Sandy has jammed me up all week, so I'm going to fly through this week's picks. Probably better after last week's showing. No time to think – just feel the flow.
Texas Christian at West Virginia (-6.5)
The Mountaineers got their asses handed to them two weeks in a row before last week’s break in the schedule. Assuming he hasn’t been preoccupied with his other pursuits, Dana Holgorsen and his staff have had two weeks to clean some things up and prepare for the second half of the year. TCU is a mess right now, WVU should get back on track.
Pick: West Virginia 42, TCU 30
Washington State at Utah (-11.5)
Kyle Whittingham is one of the best coaches in the country no one talks about. His Utes are starting to play some better football and have a bowl bid in their sights.
Pick: Utah by at least two touchdowns.
Texas at Texas Tech (-7.5)
Seth Doege and the Tech offense will be looking to abuse a Texas D that has put up little resistance this season.
UT bombed the Red Raiders in Austin last year, 52-20. Tommy Tuberville will respond in kind.
Pick: Texas Tech 52, Texas 20
Washington (+4.5) at California
Cal played last week like a team that has quit on its embattled coach. The Golden Bears have to win out to get bowl-eligible, and that would involve upsetting both Oregon and Oregon State in the next two weeks.
With wide receiver Keenan Allen out for Cal, that makes this one even easier.
Pick: Wrong team favored? Washington straight up.
Alabama at LSU (+10)
The Bayou Bengals getting double digits at Tiger Stadium. That alone would be enough to get me to take LSU. Les Miles has been awfully strong coming off an open date, too.
Pick: Alabama 23, LSU 16.
(Last Week: 4-1; Overall: 22-23)