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 Five

Conference Races Are About to Heat Up….HALLELUJAH! 

Rich Rod and Chad on Saturdays. 

Finally, we're getting into the meat and potatoes of the college football season. Forget the dainty amouse-bouches and appetizers, we're ready for steady massive helpings of conference showdowns every week from here on out. This couldn't come soon enough, especially after last week's mediocrity here at The Four To Score. Losing Florida +14 was a loss that felt like it should have been a win during the game, but after stepping back and thinking about the game on Sunday, Will Muschamp's boys had absolutely no business hanging around for so long. Shame on me for following my heart and trusting you, Coach Boom. Long gone are the days of you chest-bumping Brian Orakpo, instead replaced by defensive mishaps leading to lots of offensive yards for opponents. Similarly, Chad took the brunt of it thanks to the least likely of characters….Greg F'n Davis. Somehow, Pitt squandered a ten point halftime lead and lost to the Hawkeyes in a game that saw the Panthers win the box score by a margin of over 100 yards. Curse the Master of Bubble Screens for putting up 17 points in the second half and blowing the cover for Chad (2-3 last week), who just can't seem to get a bounce. Hopefully things start to look up for Chad, and I'll do my best to avoid a regression to the mean (2-2-1 last week) as we break down this week's appetizing card.

First Down: Texas Tech +14 at Oklahoma State, 7:30 PM EST Thursday (Garrett)

Call me crazy for it, but I'm backing Kliff's crew this week as they head to Stillwater. The Red Raiders defense has been an absolute mess to start the season, and the offense hasn't clicked as many have expected. Yet I think this could be the week where things start heading in the positive direction for Texas Tech. They had a bye week last week, and fired their defensive coordinator, which hopefully fixes some of their defensive ills like it did for Texas in 2013. That extra week to prepare for Mike Gundy's squad will not only help the defense get its act in order, but should have also provided Davis Webb more reps to get on the same page with his WRs. As in most games between these two teams, there should be points aplenty, but I think the Red Raiders will do just enough to keep this to a single-digit game in a "rally the troops"moment to start conference play.

Oklahoma State -14 vs. Texas Tech, 7:30 PM EST Thursday (Chad)
This one will probably bite me in the ass. This is wayyy to many points, and there's little chance Tech is actually as bad as they looked against Arkansas a few weeks ago. Nonetheless, I'm laying the points with the bright orange headed step children of Oklahoma State. The loss of J.W. Walsh doesn't sting as much as some seem to think. Inside the Cowboys program, their has been effusive praise for newly minted starting QB Daxx Garman since he got on campus, and his throw first-style is tailor made for what Gundy likes to do on offense. Garman's arm will let Gundy pound the rock when he needs to, and play action teams to death. Tonight, the Pokes won't stray to far from that model. Gundy is no idiot, and he's seen that Arky tape. Scheme can't fix how small the Red Raiders are up front. Childs, Roland and Tyreek Hill will set the pace for a competent OSU rushing attack, and Garman will deliver some daggers over the top on the DB's who come up to help on the run. Given the amount of points they're giving this one will be close, but Gundy and the step-children cover.

Second Down: Washington +8 vs. Stanford, 4:15 PM EST (Garrett)

Situationally, there are a lot of reasons to like Washington in this spot. First and foremost, this game reeks of a look-ahead spot for Stanford, as the Cardinal surely have been peeking at that date with #8 Notre Dame next weekend. Additionally, Husky Stadium is a very tough place to play, as Stanford learned two years ago when Washington pulled a 17-13 upset over the Cardinals. The Huskies will also be looking to avenge last year's heartbreaker in Palo Alto, a game that included a fantastic performance from the now departed Keith Price. On the stat sheet, you have to love seeing Washington +8 in Turnover Margin, and I think QB Cyler Miles can cause some problems for the stout Stanford defense with his feet. Ultimately we should see both teams pound the ball on the ground (Washington 4th in country with 51 rush attempts per game; Stanford averaging 34), leading to another very close contest (last two games decided by a combined 7 points) up in Seattle. Take Washington and the points in this one.

It's the simple things in life...

TCU -32 @ SMU, 12:00 PM EST (Chad)
Much to the disappointment of Eric Dickerson, the Ponies may very well be the worst team in college football. SMU's best performance of the season came in a 37 point loss to North Texas, who lost the following week to Louisiana Tech by 21 points. Ouch. Next up is a seemingly improved TCU team, where Gary Patterson is attempting to reconcile his defense-first ways with the need to score points in modern college football. TCU has gone to a spread-esque system helmed by Leach and Holgorsen proteges. The early returns are promising (despite the much maligned Treyvone Boykin still being the Horned Frogs signal caller) and TCU is certainly capable of hanging some points on SMU. TCU's defense looks dominant, and Boykin stays out of his own way enough to put 45 or so on the board. TCU big. 

