All Picks: Year to Date 8-6-1
Oregon State -11 at Temple
Though it was just I-AA Eastern Kentucky they beat up on, Oregon State showed an ability to line up and run as well as sit back and pass. Their 600+ yards of total offense for the game is nothing to sniff at, especially considering how balanced the split between rushing and passing yards was. The game of experience gives the Beavers an added advantage. 2 TD's seems like a small spread in my eyes.
BYU -10.5 vs. Hawaii
Another team that put up 600+ yards of total offense last weekend was BYU. They beat up rather handily on Syracuse. The Cougar defense is still nothing to write home about, but will they really give up the points that they did last year to the Rainbow Warriors? I'm doubtful. Revenge has to play at least a small factor in this game. Furthermore, Hawaii has to make the long trip this time.
Texas A&M -3 at Pittsburgh
Pitt only won their game last weekend against Ohio because they won the turnover battle 6-3. The Panthers were outgained by almost 100 yards (putting up a meager 187 on the game). Granted, the Aggies need some work as well offensively, but this game shouldn't be a big challenge for them if the defense shows up. Pitt shouldn't score more than a TD. This may well be my lock of the week.
Michigan State -26 vs. Rice
The Spartans obliterated E. Michigan last weekend as their offense was on fire. Rice, defensively, gave up 450 yards and 24 points in their loss to the mighty Houston Cougars. Rice can't hope to keep it this close without some fluke turnovers, I think.
Oklahoma -12.5 vs. Alabama
Let's be honest about OU: they put up 500 yards of offense on Tulsa and should have been up by three or four scores by the end of the first half. Only some ill-timed turnovers kept it as close as it was. Those mental mistakes will likely not resurface this weekend against the Tide. Alabama was outgained by Middle Tennessee State and won a squeaker. I think their lack of defense will allow OU to roll over them.
UNLV -15 vs. Kansas
Kansas is worse than this, and UNLV is better. The Rebels actually did better than their score against Wisconsin indicated, as their yardage total was decent. Their turnovers (5 to Wisconsin's 0) did them in. Kansas was absolutely terrible offensively against an average Iowa State defense, and they couldn't stop the Cyclones from putting up some good numbers. I look for a rout here.
Missouri -16 vs. Ball State
Mizzou proved to me last weekend that with their new quarterback they are an entirely different team. Suddenly, opposing defenses must not only key on Gage, but also keep an eye on Brad Smith as he scrambles out of the pocket. Defensively, the jury is still out; Illinois sucked. I don't see how they'll have a problem with Ball State, though, so I'd bank on a sizeable victory.
Other possible plays of interest:
Louisiana Tech +12 at Clemson
San Diego State +23 at Colorado (Last game wasn't a fluke; CU really does suck)
Texas Tech -17.5 at SMU (Tech can score a lot more on SMU than on Ohio St.)
South Carolina -4 at Virginia
Nebraska -30 vs. Utah State
UL-Monroe +39 at Kansas State (40 is a hell of a spread, even against a crappy team)
Oregon State -11 at Temple
Though it was just I-AA Eastern Kentucky they beat up on, Oregon State showed an ability to line up and run as well as sit back and pass. Their 600+ yards of total offense for the game is nothing to sniff at, especially considering how balanced the split between rushing and passing yards was. The game of experience gives the Beavers an added advantage. 2 TD's seems like a small spread in my eyes.
BYU -10.5 vs. Hawaii
Another team that put up 600+ yards of total offense last weekend was BYU. They beat up rather handily on Syracuse. The Cougar defense is still nothing to write home about, but will they really give up the points that they did last year to the Rainbow Warriors? I'm doubtful. Revenge has to play at least a small factor in this game. Furthermore, Hawaii has to make the long trip this time.
Texas A&M -3 at Pittsburgh
Pitt only won their game last weekend against Ohio because they won the turnover battle 6-3. The Panthers were outgained by almost 100 yards (putting up a meager 187 on the game). Granted, the Aggies need some work as well offensively, but this game shouldn't be a big challenge for them if the defense shows up. Pitt shouldn't score more than a TD. This may well be my lock of the week.
Michigan State -26 vs. Rice
The Spartans obliterated E. Michigan last weekend as their offense was on fire. Rice, defensively, gave up 450 yards and 24 points in their loss to the mighty Houston Cougars. Rice can't hope to keep it this close without some fluke turnovers, I think.
Oklahoma -12.5 vs. Alabama
Let's be honest about OU: they put up 500 yards of offense on Tulsa and should have been up by three or four scores by the end of the first half. Only some ill-timed turnovers kept it as close as it was. Those mental mistakes will likely not resurface this weekend against the Tide. Alabama was outgained by Middle Tennessee State and won a squeaker. I think their lack of defense will allow OU to roll over them.
UNLV -15 vs. Kansas
Kansas is worse than this, and UNLV is better. The Rebels actually did better than their score against Wisconsin indicated, as their yardage total was decent. Their turnovers (5 to Wisconsin's 0) did them in. Kansas was absolutely terrible offensively against an average Iowa State defense, and they couldn't stop the Cyclones from putting up some good numbers. I look for a rout here.
Missouri -16 vs. Ball State
Mizzou proved to me last weekend that with their new quarterback they are an entirely different team. Suddenly, opposing defenses must not only key on Gage, but also keep an eye on Brad Smith as he scrambles out of the pocket. Defensively, the jury is still out; Illinois sucked. I don't see how they'll have a problem with Ball State, though, so I'd bank on a sizeable victory.
Other possible plays of interest:
Louisiana Tech +12 at Clemson
San Diego State +23 at Colorado (Last game wasn't a fluke; CU really does suck)
Texas Tech -17.5 at SMU (Tech can score a lot more on SMU than on Ohio St.)
South Carolina -4 at Virginia
Nebraska -30 vs. Utah State
UL-Monroe +39 at Kansas State (40 is a hell of a spread, even against a crappy team)
