Let's take a few minutes and get away from all that is happening in the Big 12 off the field and get back to the action taking place on the gridiron. This week represents the first full week of conference play amongst all 10 teams.
The headliner this Saturday will definitely be the Oklahoma vs Texas game but the Missouri Tigers traveling to take on undefeated and newly ranked K-State should be a close second.
As was the case last week and probably will be again next week I am still trying to dig out of a hole with my predictions this season as my horrible opening weekend has made it tough to get back ahead.
So down below are the games, their spreads and my predictions. Results article will happen following all the contests with my cumulative record as well, no matter how bad it turns out. Please feel free to make any comment you want on how you think the games will turn out in relation to the spread or how you feel about my choices.
Please note the spreads I use come from the website www.vegasinsider.com and I try to use the most common spread listed amongst the different sports books assuming there is a variance.
MY RECORD AGAINST SPREAD THIS SEASON: 12-17
Texas Longhorns vs Oklahoma Sooners * - Oklahoma is a 10.5 point favorite
* Game to be played at Cotton Bowl - Dallas, TX
Saturday - 11:00 Central - ABC
MY PREDICTION: Who doesn't love these big games being on first thing in the mornings other than the fans going to the game who want some time to get lit up before kickoff? Both teams enter undefeated at 4-0 overall while both won their conference openers in pretty easy fashion. This spread seems to be quite large considering how well Texas has looked since the season began. I am going to go with Oklahoma to win the game but I don't think they will cover the spread. Last years game is still fresh in my head where an inferior Texas team only lost by 8 points so I expect this edition of the Red River rivalry to be another close affair.
Kansas Jayhawks at Oklahoma State Cowboys - Cowboys favored by 31.5 points
Saturday 2:30 Central
MY PREDICTION: This spread has done some fluctuating with it opening some places at around 29 points and going up too as large as 33 points and now seemingly back down to 31.5 points. Simply put this game is going to get ugly, everyone agrees on that point, it's just a matter of how many points can KU score to possibly not allow the cover by Brandon Weeden and company. The Cowboys are coming off the bye so they should be fresh and I don't expect much if any rust in this one and they will be playing a KU team that faces the possibility of quitting if things get tough early as they are coming off another defensive meltdown last week. I have to pick OSU to obviously win the game and to keep the voters happy as they run up the score on Turner Gill and his team and get the cover.
Missouri Tigers at Kansas State Wildcats - Missouri is a 3.5 point favorite.
Saturday - 2:30 Central - ABC
MY PREDICTION: How often do you find a ranked team who is undefeated playing a home game against an opponent with a .500 record and the visiting team is the favorite? I am sure it doesn't happen often but that is the case in this one as Vegas must need a little more convincing on this Wildcat team. Can KSU get motivated again as they are coming off two nail biting thrillers vs Miami and Baylor respectively. One thing to remember is Mizzou is coming off a bye so they should be well prepared for this game. The crowd should be electric especially with the recent SEC talk involving the Tigers so a major point to watch is how James Franklin can handle the game early. I have picked two weeks in a row against Bill Snyder and his team and I thought I had learned my lesson but apparently not as I am going to pick Missouri to win the game outright and cover the spread. I just feel that maybe K-State experiences a letdown this week and Missouri is experienced enough that they can finish games when ahead unlike Baylor last week.
Texas A&M Aggies at Texas Tech Red Raiders - Aggies favored by 8.5 points
Saturday - 6:00 Central - FX
MY PREDICTION: This game is very interesting as I don't think either teams defense can stop what the other team does well on offense as the Aggies seem to stink against the pass while the Red Raiders looked horrible early against KU's running game. If A&M is smart they will continue to pound the ball with Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray, both of whom should be in your starting lineup if you happen to play college fantasy football. I think that A&M is the better team here but their horrible pass coverage sticks in my mind and they travel on the road coming off two straight gut-wrenching losses so I am going to pick Texas Tech to not necessarily win the game but not allow A&M to cover the spread. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised though if Tech won this game outright.
Iowa State Cyclones at Baylor Bears - Baylor favored by 15.5 points
Saturday - 6:00 Central - FSN
MY PREDICTION: I think this spread is far too low as I expect Robert Griffin and Kendall Wright to once again provide an aerial show and the Bears to blow the Cyclones out. The Cyclones got knocked back to earth last Saturday against Texas and I don't think a trip to Waco to face an angry Baylor team that probably feels they should have beat K-State last weekend is the best tonic for Paul Rhoads and company. My pick is Baylor to win the game and easily cover this spread.
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