If only you had Biff Tannen’s Sports Almanac from Back to the Future II, eh?
Well, you don’t. But you have us, and as always you can feel free this weekend to bet
the house.
Gil LeBreton
Last week: 8-2
Season: 49-30-1
Kansas State at TCU -8 — Frogs favored by 8? OK, I’ll play along and wager that TCU will enjoy the home surroundings and its own desperation. Pick: TCU
Iowa State at Kansas +14 1/2 — Even getting the points, Kansas will be out-coached and over-matched. Pick: Iowa State
Oklahoma State at Baylor +7 1/2 — Nobody for Gundy to fight with this week, unless Art Briles comes back for homecoming. Pick: Oklahoma State
West Virginia at Texas -2 — Mountaineers have simply been more impressive this season than the Longhorns. Pick: West Virginia
Oklahoma at Texas Tech +13 1/2 — The Sooners have been on a roll, but I think Tech will play its best game of the year under the lights in Lubbock. Pick: Texas Tech
Texas A&M at Auburn -4 — Aggies will pull away in second half against an Auburn team that is about to get its head coach fired. Pick: A&M
Houston at SMU +14 — Cougars will put 60 on the board. Pick: Houston
Georgia at Kentucky +9 1/2 — Wildcats have never played in SEC title game. They won’t this year, either. Pick: Georgia
Notre Dame at Northwestern +9 1/2 — That’s a lot of points to be giving a home underdog that leads a Big Ten division. But I think the Irish will handle it. Pick: Notre Dame
Titans at Cowboys -6 — No secret sauce here. When the Cowboys play at home, they win at home. Pick: Cowboys
Richie Whitt
Last week: 4-6
Season: 46-33-1
Kansas State at TCU -8 — Sorry, but when you lose to Kansas you forfeit the right to be favored over anybody by more than a TD. Pick: Kansas State
Iowa State at Kansas +14 1/2 — First time we’ve said this in many a moon: Jayhawks will suffer an emotional letdown after huge conference win. Pick: Iowa State
Oklahoma State at Baylor +7 1/2 — Cowboys revived their season last week, will take out Big 12’s wrath toward Bears this week. Pick: Oklahoma State
West Virginia at Texas -2 — In their only two road games, Mountaineers lost to Iowa State and almost blew a 35-10 in Lubbock. Pick: Texas
Oklahoma at Texas Tech +13 1/2 — Seems like every year Red Raiders are confident they can stay on the field with Sooners, until they get on the field with Sooners. Pick: Oklahoma
Texas A&M at Auburn -4 — Aggies’ once-powerful offense now sputters and stagnates against SEC defenses. Pick: Auburn
Houston at SMU +14 — Mustangs’ will was broken via OT pick six last week against ranked Cincy. Pick: Houston
Georgia at Kentucky +9 1/2 — Undefeated and allowing only 12 ppg at home, against a team coming off an emotional win over biggest rival? Delicious. Pick: Kentucky
Notre Dame at Northwestern +9 1/2 — Everyone putting Irish on upset alert. Everyone must forget Northwestern plays in the Big Ten. Pick: Notre Dame
Titans at Cowboys -6 — Tennessee is just what doctored ordered for Amari Cooper’s debut before Monday Night Football audience. Pick: Cowboys
Anthony Andro
Last week: 7-3
Season: 44-35-1
Kansas State at TCU -8 — Don’t know that the Frogs are eight points better than anyone in the Big 12 right now. Pick: Kansas State
Iowa State at Kansas +14 1/2 — The Kansas defense isn’t awful. Pick: Kansas
Oklahoma State at Baylor +7 1/2 — It says here the Cowboys can build off whipping of Longhorns. Pick: Oklahoma State
West Virginia at Texas -2 — This has all the makings of an old Big 12 shootout so go with the better QB. Pick: West Virginia
Oklahoma at Texas Tech +13 1/2 — The Red Raiders should be able to score enough to keep it close. Pick: Texas Tech
Texas A&M at Auburn -4 — It’s November, which hasn’t been kind to the Aggies. Pick: Auburn
Houston at SMU +14 — Houston looked really, really good last week. Pick: Houston
Georgia at Kentucky +9 1/2 — Kentucky isn’t as good as people think. Pick: Georgia
Notre Dame at Northwestern +9 1/2 — The Wildcats can keep it close at home. Pick: Northwestern
Titans at Cowboys -6 — This seems like the kind of game that will give Dallas fans false hope. Pick: Dallas
Jimmy Burch
Last week: 8-2
Season: 42-37-1
Kansas State at TCU – 8 – Two struggling teams vie for November relevance and a chance to extend their bowl hopes. In a true toss-up, give me the group that is getting points. Pick: Kansas State
Iowa State at Kansas + 14 1/2 — The Cyclones extend their winning streak to four games but this seems like too big of a number for them to cover as a road favorite. Pick: Kansas
Oklahoma State at Baylor +7 1/2 — Oklahoma State hasn’t rung the bell two weeks in a row since starting Big 12 play. Why expect them to start now? Pick: Baylor
