The Four To Score: Week 9

We've joined Charlie Weis in Ramsay Bolton's Dungeon

I had a winning record before last week's games kicked off. Then the 0-for happened. Yup, much like Charlie Weis and Chad West, CPA, I've been relegated to the lowest of lows. It was all going so swimmingly a few weeks ago. Now I can't even make fun of Chad's picks…just kidding, I'll still mock Chad's picks religiously. To make things a bit more interesting this week, we're making our picks Twitter Style. Aided by some of the finest Texas craft brew out there, we're going to do our best to break down our selections in 140 characters or less, hashtags and all. It certainly can't be any worse than the last few weeks. Here goes nothing…

First Down: Texas +10 at Kansas State, 12:00 PM EST (Garrett)

Wizard opts for "Don't Lose Football", as is tradition. Keeps things simple. Texas shows up in all 3 phases. #SwoopesThereItIs


Memphis -23.5 at SMU 12:00 PM EST (Chad)

Can you imagine how bad SMU is gonna be in 16 years when an 80 year old Mack Brown is finally forced out? #10years60million.

Second Down: Ole Miss -3.5 at LSU, 7:15 PM EST (Garrett)

Surely a guy who looks like this can't screw up a night game in Death Valley….

Ole Miss D will stack box, force Tigers to throw. Dr. Bo, @BamaAvenger15's Heisman pick, keeps rolling. Les smells the corn dogs. #PhyllisKnows

South Carolina + 19.5 at Auburn 7:30 PM EST (Chad)

Head Ball Coach is finally done trying to make Georgia look bad and it's green aerating season. #MayAsWellCoachSomeBall.

Third Down: Wisconsin -10.5 vs. Maryland, 12:00 PM EST (Garrett)

Homecoming in Madison with Badgers coming off a bye. Terps were run over at home by Buckeyes, Gordon will do the same. #JumpAround

Michigan State -17 vs. Michigan 3:30 PM EST (Chad)

Michigan is so bad that they may be considering another run at Rich Rod… I mean Jim Harbaugh. #LesMiles4Michigan.

Fourth Down: Oklahoma State -1 vs. West Virginia, 3:30 PM EST (Garrett)

These were the good ol' days….

Gundy is a man, he's 40, and 29-14-1 ATS as home fav. WVU 8-14 ATS in Big 12 games. Holgo gets #DeepBall from Garman all night #NotFireball.

Oregon State +13.5  at Stanford 3:30 PM EST (Chad)

Beavers eat trees, especially trees that are overrated. #NERDS.

Extra Point: TCU vs. Texas Tech OVER 72, 3:30 PM EST (Garrett)

Fort Worth Shootout, much like 2012 game. Tech can score, but can't stop anything. Boykin and Frogs score #AllThePoints so #GaryDoesntSweat.

Oregon State vs. Stanford OVER 43, 3:30 PM EST (Chad)

Stanford decides that if you can't stop 'em every time, and they stop you enough times, you may as well score some points. #Its2014PlaySomeOffense.

Garrett's Record: 17-20-3

Chad's Record: 11-24-1

Overall Record: 28-44-4

The Four To Score: Week 12

Conference Races Winding Down With Huge Games

We're getting closer and closer to the end of the season with each passing week, and the conference races are heating up with big games every week.  Look across the entire country, and you'll find at least one game in every conference that could have a major impact in determining who the conference champion will be.  Unfortunately the national race is nowhere near as compelling, as all signs point to an Alabama vs. Florida State game for the crystal ball, thanks to the Oregon "We Want Bama" Ducks forgetting that they had to play Stanford last week.  Without further hesitation, here are this week's picks.  

First Down: Texas +3 vs. Oklahoma State  3:30 PM EST

The Texas Longhorns probably should not have come away from Morgantown with a win, but last week's performance was a sign that this a team who has come together and simply refuses to lose.  Arguably the most important matchup in the Big XII this weekend, this week's game will likely decide which team plays in the Cotton Bowl, unless either team can upset Baylor in the coming weeks.  Oklahoma State has come on strong in the second half of this season, but I don't think they'd be a six point favorite on a neutral field, as this line would indicate.  Although the Longhorns have been very sketchy at home in the last few seasons under Mack Brown, DKR should be packed and rocking this weekend (not the norm in Austin), fueling the Horns to an upset victory.  Take the Burnt Orange and the points. 

Second Down: USC +4 vs. Stanford  8:00 PM EST

Stanford comes into this game feeling pretty good about themselves, as they are now the favorite to win the conference after last weekend's big home win against Oregon.  However, the Trojans have experienced a bit of a revival under Ed Orgeron, as they have won every game since he took the reigns.   USC will have all the motivation in the world in this one, as they have lost the last four meetings to the Cardinal, and have not won in Los Angeles since 2005.  This scenario reminds me a lot of the Texas vs. Oklahoma game earlier this season, and I'm not making the same mistake again.  USC ends Stanford's streak, catching the Cardinal in a hangover spot.   

