College four-play: Week 14 predictions

By JON CAMPBELL - COVERS EDITOR

A few short years ago I actually stood in my living room and watched as Notre Dame and USC slugged it out on a hay field in South Bend.

I stood because I couldn’t bear to sit. The excitement had bolted me off the couch in a game that came down to the famous illegal push from Reggie Bush that thrust Matt Leinart into the end zone for the winning score with just three seconds left.

Both teams racked up over 400 yards of offense in a battle of great plays and offensive execution. I’d call it my second-favorite game I’ve watched over the past eight years. Only the 2007 Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma beats it.

But where are we now?

The Irish are up to 32-point underdogs and rising this week for their matchup with the Trojans. And it’s hard not to love USC here considering the Domers lost to an eight-loss team for the first time in their history on Saturday and were pelted by snowballs from fellow students.

It’s pathetic. Kind of like my record recently.

For the fourth straight week I went 1-3 and many of you are starting to pack the snow in your hands. Fortunately, I was so un-Notre Damey to start the season, I’m still above .500 at 24-22-2. But much like the Irish, if you haven’ t started fading me by now, that’s your problem.

By the way, pick No. 1 for this week: USC

UCLA vs. Arizona State (-10, 45)

Much maligned Bruins QB Kevin Craft got a little boost from Dad this week and it looks like it might help.

On Wednesday, the L.A. Daily News wrote a story in which Tom Craft criticizes UCLA coaches Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow for the way his son has been treated this year while throwing seven touchdowns against 15 interceptions.

On Thursday, Neuheisel was in more of a Thanksgiving mood.

"Much has been said about my antics on the sideline, but I wonder where we'd be without him," Neuheisel told the L.A. Times.

I think the confidence boost might help on Friday but more importantly, Arizona State is in a bad spot. The struggling Sunny Ds finally strung two wins together this season and then they ran into a bye week last Saturday just as the momentum was building. A double-digit spread might be a little ambitious with the big rivalry game against Arizona coming up next week.

Pick: UCLA

Washington State vs. Hawaii (-28, 55)

Hawaii coach Greg McMackin is trying his best to come up with ways to convince his team it shouldn’t overlook Washington State this week.

"The Pac-10 is up here," McMackin told reporters, raising his arm. "And the WAC is down here."

Yeah, but coach, you’ll need to grab a shovel and start digging to show where Wazzou is this season. The Cougs are scoring 6.6 points per game on the road this year and let’s face it, they’re in luau mode this week.

Pick: Hawaii

Oregon vs. Oregon State (-3, 60)

Can the Beavs win without Jacquizz? No whizz.

Duckies win fo shiz.

Pick: Oregon

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Posted by HandiMan
4 years ago

One of those parlay weeks. Went 2-0 yesterday on the Bowling Green halftime over, and the Boise State over. Picks for today: 1. Georgia/BC/Oklahoma S/U parlay - Paying about 1.5:1. I don't think any of these teams should have a problem winning (especially OK), but I can see the Georgia and BC games being closer than a touchdown. Especially with some potential last minute or two TDs from GTech and Maryland (if the good Md. team shows up this week). 2. Florida -16/Over 55 - I think Florida is one of the hottest teams playing right now, and before the Citadel last week they destroyed other SEC teams like South Carolina and Georgia. I'm not a huge believer in FSU this year, and certainly don't think they're necessarily that much better than SC or Ga. Florida continues to roll and puts up a ton of points. Hopefully FSU can get up at least 14. Good luck all.

