Week 4 picks

Man. I know I said the same thing last week when it was Week 3, but I still can't believe its already Week 4 of the season...

Speaking of Week 3, we couldn't quite break loose with our weekly picks as we ended up going 25-26-1 against the spread. That drops our season record to 66-69-1 ATS. We'll look to do a better job this week and get this operation running smoothly for you. I know, I know. Its bullshit Beav. Get your shit together. I hear you, I'm trying guys...

Live Action Recap:

As you know last week we took a road trip to Syracuse for the Northwestern/Syracuse shootout. It was one of the best, if not the best, live college football game I have ever been to. If you can get your hands on a replay of the game via the Big Ten Network or other online source please let me know, as I am looking for a replay source from the game.

With a 7:00 kickoff on the horizon, Saturday was wide open for catching games on tv and pregame tailgating. Armed with the 12:00 tv games under our belts, my cousin and I headed for the Carrier Dome to do some pregaming and such. Our first stop was a familiar parking garage where we knew we'd see a few familiar faces and get in some early heckles. After a couple of beers we took to the streets and began mingling with the crowd to get a feel for how folks thought the evening would play out. Most were preoccupied with drinking and grilling, as is often the case, however we managed to sneak in a few game takes from Orange fans by using the magical powers of the high five.

On the whole, I'd say the feeling on campus was that the Orange needed a win in a big way. And as a mere 3 point underdog, there was a belief that SU could break the seal in the Doug Marrone Era. Local media dubbed it a "must-win" game. When considering the Orange's upcoming schedule- Maine, followed by the Big East slate- I had to agree with their assessment. See, a loss to Northwestern would all but kill the hopes of a successful 2009 campaign since a Maine win was expected and the Orange has been dominated in Big East play as of late. So basically the fans needed a confidence booster, a reason to believe. And that's exactly what they got. More about that in a minute.

As kickoff neared, my cousin and I found ourselves making two quick bar stops to catch up on some of the day's scores, slam some pizza, and fine-tune our operation (read: drink one for the road). So with our good luck shots still settling, we left the bar scene and made our way to the stadium.

The game started on a high note for the Orange. But after jumping out to a 17-0 lead in the 1st quarter, Syracuse yielded 3 quick scores to Northwestern to go down 21-17 in the 2nd quarter. From that point on it was back-and-forth scoring with the Orange eventually intercepting inside 2:00 remaining and kicking a game-winning field goal as time expired.

During the game the 40,200+ fans on hand kept up a respectable energy level in support of the hometown team. On every crucial 3rd down situation with the Syracuse defense on the field the crowd rose to the challenge and created a noisy, rowdy environment that would trouble any collegiate offense. The magnitude of the crowd's energy was easily the highlight of the whole day's atmosphere. Well, unless you are a sucker for the token "tough guy" fake fight at a game. In that case you would have enjoyed being in the row behind us during the 3rd & 4th quarters. I wasn't aware that Johnny Toughguy and Joey Baggadouche were going to be seated next to each other at the game, so it came as a surprise when the two had words over some spilled beer. And in case you're scoring at home, Baggadouche had a backwards hat (check) and Johnny T. had a shaved head with a goatee (check, check).

Anyway, the post-game celebrations were extended well over an hour after the game with the band playing in the streets until after midnight, and the faithful Orange followers on hand acting as if they'd just witnessed a Rose Bowl win. After finishing our first "Victory Beer" of the season and soaking in some more of the post game antics, my cousin and I eventually called it a night and headed for home just in time to catch the 4th quarter of the UCLA-Kansas State game.

Weekly picks:


Here they are for Week 4. Home team in CAPS; Beav's pick in bold.

Thursday Sept 24

Ole Miss 3.5 SCAROLINA: Spurrier's gang will be tough at home on a Thurs night prime time. Get ready for a fight, Johnny Reb.

Friday Sept 25

Missouri 7 NEVADA: Wolfpack have underachieved so far; Missouri by 2 scores.

