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 Eight

Lets Forget About "Bloody Saturday"

Bloody Saturday. Black Saturday, if you're into historical stock market references. Whatever you want to call it, last week was not pretty here at Rushing The Field. Chad West, CPA and I took a severe beating. Some would say our wallets caught Ebola, given the hemorrhaging that occurred. Others might say it was as bad as SMU's football team at the beginning of the season. No matter how you slice it or dice it, last week was BAD. Now, the only positive to take from this is that the only place to go from here is up. We're like Washington, before Sarkisian arrived. If we fall any further, we'll be in Dante's Ninth Level of Hell, being forced to watch every play of every noon kickoff game in the Big Ten. No one wants to go there. I'm pretty sure Big Ten fans don't even want to go there. We do want to head back to the glorious Winner's Circle, and hopefully these picks do just that.

Oh, and if you know where Chad West, CPA, is, that information would be greatly appreciated. I can only presume he's face down in a ditch somewhere.

First Down: Oklahoma -7 vs. Kansas State, 12:00 PM EST

This line opened up around -9.5, but has since plummeted down to a touchdown, likely based on Oklahoma's performances the past two weeks. I don't think those two weeks are indicative of where this Oklahoma team is, and especially the type of team it is at home. First, the loss at TCU spoke more about where TCU is as a team, as the Horned Frogs look like a serious contender for the Big 12 Championship after back-to-back phenomenal performances against OU and Baylor. With how bad Trevor Knight's stat line was that game, if he makes a few more completions instead of interceptions, Oklahoma probably gets the W there. Secondly, anyone who knows about the Texas-OU rivalry knew Stoops was going to play that game very close to the chest, a la 2004. Oklahoma knew that if it didn't beat itself, it would win that game, and though their plan was nearly blown up by an incredible performance by Tyrone Swoopes, the Sooners were able to leave the Cotton Bowl with the Golden Hat. You can bet Oklahoma will be looking forward to return to its friendly confines after two very tough contests, and though K-State is a very well-coached ball club, there is still a big talent disparity between these two clubs. Oklahoma has been phenomenal at home under Stoops, and with an HFA around 4-5, there is no way the Sooners are only 2 -3 points better than Kansas State on a neutral field. Big Game Bob gets a statement win at home, as the Sooners win by double digits and look to get back in the playoff race.

Second Down: Washington +21 at Oregon, 8:00 PM EST

I'm going back to the well this week, after the Huskies won outright for me at Cal last weekend. Oregon certainly surprised me with their performance in the Rose Bowl last weekend, and even though King Mariota is the best player in the country, this is just too many points to pass up for a very good defensive team coached by Chris Petersen. All-Galaxy LB Shaq Thompson, who has scored four defensive TDs on the year, and the DL's in front of him will provide a very stiff test for Mariota and the Oregon offensive line. Excluding the debacle against Eastern Washington, Petersen's defensive unit hasn't given up more than twenty points in a game. I don't think Cyler Miles will be able to put up enough points for the Huskies to pull off the upset outright, but this should be a pretty close contest heading into the fourth quarter. 

Third Down: Colorado State -5.5 vs. Utah State, 7:00 PM EST

Utah State has bounced back after a bad loss against Arkansas State, but the winning streak will end in Fort Collins this week. As I stated earlier this year, I love what Nick Saban disciple Jim McElwain has been doing for the Rams. They have only lost one game ATS this year, when they had to travel up to the land of the wacky blue turf up in Idaho. Outside of that, they've done just about everything you could ask for. They won outright as a dog on the road at Boston College, something USC couldn't do. They've covered big numbers at home. They also beat their in-state rival on a neutral field to start the season. While Utah State does have a win over BYU, that win's significance is diminished by the fact that Taysom Hill's season ended in the first half. Outside of that win in Provo, the Aggies don't have a good win to their name. Give me the proven cover machine here, as Colorado State wins by at least a touchdown. 