Third Down: Texas A&M -9.5 vs. Arkansas, 3:30 PM EST (Garrett)

Last year's game in JerryWorld closed with Arkansas being a 13.5 point underdog. Looking at this line, I can't justify Arkansas being four points better in this contest. Yes, they got a big win against Texas Tech in Lubbock, but the Tech offense isn't operating at a high level yet, and this same Arkansas defense got torched by Auburn for 595 yards in Week 1. The Aggies' offense is far more explosive than Auburn's in my book, and I think Texas A&M's defense has improved markedly from last season (held South Carolina under 100 yards in Week 1 when everyone thought Spurrier would run it down Sumlin's throat). Bielema's best bet to keep this one close is to shorten the game by running the ball and the clock, but that will go out the window should A&M jump out to an early lead. Kenny Trill, Ricky Seals-Jones, and Speedy Noil will just be too much for Woo Pig in Dallas, as the best offense in the land (averaging 613 ypg) will light up the scoreboard and win this one by double digits.

Yell Leaders…..The Absolute WORST. 

Texas -12 @ Kansas, 4:00 PM EST (Chad)
Seriously, Texas is not bad enough to have earned this line. BYU and UCLA are both decent. Kansas, on the other hand, is still really, really bad. The highest single game QBR for a Kansas QB in the Weis era? Just north of 60. Hoagie the Hut's still relatively extant reputation as an offensive guru is mind boggling. The aggregate of his teams offensive statistics at talent rich Notre Dame and Florida were exactly average. At Kansas?! Bahaha. "Decided strategic advantage," my ass. Texas has looked sort of meh on offense with Swoopes under center, but we saw marked improvement from BYU through the 4th quarter of the UCLA game. The Longhorn aren't great (as we are all too aware,) but they're not beat "Kansas by less than 10" bad (although Texas was THAT bad under uncle Mack in 2012). If Texas doesn't cover this...

Please no. Please.

Fourth Down: Baylor -21 vs. Iowa State, 8:20 PM EST (Garrett)

To describe last year's game as a "blowout" would be an understatement. The Bears had their way with the Cyclones, covering the spread as 33 point favorites in a 71-7 victory. Art Briles and Bryce Petty have shown no signs of slowing up this season, as they have dominated their inferior opponents by at least 42 points in all three games. Don't be fooled by that rivalry victory, as the Cyclones fit the description of "inferior opponent. Iowa State was absolutely dominated on the stat sheet by both Kansas State (-152 in yards) and North Dakota State (-253 in yards). Furthermore, there offense has only topped put up more than 17 points on one occasion (21 against Kansas State). This spread should be much closer to -28 given last year's spread, and how Iowa State has looked this season. Lay the points with Art Briles' offensive juggernaut.

Tennessee +17 @ Georgia, 11:00 PM EST (Chad)
Butch Jones' track record speaks for itself at this point. Successful stops at Central Michigan and Cincinnati preceded his current gig in Knoxville, where he's recruited well and his efforts are starting to show. A 24 point loss to OU two weeks ago wasn't as bad as it looked, and if not for the "Florida Menace" (Erik Striker) that game would've been much closer. Don't look now SEC East foes, but Tennessee is rising. They won't beat anyone they shouldn't this year, but they are sure gonna scare some folks. Georgia still has Todd Gurley, probably the country's best player. Tennessee will struggle to stop Gurley, as anyone would. Georgia should run the ball with relative ease all day. However, Georgia won't be concerned with style points during this conference game, and Mark Richt will be perfectly satisifed with an ugly win, which they get by less than 17.

Extra Point: Wisconsin OVER 42.5 points, 12:00 PM EST (Garrett)

Melvin Gordon will run for all the yards on Saturday.

Take a look at the box score from when South Florida played North Carolina State, and you'll see that the Wolfpack rushed for 315 yards against the Bulls. Now translate that to this matchup, where the Bulls will be taking on the best rushing attack in the country, who just happened to put up 644 yards on the ground against Bowling Green last weekend, and is averaging 7.8 yards per carry on the season. The Badgers should be able to gash South Florida (93rd in the country in points allowed) left and right, leading to a ton of points for the Badgers this weekend in Madison.