Saturday Sept 26

N'WESTERN 2 Minn: Two evenly matched teams I've had the pleasure to see in person. Should be a great game. Gophers pull off the squeaker.
TEMPLE 2.5 Buffalo: Temple sucks. Seriously guys, do I need to make a case to bet against Temple as a favorite? Take the Bulls with the points.
GA TECH 2.5 Unc: Jackets bounce back at home. NC goes home disappointed.
CINCINNATI 16.5 Fresno St: Dogs chasing Cats all day. Closer game than Cincy wants.
MICH 21 Indiana: Reality finally sets in for the Hoosiers.
WISC 3 Mich St: Badgers escape with a win. Badgers grind it out, much like a fan trying to watch this game start to finish.
FLORIDA ST 14.5 So Fla: Take the Bulls with the points against in-state rivals.
KANSAS 13.5 So Miss: Kansas has looked solid so far. So Miss will be a challenge they overcome.
Lsu 12.5 MISS ST: Tigers too fast, athletic for Bulldogs to keep pace.
MEMPHIS 3 Marshall: Memphis running game beats down Marshall front.
BOSTON COLL pk Wake Forest: This is a tough call, as both programs have yet to impress. I'll take the Deacons based on a tougher schedule YTD.
AIR FORCE 16.5 San Diego St: Falcons soar past the Aztecs with explosive offense.
unlv 3.5 WYOMING: Rebs look the part, play the part while shitcanning the Cowboys.
CLEMSON 2.5 Tcu: Take the points with the Frogs- they're a better team top to bottom.
Rutgers 2 MARYLAND: Terps are as inconsistent of a program as you'll find in America. Don't turn your back on 'em.
CMICH 16 Akron: Zips show some life in conf match up, bounce back after Indiana loss.
NAVY 28.5 WKentucky: Too many points to lay with a running team. If WKU scores twice they cover.
ECU 10.5 Cent Fla: Pirates are the better squad, tough opening schedule will show in preparations.
NO.ILL 17 Idaho: Vandals have surprised twice this year. Make it 3 this weekend.
OHIO ST 14 Illinois: Stick with the Buckeyes in C-bus.
ALABAMA 17.5 Arkansas: The Hogs aren't getting much respect with that line. Take the points- they're a capable team.
Cal 5.5 OREGON: I haven't liked the Ducks yet, until I saw the win against Utah. Meanwhile Cal struggled at Minn.
NC ST 1 Pitt: Panthers will pound the run and chip away at a good D. NCST offense lets the Pack down.
Miami 3 VA TECH: Canes continue hot streak, light up Lane Stadium.
TEXAS 36 Utep: Take the points. Hope for rain, some running plays and sustained drives.
FAU 4 La-Monroe: Owls are a solid team, begin Sun Belt play with convincing win.
ARK ST 2 Troy: Troy pulls road upset after scoring the UAB win.
BYU 16.5 Colorado St: That's a lot of points coming off a loss. But Colorado State is no FSU.
Florida 21.5 KENTUCKY: Cats should gain some confidence after UT/UF game. Gators survive scare again.
TEXAS A&M 14 Uab: Aggies regroup, look more convincing this week against UAB.
NEBRASKA 27.5 La-Lafayette: Give credit to the Cajuns for their non-conf schedule. Should still lose but LSU game was good experience.
Boise St 16.5 BOWLING GREEN: Broncos outscored a tough Fresno team on the road last week, should have no problems repeating.
AUBURN 33 Ball St: Potential trap game here, at least ATS. Auburn should blow out Cards but they're distracted by looming trip to Knoxville.
Mid Tenn St 6.5 NTEXAS: Take the Green with the points at home. MTSU still living off Maryland win.
Toledo 2 FIU: Panthers have some playmakers. Toledo coming off shutout loss. Play the 'dog.
TENN 23 Ohio: Rocky Top welcomes back UT after strong road performance. Too much for Ohio & Co.
IOWA ST 9 Army: Cadets never cover on the road. Except at Eastern Michigan.
KENT ST 7 Miami OH: I'd be lying if I told you I knew something about either of these teams this year. I gotta hunch, how's that?
GEORGIA 11.5 Ariz St: Sun Devils hang in but lose a close one. UGA has bigger things on its mind, like SEC play.
UTAH 14 Louisville: Cards aren't as bad as betting public thinks. Utah is 0-3 ATS. Take the points.
Vandy 7 RICE: Owls had confidence booster after covering OSU game. Vandy coming off shitty loss to Miss St.
Notre Dame 6.5 PURDUE: Take the Boilers with the points- they can stand toe-to-toe with ND- I'm sold.
PENN ST 10 Iowa: Penn State is bad ATS this year, but they are great on the field. Look for a 20 point Lion win.
STANFORD 7 Wash: Huskies will be the trendy pick this week. Guess that makes me a trendy guy.
HOUSTON 1.5 Texas Tech: Cougs are for real. TT is regrouping. Look for a shootout, TT pulling off the upset late.
NEW MEXICO 10 New Mexico St: Local media has dubbed this game "The Biggest Game in New Mexico This Week." I say the Lobos win big.
USC 45.5 Wash St: Now how in the hell can you make the Trojans a 45 point favorite coming off a loss, when they're playing a team that won last week? Have them play Washington State, that's how. The points are too ridiculous to pass up. Take 'em.