Fourth Down: Georgia Tech -1 vs. North Carolina, 7:00 PM EST

Yes, Paul Johnson's crew failed to get the job done for me against Duke last week, but there are a lot of good things to take away from that game's box score. If it weren't for three turnovers, the Yellow Jackets probably would still be undefeated, as they out gained the Blue Devils by more than 100 yards. Additionally, even with a bye week to prepare for GT's rushing attack, Duke still gave up 6.1 yards per rush. North Carolina's sup-optimal defense doesn't have that privilege, and they have given up points to everyone this year: 58 to Notre Dame, 50 to Clemson, and 70 to East Carolina. The Tar Heels are ranked 90th in Rush Defense and 113th in Total Defense, which should bode very wall for Georgia Tech. Additionally, the Yellow Jackets have absolutely DOMINATED North Carolina in recent memory. as they have won eight of the last nine in this series. Again, Georgia Tech should run up, down, and all over North Carolina. If the defense can get a few stops against the Tar Heels offense, GT should win this one comfortably. 

Extra Point: Arkansas vs. Georgia UNDER 55.5, 4:00 PM EST

Expect to get a heavy dose of smash-mouth football in Arkansas this weekend. Bielema loves to pound the rock, and with Gurley out for Georgia, you can bank on Richt playing it close to the chest on offense. Both defensive units have also looked pretty good the past two weeks, with Arky holding Bama to fourteen points, and the Bulldogs 17th-ranked unit pitching a shutout at Mizzou. I'll take my chances on the under in what should be a close contest filled with lots of rushing attempts and punts.

Garrett's Record: 17-15-3

Chad's Record: 11-24-1

Overall Record: 28-39-4

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 11

It Can't Get Worse Than Last Week

Last week was a new low point, going 0-5 here at The Four To Score.  Tons of close calls, but in the end, we just didn't get the job done.  No point in hiding from it, only thing to do now is get back on the horse and make some gains after defecating all over ourselves last weekend.  As it's homecoming weekend here, I've got some debauchery to partake in, so let's get into this week's picks and keep it short and sweet.

First Down: Texas Tech -2.5 vs. Kansas State

Texas Tech will bounce back here, after losing two in a row to the schools from Oklahoma.  Teams that get destroyed one week tend to come out with a fire lit under them the following, and Texas Tech got destroyed plus a little more last week.  Kansas State has been playing well of late, but they have lost both of their away games this season.  It may come down to be a field goal, but that will be good enough to get us to the window.  Suns up, Gun.....Yeah, there is no way in hell I'm saying that crap. 

Second Down: LSU +13 at Alabama

With how poorly Oregon is executing right now in Palo Alto, Alabama may very well be the unquestionable #1 team in the country come kickoff time on Saturday.  However, Alabama and LSU games tend to be slugfests, and the thirteen seems like way too many points here, given the recent history between these teams.  Outside of the National Championship game, every contest since 2007 has been decided by single digits.  Take the points, and watch these two squads knock the hell out of each other for sixty minutes. 

Third Down: UCLA +1.5 at Arizona

UCLA has undeniably been in a funk here, while Arizona has been rolling.  However, Arizona has only played one good team this year, and got shellacked in that one up in Seattle.  I don't trust B.J. Denker, and I can't trust a Wildcats team that has only played one good ball-club on the year.  UCLA has the better quarterback and defense in this matchup, and that should be plenty to get the victory here in Tucson.  After all, this is the same Bruins team that beat the tar out of Arizona last season. 

Fourth Down: Michigan -6.5 vs. Nebraska

Both of these teams forgot how to play the game of football last week, as Michigan got eviscerated in East Lansing, and Nebraska survived against Northwestern only because of Hail Mary.  These units are very inconsistent, but I think there is some value here at Michigan under a touchdown.  The Wolverines have taken care of business at home this season, winning every game but one by at least a touchdown.  Nebraska's one road game was a loss at Minnesota, and it wasn't pretty.  Give me the home team and a potent offense to bounce back after the sluggish performance against Michigan State.

Extra Point: UCLA at Arizona OVER 56.5

There will be points.  Lots of them. Book it. 