Wyoming vs. Michigan State UNDER 47.5 points, 3:30 PM EST (Chad)
I really hate to do this to you guys. Two college football teams who are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for coaches should be able to muster 50 points between them. However, Dantonio and his minion Pat Narduzzi hate points and they don't really like to let people score them. Wyoming and Craig Bohl have been the absolute ugliest team in the country this year, win or lose. It will be a sad afternoon for points in East Lansing. 

Garrett's Record: 12-6-2 (66.7%)

Chad's Record: 7-12-1 (36.8%) 

Overall Record: 19-18-3 (51.3%) 

The Four To Score: Week 5

Conference Races Begin This Week

The fourth week of the CFB season took its toll on us in every way possible.  Not only could we not find a half-decent game on the TV, but we were also unable to find a winner.  Yes, once again Ray Charles could have probably made some better picks than The Four To Score was able to muster up.  Florida and Tennessee, two teams extremely inept when the ball is on their hands, scoring exactly 48 points to cause a push was the icing on the feces cake.  Thankfully this weeks' slate of games is filled with a bunch of dandies, so if the well runs dry once again, at least there will be some good football on the tube.  If only I could translate some of that success from the NFL down to the college level...No excuses though, and here are my hopefully-not-completely-God-awful picks of the week.   

First Down: Washington -9.5 vs. Arizona

Home teams have dominated this series the past three seasons, with the visiting school losing by double digits in every contest.  Two of the games were absolute blowouts, and despite both these teams being 3-0, I expect this year's version to follow the trend.  You see, this Washington team looks much more like the 2011 squad, not the lame 2012 version.  Furthermore, the Huskies have played much better competition than the Wildcats this season. beating both Boise State and Illinois by double digits.  Arizona no longer has Matt Scott under center, and I'm not sold on current QB BJ Denker.  Washington will be seeking revenge after last year's drubbing in front of its rabid fans, and Arizona will have to make the long trip up to the Pacific Northwest.  This one will probably get out of hand early, as the Huskies win big.  

Second Down: LSU +3 vs. Georgia

The Tigers barely missed out on getting the cover last week by giving up a late score, but I think they will get the outright win this week in Athens.  Though they missed getting the ATS win, LSU moved to 3-0, and I'm still convinced they are the most complete team in the SEC West.  Georgia has given up points to every team it has faced this season, as even lowly North Texas was able to put 21 on the board last week between the hedges.  Zach Mettenberger is emerging right before our eyes, and Georgia hasn't shown me anything to make me think they can stop LSU's balanced attack.  Give me the better defense and the points in Athens this weekend.  

Third Down: Arizona State -4.5 vs. USC

There is no doubt that the Sun Devils had to change their bed sheets after last week's performance in Stanford.  Yup, Todd Graham and his boys went up to Palo Alto and got rick-rolled, as the outcome of the game was decided about twenty minutes after kickoff.  However, the Sun Devils have a very favorable matchup this week, despite the name on the scoreboard being USC.  The Trojans were underwhelming on offense once again, struggling to beat Utah State at in Los Angeles.  USC may have a great defense, but with Arizona State's ability to put up points at home, Lane Kiffin's offense will have to muster up some serious offense to keep pace.  The home team has dominated this series the past three years, and I expect the trend to continue, as the Sun Devils are 4-2 as home favorites dating back to last season.  Todd Graham and the Sun Devils bounce back at home, and get themselves back in the race for the PAC-12 South.  

Fourth Down: Ohio State -6.5 vs. Wisconsin

The Horeshoe. Primetime.  Braxton Miller is back.  Yes, everything is in favor of the Buckeyes in this giant Big Ten matchup.  Last year's game went to overtime at Camp Randall, and though Gary Andersen's boys have looked impressive early on, this just does not seem like the spot to back the Badgers.  Ohio State's defense is rounding into form, and with this spread dipping under the key number of 7, the value is on the Buckeyes.  Don't be surprised if this game opens up tight and stays close, but the Buckeyes should pull away late, as Braxton Miller will look to impress after his absence due to injury.

Extra Point: Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma UNDER 50 

I am going to keep this short and sweet.  Last year's game finished with 43 points, with offenses led by Everett Golson and Landry Jones.  Neither of them return, and neither team has shown an ability to put up a ton of points on a consistent basis.  Both teams boast very solid defenses, and they should be the units that dominate this game.  Everything on paper says this should be a hard-fought, low-scoring game.  Hopefully the defenses do their jobs, and the UNDER easily hits. 

The Four To Score: 4-11 

Extra Points: 1-1-1

Overall: 5-12-1.......El Peor.