Third Down: Texas Tech +28 vs. Baylor  7:00 PM EST

Baylor rolled against the Sooners last week, and Tech faltered at home once again in a big way, so the obvious thought is that this game should be a blowout. After all, Baylor has rolled through just about everyone this season.  Yet I think there is still a bit of fight in this year's version of the Red Raiders.  Now, I'm not saying that I think Texas Tech wins this outright, but I think they come out and keep it from getting ugly.  Give me Kliff's boys and the four touchdowns.  

Fourth Down: Auburn -3 vs. Georgia  3:30 PM EST 

Auburn is on a tear right now, while Georgia has underwhelmed this season due to injuries.  I'll be the first to tell you that I did not see anything like this coming for the Auburn Tigers, but they have been incredibly impressive in their last few games, even if they did come against middle-of-the-road SEC teams.  I don't see Auburn looking ahead in this one, as their QB Nick Marshall is a Georgia transfer.  It may not be a blowout like Auburn's last few games, but Gus Malzahn's gets the win here against an opponent they've only beaten once in their last seven tries.

Extra Point: Kansas State OVER 28 Points
The K-State offense has gelled over the last few weeks, and is rolling.  Though Texas Tech has some problems tackling, you have to give the Wildcats some credit for that performance last weekend.  Kansas State is averaging 34 points a game, and have gone over the total of 28 in four of their last five. Look for them to do it again here, against the dumpster-fire of the Big XII.

The Four To Score: 18-23-1
Extra Points: 4-5-1
Overall: 22-28-1

The Four To Score: Week 10

The Games May Suck, But These Picks Don't

Let's face it...this week's games are horrible.  In fact, some might even say they are worse than the jerseys Oregon State sported against USC this week, which really is saying something based on the level of "suck" the Beavers achieved Friday night.  Given the amount of crap that was put up on the board this week, it was tough finding some good numbers out there, kind of like finding an NFL game that doesn't involve a torn ACL.  Seriously, the amount of torn ACLs has gotten utterly ridiculous.  Before I get further off topic, here are this week's picks. 

First Down: Virginia Tech -4 at Boston College  12:00 PM EST

Beamer's boys are coming off a surprising loss to Duke, where the offense sputtered and only managed to put up 10 points.  Luckily for the Hokies, BC has given up points to everyone, surrendering at least 20 points in each of their last five contests.  Additionally, Logan Thomas and Beamer love playing the Golden Eagles, as they've beaten them each of the past five years.  You know the VT defense will always come to play, and they've been a very impressive unit so far this season, having only given up more than 20 points twice.   I'm banking that Logan Thomas and his offensive teammates can't play any worse than they did last week, so I'll lay the points with the staunch defense while the number posted on the board is the lowest it's been all week.

Second Down: Nebraska -5.5 vs. Northwestern  3:30 PM EST

Nebraska will be out to lay the wood this week after being upset last week in Minnesota, and there isn't a better team to do it against than Northwestern.  Northwestern has completely melted down since losing to Ohio State, as they've lost every game since that heartbreaker.  The Cornhuskers were rolling before losing to the Gophers, as they had won three straight, covering the spread every time.  Though the last two games between these two squads have been close ones, I expect the Huskers to get back on track this week.  Take the points and Big Red at a much better line than the opener of -7.

Third Down: Arkansas +8.5 vs. Auburn  6:00 PM EST

Raise your hand if you had Auburn as Alabama's biggest threat in the SEC West this season...Yeah, that's right, no one did.  People have been heaping praise on the Tigers after their upset win in College Station, but plenty of teams are capable of beating the Aggies and their non-existent defense this season.  Look, I'm not saying Auburn is a bad team, or that it got lucky against Johnny Football.  What I am saying is that there is no way they should be favored by more than a touchdown on the road against an Arkansas team that is coming off a bye week.  The off week was exactly Bielema and his boys needed after getting throttled in three consecutive contests, and they should come out fired up to pull the upset against the newly crowned Top 10 team.  Arkansas may win this one outright, but if they lose, it will be by a narrow margin.

Fourth Down: Miami +22 at Florida State  8:00 PM EST 

All week long people have been slamming the Hurricanes, describing them as the new Texas Tech, aka the most overrated team in the Top 10.  After all, they nearly lost their last two games against the lowly squads of Wake Forest and North Carolina.  If you looked at only those two games, and combined them with how well Famous Jameis is playing, of course this game looks like a blowout.  However, the Hurricanes are still an undefeated ball club, and you have to think that they've been looking ahead to this contest for the past two weeks.  Things can get pretty weird in rivalry games, and this is a gigantic number to post for a rivalry game featuring two undefeated ball clubs.  I don't think Miami can win this one outright, but I certainly think they can keep it within three touchdowns.  Give me the massive amount of points an "Da U." 