The Four To Score: Week 7

Like Fletcher's Corny Dogs, Victory Tastes Good

The dynamite went boom in Week 6, as we went 4-1 against the number, and got our second consecutive winning week.  If not for those damn Sooners giving up a garbage time TD, we would have had a perfect week, but once again Bob Stoops put the screws to a Longhorn fan.  Thanks, Bobby, you're still a prick.  Despite our shortcomings early on in the season, we are now 6-2-2 over the last two weeks, a very respectable number for anyone in the business of CFB prognostication.  This week brings about my favorite game of every season, the Red River Shootout in Dallas.  Although this game is no longer the rivalry it once was when I was an undergrad (Thanks again, Mack), the weekend is still one of the best of the year, filled with incredible amounts of debauchery, fried foods, and wax cups full of beer.  Before I start rambling about all the glorious things you can find at the State Fair, here are this week's picks. 

First Down: Oklahoma -13.5 vs. Texas

What?!? A Longhorn fan betting against the Horns in the biggest game of the season?!? Yup, you're damn right.  This isn't about emotions, this is strictly business.  Bob Stoops always has his team ready for this game, and his boy's always take the field as if it's the last they will ever play.  The same can't be said for Mack Brown, who has a habit of clapping his way blowouts where his team is out of the game by halftime.  Texas has shown the world they can't compete with the big boys this season, and this Oklahoma defense should wreak havoc on Case McCoy.  Mack has only beaten Bobby once without Vince Young or Colt McCoy under center, and though this game may not be as bad as the past two, Oklahoma should still win handily.  Consider this the first nail in Mack's coffin. 

Second Down: Washington +14 vs. Oregon

This game is much more than just the battle of the two best helmets in the country.  Puddles better look out, as the Huskies are Oregon's first legitimate opponent of the season.  If you watched the game in Palo Alto last week, you saw that Washington was the better team on the night, and should've come away with the victory.  Stanford was lucky to escape with a victory, mostly because of how poorly the Huskies performed in the kick return game.  Keith Price is flat out balling right now, as he has returned to the form of his first two seasons on campus.  The Ducks have to travel to Washington this week, and though I have them as the top team in the country right now, there is no way they should be laying this many points against this good of a team.  Keep in mind, the Huskies only lost by 21 at Oregon last year, and they are a much better team this season.  Husky Stadium should be rocking, and Washington should keep it within the number, potentially even getting the outright win.  

Third Down: USC -6.5 vs. Arizona (Thursday night game)

Both teams are coming off a bye heading into this week's game, but these two teams are headed in opposite directions.  USC made the right move by firing Lane Kiffin, and though Ed Orgeron isn't the greatest interim head coach, the team should be headed in a positive direction now that they've gotten rid of that toxic Kiffin poison.  Arizona, on the other hand, still has BJ Denker under center, and anyone who watched him against Washington knows the Wildcats aren't going far with him under center.  He is extremely limited in the passing game, and should be the perfect matchup for a USC defense looking to get back on track after the debacle in Tempe.  It may not be pretty, but the Trojans should win by double digits in this revenge scenario.  

Fourth Down: LSU -6.5 vs. Florida

Don't get me wrong, I love Will Muschamp's defense.  However, I hate an inexperienced quarterback traveling to Death Valley.  Though Tyler Murphy had a pretty solid game against Arkansas at The Swamp last week, there is a big difference between the friendly confines of home, and the hostile atmosphere of Tiger Stadium.  LSU's defense is nowhere near as good as last year's unit, but they should have some success at home against Murphy, who is starting only his second game.  Mettenberger's numbers may not be as gaudy as they have been the last few weeks due to the stingy Florida defense, but he should produce just enough to get LSU backers the cover.  

Extra Point: Baylor 1H -9

Last week's extra point of Baylor OVER 49 might have been the easiest play in the history of the universe, as the Bears went over the total in the second quarter.  Art Briles' team is for real, and not only have they demolished every team they've gone up against, they've also hammered every line Vegas has set, as they have covered their last ten and gone over the total in 23 of their last 29!  Kansas State will probably be missing their top two receivers this week, and their defense gave up over thirty points to two unimpressive offenses in Oklahoma State and Texas.  Baylor should cover the 1H line easily again, and taking the full game at -17.5 might also be a strong play given their recent track record of blowing teams out.  Also, their uniform and helmet for last week's game (pictured above) was one of the filthiest I've ever seen in college football.  Other than beer drinking, it seems they are doing everything right in Waco these days.     

The Four To Score: 9-12-2

Extra Points: 2-2-1

Overall: 11-14-3