4th Quarter Covers - Sep. 24-27
By: Joe Nelson
Here is a look back at the spread result changing plays and sequences from last weekend's college games and the week 3 NFL results. There were several wild finishes that had spread result changing moments in the fourth quarter, leaving backers on both sides watching intently through the final minutes.
NCAA:
In a game that was near even statistically TCU led SMU just 28-17 entering the fourth quarter after trailing in the game early in the third quarter. The Frogs would score early in the fourth to push the lead to 18 with the majority of lines at 17.5 most of the week. SMU answered with a score to cut the lead to nine but then TCU returned an interception for a touchdown, going up 17, but missing the conversion attempt in a key moment relative to the spread. The Frogs took the ball deep into SMU territory on a possession late in the game but passed on a long field goal attempt and gave the ball back on downs to seal a narrow SMU cover.
Northwestern pulled away from Central Michigan in the second taking a ten-point lead into the fourth quarter and quickly extending that lead to 30-13. Central Michigan fought back however, scoring halfway through the final frame and then adding another touchdown with just over a minute to go in the game to steal the spread in a five-point loss.
Bowling Green scored late in the third quarter to cut the Michigan lead to just 23-points entering the final quarter. The Wolverines did not let off the gas however, totaling over 700 yards of offense and adding three fourth quarter touchdowns to pull away for a lopsided final result.
While Ohio State was dominant against Eastern Michigan, the Eagles looked in position to cover most of the way with a massive 44-point spread. Leading by just 32 entering the fourth quarter, the Buckeyes added three late touchdowns to hang 73-points and slip by the big number.
While Wake Forest could not get anything going on offense against Florida State the Demon Deacons were in position to cover, down 17-0 halfway through the fourth quarter. After a long 17-play drive deep into Seminoles territory a fumble gave Florida State some momentum, adding a touchdown to eclipse the spread and then a 61-yard Wake Forest drive ended in no points and Florida State added another touchdown with just a minute left in the game to create the convincing final margin.
Connecticut led by just ten entering the fourth quarter in a game with Buffalo that was tied at halftime. The Huskies added a touchdown immediately after the start of the final frame and a late interception return touchdown with just over four minutes to go in the game gave Connecticut the spread win as heavy favorites.
As slight favorites Mississippi State led just 7-6 entering the fourth quarter in a defensive battle with Georgia. The game changed dramatically in the fourth quarter with Mississippi State scoring 17 unanswered points before Georgia added a garbage time touchdown to prevent a lopsided final. Mississippi State's decisive touchdown came on a short 21-yard field as Georgia was forced to go for it deep in their own territory.
Lines were not readily available on the Tulane/Houston game last week with a plethora of injuries but Houston was favored by 19.5 in most spots with the line closing at 18.5. Sure enough the final margin ended at 19 after Houston extended a 5-point lead with four minutes to go in the game, getting the final touchdown on an interception return. Tulane went for two aiming to cut the lead to three on its fourth quarter touchdown with that missed opportunity for a point proving critical for some backers.
Southern Mississippi posted solid yardage against Louisiana Tech but only put up 13-points. With a 13-3 lead entering the fourth quarter the Golden Eagles appeared in line for the cover but the Bulldogs made things interesting in the final frame with a touchdown and a safety to create a 13-12 final. The fourth quarter was ugly with four turnovers as neither team looked worthy of a win.
Indiana led 35-13 against Akron entering the fourth quarter to cover some early numbers and appear on the verge of taking the spread win but the defense relaxed in the final quarter, allowing an Akron touchdown on the longest drive of the day for the Zips. The game ended with Indiana inside the Akron five-yard line.
For the second straight week at home Auburn fell behind early, down 20-7 at one point to South Carolina and the Gamecocks led by six entering the fourth quarter. South Carolina turned the ball over four times in the fourth quarter with QB Stephen Garcia fumbling on back-to-back possessions to set up short Auburn scoring drives before being benched. Back-up QB Connor Shaw moved South Carolina into to scoring territory on the final two drives but both possessions ended with interceptions near the end zone as Auburn snuck out the cover in a another game with a dramatic finish for the Tigers.
North Carolina led by just a single-point entering the fourth quarter in a tight game with Rutgers. The Tar Heels added a late field goal to get past the spread and Rutgers came up empty in two possessions in Tar Heel territory late in the game.
Maryland led 28-21 entering the fourth quarter before a score pushed the lead to 14-points. Florida International had no trouble moving the ball and the Panthers cut the lead back to seven with just over four minutes to go. Maryland broke a 76-yard run on the next possession to sneak by the spread in the final margin.
NFL:
While it played out like a tight game most of the way the Patriots pulled away with a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to take a 38-23 lead, just passing the two touchdown spread. Buffalo responded, scoring on a 37-yard pass play with just over four minutes to go in the game. The Bills got the ball back but were quickly intercepted and New England did not threaten to score despite ending the game near the Buffalo 25-yard line.
Cincinnati led Carolina just 10-7 entering the fourth quarter but quickly got by the spread on a 50-yard field goal early in the final frame. Carolina moved the ball with ease in the fourth quarter posting 149 yards but no points and the Bengals added another touchdown on a short field after a Panthers fumble.
The Saints and Falcons played a wild game with the defending champions leading by four entering the fourth quarter with the spread at four or less depending when the game was played. Atlanta took a three-point lead on a touchdown pass with just over nine minutes to go but the Saints would tie the game on a Garrett Hartley field goal just before time expired. Hartley would prove to be the goat in overtime as the Saints drove deep into scoring position after stopping Atlanta on the first possession. Hartley hooked the 27-yard chip shot and the Falcons got a 46-yard game winner from Matt Bryant with less than two minutes to go in overtime.
There was no scoring in the fourth quarter as the Vikings held for a narrow cover with a 24-10 win with Detroit but two Shaun Hill passes were intercepted deep in Vikings territory with one Detroit score being enough to shift the spread result.
Green Bay led 10-7 entering the fourth quarter in a surprisingly low-scoring game with Chicago on Monday night. Devin Hester got the Bears back in front with a 62-yard punt return but the Packers would answer with a touchdown drive to get the margin back to three-points with less than seven minutes to go. The Bears tied the game with less than four minutes to go but the packers looked capable of getting a field goal to get a spread push or take the win with a touchdown score. Near midfield Green Bay received James Jones fumbled fighting for extra yards and the Bears would move down the field for the winning field goal.