West Virginia at Texas – 2 — Will Grier and the Mountaineers clear their toughest remaining road hurdle on the way to some high-stakes, late-season matchups against Oklahoma. Pick: West Virginia
Oklahoma at Texas Tech + 13 1/2 – The Sooners seem to have hit a different defensive gear since Mike Stoops’ departure, which is not good news for the Red Raiders. Pick: Oklahoma
Texas A&M at Auburn – 4 — The road team has controlled this series since A&M joined the SEC, and now the Aggies add the Jimbo factor to the mix … in case that really matters. Pick: A&M
Houston at SMU + 14 — The Cougars’ offense continues its roll behind QB D’Eriq King, a former TCU commitment. Think GP would like to have him in charge of the current Frogs’ offense? Yeah … me, too. Pick: Houston
Georgia at Kentucky + 9 1/2 — Despite its nice record, Kentucky has not gotten decent QB play on a consistent basis and Georgia takes full advantage. Pick: Georgia
Notre Dame at Northwestern + 9 1/2 – The Irish capitalize on a short road trip and administer a thorough beatdown to sway the CFP selection committee. Pick: Notre Dame
Titans at Cowboys – 6 — The Jekyll-and-Hyde Cowboys are playing at home. That means an impressive win is on the way in Amari Cooper’s debut. Pick: Cowboys
Marjorie Lewis
Last week: 5-5
Season: 40-39-1
Kansas State at TCU -8 – Not sure why TCU is -8. Pick: Kansas State
Iowa State at Kansas +14 1/2 – Iowa State is looking good. Pick: Iowa State
Oklahoma State at Baylor +7 1/2 – Oklahoma State has been inconsistent and Baylor is home. Pick: Baylor
West Virginia at Texas -2 – Texas has improved greatly this season, but it’s still West Virginia’s game to lose. Pick: West Virginia
Oklahoma at Texas Tech +13 1/2 – Oklahoma needs big wins. Pick: Oklahoma
Texas A&M at Auburn -4 – A toss-up. It’ll be decided by fewer than four points. Pick: Texas A&M
Houston at SMU +14 – More likely to know which SMU team will show up than which Houston team will show up. Pick: Houston
Georgia at Kentucky +9 1/2 – Kentucky is having a dream season, but the dream will end when Georgia comes to town. Pick: Kentucky
Notre Dame at Northwestern +9 1/2 – Not entirely sold on Notre Dame, just yet. Pick: Northwestern
Titans at Cowboys -6 – Cowboys might win this at home but won’t cover. Pick: Titans
John Henry
Last week: 6-4
Season: 38-41-1
Kansas State at TCU -8 – The Horned Frogs have too many replacement parts in this engine to feel comfortable with more than a TD. Pick: Kansas State.
Iowa State at Kansas +14 1/2 – One of these former bottom feeders enters November with the Big 12 title game the ambition. That’s the Cyclones, who discard their former football study partner in God-awfulness like tossing a McDonald’s wrapper out the car window. Pick: Iowa State.
Oklahoma State at Baylor +7 1/2 – You might be a Southern Baptist if … you believe Jesus Christ tailgated with Welch’s grape juice. Pick: Baylor.
West Virginia at Texas -2 – This team is certain to screw something up in the fourth quarter. Who is West Virginia, Alex? Pick: Texas.
Oklahoma at Texas Tech +13 1/2 – Best Saturday bet is to run to the strip for booze between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Traffic will pick up after halftime. Next best option: Hit a church and pray. Pick: Oklahoma.
Texas A&M at Auburn -4 – Key battle for the “Rest of Us” in the SEC West. Key matchup: A&M’s O-line, last in allowing sacks in the SEC, vs. Tigers defensive front, second in the SEC in getting to the QB. Pick: Auburn.
Houston at SMU +14 – Handicappers have given double-digits to Houston’s last three opponents, and the Coogs have covered them all, including two on the road. Pick: Houston.
Georgia at Kentucky +9 1/2 – The Wildcats playing at home manage to keep this one within arm’s length with Snell. Pick: Kentucky.
Notre Dame at Northwestern +9 1/2 – Fighting Irish’s CFP status suddenly becomes precarious, but all progress is precarious … whatever that means. Pick: Northwestern.
Titans at Cowboys -6 – What kind of difference does Amari Cooper make in Game 1? Hard to say in a game between two good defenses. Pick: Titans.
Jan Hubbard
Last week: 6-4
Season: 38-41-1
Kansas State at TCU -8 — When you have too unpredictable teams, go for the home team. Pick: TCU
Iowa State at Kansas +14 1/2 — Iowa State has consecutive victories over Oklahoma State, West Virginia and Texas Tech. Go with the hot team. Pick: Iowa State
Oklahoma State at Baylor +7 1/2 — Cowboys fans don’t know which team will show up. The one that beat Texas? Or the one that lost by 24 to Texas Tech and 19 to Kansas State?
