No time to be snarky and go for the cheap laughs today. Let’s just give you our picks.
Hey, does any other group — even in Las Vegas — have all of its selectors at .500 or better eight weeks into the season against the spread? Go ahead, we’ll wait.
Our leader in the clubhouse, Art Garcia, is 22 games over .500 at 52-30-2. Colleague and noted author Marjorie Lewis went 10-2, including 8-0 in college games.
Do you trust us? Of course you do. So go ahead and bet the house, week 8.
Standings
Art Garcia 52-30-2 (8-4)
John Henry 48-34-2 (6-6)
Marjorie Lewis 48-34-2 (10-2)
Jan Hubbard 47-35-2 (6-6)
Anthony Andro 47-35-2 (8-4)
Gil LeBreton 45-37-2 (8-4)
Matt Mosley 43-39-2 (6-6)
Richie Whitt 42-40-2 (7-5)
Jimmy Burch 42-40-2 (8-4)
Carlos Mendez 41-41-2 (9-3)
ART GARCIA
Last week: 8-4
Season: 52-30-2
Temple at SMU -7 1/2 — Top 25 matchup at the Ford been long time coming. Pick: Temple
TCU at Kansas State +3 1/2 — Coach P is coming home. Pick: TCU
Baylor at Oklahoma State -4 — Luck runs out for the Bears. Pick: OSU
Kansas at Texas -21 — Horns can beat the unranked. Pick: UT
West Virginia at Oklahoma -33 1/2 — Sooners roll but don’t cover. Pick: WVU
Iowa State at Texas Tech +7 — Can’t give the Techsters a TD at home. Pick: Tech
Middle Tennessee at North Texas -7 1/2 — Mean Green not so mean. Pick: MTSU
Michigan at Penn State -8 1/2 — Can we pull the plug on Harbaugh? Pick: Penn State
Oregon at Washington +3 — Pacific Northwest on display. Pick: UW
Eagles at Cowboys -3 — Battle for first should never involve .500 teams. Pick: Eagles
Texans at Colts -1 — Deshaun Watson for MVP. Pick: Texans
Saints at Bears -3 1/2 — No Kamera, no points. Pick: Bears
JOHN HENRY
Last week: 6-6
Season: 48-34-2
Temple at SMU -71/2 – Very good test for the born-again Mustangs against a Temple team that edged a good Memphis. Pick: Temple
TCU at Kansas State +31/2 – Don’t ever bet against TCU a week after a bye. Gary Patterson knows what to do with that time. Pick: TCU
Baylor at Oklahoma State -4 – Still waters run deep for Baylor. Pick: Baylor
Kansas at Texas -21 – Jayhawks appear to be back in form. Pick: Texas
West Virginia at Oklahoma -331/2 – Mountaineers manage to keep OU in range. Pick: West Virginia
Iowa State at Texas Tech +7 – I’ll take the points in Lubbock, than you very much. Pick: Texas Tech
Middle Tennessee State at North Texas -7 1/2 – Mean Green had trouble scoring last week … and trouble stopping. Pick: Middle Tennessee State
Michigan at Penn State -81/2 – You ever tried to scratch the belly of a Nittany Lion? Pick: Penn State
Oregon at Washington +3 – Throw out the records when these American territories do battle. Home team. Pick: Washington
Eagles at Cowboys -3 – Inspired Cowboys when a gut-wrencher. When’s the last time the Cowboys did that? Pick: Eagles
Texans at Colts -1 – Jumping on this Texans bandwagon against a strange Colts outfit. Pick: Texans
Saints at Bears -31/2 – Saints and the points, can I get an ‘Amen?’ Pick: Saints
MARJORIE LEWIS
Last week: 10-2
Season: 48-34-2
Temple at SMU -7 1/2 — Temple is better than the spread indicates. Pick: Temple
TCU at Kansas State +3 1/2 — This will be close. Pick: Kansas State
Baylor at Oklahoma State -4 — Oklahoma State will set the tone for the rest of its season. Pick: Oklahoma State
Kansas at Texas -21 — The much-needed elixir. Pick: Texas
West Virginia at Oklahoma -33 1/2 — Too many points. Pick: West Virginia
Iowa State at Texas Tech +7 — Close till the end. Pick: Texas Tech
Middle Tennessee at North Texas -7 1/2 — The lost season continues. Pick: Middle Tennessee
Michigan at Penn State -8 1/2 — Jim Harbaugh teams do well in Happy Valley. Pick: Michigan
Oregon at Washington +3 — Oregon has far too much firepower. Pick: Oregon
