It’s all underdogs in this week’s edition of the Cover 4, but we’re not just playing the big spread game and hanging on for dear life.

If you watched or listened to Bootleg this week—and if you didn’t, what’s wrong with you?—you already know that these are dogs that we expect to win outright.

We typically stick to Saturday games, but, this time around, we’re leading off with some Friday night action.

Let’s get to it.

Boston College (+3.5) at Miami (FL)

Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 PM CT | Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Bratke’s Very Good Dog is a very easy sell.

AJ Dillon is back for Boston College, which is massive, as Dillon is among the best backs in the country.

Miami is switching back to Malik Rosier at quarterback, which, no disrespect to Rosier, but the musical chairs that head coach Mark Richt continues to play at the position is not what you want.

Last, and perhaps most important, this is the annual Red Bandana Game for the Eagles, which provides phenomenal aesthetics in honor of true American hero, but also seems to provide a little additional something for the players, as BC has upset both Florida State and USC in this spot over the past couple of years.

The Play: Boston College (+3.5)

Washington State (+3) at Stanford

Saturday, Oct. 27 at 6 PM CT | Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, Calif.

Again, at the risk of oversimplifying, this isn’t a play that takes a whole lot of explanation and creativity.

Wazzu throws the hell out of the ball. Stanford ranks second-to-last in the league in passing yards against.

The Cardinal we’re seeing in 2018 is not what we’re used to. They actually struggle to establish physicality to such an extent that a more talented Washington State may also be the more dominant of the two teams up front.

The Cougs already have an established knack for defending well against the Stanford ground game—and this offensive line hasn’t blocked for a running back all season.

The Play: Wazzu (+3)

Iowa (+4.5) at Penn State

Saturday, Oct. 27 at 2:30 PM CT | Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.

Upon a little further review, my Very Good Dog feels like the riskier of the two. But that’s more a tip of the cap to KB’s eagle eye for opportunity this week than an admittance of uncertainty on my own part.

Iowa is red hot. The Hawkeyes have everything to play for. Its defense is among the very best in the nation.

Penn State, on the other hand, has looked flat, uninspired and, at times, disinterested. The Nittany Lions had national championship aspirations that have since been reduced to Outback Bowl aspirations, and processing that letdown has not come easy.

The Hawkeyes know that this is the highest hurdle they have left to clear on a surprising path to a Big Ten Championship game, so Ferentz and the boys will be locked in.

The Play: Iowa (+4.5)

Arkansas (+1.5) vs. Vanderbilt

Saturday, Oct. 27 at 11 AM CT | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark.

I’m going rogue, here. Didn’t even run this one by Bratke. Frankly, I was afraid he’d talk me out of it and I couldn’t take that risk.

The Hogs are sneaky above average of late. Had Arkansas not lost Ty Storey and its top two rushers to injury in the second half against Ole Miss, it very likely would have escaped with a victory. Last week, with Tulsa in town—yes, I realize what Tulsa is—the defense pitched its first shutout and the offense did enough to make it comfortable.

Now, the Razorbacks are at home, with Storey back, and a little juice as they head into a spot that looks like their best opportunity to pocket a conference win this season.

Most importantly, I’ll be in the building—providing immense inspiration, no doubt—and I love when my real-life rooting interest has some cash attached to it.

Join me, won’t you?

The Pick: Arkansas (+1.5)