I'm right at .500 on the year, which is a nice way of saying these weekly picks are losing money slowly.
Baylor at Oklahoma (-20)
This season hasn't exactly comported with history for the Oklahoma Sooners, who have lost twice as double-digit favorites in Norman. Even so, Bob Stoops' teams rarely fail to get revenge for a previous season's loss.
OU got Texas Tech back earlier this season. This week is Baylor's turn.
The Bears couldn't stop that nine-year-old girl dominating Pop Warner. OU should roll up a lot of points.
Pick: Sooners by 30.
Iowa State (+10.5) at Texas
Will Texas let up after getting a very good win at Texas Tech last week? That's the big question in this game.
The Cyclones don't have much talent, but they play decent defense. More importantly, they play really hard for master motivator Paul Rhoads.
ISU probably won't spring an upset in Austin, but they will keep it within the spread.
Pick: Watch your back, Mack.
Texas A&M at Alabama (-13.5)
The Aggies are generating some serious upset buzz in a spot where the No. 1 squad is in danger of coming out flat.
I don't see it. The Aggies have rolled some SEC bums, but they have fallen short against the league's better teams. Alabama is the best.
Yes, motivation is generally an issue in these spots for the favorite. Think that's a problem for Nick Saban, especially after last week's close call?
Pick: Tide roll by three touchdowns. Say a prayer for Johnny Football.
Tulsa (-2.5) at Houston
Handicapping Houston has been a tough proposition this year. One week the Cougars are turning it over 33 times, the next they're blasting suckas.
Tulsa hung tough at Arkansas last week, which has been the story of the Hogs-Hurricane "rivalry" over the years. TU won't come out flat in this game, though – the Cougs beat on the T-Town crew mercilessly last season.
Pick: In the words of Taylor Dayne, you won't believe Bill Blankenship has a heart of stone.
Oregon (-28) at California
There are a lot of great reasons to fade the Ducks in this case. From a motivation standpoint, however, Cal really has nothing left to play for. Meanwhile, UO is looking for style points.
Pick: Oregon by 30.
(Last Week: 3-2; Overall: 25-25)
