THE CHOPPING BLOCK: Week 4 picks

By BRANDON HURLEY

Sports Editor 

sports@beeherald.com

@BrandonJHurley

I spent the better part of last Saturday tailgating before the ISU-Iowa game and it was a blast. I always forget how great it is to be outside, in the sun enjoying food, a game of catch and swapping stories amongst other football lunatics preparing for the big game. 

Is there anything better in the fall? I’d like to think there isn’t. 

Everyone is friends when the tailgate starts, regardless of who you’re rooting for, but when it ends, it’s back to being bitter rivals while the trash-talk ensues. That’s what makes it so great, most of the animosity – I said most – is put to the way side while we all enjoy a good time before a GAME. 

Usually, the smell of food roasting on the grill can be inhaled from miles away, which only excites me even further. The no. 1 rule of any tailgate is food. Without it, you’re just hanging outside in the fall, and who wants to do that? 

Well, I had a slightly better go-around last weekend as I managed to go 12-5, but with a few bad misses. Let’s hope I can keep this rolling and get up the top-flight ranks of some of the better contests. 

Deb Marquardt of Paton had a spectacular week three in the Bee’s Football contest, selecting 16 correct games to just one loss, (Arkansas upset TCU). 

There was a five-way tie for second place with 15 correct games to just two incorrect picks. 

Craig Marquardt of Paton secured second through the tie-breaker, picking a total score of 792, which was just five off the actual 797 total score. 

Cheryl Tiffany of Jefferson captured third place in the double tie-breaker, with 15 correct games and just two incorrect ones, predicting a total score of 789, just off the actual total of 797. 

Michelle Fields of Paton and Dennis Tiffany of Jefferson narrowly missed out on the top three as they chose 15 correct picks but there predicted scores of 785 (Fields) and 781 (Tiffany) made for the closest battle yet. 

Here we go: 

SEASON RECORD: 31-20

1. Greene County (0-3) at Webster City (2-1) 

The Lynx run game will be too much for the Rams. 

2. Ballard (3-0) at Dallas Center-Grimes (2-1)

Ballard is in the top-10 this week and I was not impressed with the Mustangs in week three. 

3. Boone (2-1) at Perry (2-1)

I think Boone has the better weapons in this one and pulls it out. 

4.  Gilbert (3-0) at Iowa Falls-Alden (2-1)

Iowa Falls-Alden has played a weak schedule so far. Gilbert wins easily. 

5. ADM (1-2) at Carroll (3-0) 

Carroll’s got a stingy defense that the Tigers won’t be able to crack. 

6. Kuemper Catholic (2-1) at Clarinda (0-3)

I’m not joking when I say Clarinda is garbage. They’ve put up just 14 points through three games.  

7, Ar-We-Va, Westside (2-1) at Coon Rapids-Bayard (2-1)

This could be an explosive matchup with potent offenses that could go either way. 

8. South Central Calhoun (2-1) at Shenandoah (1-2)

The Titans shake off a down week offensively to throttle Shenandoah. 

 COLLEGE 

9. North Dakota State (FCS) at #13 Iowa (-15) 

I’ve been wrong on my first two Iowa picks this season, so who’s to say I’ll be right here? It’s worth a shot. 

10. #2 Florida State (-2) at #10 Louisville 

This is essentially a toss up and I lean FSU only because they have the best running back on the field. 

11. #22 Oregon at Nebraska (-3) 

I honestly have no clue here. I give the home team the edge, but not confidently. 

12. Colorado (+20.5) at #4 Michigan 

I like CU here because they’ve covered twice and they may not be as bad as everyone thinks. And, I believe Michigan is slightly overrated. 

13. #1 Alabama (-11) at #19 Ole Miss

This spread may seem a little high to some, but with a bitter taste of the past in their mouths, I think a better than advertised ‘Bama squad crushes Ole Miss. 

14. #12 Michigan State at #18 Notre Dame (-8.5) 

I have no idea what to do with this Michigan State team. Notre Dame just has better talent across the board. 

15. #3 Ohio State at #14 Oklahoma (+1.5) 

It’s hard to imagine a Bob Stoops squad starting the season 1-2. I’m going Sooners here. 

16. Iowa State at TCU (-24)

Both teams are coming off losses, except TCU can really put up points and ISU can’t.The Horned Frogs are also coming off a loss. Give me the 24 points. 

17. #17 Texas A&M (+3.5) at Auburn

Anytime you cover a 53 point spread (They won 67-0 over Prairie View A&M) you deserve some action the following week. The Aggies cover, by at least 10.