Extra Point: Arizona OVER 41.5 Points  3:30 PM EST 

California can't stop the run, as they are rated 90th in the country in Rushing Defense.  Arizona loves to run, as they have the 10th best Rushing Offense in the country, thanks in part to the best back in the country, Ka'deem Carey.  If you look at California's box scores this season, it's blatantly obvious that this defense can't stop anyone.  They've given up over 30 points in every contest, and have conceded over 41 in six of them.  On the other side, the Wildcats have gotten hot lately, as they have scored over 31 points in each of their last three games.  Arizona will pound the ball at will, and they should score just about every time in what should be a high-scoring matchup. 

The Four To Score: 16-16-1

Extra Points: 3-4-1

Overall: 19-20-1

The Four To Score: Week 3

It's Finally Here... Darth Saban vs. Johnny Moneyball 

Everyone's "Game Of The Year" has finally arrived, and with a few other great matchups out there, The Four To Score should get back on track easily after a brutal Week 2.  There is no need to shy away from what happened last week.  When you're in the business of predicting football games, you're bound to get you're tail kicked every once in awhile, that is just the harsh reality of the business.  Thanks to the talents of Devin Gardner, and the complete disregard for ball security from West Virginia and Oklahoma, The Four To Score ended up an underwhelming 2-3 for the week, which at least isn't as bad as Jeff Driskel in the red-zone, or the Texas defense against a simple option play.  Fear not though, as this week's games have me more confident than Nick Saban in a revenge game.  

First Down: Alabama -7.5 vs. Texas A&M

This is the absolute lock of the week.  As mentioned above, Nick Saban has every reason to be confident heading into a revenge game, as he has never lost one.  For those of you with hazy memories, all you have to look back to is the 2011 BCS National Championship, where Saban and Alabama drew an actual "red line" at half field, and refused to let LSU cross it.  While Johnny Manziel is a gamer, he will bet outmatched this year due the departure of some of Texas A&M's key offensive players from last year (Luke Joekcel and Ryan Swope to name a few), and the fact that Saban had an entire offseason to prepare for the Texas A&M spread offense.  Additionally, Texas A&M's defense gave up over 500 yards to Rice, and 390 to Sam Houston State.  If that doesn't tell you what's going to happen when they go up against two-time BCS National Champion A.J. McCarron and Co., who are 7-2 over the past two years as a road favorite, you're blinder than USC and Texas fans who still support Lane Kiffin or Mack Brown.  The hype behind this game leads people to believe it's the "Game Of The Year", but really it will just be a comfortable, double-digit win for Alabama.  All hail Darth Saban.

Second Down: Colorado +8.5 vs. Fresno State

You can now pick your jaw up off the ground after seeing Colorado as my Second Down pick.  This Colorado team is vastly improved from last year's squad, and will be looking for redemption after getting stomped by Fresno State last year.  Speaking of the Bulldogs, they've been very underwhelming this year, as they nearly lost their home opener against Rutgers after being projected by some to be a BCS-buster this year.  After a string of terrible seasons, bettors are going to be very hesitant on Colorado solely because of how bad they were ATS under previous coaches.  But Coach Mike MacIntyre was phenomenal ATS in his last two years at San Jose State, going 19-6 against the number.    Take the points and the team out for revenge. 

Third Down: Arizona State -5.5 vs. Wisconsin

Coming into this game, neither team has allowed its opponents to get on the scoreboard.  That will all change late Saturday night once this Pac-12 vs. Big Ten matchup gets under way.  After seeing USC soil its pants last weekend (to my demise), there is now no doubt that the Sun Devils are the best team in the Pac 12 South.  Under Todd Graham last year, Arizona State went 8-5 ATS, but more importantly they went 4-1 as a home favorite, the scenario in play here.  Led by junior QB Taylor Kelly, this offense should be able to put up points on every opponent they play this year.  On the other side, you can always expect Wisconsin to be solid in the fundamentals of the game.  Yet this team is too one-dimensional for my liking in this big game, as it relies far too heavily on its ground game.  Lay the points here, as the Sun Devils should get their first win over a ranked opponent under Todd Graham.   

Fourth Down: Auburn -5.5 vs. Mississippi State

Mississippi State makes its second appearance in The Four To Score, and once again, they are on the wrong side of the action.  The Bulldogs looked terrible in their opener against Oklahoma State, mustering up next to nothing on the offensive end.  Contrast that to Auburn, a team who is now on the upswing now that Guz Malzahn is holding the reins.  The former OC under Chizik has come back to Auburn after a single season at Arkansas State, where he went 9-4 ATS.  The Tigers are nowhere near the 2010 team in terms of skill, but they are improving under Malzahn (especially on the offensive side of the ball), and should be able to get the cover at home against a very bad Mississippi State team.  

Extra Point:  Nebraska vs. UCLA OVER 69

Last year's version of this game saw 66 points put up on the board, and I expect this year's edition to easily get into the 70s or 80s.  Brett Hundley and Taylor Martinez are both back to lead their high-powered offenses, but both teams struggle mightily on defense.  The Huskers gave up 34 points to Wyoming in their season opener, and the Bruins gave up loads of points last year when they went on the road.  This might be the most fun game to watch all week, as both teams could easily get into the 40s in what should be a very close game. 

The Four To Score: 4-4

Extra Points: 1-0

Overall: 5-4