Week 4 is here for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero

Note:. Each week, winners of the 6-0 Challenge will be celebrated in Joe's weekly newsletter, "SPORTS! Happy Hour." Don't forget, picks are against the spread.

Celebrated from coast to coast by sports fans, bag men, bartenders, mafia kings and mathematicians, Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero is the greatest resource for college football shenanigans on the internet. This is the 15th season for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero in its various forms.

This is the second season of the grand experiment for readers to get in on the action. 's newsletter, "SPORTS! Happy Hour," to keep up with who wins the 6-0 Challenge each week. Make your and compare your wits against the experts (and Joe). Win the 6-0 Challenge and enjoy eternal glory. The newsletter comes out every Thursday afternoon at 4:20 p.m. Enter your email to subscribe.

Joe subscribes to ol' Billy Shakespeare's philosophy of picking football games. "Jesters do oft prove prophets," mused the Great Bard. What is Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero? Consider it a gift to society.

THE GRAND EXPERIMENT

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for AL.com. What happens when a sportswriter picks some of the toughest games of the week and goes head-to-head against a sharp and a football expert with a Harvard education? It's a gift for college football fans every week in the state where college football is like a religion.

The Pro is Lee Sterling, a noted numbers man of national success. Sterling features his best picks on his website, ParamountSports.com , but The Pro fearlessly picks the most difficult college games of the week against Joe and the Hero. Joe is just a hack and a slacker who everyone loves to hate.

No one works harder than Hero Ben Abercrombie. Ben played football at Hoover High School and Harvard, and he's working every day to regain his ability to walk. He's a student at Harvard, and an inspiration to all. To thank him, we want everyone to stand up for Ben and show him some love .

Show Joe no love at all. Besmirch his name at small dinner parties, and troll him with signs on ESPN College GameDay.

Click the link here to make your picks for Week 4 of the 6-0 ChallengeWe're also embedding the picks form each week in Joe's columns and here in Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero. Weekly winners of the 6-0 Challenge will be announced in Joe's newsletter. . Remember, picks are against the spread.

LAST WEEK

Joe:

Pro:

Hero:

Notes: Joe and Hero had rough weeks against the spread. Do they even know ball?

SEASON TOTALS

Joe:

Pro:

Hero:

Notes: Katy bar the door! Pro is leaving Joe and the Hero in the dust. Time for Joe to take chances because that always works out. A special thank you to the Pro for taking the time out of his busy schedule to participate in the grand experiment. He's over 60 percent lifetime for clients on personal picks at his website. Check out ParamountSports.com. The Pro knows.

No.11 USC (3-0, 0-0) at No.17 Michigan (2-1, 0-0)

When:

Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.

TV:

Series: USC leads 6-4.

Spread: USC by 5.5.

Total:

Trendy: USC is 2-0 against the spread this season.

USC GAME NOTES: USC has not allowed any points in the first quarter in its first two games. USC had a total yardage advantage of 379-101 at halftime.

Joe says: Michigan quarterback Davis Warren tossed three picks last week against Arkansas State before getting the hook. So long. New quarterback Alex Orji is making his first start. I think he's going to struggle against USC's defense. Trojans' quarterback Miller Moss is completing 72.7 percent of his passes. Michigan was a lot better when they could steal signs.

Joe's pick: USC 24, Michigan 18

Pro says: It only took six interceptions over the first three games for the Wolverines coaching staff to replace walk-on quarterback Davis Warren with Alex Orgi. Warren was a "no-threat" quarterback. Orgi is a dual-threat option who might be able to elevate the offense with his running ability. USC's win over LSU looked good at the time, but the Tigers barely beat lowly South Carolina last week. Welcome to the Big Ten, Trojans!

Pro's pick: Michigan 24, USC 20

Hero says: The Big Ten threw USC into the deep water by scheduling their first conference game at the Big House against Michigan. Fortunately for USC, Michigan is still trying to find their identity on offense and will be starting a new quarterback, junior Alex Orji. Alex is a good runner but very much unproven as a passer. I think the Trojans' revamped defense can limit Michigan's one-dimensional offense and USC's offense, led by junior quarterback Miller Moss, can score enough on a very good Michigan defense to win their first regular season Big Ten conference game.

Hero's pick: USC 24, Michigan 17

No.12 Utah (3-0, 0-0) at No.13 Oklahoma State (3-0, 0-0)

When:

Where: T. Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Okla.