Eagles at Cowboys -3 — Too many Cowboys are injured. Pick: Eagles
Texans at Colts -1 — This is my expected tie against the spread. Still, the Colts are home. Pick: Colts
Saints at Bears -3 1/2 — QB Teddy Bridgewater is the real deal. Pick: Saints
ANTHONY ANDRO
Last week: 8-4
Season: 47-35-2
Temple at SMU -7 1/2 — Temple isn’t awful and the SMU voodoo magic will come to an end sometime. Pick: Temple
TCU at Kansas State +3 1/2 — TCU is the better team but will it show it on the road? The guess is no. Pick: Kansas State
Baylor at Oklahoma State -4 — Baylor got lucky last week. The fighting Matt Mosley’s see that come to an end. Pick: Oklahoma State
Kansas at Texas -21 — Will Texas be able to get up for Kansas? Does anyone really have to get up for Kansas? Pick: Texas
West Virginia at Oklahoma -33 1/2 — The ol’ Oklahoma QB will keep it close enough. Pick: West Virginia
Iowa State at Texas Tech +7 — Tech may win but it will be close. Pick: Tech
Middle Tennessee at North Texas -7 1/2 — The cratering in Denton has been troublesome this year. Maybe things get right this week. Pick: North Texas
Michigan at Penn State -8 1/2 — Why do we always have to pick Penn State games? Why am I always wrong on the picks? Pick: Michigan
Oregon at Washington +3 — Oregon’s been on a roll since the Auburn loss. That roll continues. Pick: Oregon
Eagles at Cowboys -3 — Can you feel the 3-3 excitement building for Sunday night? I can’t. Losing streak ends. Pick: Cowboys
Texans at Colts -1 — This seems like a layup despite the Titans starting an Aggie great at QB. Pick: Colts
Saints at Bears -3 1/2 — The Bears really aren’t very good offensively at all. Pick: Saints
JAN HUBBARD
Last week: 6-6
Season: 47-35-2
Temple at SMU -7 1/2 — Mustang Magic continues. Pick: SMU
TCU at Kansas State +3 1/2 — Frogs are 1-1 on the road, but need this badly to avoid falling to .500. Pick: TCU
Baylor at Oklahoma State -4 — Undefeated Bears get biggest test. Are they for real, or not? Pick: Oklahoma State
Kansas at Texas -21 — Jayhawks had promising 2-1 start, but they’ve lost last three games by a combined 67 points. Not a good venue to get better. Pick: Texas
West Virginia at Oklahoma -33 1/2 — Mountaineers lost by 31 at Missouri. Which is a good – but not great team. Ut OU is. Pick: Oklahoma
Iowa State at Texas Tech +7 — Cyclones beat TCU by 25 and West Virginia by 24. Not a good sign for Tech. Pick: Iowa State
Middle Tennessee at North Texas -7 1/2 — Mean Green need four wins in last six games to be bowl eligible. They get the first one at home. Pick: North Texas
Michigan at Penn State -8 1/2 — For those who enjoy watching Jim Harbaugh pout, tune in. Pick. Penn State
Oregon at Washington +3 — Washington favored because it is playing at home. But Oregon is No. 12 in the country for a reason. Pick: Oregon
Eagles at Cowboys -3 — Jason Garrett is not getting fired – yet. A home loss to divisional rival, however, is not a step in the right direction. Pick: Eagles
Texans at Colts -1 — Texans have exploded with 84 points in last two games. Team has been known for defense, but offense is clicking. Pick: Texans
Saints at Bears -3 1/2 — Big road test for undefeated Teddy Bridgewater. Can he avoid being crushed by Bears defense. Why not? Pick: Saints
GIL LeBRETON
Last week: 8-4
Season: 45-37-2
Temple at SMU -7 1/2 — Ponies are the toast of Dallas, but Owls have just enough defense to keep it close. Pick: Temple
TCU at Kansas State +3 1/2 — Two hard-to-figure teams. Frogs are healthy for a change and need this one badly. Pick: TCU
Baylor at Oklahoma State -4 — Cowboys are 5-1 versus spread and playing at home after a week off. Pick: Oklahoma State