FCS action to keep an eye on:

Brown @ Harvard- Friday night Ivy League play gets underway as Harvard hosts Brown at 7pm. If you're in the area make it a point to stop by the game for the Crimson's annual nighttime tailgating. Get there early though because once opening kickoff arrives security shuts down tailgating. Harvard 24-17.

Cornell @ Yale- Versus picked up the national telecast, meaning this is a huge game for people all over the country. OK, maybe not. But its a nice change of speed from some of the games ESPN forces down your throat. Yale 17-13.

Howard @ Georgetown- Why, you ask? Because somebody's gotta win, that's why. Both teams are averaging less than 10 ppg on offense and have yet to win. Also, this is one of the intracity match ups that we love here at Beaver Tales. So if you're in the DC area slide by the game. At least make an effort to see the Howard band play at halftime. That alone is worth the price of admission. G'Town 20-17.

Penn @ Lafayette- Leopards are expected to be a contender in the Patriot League race this year. This is the 1st of 4 Ivy League games in a row they will play before resuming conference action. Penn faced a potential National Champion in Villanova last week and lost 14-3. Eastern PA will be abuzz with the outcome of this game waiting to be decided. Lafayette 21-13.

Towson @ Morgan State- Another intracity rivalry we'd love to attend this weekend. This matinee is brought to you courtesy of the Tigers & Bears. Over the years Beaver Tales has enjoyed strong readership out of the greater Baltimore area. So we're calling all of you Charm City inhabitants to step up and support your local teams. I like the Tigers "on the road." Towson 30-28.

Weber State @ Portland State- The Vikings are still smarting after an ass-whooping from Big Sky powerhouse Montana, while the Wildcats come to town with their only losses being to FBS Colorado State and Wyoming by narrow margins. Look for Weber State to come away with a not-so easy road win in Portland, while the Vikes settle in for another mid-conference finish. But if Weber State should lose, it will open the door for Montana to run the table and earn the Big Sky automatic bid for the gazillionth time. Weber State 34-21.

Nut Kick Game:

Last week's Nut Kick Game of the Week winner was Miami's 33-17 win over Georgia Tech. The main reason this game was a kick in the nuts is because fans everywhere outside of Miami-Dade despise the Hurricanes. Sure, there's a few fans of The U here and there spread out across the country. But in general, it is pretty easy to find someone who hates Miami in college football circles. I cannot, however, say the same thing for Georgia Tech judging by my experiences. So with this highly-advanced method of determining football fans' allegiances I've decided that most of America was rooting against the Hurricanes. But not only did Miami win, they won convincingly. You got the feeling in the 3rd quarter that the game could have been a lot worse than the mere 16 point loss that it was.

Alas, the damage was done. Georgia Tech is a legitimate football team and they'll go on to have a good season. But the way the 'Canes disposed of the Jackets proved that The U is for real this year. And that proof, ladies and gentlemen, is what gives Miami reason to brag and be, well, Miami. Thus, the kick to the nuts.

That's all for now. Live games will be a game time decision this week. For now, we're eyeing the Brown @ Harvard game Friday night, but things could change. Rest assured you'll get a recap of whatever action we take in this weekend.

Beav