We will take a guess on the latter. Pick: OSU
West Virginia at Texas -2 — The Longhorn’s defense gave up 321 passing yards to Oklahoma State last week. That’s not a good way to prepare for Will Grier, who completes 70 percent of his passes. Good thing for Texas that the game is in Austin. Pick: Texas
Oklahoma at Texas Tech +13 1/2 — The bad news for the Red Raiders is OU this week and Texas night week. Good news is both are home games. Home dog is usually s good bet. Pick: Texas Tech
Texas A&M at Auburn -4 — After a tough road loss at Mississippi State last week, Aggies hit the road again. Auburn had national championship hopes when the season began, but three losses have changed that. In this one, however, home field matters. Pick: Auburn
Houston at SMU +14 — Mustangs face a team with far more horsepower. This one could be ugly. Pick: Houston
Georgia at Kentucky +9 1/2 — The Wildcats have had an impressive 7-1 start, but the schedule gets much tougher. Sometimes, betting the home dog just doesn’t make sense. Pick: Georgia
Notre Dame at Northwestern +9 1/2 — Undefeated Irish are three wins away from the playoffs, which is please of motivation. But this one is closer than the line. Pick: Northwestern
Titans at Cowboys -6 — The Cowboys have more talent and Tennessee has a struggling quarterback. This should be an easy win for Dallas, although little has been easy to them this season. Pick: Dallas
Bill Nichols
Last week: 6-4
Season: 37-42-1
Kansas State at TCU -8 – Frogs are just struggling; Wildcats are full-out free falling. Pick: TCU
Iowa State at Kansas +14 1/2 – Cyclones are playing too well to give the Jayhawks the kind of game-deciding turnovers they needed to beat TCU. Pick: Iowa State
Oklahoma State at Baylor +7 1/2 – Cowboys QB Taylor Cornelius threw for 321 yards and 3 TDs to beat UT and their defense is solid. Pick: Oklahoma State
West Virginia at Texas -2 – Longhorns are at home coming off a big loss with a shot at redemption in the biggest Big 12 game. Pick: Texas
Oklahoma at Texas Tech +13 1/2 – I’m always wrong on both teams so I’m taking the points. Pick: Texas Tech
Texas A&M at Auburn -4 – Aggies will have too much trouble on the road against Auburn’s defense. Pick: Auburn
Houston at SMU +14 – Mustangs have made big improvements but not enough to handle the powerful Cougars. Pick: Houston
Georgia at Kentucky +9 1/2 – If Jake Fromm holds form, it’s all over, but the Wildcats will keep it close at home in this epic SEC East showdown. Pick: Kentucky
Notre Dame at Northwestern +9 1/2 – Fully expect the Fighting Irish to continue its roll with dominating win. Pick: Notre Dame
Titans at Cowboys -6 – Cowboys have a new receiver and O-line coach and are undefeated at home. Pick: Cowboys
Art Garcia
Last week: 6-4
Season: 37-42-1
Kansas State at TCU -8 — Something good has to happen for the Frogs at some point. Right? Pick: TCU
Iowa State at Kansas +14 1/2 — The next golden age of Jayhawk football is on the horizon. Right? Pick: ISU
Oklahoma State at Baylor +7 1/2 — Two mediocre teams could go a long way towards turning their seasons around with a win. Pick: OSU
West Virginia at Texas -2 — Has the bubble burst on Texas? Feels that way. Pick: WVU
Oklahoma at Texas Tech +13 1/2 — Lubbock at night is like Hallmark. Only scarier. Pick: Tech
Texas A&M at Auburn -4 — Maybe the Aggies can mix in a third down stop. Pick: A&M
Houston at SMU +14 — Perfect setup for a Cougar letdown. Won’t happen. Pick: UH
Georgia at Kentucky +9 1/2 — SEC East is on the line. Yes, really. Pick. UK
Notre Dame at Northwestern +9 1/2 — Last best chance for the Irish to lose. Pick: Northwestern
Titans at Cowboys -6 — Get your popcorn ready for the Amari Cooper Experience. Pick: Cowboys
Chuck Morgan
Texas Rangers PA man extraordinaire
Guest Selector
Kansas State at TCU -8 — Pick: Kansas State
Iowa State at Kansas +14 1/2 — Pick: Iowa State
Oklahoma State at Baylor +7 1/2 — Pick: Oklahoma State
West Virginia at Texas -2 — Pick: Texas
Oklahoma at Texas Tech +13 1/2 — Pick: Oklahoma
Texas A&M at Auburn -4 — Pick: A&M
Houston at SMU +14 — Pick: Houston
Georgia at Kentucky +9 1/2 — Pick: Georgia
Notre Dame at Northwestern +9 1/2 — Pick: Notre Dame
Titans at Cowboys -6 — Pick: Cowboys