Kansas at Texas -21 — Playing at DKR, Longhorns will try to make a post-OU statement. Pick: Texas
West Virginia at Oklahoma -33 1/2 — Too many points to give, even for the Sooners powerhouse. Pick: West Virginia
Iowa State at Texas Tech +7 — Cyclones are three points shy of an unbeaten season. Pick: Iowa State
Middle Tennessee at North Texas -7 1/2 — The visitors are challenged offensively, even against porous UNT defense. Pick: North Texas
Michigan at Penn State -8 1/2 — Michigan is desperate but won’t be able to run the ball. Spread is large, but I like the Nittany Lions playing at home. Pick: Penn State
Oregon at Washington +3 — The Ducks are nine seconds from being undefeated. Their defense will win this. Pick: Oregon
Eagles at Cowboys -3 — Is this Jason Garrett’s final game as Cowboys coach? Pick: Eagles
Texans at Colts -1 — Deshaun Watson quarterbacks the Texans and I can’t remember who’s QB of the Colts. Pick: Texans
Saints at Bears -3 1/2 — New Orleans will be without Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara and playing on the road against one of the league’s best defenses. I think this is the game where Teddy Bridgewater’s magic touch falls short. Pick: Bears
MATT MOSLEY
Last week: 6-6
Season: 43-39-2
Temple at SMU -7 1/2 — That number is too big. Ponies almost blew it vs Tulsa. They could easily lose to Temple. Pick: Temple
TCU at Kansas State +3 1/2 — K-State is getting points at home? This is easy money. Pick: Kansas State
Baylor at Oklahoma State -4 — I have seen an undefeated season end in Stillwater before. This is an incredibly tough place to play, but Bears QB Charlie Brewer won’t be intimidated. Pick: Baylor
Kansas at Texas -21 — The Horns may have a bit of a hangover, but they will roll at some point in this game. Pick: Texas
West Virginia at Oklahoma -33 1/2 — That is huge disrespect for Neal Brown’s team. I think the Mountaineers catch OU coming off a mountaintop experience. Pick: West Virginia
Iowa State at Texas Tech +7 — Matt Campbell garners so much respect. Hard to believe he’s a touchdown favorite in Lubbock. Maybe Kirby Hocutt can fire off some more statements about the Big 12 officials. Pick: Texas Tech
Middle Tennessee at North Texas -7 1/2 –– I have such a bad feel for both these teams. Pick: North Texas
Michigan at Penn State -8 1/2 — I don’t trust Harbaugh vs a Whiteout situation. At all. Pick: Penn State
Oregon at Washington +3 — Oregon might be the best team in this pitiful conference. But the Huskies will take care of business at home. Pick: Washington
Eagles at Cowboys -3 — Will Jerry throw Jason overboard? It’s unlikely since the Cowboys will finally win a game. Pick: Cowboys
Texans at Colts -1 — Very interesting matchup. But always bet against Bill O’Brien in a big road game. Pick: Colts
Saints at Bears -3 1/2 — Sean Payton is teaching a master class on how to manage his QB and maximize a solid defense. Pick: Saints
RICHIE WHITT
Last week: 7-5
Season: 42-40-2
Temple at SMU -7 1/2 — Mustangs got their wake-up call against Tulsa. Pick: SMU
TCU at Kansas State +3 1/2 — Give me the home team plus the points in a battle of disappointing teams. Pick: Kansas State
Baylor at Oklahoma State -4 — One of these days I’ll believe in Baylor. This isn’t that day. Pick: Oklahoma State
Kansas at Texas -21 — Longhorns’ lofty goals are harpooned. Emotions will be ho-hum. Pick: Kansas
West Virginia at Oklahoma -33 1/2 — Sooners can score 50 on anybody in country, especially sub-par Mountaineers. Pick: Oklahoma
Iowa State at Texas Tech +7 — Red Raiders were ripped off by a bad call in Waco last week, get revenge in Lubbock. Pick: Texas Tech
Middle Tennessee at North Texas -7 1/2 — Mean Green have dipped considerably, but can still throttle MTSU. Pick: North Texas
