami’s too fast. I think that there’s too much film. There’s not enough of a threat of the passing game for South Florida, and it’s 35-10 Miami. I’m laying them even on the road.”