Take it to the Bank: The Games of Week 8
1. KU +20 at Oklahoma
The early line on this game was 14. That was a tough line, what with OU looking for redemption AND playing at Home. OU has lost but two Home games during Stoops’ tenure. This Saturday is not likely to be No. 3. However, at 20 points, this should be an easy cover for a team with the Big 12’s best QB and a running game and D that are both improving weekly. The Hawks can score 28 on the Sooners’ D—meaning OU will need 49 to beat the spread.
KU
2. k-state +3 at Colorado
Will Colorado allow k-state to stretch the Buffs’ losing streak to four? In Boulder? With all the talk about the QB rich Big 12, CU is not sharing the wealth. Cody Hawkins is a Big Sky QB in Big 12 clothing. With the points, I will take:
k-state
3. Mizzou +6 at Texas
Texas has two advantages in this game: Superior athletes and the Home Field. Mizzou has the edge in motivation, being a desperate team after losing for the first time in two years to a team not named the Sooners. With the inevitable let down by UT after its epic struggle with Oklahoma last weekend, Mizzou will not go down quietly. To win, Daniel will have to perform well in the clutch. Not likely. However, staying close does not require poise under pressure.
MIZZOU
4. Texas Tech -21 at Texas A&M
How dismal is A&M?
TEXAS TECH
5. Baylor +17 at Okie St
Okay, so Baylor isn’t the worst team in the Big 12. And Okie St will have a let down. Could be a close game into the third quarter. However, until Baylor shows it can take its newfound prowess on the road:
OKIE ST
6. Nebraska -7 at Iowa St
Nebraska has finally reached the status of a truly mediocre program: i.e., one that can play over its head for sixty minutes one week and ALMOST beat a better team, then fold against a bad team the next. Long-time KU fans are familiar with this syndrome. ISU wins this game outright.
IOWA ST
7. Wisconsin +3.5 at Iowa
Wisconsin is shell shocked after two flukey losses and a royal butt-kicking by Penn St. If the Badgers have any character at all, the bleeding will stop in Iowa City.
WISCONSIN
8. Ohio St -3.5 at Michigan St
The Buckeyes are not a great team. They are, however, a resourceful one. Perhaps the most resourceful college football team of the modern era. If this game is close in the final minutes, they will find a way to win. Whether by 3 or 4 is the question.
OHIO ST
9. Michigan +23 at Penn St
Penn St is on a roll that could lead to Miami in January. Michigan seems to get worse every week. The game is in State College. What’s not to like?
PENN ST
10. Arkansas +10 at Kentucky
Pay no attention to that win over Auburn. That game revealed more about Auburn than Arkansas.
KENTUCKY
11. Ole Miss +13 at Alabama
The Tide is a legitimate threat to play for the pretend national championship. But they are not a juggernaut.
OLE MISS
12. Idaho +20 at La-Tech
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Picking against Idaho has been a reliable way of scoring against Vegas thus far this season. The Vandals have shown no measure of improvement with the passing weeks. I’ll go to this well one more time.
IDAHO
13. Utah St +21 at Nevada
Speaking of reliability, I offer Exhibit 2: Utah St.
NEVADA
14. Oregon St -14 at Washington
Washington is the Michigan of the PAC-10. Oregon St is not the West Coast’s version of Penn St, but they don’t have to be to cover 14 points.
OREGON ST
15. Colorado St +21 at Utah
Utah is taking no prisoners. If they score to go up 35 in the final minute, don’t be surprised to see an on-side kick.
Boom the Sooners!
–Mark
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