The Four To Score: Week 3

Conference play needs to get here...FAST!

Yeah, we get it Pat. We messed up. Now go back to eating hot dogs in the box.

As stated before, the college football season is a bit of a marathon, and you are bound to slip up at some points here and there. Last week, The Four To Score forgot to tie its shoes and fell flat on its face. Bad picks (Wazzu, Texas, and UCLA) and bad beats (Texas-BYU under, Stanford) brought us back toward the 50% mark after a stellar Week 1. Chad was hit a bit harder by last week's results, as he struggled to a 1-4 week. I'd argue that I was a bit more unlucky, as the only thing that kept me from a winning week was the Texas defense not coming out of the tunnel until the fourth quarter (game was 6-0 at halftime and destined to go well under the total, only for there to be 35 points in 3rd quarter). Enough with the griping though. The third week of college football provides us with an opportunity to make things right, and get back on that winning horse. Based on the card this week, we'll just say that we can't wait for conference play to get here.... 

First Down: West Virginia +3.5 at Maryland, 12:00 PM EST (Garrett)

Revenge of the Holgo

Though the Mountaineers got ruined (37-0 in this game last year, Holgo's boys are a much different team than the version we saw last year. They more than held their own against Alabama in the opener, and looked sharp again last week, even if they were only playing Towson. On the other side of the ball, Maryland looks like it might have taken a step back from last year. They haven't played anyone coming out the gate, yet still nearly lost to South Florida last week in a game that saw the Terps turn the ball over six times! Had they played a team with a competent offense, Maryland would rightfully be 1-1. The last thing you can do against a Dana Holgorsen team is give them more opportunities to score...Clint Trickett and the Moutaineers will do just enough this week in a big revenge spot to get the win outright. Prepare the couches, Morgantown!

The face of a man about to deliver a Country Ass Whippin'

Baylor -33 at Buffalo, 8:00 EST FRIDAY (Chad)

Baylor is rapidly becoming the Oregon of the Bible belt, exchanging the frank, to the point speed of Chip Kelly with the folksy, cornpone spinnings of Art Briles. Briles is a long undervalued master of Offense and his Bears have cruised through the first two weeks. Baylor leaves their new Boatgating Palace for the first time this season and heads to the Canadian Border town of Buffalo to play the Bulls. Honestly, I have no idea who Buffalo's current coach is, and I don't care. It could be the second coming of Hal Mumme and my analysis wouldn't change. Buffalo beat Duquesne by 10(!) in week one, then proceeded to lose to the Juggernaut that is Army by 8 in week two. Buffalo is bad, and Baylor is not. Baylor by more than 5 scores.

Second Down: Arkansas +2 at Texas Tech, 3:30 PM EST (Garrett)

I must admit that I'm a bit worried about the lights finally coming on against Texas Tech. That being said, this team in turmoil is going up against an extremely hungry Arkansas team desperate to end a ten game losing streak in games against meaningful opposition. Simply put, the situation and the matchup favor Woo Pig. The Red Raiders have been undisciplined (25 penalties for 204 yards) and couldn't stop the run against lowly UTEP or Central Arkansas (108th in the country, giving up 224.5 ypg on the ground). Conversely, Bielema's boys at Arkansas thrive on running the ball, as they are currently 12th in the country in rushing yards, and QB Brandon Allen is a lot better than most people think. The Razorbacks ground attack should allow them to slow the game, and keep Tech's offense from getting into a groove by keeping them off the field. Woo Pig narrowly missed out on the cover in Week 1 against Auburn, but they get the cover and the win here.

Unfortunately, the Universe will not deprive the archetypal Tech fan of a W Saturday. Wreck 'Em!

Texas Tech -2 vs. Arkansas, 3:30 EST (Chad)

Under very few circumstances would I ever pick against Texas Tech with conviction given the past decade plus of Red Raider football. At home, against a less than established opponent is not one of them.  Yes, Arkansas can run the ball. Yes, Arkansas has considerably more talent than either Central Arkansas or UTEP. But, let's be real. This is Texas Tech, Destroyer of Dreams, playing in their desolate tumbleweed and tortilla infested fortress. Cliff Kingsbury is no idiot, and will have his guys fired up and ready to play Arkansas. They will even be wearing Dykes era throwback helmets, which would make the Hogs running all over them all to ironic. Kliff has hired a non-idiot to run his defense (Matt Wallerstedt) who will stuff the box. Brandon Allen might be "better than people think," but better there is a bunch of room between "Literally Cannot Hit Broad Side of Barn" and "Still Not Very Good" (Allen is somewhere between those two right now). It may not be a blowout, it may not be convincing, but somehow the Raider's pull this one off. 