TV:

Series: Oklahoma State leads 1-0.

Spread: Oklahoma State by 3.

Total:

Trendy: Oklahoma State has covered the spread in six of its last eight games at home.

UTAH GAME NOTES: Utah is 31-10 in conference games since 2019.

Joe says: Oklahoma State's defense is ranked 124th in the country, allowing 462.7 yards per game. Not good. Utah quarterback Cam Rising is still playing college football after all these years. Is he 35 years old? Rising missed last week with a hand injury, but he's apparently good to go this week for Utah's debut in the Big 12. Utah a playoff sleeper?

Joe's pick: Utah 35, Oklahoma State 28

Pro says: Utes quarterback Cam Rising is a difference maker when he's healthy. Oklahoma State's defense struggled against Arkansas giving up over 200 rushing yards and 400 passing yards but somehow won as the Razorbacks turned the ball over three times. Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon, who amassed 1,732 yards rushing last year, has only been able to muster 90 on 34 carries the last two weeks. Home field won't be enough for the Cowboys here.

Pro's pick: Utah 28, Oklahoma State 23

Hero says: The status of injured Utah quarterback Cam Rising could have a big impact on this game if he is still unavailable ... even though the Utes backup quarterback Issac Wilson performed well last week. The Utes defense is tough, only giving up 187 yards per game. Cowboys senior quarterback Alan Bowman led them back for a win over Arkansas and they are averaging 334 passing yards per game. The Okie's defense has given up some big plays this season, but I think they can get enough stops to secure the win for the Cowboys at home.

Hero's pick: Oklahoma State 31, Utah 27

Vanderbilt (2-1, 0-0) at No.6 Missouri (3-0, 0-0)

When:

Where: Memorial Stadium, Columbia, Mo.

TV: SEC Network

Series: Missouri leads 11-4-1.

Spread: Missouri by 21.

Total:

Trendy: Missouri has covered the spread in 9 of its last 12 games.

VANDY GAMES NOTES: Diego Pavia ranks eighth among FBS quarterbacks with 144 yards rushing after contact.

Joe says: Vandy coach Clark Lea mentioned this week that his team was too complacent going into Georgia State week. It was a good wake-up call before SEC play. The 'Dores are good enough to beat anyone this season, says Lea, but not good enough to win ugly. I'm still high on quarterback Diego Pavia. He led a 22-point fourth-quarter comeback in Atlanta. Let's get reckless.

Joe's pick: Vanderbilt 25, Missouri 23

Pro says: It was tough to gauge how good the Tigers were after two games against pushovers. Last week against Boston College they gave up two touchdowns on Boston College's first three drives to end any hope of three straight shutouts. What does Vanderbilt have that Boston College had on offense? A mobile quarterback in New Mexico State transfer Diego Pavia and underrated offensive coordinator Tim Beck from Nebraska. Three tuddies is a lot to lay coming off Boston College with a road game next week at Texas A&M.

Pro's pick: Missouri 37, Vanderbilt 20

Hero says:Vanderbilt was one of the feel-good stories of the season until they lost to Georgia State last week in Atlanta. Mizzou had a fight on their hands with Boston College last Saturday but pulled out the victory. I like the Tigers to win at home, but I think Vandy will keep it respectable.

Hero's pick: Missouri 34, Vanderbilt 17

No.7 Tennessee (3-0, 0-0) at No.15 Oklahoma (3-0, 0-0)

When:

Where: Memorial Stadium, Norman, Okla.

TV: ABC and ESPN+

Series: Oklahoma leads 3-1.

Spread: Tennessee by 7.

Total:

Trendy: Tennessee is 3-0 against the spread this season.

OU GAME NOTES: Tennessee is Oklahoma's first AP Top-10 opponent in Norman since 2017 when the No. 5 Sooners beat No. 8 TCU 38-20. OU is 5-3 at home against AP Top-10 competition since the start of the 2000 season.

Joe says: Time to see if Oklahoma's defense can survive in the SEC. Tennessee's offense looks like it might be one of the best in the country behind quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The Vols are ranked third in the country in rushing yards per game (336.3). This one is personal for Vols coach Josh Heupel. Baptize the Boomers? Am I saying this right?

