Don’t miss picks for a big game in the NFC North tonight between Minnesota and Chicago. Nelly’s is 5-2 for the week heading into MNF, Big E won his 25* Saturday, Dalton had a 3-1 Saturday, and Point Train hit a NFL Top Play Sunday!
Here are a few of the 4th Quarter Covers from last week in college football:
North Carolina (-13) 59, Wake Forest 53 (71): As a double-digit underdog Wake Forest scored back-to-back touchdowns before halftime to lead 35-24 in Chapel Hill and then added the first 10 points of the second half to lead by 21 points. The underdog cover proved not to be safe however as the Tar Heels took over in the 4th quarter, eventually taking a 52-45 lead with about four minutes to go. Wake Forest had to go for it on 4th down in their own territory and handed North Carolina a short field and suddenly a 14-point lead had North Carolina past the favorite spread with just over two minutes remaining with five consecutive touchdowns. Wake Forest would convert a 3rd-and-18 for a 46-yard gain and eventually found the end zone inside the final minute, getting a two-point conversion for the six-point final and deserved underdog cover in a game that nearly reached 1,350 combined yards.
Miami, FL (+2) 25 Virginia Tech 24 (68): The Hokies led 14-3 early in this old Big East rivalry but Miami was able to score 10 points in the final five-plus minutes before halftime. The Hokies regrouped at the break and scored the first 10 points of the second half to again go up by 11 points as a slight home favorite. Cam’Ron Harris converted a 4th down and then hit the end zone toward the end of the third quarter to put the Hurricanes within five. Miami’s defense forced back-to-back punts and D’Eriq King led a 10-play drive over 82 yards as the Hurricanes took the lead by one, with Miami failing on a second straight two-point conversion however as the Hokies would only need a field goal to win. On the next offensive snap Hendon Hooker threw an interception but the defense would hold for a pair of late Miami punts. Starting at its own 4-yard line in the final two minutes the Hokies approached midfield and had a few successful laterals on a final desperation play but Miami held on for the comeback win and cover in the closely-lined game.
Northwestern (-3½) 27 Purdue 20 (48): The Wildcats never trailed in this game and pushed the lead to 27-13 in the fourth quarter with a 42-yard field goal. Purdue would make things interesting late, getting a touchdown to cut the margin in half about halfway through the final frame. The Boilermakers held on defense twice to force a pair of 3-and-outs, but the offense couldn’t deliver including taking a costly delay of game penalty on a 3rd-and-short on one of the late opportunities. The Wildcats held on for the win and cover in a defensive battle with neither team eclipsing 300 yards of offense.
Illinois (+5½) 23 Rutgers 20 (52): The Scarlet Knights appeared to take control of this game with a 66-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter to lead by 10. Illinois battled back to get within three late in the third and tied the game with a short field goal early in the fourth quarter. Neither team appeared eager to win as Illinois would miss field goals on its next two possessions while Rutgers had a pair of interceptions. In the final seconds Illinois kicker James McCourt got a chance at redemption and delivered from 47 yards for an Illinois upset.
Nebraska (+2½) 30 Penn State 23 (57½): In a battle of winless Big Ten squads Nebraska had a 27-6 lead at the half. Second halves have rarely been smooth coasts to a win in the Scott Frost era and Penn State won the third quarter 10-0 to have a shot. After holding Nebraska to a field goal early in the fourth the Nittany Lions needed only four plays to cut the deficit in half with a touchdown, trailing by seven with still more than nine minutes remaining. Luke McCaffrey was intercepted near midfield to hand Penn State a great opportunity but with four plays from the 11-yard line Penn State was stopped without adding points. Penn State’s defense held with another stop in a game where the Nittany Lions had a 501-298 yardage edge. Penn State reached the red zone again in the final minutes reaching 1st-and-goal from the 9-yard line but Will Levis was unable to complete a pass as Nebraska escaped with its first win.
Texas Tech (+1) 24 Baylor 23 (54½): Baylor led 23-12 through three quarters after settling for a short 23-yard kick late in the third quarter. That left the door open for Texas Tech, adding a touchdown to get within five following an exchange of punts. Baylor was again forced to punt but the Red Raiders weren’t able to go in front, sent backwards with penalties and getting a field goal on 4th-and-20 with about five minutes remaining. Baylor crossed midfield looking to put the game away but wound up punting to leave the Red Raiders at the 14-yard line. Alan Bowman hit a couple of big gains and SaRodorick Thompson ran the Red Raiders into field goal range. As time expired Texas Tech got the kick for the narrow win in a game that had a near even result on a near even line.
