The CFB Gods Have Frowned Upon Us
Last week was absolutely brutal for The Four To Score. It was darker, and contained more punches to the gut than Sunday's episode of Breaking Bad. First, Alabama gave up a meaningless, garbage time touchdown to leave us hooked by the line. Then both Auburn and Arizona State failed to cover by a single score, and just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, UCLA and Nebraska failed to go over the total after scoring 59 points in the first three quarters. Bo Pelini may have had some choice words for Husker fans after that Ohio State game a few years ago, but the only forceful language needed to be spoken this week should directed at him and his offense for failing to score in the final 37 minutes of the game. You would think the CFB Gods would pay us back for enduring such misery by giving us a week full of juicy, enticing games. Instead, they defecated on us some more and decided to give us a Week 3 schedule that can only be described as "El Peor." That being said, here is the best of the worst.
First Down: USC -6 vs. Utah State
I know, I know. Yes, this team is coached by Lane Kiffin, one of the biggest douches in football. Yes, this team lost to Wazzu earlier this season, and burned the hell out of us in doing so. However, they got back on track with a win at Boston College last week, and this defensive unit is still extremely solid. The offense should get better with every week that passes, and Marqise Lee should start seeing more of the ball. On the flip side, Utah State lost their other game against a PAC-12 foe earlier this season against in-state rival Utah. The Aggies defense gave up 30 points to the Utes, and 20 to the Air Force Falcons. I expect them to give up a considerable amount of points to the Trojans, and for the USC defense to keep Utah State in check. For the love of God, Lane Kiffin, get us to the window!
Second Down: Arizona State +6.5 vs. Stanford
Todd Graham's Sun Devils came up with a huge victory against Wisconsin last week, albeit with a controversial ending. I said in last week's edition that this ASU team is probably the best in the PAC-12 South, and their come-from-behind victory made me an even bigger believer, as last year's team would have probably folded under such conditions. Graham will certainly have his team up for their second big game in a row, against a Stanford team that has been surprisingly unimpressive so far this season. The Cardinal could have just been going vanilla in the early weeks to save up for this game, but this week's only matchup between ranked opponents should go down to the wire.
Third Down: LSU -17 vs. Auburn
Auburn may be 3-0, but they are also a young team, and they have to play at Tiger Stadium this week...at night. The difference between day and night games at LSU is worth at least three points with the book, and Phil Steele goes as far to say the home field advantage is worth eight points at night. Malzahn is doing a great job of bringing this team back from the depths Gene Chizik took it to, but they will be outmanned and outclassed on Saturday night in Baton Rouge. When all is said and done, LSU could be lifting the crystal ball in Pasadena. The big guns in Vegas love this LSU team, and they very well may be the more complete team after seeing Alabama give up 42 points to Texas A&M last week. If there was ever a time to lay a lot of chalk in the SEC, its on the LSU Tigers at home, under the lights, against a team who has gone 2-7 ATS as a road dog the last two years. Geaux Tigers, and leave the Mad Hatter antics at home, Les.
Fourth Down: Arkansas +2.5 vs. Rutgers
Woo Pig only has one thing on their mind this week: REVENGE. Arkansas fell into a deep, dark abyss last season, losing to Rutgers at home along the way. With Bret Bielema now in charge though, the Razorbacks are 3-0 and showing signs of life again. Though the Scarlet Knights are not an SEC opponent, they provide Arkansas a perfect opportunity to show the country that this year's team is vastly improved from the one that took the field las season. Rutgers played Fresno State very tough in the season opener, but they are only 5-9 ATS as a home favorite over the past four seasons. Arkansas has all the motivation in the world here, and should edge out a victory thanks to the fact that they actually have a competent coach leading their program again. Oh, and for those of you who doubt Bielema, I give you this:
Yeah, this dude out-kicked his coverage by a country mile. How can you doubt this man's ability after seeing that?
Extra Point: Florida vs. Tennessee UNDER 48
Since the start of the 2012 season, Will Muschamp's defense has only given up more than 20 points on three occasions: to E.J. Manuel's Florida State; to Teddy Bridgewater's Louisville; and to Miami last week. As you can see, it takes a pretty special talent at quarterback to put up points on Florida, and I don't see first-round NFL talent under center for the Volunteers this season. The Gators will be out for blood after losing to Miami two weeks ago, and Tennessee is going to be the sacrificial lamb. This should be a low-scoring, physical contest with the Florida defense attacking the Vols like rabid dogs, and Jeff Driskel keeping his own offense from scoring too many points as well.
The Four To Score: 4-7
Extra Points: 1-1
Overall: 5-8
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