Third Down: Colorado +15.5 vs. Arizona State, 10:00 PM EST (Garrett)

As I stated in our season preview, the Sun Devils are likely to regress this season given the inexperience on defense (only 2 returning starters). This is the first game in which that unit will go up against a competent offense, as last week's opponent New Mexico is an option-based team, and Weber state is Weber State. Look, I'm not saying Colorado is a world-beater that will win this one outright. After all, they barely beat UMass last week by a field goal. That being said, the offense did look like a unit that had figured some things out, and this game is a massive revenge spot for the Buffaloes given what the Sun Devils did to them in Tempe last season (54-13). Expect to see some wacky things happen late at night in Boulder on Saturday, as Arizona State will be hoping to just get to their bye week unscathed before hitting the bulk of their schedule.

Oregon -43.5 vs. Wyoming, 2:00 PM EST (Chad)
Oregon scored 46 against Michigan State, the latest "Hey, the B1G doesn't suck!" team to get embarrassed. Wyoming is... I can't. Seriously, if my editorial director wouldn't have thrown a fit, I would've just put "BAHAHAHAHA" and then a picture of Puddles riding a motorcycle. But... Actually, whatever. I don't care...

Fourth Down: Penn State -3 vs. Rutgers, 8 PM EST (Garrett)

Happy times in Happy Valley right now. 

I was pretty impressed when Rutgers was able to go on the road to Wazzu in Week 1 and get an upset win as an eight point underdog. Then Wazzu lost last week to Nevada, and Rutgers' win against Mike Leach's crew started to look like just an ordinary W. Though Rutgers returns 16 starters and will be playing their first ever B1G game at home, I just think there is a distinct difference in talent here that will lead to a Penn State victory. I loved seeing how James Franklin's unit responded to some adversity in Dublin, driving down the field in the last 1:13 of the game to kick a game-winning field goal (not to mention UCF is a much more formidable opponent than Wazzu). Also, don't forget the added meaning every game now has for the Nittany Lions, as they recently had their postseason eligibility reinstated. For the conference race and bowl purposes, the Penn State can ill afford to lose a game against the team that many predicted would finish at the bottom of the B1G East. Hackenberg will shine once again for Penn State, as they win by a touchdown on the road.

Georgia -5.0 at South Carolina, 3:30 EST (Chad)
When we last saw our hero, he was sulking back to his headquarters at Augusta National, fresh off a swagtastic ass whipping from Kevin Sumlin and the Aggies ( I know they played East Carolina and won last week, but that ruins the narrative). Unfortunately, things will get worse before they get better for the HBC. I predicted doom for South Carolina this year and nothing I've seen in the first two week changes that line of thinking. They simply lost too much on defense to be a front line contender in the SEC. Georgia, however, has the look of a front runner all of the sudden, with Todd Gurley looking very much like an invitee to New York for the Heisman ceremony come awards season. Sandstorm and a little Tennessee trash talkin' had a hell of a run over the past 3 seasons, but Saturday marks the true beginning of the end for Spurrier's run at South Carolina. Our hero will next be relevant in 2017... (URL for SpurrierforTexas.com still available. NO, not for a coaching position, silly, for Governor!).

Extra Point: Notre Dame vs. Purdue UNDER 57.5, 7:30 PM EST (Garrett)

In the past eight years, this game has gone under the total five times (5-2-1), and only twice has the posted total been north of 57.5 (both contests went under). When you look at this matchup, a few things stand out. First, Purdue is &%^*&! awful. Secondly, this game reeks of being a hangover spot for Notre Dame after last week's huge rivalry win over Michigan. Purdue struggled to score against Central Michigan last week at home, and odds are that trend will continue against the team that shutout Michigan in primetime. That being said, this one will probably be closer than people think (Notre Dame is -28), as four of the last five games in this series have been decided by 11 points or less. Purdue struggles to score, but somehow hangs around for awhile in a game that stays well under the posted total. 

"I told you sir, we are out of midsize sedans. We have a great selection in the economy class still available."

Arkansas St. +17.5 vs. Miami (FL) 3:30 EST (Chad)
At this point, I wouldn't trust Al Golden to run an Enterprise Rent-a-Car (get it, he looks like he works there). Looking at comps, Arkansas State covered against a pretty good Tennessee team on the road in Knoxville last week. Miami is probably about as talented as the Volunteers, but is still breaking in a True Freshman at Quarterback. Arkansas States doesn't win, but they lose by less than this. 

Garrett's Record: 6-4

Chad's Record: 4-5-1

Overall Four To Score Record: 10-9-1