Picks

Other than the Oklahoma vs. Miami game, it's a pretty weak week. I would strongly encourage taking a nap this Saturday.

Kansas State at Iowa State (Iowa State by 3) at Arrowhead in Kansas City
Beav: After watching the beat down that Nebraska put on Louisiana-Lafayette, I can't get over the fact that Louisiana-Lafayette beat KSU. Iowa State 28 - Kansas State 17
Steve: I had a feeling Kansas State would be bad this year, and they are not disappointing. Iowa State isn’t great either, but they are good enough to beat K-State and their anemic offense. Iowa State 20 – Kansas State 10

Texas A&M at Arkansas (pick) – game is a Cowboys Stadium
Beav: I don't think I'd ever be comfortable picking aTm. Still haven't seen a highlight...chances are good that I won't see an aTm helmet all year long. You know what, this will be a goal of mine for the year: To not see a single aTm down, live or replayed, for the entire season. Should be easy enough until Thanksgiving weekend. Arkansas 28 – Texas A&M 24
Steve: This game has the makings to be an offensive explosion. Arkansas doesn’t seem to be able to play defense, and aTm is relying on pep talks from R.C. Slocum to get their defense fired up. That can’t be good. Arkansas 38 – Texas A&M 35

Oklahoma at Miami (OU by 7)
Beav: I think too much is being made of Virginia Tech's beat down of the 'Canes, "proving" they are pretenders. Miami is a young team trying to establish its identity. The big jump in the polls plus the crazy monsoon rainstorm and being on the road at V Tech combined to make a perfect storm (zing!) for the Canes to lay an egg. Those crazy weather games often don't truly show who the 'better' team is. What it showed was that V Tech was more focused and more equipped to win that game. At home this week, I expect to see a different Miami team. Miami is still a talented bunch, capable of hanging with any team in the country. Miami 31 - Oklahoma 27
Steve: At the beginning of the year I thought the Oklahoma defense was going to be one of the best in the country. That is proving to be true. They are currently ranked #1 in the country in scoring defense. Plus, they still have possibly the best running back duo in the country and one of the best receivers, and Miami’s two starting safties are out. Not only do I think OU will win, I think they will win big. Oklahoma 35 – Miami 10

New Mexico at Texas Tech (Texas Tech by 35.5)
Beav: This line looks pretty high. Texas Tech appears to be less productive that it has been the past few years. Then I looked into New Mexico, who has lost to juggernauts such as aTm and Tulsa by over 30 points each. I think the Raiders bounce back from their two loss skid with an offensive explosion. Texas Tech 64 - New Mexico 10
Steve: Texas Tech has a little different look to them this year. Their offense isn’t quite as explosive, but their defense appears to be a little tougher. Plus, New Mexico is just plain bad. Texas Tech 42 – New Mexico 3

Kent State at Baylor (no line)
Beav: Baylor still wins, even without its QB. Baylor 40 - Kent State 0
Steve: I have never seen a team and their fan base put all their eggs in one basket like Baylor has with Robert Griffin. Luckily for them, they have some good players other than him, including a back-up QB with quite a bit of experience. Baylor 28 – Kent State 14

Games of interest

USC at California (USC by 4.5)
Beav: I'm disappointed in myself for buying into Cal...they really had not played against anybody decent prior to Oregon. Maryland is probably the worst team in the ACC and Minnesota is in the running for worst in the Big 10. Making them the Denver Broncos of College Football at that point, I guess. USC 31 - Cal 21
Steve: This is the battle of the most overrated teams in the state of California. USC’s offense appears to be inept and Cal is a one man band. This is a game of Jhavid Best vs. the USC defense. I think 11 can beat 1. USC 21 – Cal 14

Central Michigan at Buffalo (Central Michigan by 8)
Beav: I picked this game only to pad my picks stats. Turner Gill's Buffalo Bulls are a point spread covering machine. Put them at home getting points? Money in the bank. Buffalo 28 - Central Michigan 21
Steve: Buffalo got spanked by Temple. Central Michigan beat Michigan State. Therefore, Central Michigan beats Buffalo…easily. Central Michigan 38 – Buffalo 21

Washington at Notre Dame (ND by 13.5)
Beav: Notre Dame's last two wins have been typical Notre Dame garbage, and Purdue and Michigan State are probably two of the worst teams in the Big 10. Washington has been uneven this season, but they have come to play in their big games against LSU & USC. Every Irish game not against a service academy comes down to the last play of the game, so 13.5 seems way too high. This one will come down to the last play as well, but not in the Irish's favor. Washington 33 - Notre Dame 31.
Steve: I would love nothing more than for Washington to beat Notre Dame. Well, I could say that every week about Notre Dame, I think. If the game were in Seattle I would consider picking the Huskies, but Notre Dame will probably win since the game is being played on the “slow grass” of Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame 31 – Washington 21

LSU at Georgia (UGA by 3)
Beav: I really don't enjoy watching these SEC 'battles'...in fact, the only reason I ever tune in to SEC games is to hear the CBS College Football theme.
Steve: The SEC may be the best conference from top to bottom, but other than Florida and Alabama, there are no great teams. I can’t believe LSU is ranked in the top 5. They are not that good. Georgia 24 – LSU 17