4th Quarter Covers - Dec. 2-5
By: Joe Nelson
Here is a look back at the fourth quarter spread result changing plays and sequences from last weekend's college games from the first weekend in December to close the college regular season as well as the week 13 NFL results. There were several close finishes last week that left backers on both sides tense through the closing seconds.
NCAA:
On Thursday night Arizona led Arizona State 14-6 entering the fourth quarter but rival Arizona State had some fight left. The Sun Devils cut the lead to just five with a field goal early in the quarter and then after the only turnover in the game ASU connected for a touchdown and hit the 2-point conversion to lead 17-14 with just over seven minutes to go. Arizona State struck again with less than three minutes to go but couldn't put the game away, settling for a field goal to lead by six. Starting with good field position Arizona had a final drive left, finding the end zone with less than 30 seconds to go, seemingly winning the game. The extra point was blocked however and in the second overtime Arizona State would win with another blocked extra point, sealing a wild 30-29 final.
West Virginia led 21-7 entering the fourth quarter against Rutgers and then pulled away in the fourth adding two scores to go up 35-7 with just over four minutes to go. The spread fell right at 21 for most and Rutgers scored on a 44 yard pass play with about two minutes remaining to force the push.
One of the biggest line moves of the season looked correct most of the way as Nevada led Louisiana Tech just 21-17 entering the fourth quarter in a tight game. The Wolf Pack pulled away however, scoring twice early in the fourth quarter to cover all spreads.
Washington State and Washington were locked up at 28-28 with just over four minutes to go in the fourth quarter after back-to-back touchdowns from the Cougars. The Huskies marched down for the winning touchdown pass to get just ahead of the closing spread and match the early week numbers and the final Cougars effort ended in an interception.
Oregon led Oregon State just 23-10 entering the fourth quarter, short of the spread and the Beavers added a field goal immediately in the fourth to cut the lead to just ten points. Oregon would score shortly thereafter and then took advantage of an Oregon State interception to add another score to get past the spread with just over four minutes to go. The Beavers scored a touchdown on its final drive to save a push for many Oregon State backers, finding the end zone with just over a minute to go.
Florida International took a 27-21 lead with about ten minutes to go in the game to get just past the spread but Middle Tennessee State answered to get the lead back 28-27 shortly thereafter. Florida International appeared to be driving for the winning score in the final minutes but a fumble inside of the Middle Tennessee State 30-yard line cost the Panthers the game and a shot at covering.
NFL:
Houston led Philadelphia 24-20 entering the fourth quarter on Thursday night but the Eagles were able to answer, getting the lead back early in the fourth quarter. The Houston offense disappeared in the fourth quarter and the Eagles added another touchdown to get by the spread with just over four minutes to go.
New Orleans led Cincinnati 20-12 entering the fourth quarter but the Bengals would make this an incredibly interesting finish. Both teams scored touchdowns early in the quarter to keep the margin at eight but then the Bengals connected for a touchdown and a 2-point conversion with just over eight minutes to go, virtually ensuring an underdog cover. The Bengals took the lead with a field goal with only four minutes to go. While the spread was in hand for the Bengals the finish to the game was remarkable. The Saints had a fourth-and-two at the Cincinnati seven yard line in the final minute. New Orleans lined up to go for it and incredibly got the offside penalty they were looking for and then connected for the winning touchdown pass.
In a huge NFC South game Tampa Bay led 17-14 heading into the fourth quarter and then added a touchdown to lead by ten with just over ten minutes to go. Disaster struck for Buccaneers backers as the ensuing kickoff was returned for a touchdown. Getting the ball back late, Atlanta went for a touchdown drive to win 28-24, narrowly covering the spread in the process. Tampa Back actually moved the ball well on its final drive and got within the Atlanta 30 but Josh Freeman's reputation as a late game performer did not deliver with an interception sealing the game for the Falcons.
Baltimore led Pittsburgh 10-3 entering the fourth quarter in a tough physical match-up that has been typical of the series. Pittsburgh got deep into scoring territory early in the fourth quarter but could not find the end zone, settling for a 19-yard field goal to cut the margin to four points, shy of the spread. Neither team could get much going on offense but the Steelers made a big play on defense with a blitz resulting in a recovered fumble inside the ten yard line. Pittsburgh finally punched in a score to go up by three and then needed a big stop on the other end as Baltimore drove into the edge of field goal range in the final minute.