Joe's pick: Tennessee 33, Oklahoma 21

Pro says: The Vols at this point look unbeatable after dominating their first three opponents 191-13. They finally will play a road game, and it's Nico Iamaleava's first since he took over for their bowl game win against Iowa. The two games the Vols played on the road last season against ranked opponents they lost by 14 points against Alabama and 29 against Missouri. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel is coming home to where he won a national title. I'm not a big believer in storybook endings.

Pro's pick: Oklahoma 30, Tennessee 28

Hero says: The Vols have looked like a national championship contender so far this season, but the competition will be stiffer in Norman. The focus is on Tennessee coach Josh Heupel's offense against Oklahoma's defense designed by coach Brent Venables, but how well the Sooners offense can move the ball against the Vol defense will be another key factor in this game. Oklahoma is getting a key piece of their offense back this week in wide receiver Nic Anderson, who will give Sooner quarterback Jackson Arnold a dependable option in the passing game. The Sooner defense may be able to slow down the UT offense, but I think Vol quarterback Nico Iamaleava and their strong running game score enough to win.

Hero's pick: Tennessee 31, Oklahoma 27

Baylor (2-1, 0-0 Big 12) at Colorado (2-1, 0-0 Big 12)

When:

Where: Folsom Field, Boulder, Colo.

TV:

Series: Colorado leads 9-7.

Spread: Colorado by 1.5.

Total:

Trendy: Colorado has hit the game total over in four of its last five games at Folsom.

BAYLOR GAME NOTES: Baylor's loss in Week 2 to Utah didn't count in the Big 12 standings, but the stats can't be erased. Bears game notes say BU punter Palmer Williams had the best game in program history. Weird flex but OK.

Joe says: Baylor's pass defense is ranked No.1 in the country but the Bears haven't played anyone and I doubt they have an answer for all-everything Travis Hunter (123 snaps against Colorado State) and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Hunter is worth about 10 points per game. Colorado will get the stops it needs to win at Folsom. Coach Prime makes a statement.

Joe's pick: Colorado 35, Baylor 27

Pro says: Not much to like here. Both teams don't look any better than last year. The loser probably is looking at no shot of playing in a bowl game. Baylor had trouble last week until the fourth quarter against maybe the worst Air Force team in close to 45 years. At least Colorado looked in control from the second quarter against Colorado State in the rivalry game.

Pro's pick: Colorado 28, Baylor 24

Hero says: Coach Prime's Buffs bounced back last week after getting bullied by Nebraska. The Bears also played better last week after losing to Utah the week before. Colorado leaves a lot to be desired on both sides of the ball, but having Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter will be enough to sneak past a below average Baylor team.

Hero's pick: Colorado 27, Baylor 24

Arkansas (2-1, 0-0) at Auburn (2-1, 0-0)

When:

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.

TV:

Series: Auburn leads 20-12-1.

Spread: Auburn by 4.

Total:

Trendy: Arkansas has covered the spread in its last five away games.

AUBURN GAME NOTES: Tigers lead the country with nine players who have already caught a touchdown pass.

Joe says: Both Auburn and Arkansas have had sloppy starts to the season. Auburn looked better against New Mexico, but how much stock can put into that victory? It's a recipe for SEC shenanigans. Hank Brown's confidence gives me confidence. The kid has moxie. Hoping his deep ball can soften up the Hogs' rushing defense.

Joe's pick: Auburn 42, Arkansas 30

Pro says: The Razorbacks look like they have better talent with Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green. He passed and ran for a combined 477 yards in Arkansas' overtime loss two weeks ago at Oklahoma State. Auburn starting quarterback Hank Brown will be making his SEC debut. Payback for last year's 48-10 blowout home loss.

Pro's pick: Arkansas 31, Auburn 28

Hero says: Auburn looked better on offense last week led by quarterback Hank Brown's four touchdown passes against a terrible New Mexico defense. UAB gave Arkansas a good game last week, but I believe we will see a different Hogs team this week at Auburn. The Tiger defense will have their hands full with Arkansas dual-threat quarterback Taylen Green, and will need to force some turnovers to give the Tigers offense some scoring opportunities. The Auburn offense, led by Peyton Thorne, ran all over the Hog defense last year in Fayetteville. It will be interesting to see if Hugh Freeze gives Peyton a shot at redemption if Hank Brown struggles in his first SEC start. This is a tough one to call but I lean towards Arkansas getting some revenge for last year's beat down by Auburn.