Posted by doobiebrother
4 years ago

Friday 2-2 (-0.4). This week 2-4 (-4.8). CFB 70-50-1 (+51.4). All trends ATS unless otherwise noted. Maryland (+6.5) - Terps play their best vs. the better teams, going 6-0 SU & ATS vs. ranked opponents. BC 1-5 H vs. ACC, and without starting QB Crane, so a nice spot to extend that streak. Virginia Tech (-7.5) - Virginia needs win for bowl eligibility, but Hokies play for spot in ACC title game for 3rd time in 4 years. VT 6-1-1 last game of season (3-0-1 H), 6-1-1 last HG, and 4-0 H vs. Cavs. Virginia, CFB’s youngest team, has 8 TOs in L2 games, and that’s a recipe for disaster vs. opportunistic Hokies. Texas Tech (-22) - Raiders have everything to play for, as they will still be in line for BCS title game if OSU upsets Oklahoma tonight, a real possibility. Tech 8-1 vs. Baylor, with all by 25>. Bears offense might play keep-away for a while, but their “D” has just 7 sacks in 7 Big 12 games, and Harrell will eventually bury them. Rice (+3) - Simply the wrong team favored here. Rice 5-0 SU & 4-1 ATS L5, 5-1 H, 5-0 SU & ATS D 3<, 7-1 vs. CUSA, and 9-2-1 HD 6<. Cougars 1-6 A, 1-5 A in Nov, and 4 of L5 meetings at Rice Stadium decided by 3<. Oklahoma St. (+7.5) – Cowboys have #7 total offense (492 YPG), #8 rush attack (262 YPG, 5.7 YPR), and QB Robinson #3 in pass efficiency (178.0). OSU 6-0 H and have averaged 45.3 PPG L19 at H. Cowboys #15 KO returns and #2 punt returns, while Sooners #108 KO return “D” and #93 net punting. OSU 4-1 H vs. Oklahoma, and Sooners haven’t won by 7> in Stillwater since 1996. Auburn (+14.5) - Should be big time revenge for Tide here but nothing Saban can do or say will prevent look ahead to Florida. Even if Bama loses today, win over Gators puts them in BCS title game. Auburn 7-0 D 9>, and plays for bowl eligibility and maybe Tuberville’s job. Tide finally broke their 10 game losing streak as DD SEC HF in MSU game, but shouldn’t have, and if not for 2 back breaking punt returns, it would have gone to the wire. Bama 0-6 SU in series and 0-6 SU vs. Auburn at Bryant-Denney Stadium as well. No talent gap and 2 TDs+ worth a lot in likely defensive struggle. SC/Clemson Under (41) – Both teams have no running game (Clemson #90, SC #108) and great pass defense (Clemson #5, SC #2) which means both teams get shut down. They also rank #82 (Clemson) and #105 (SC) in punt returns. Under 7-2 SC RD 4<, 6-1 SC vs. ACC, 7-0 Clemson H, 7-0 Clemson F 4<, and 7-1 Clemson vs. SEC. All plays 3 units.

Posted by Candeeman
4 years ago

Oklahoma -7.5

Posted by doobiebrother
4 years ago

Have 2 plays at noon est for 3 units each. All the plays and analysis up in a few minutes. Virginia Tech (-7.5) SC/Clemson Under (41)

Posted by Goldengoblin
4 years ago

[COLOR="Purple"][B]NCAAF PLAYS FOR SATURDAY[/B][/COLOR] [COLOR="Red"]GOLD SHEET[/COLOR] Oklahoma by 19 over ST GA Tech by 1 over GA [COLOR="Red"]POWER SWEEP[/COLOR] 4* MIZZOU 3* RICE 2* MARYLAND [COLOR="Red"] POINTWISE KEYS[/COLOR] *1 FLORIDA [COLOR="Purple"]*1 MEMPHIS (THIS IS ALSO A LARRY NESS LEGEND PLAY 10*)[/COLOR] 2* Tex Tech 3* GA Tech 4* TUSLA 5* HAWAII

Posted by nc1capper
4 years ago

2 pups with some snarl --ga tech (+9) & UAB (+(9 --bol fellow players)

Posted by myerlansky
4 years ago

Oklahoma -7 Florida -16 1/5

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Posted by Candeeman
4 years ago

"Oklahoma -7.5"

(+0)

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Sports Betting Headlines »

Featured Free Play

MLB: Kansas City vs. Houston

Pick:: U (KC at HOU)
Start:: May 20, 2013 - 8:10 PM
Capper:: Bryan Power
Offered at:: 5dimes @ Under 9 100
Analysis:

1* Under Royals/Astros (8:10 ET): I went a perfect 9-0 this weekend, including 5 for 5 in MLB! One of my Saturday winners (Oakland) came at the expense of the Kansas City Royals, who would eventually get swept by the A's, scoring only five total runs in the process. They certainly seem to have a more favorable opponent to start the week, but don't be surprised to see fewer runs scored than expected in Monday's opener....

KC will send Jeremy Guthrie out to the mound tonight. He should have no problem containing an Astros lineup that was shut out yesterday in Pittsburgh, losing for the 7th time in 9 games. While Guthrie is coming off his worst showing of 2013 last time out, his overall numbers remain impressive; he's 5-1 with a 2.82 ERA over eight starts. He's also never lost to Houston in three career outings, turning in a 3.68 ERA and 1.045 WHIP. Two of those starts came last year.

The problem with taking the Royals here though is the fact their offense is struggling mightily right now and that they average only 2.9 runs per game vs. lefties. That should give Houston southpaw Dallas Keuchel a decent shot at a quality outing. The Royals, like the Astros, come into this series having lost 7 of 9. In those seven losses, the Kansas City offense has scored a grand total of 17 runs. This game could easily turn into a pitcher's duel with the two inept offenses. 1* Under KC/Houston.

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