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Week 4 FCS Spring Football Picks Against the Spread

Brady Trettenero

by Brady Trettenero in College Football

Updated Mar 4, 2021 · 12:47 PM PST

Samford football
Samford head coach Chris Hatcher walks away from the huddle in a timeout during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
  • Week 4 of the FCS Spring Football season gets underway on Thursday, March 4th
  • No. 1 JMU opens up conference play against Elon
  • Read below for the best ATS picks for Week 4 of the FCS spring season

The FCS Spring Football season is in full swing, and there’s no shortage of enticing matchups on tap for Week 4. The loaded slate on Saturday, March 6th features several matchups with strong betting value.

No. 1 JMU will look to keep the momentum rolling against Elon, while Samford and Furman clash in the Southern Conference. Over in the Big Sky Conference, Idaho State and Southern Utah do battle in Cedar City.

Here are three ATS picks to consider for Week 4.

James Madison vs Elon Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
James Madison -21.5 (-107) -3335 O 46.5 (-110)
Elon +21.5 (-114) +120 U 46.5 (-110)

All odds taken Mar. 4th from DraftKings

Dukes Continue to Roll Against Phoenix 

James Madison has risen to the top of the FCS poll and will be searching for a third straight victory when they take on Elon at Rhodes Stadium on Saturday. The Dukes have been explosive offensively in two wins against Morehead State and Robert Morris, racking up 950 yards of total offense.

They should keep rolling against an Elon defense that got torched for almost 400 yards by Gardner-Webb last time out.

The Phoenix have been really struggling to defend the run, which doesn’t bode well going up against a player as talented as Percy Agyei-Obese. The Dukes’ elite running back has already rushed for 170 yards this season and played a key role in the team’s 45-19 victory over Elon last season. JMU is 3-0 all-time at Rhodes Stadium, winning each game by an average of 38 points.

The Dukes have the chance to really exert their dominance now that North Dakota State finally saw their winning streak come to an end. The Phoenix simply don’t have the weapons to keep pace with this high-powered offense, especially considering James Madison has allowed just 16 total rushing yards this season. Expect JMU to open conference play with a bang and cover the spread behind a monstrous outing from Agyei-Obese.

  • Pick: James Madison -21.5 (-107)

Samford vs Furman Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Samford +9.5 (-104) +270 O 54.5 (113)
Furman -9.5 (-117) -345 U 54.5 (-108)

Bulldogs Keep It Close Against Paladins 

Samford and Furman will both be looking for their seconds wins of the season when the two teams clash at Paladin Stadium in Greenville on Saturday. The Bulldogs are coming an impressive 55-27 victory over Western Carolina, while Furman is coming off a close 14-13 loss to VMI.

The play of quarterback Liam Welch is reason to believe the Bulldogs can at least stay within the number Saturday. The junior QB went 26-for-36 passing for 311 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for an additional three scores against the Catamounts. He should be in for another big day against a Furman secondary that looked vulnerable against the Keydets.

Both these teams are stout defensively, which means the game could come down to a few key plays. The Bulldogs picked off Ryan Glover twice in Week 3 and boast one of the better pass rushes in the conference.

Look for Welch and junior defensive tackle Nelson Jordon to keep rolling and come up with a few big plays to make this game close.

  • Pick: Samford +9.5 (-104)

Idaho State vs Southern Utah Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Idaho State +3.5 (-115) +125 O 54 (112)
Southern Utah -3.5 (-106) -152 U 54 (-109)

Thunderbirds Bounce Back Against Bengals

Southern Utah is set up nicely to pick up their win of the season against Idaho State in Week 4 after losing on the final play of the game against NAU last time out. There were many positives for the Thunderbirds despite the loss, including the play of quarterback Justin Miller, who threw for 288 yards and five touchdowns in his first start.

It wasn’t much of a surprise that Idaho State got blown out by Weber State in their opener, but the team showed some defensive vulnerability that could be exploited by the Thunderbirds. Miller and receiver Brandon Schenks showed excellent chemistry for SUU in the opener and could have a field day against an Idaho State secondary that got torched for over 300 yards by the Wildcats.

Idaho State certainly has the passing attack to put up points in this one, but it’s worrisome they were shutout in the first half last time out. QB Tyler Vander Waal also threw two interceptions in the game and was sacked five times. He could be in for another tough day going up against a Southern Utah defense that made some big plays in Week 3 and features a healthy La’akea Kaho’ohanohano-Davis.

When these two teams met at Eccles Coliseum last season, the Thunderbirds offense exploded in a 59-34 victory. Look for the team to build off their offensive output against NAA and dominate the air game en route to a commanding victory.

  • Pick: Southern Utah -3.5 (-106)
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