Well let's take a break from all the conference re-alignment stuff going on out there and actually take a look at the games going on the field. Real quick statement from me here, the officials at Texas A&M should be slapped around a little bit for waiting until the season to start to announce their intentions to leave for the SEC and take away a lot of the fun and excitement of the actual season from not only fans but the student athletes.
Okay that is the one bad thing I want to say about A&M for now, let's move on to the games. Last week was much better for me with my pick selections. I went 5-4 last weekend with some help from a nice backdoor cover by Idaho against Texas A&M and Oklahoma pulling out the victory over Florida State. Unfortunately I did not see the Kansas defensive debacle coming and I underestimated just how good Oklahoma State and Texas are.
This week is kind of odd as we have two conference games and then three non-conference games with three teams having an off week. It's weird but hey at least there is football going on right.
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: 7-12
Kansas State Wildcats at Miami Hurricanes - Miami is a 13 point favorite
Saturday - 2:30 Central - ESPNU
MY PREDICTION: The Hurricanes are coming off an impressive victory 24-6 against Ohio State where they were led by RB Lamar Miller who ran for 184 yards. The Hurricanes were helped by getting five players back from suspension including starting QB Jacory Harris. The Wildcats meanwhile got some confidence back as they spanked Kent State by a score of 37-0. It is hard to know for sure but the K-State defense appears to be better this year as they got their first shutout since 2006, this will be their first major challenge. This will be K-State's first road test of the season and it will be Collin Klein's first real test as the leader of the K-State offense. I believe K-State has the better coach in the game but Miami has more athleticism so this could be a fun game to watch. In the end though I don't think K-State has enough offense to hang with the Hurricanes and the game eventually gets away from them and Miami secures the win and the cover.
Oklahoma State Cowboys at Texas A&M Aggies - A&M favored by 3.5 points
Saturday - 2:30 Central - ABC
MY PREDICTION: How is this to start off the conference season with two teams ranked in the top ten? The Cowboys roll into College Station looking very strong as it appears they have an offense that can't be stopped as they are averaging 52.3 points per game. The Cowboys look to win their fourth straight game against Texas A&M but it will be tough in Kyle Field which should be rocking and rolling. The Aggies have looked strong as well this year as they have outscored their opponents 83-21 in their two games. While I think Ryan Tannehill & Cyrus Gray should have some success against the Cowboys defense I just don't think A&M can deal with Brandon Weeden, Justin Blackmon & Joseph Randle. I also like the fact that Oklahoma State is getting points here so I am going to pick Oklahoma State to not only beat the spread here but to win this game outright.
Rice Owls at Baylor Bears - Baylor is a 20 point favorite.
Saturday - 6:00 Central - Fox Sports Southwest
MY PREDICTION: For the life of me I cannot figure out why this spread is this low. Maybe the oddsmakers think that Baylor isn't as good as the Texas Longhorns whom Rice played and lost too in Week 1 of the season by 25 points so they pulled the spread down a few points from that. With how the offense is cranking down in Waco with Robert Griffin and Kendall Wright, I am going to take Baylor to win and cover. I should probably go the opposite of this selection though since I feel very confident in this choice which is usually a bad thing when it comes to picking games.
Nevada Wolf Pack at Texas Tech Red Raiders - Tech favored by 20 points
Saturday - 6:00 Central - Fox College Sports
MY PREDICTION: Nevada opened the season up by losing 69-20 to Oregon and then last week they barely beat a San Jose State team by a score of 17-14. Meanwhile, Texas Tech has come out and racked up two blowout victories behind the play of QB Seth Doege who has thrown for 727 yards and 8 TD's this season while also not throwing an interception. I do not know much about Nevada this year except it sounds like they are in sort of a rebuild mode so I think Tech comes out strong as they finish up their non-conference slate before traveling to Kansas next weekend to open up Big 12 play. I am going with Tech to win this game and cover the spread.
Missouri Tigers at Oklahoma Sooners - Sooners favored by 21 points
Saturday - 7:00 Central - FX
MY PREDICTION: Here is another game with a spread that instantly grabs your attention. Yes the Sooners are the #1 team in the country and they are playing at home where they never lose but on the other hand they are coming off an emotionally draining game at Florida State last weekend and they are hosting a Big 12 team they lost to just last season. Maybe the oddsmakers figure that OU will come out energized and ready to enact some revenge against the Tigers who bring in a first year starting QB in James Franklin. A key figure to watch in this game is emerging RB Henry Josey for Missouri who lit up Western Illinois for 263 rushing yards last weekend, the Tigers will once again have to be able and establish the run game. While I don't expect much of a letdown for OU, you would have to expect some sluggish play in the beginning of this one. I think the Sooners will win this game but I think Missouri hangs around for awhile and does not allow OU to cover the spread in this one.
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