Michigan at Penn State -8 1/2 — Nittany Lions should roll by 14+ against the most overrated team in the country. Pick: Penn State
Oregon at Washington +3 — Ducks’ defense has only allowed one touchdown in last three games. Pick: Oregon
Eagles at Cowboys -3 — Dallas too banged up offensively to laying points to Philly. Pick: Eagles
Texans at Colts -1 — Sans Andrew Luck, Indy is the surprise of the season. Pick: Colts
Saints at Bears -3 1/2 — Teddy Bridgewater can’t get praised for winning every game, 13-10. Pick: Bears
JIMMY BURCH
Last week: 8-4
Season: 42-40-2
Temple at SMU -7 1/2 — This Temple team still has some of former coach Matt Rhule’s grit in its DNA. If the Ponies win, they squeak by. Pick: Temple
TCU at Kansas State +3 1/2 — Both teams can be wildly inconsistent, so give me the one getting points (I think!). Pick: Kansas State
Baylor at Oklahoma State -4 — I am starting to believe the Baylor-Texas game later this season will decide who plays OU for a second time in the Big 12 title game. Pick: Baylor
Kansas at Texas -21 — This would be a great week for Kansas fans to start focusing heavily on basketball practice. Is Snoop still in town? Pick: Texas
West Virginia at Oklahoma -33 1/2 — The Sooners are more than capable of covering this spread. My hunch is they fall just short. Pick: West Virginia
Iowa State at Texas Tech +7 — The Cyclones are starting to play well on a weekly basis, even during road games. Pick: Iowa State
Middle Tennessee at North Texas -7 1/2 — The Mean Green have fallen, and I see no indication that they are getting up any time soon. Pick: Middle Tennessee State
Michigan at Penn State -8 1/2 — Overrated Michigan received a sound beatdown at Wisconsin. Penn State follows a similar blueprint. Pick: Penn State
Oregon at Washington +3 — The Ducks appear to be the best in the Pac-12 by a wide margin. Pick: Oregon
Eagles at Cowboys -3 — I’d love to miss this one, but I am not sure the Cowboys win, let alone cover. Pick: Eagles
Texans at Colts -1 — The Colts, with rare exception, have ruled this series going back to Peyton Manning days in Indy. Pick: Colts
Saints at Bears -3 1/2 — Even though he’s only considered a backup in New Orleans, QB Teddy Bridgewater will still be the best QB on the field in Chicago. Pick: Saints
CARLOS MENDEZ
Last week: 9-3
Season: 41-41-2
Temple at SMU -7 1/2 — SMU got a dress rehearsal as a ranked team at home two weeks ago. But there were wardrobe malfunctions. Pick: Temple
TCU at Kansas State +3 1/2 — K-State doesn’t score a ton. But a field goal-plus as the home team is a good deal. Pick: Kansas State
Baylor at Oklahoma State -4 — Bears lost their best defensive player last week. Woulda been awfully handy against Chuba Hubbard. But still a lot in the cupboard. Pick: Baylor
Kansas at Texas -21 — Longhorns defense will shine. Pick: Texas
West Virginia at Oklahoma -33 1/2 — Seems pricey. Pick: West Virginia.
Iowa State at Texas Tech +7 — I like how Texas Tech shook off the OU game. But Iowa State’s style travels. Pick: Iowa State
Middle Tennessee at North Texas -7 1/2 — Hard to get a read on the Mean Green. Pick: Middle Tennessee
Michigan at Penn State -8 1/2 — The forecast calls for a lot of field B1Goals. Pick: Michigan
Oregon at Washington +3 — Is this going to be a battle of defenses? That’s how these two roll. Pick: Washington
Eagles at Cowboys -3 — Cowboys are giving off bad vibes, and I don’t like the coach matchup. Never have. Pick: Eagles
Texans at Colts -1 — Brissett is underrated. But Watson is Watson, my dear. Pick: Texans
Saints at Bears -3 1/2 — Massive credit to Bridgewater and Payton — hell, all the Saints. Pick: Saints
