The Cyclones are off.
Our panel of "experts" are not. The picks are in for week four of the college football season. Enjoy.
NOTE: That last week, all of our experts picked Tennessee at (+10) over Florida. The game was a push, so I went ahead and eliminated it from the competition.
Another NOTE: Adam Gray and yours truly both had perfect weeks last week. Chris Hassel was the only panelist who picked against the Clones…and he’s in the cellar again this week. 😉
CURRENT STANDINGS
Austen Arnaud, 13-4
Brent Blum, 12-5
Chris Williams, 12-5
Adam Gray, 12-5
Dave Zawilinski, 11-6
Bret Meyer, 11-6
Adam Carper, 10-7
Trever Enerson, 10-7
Chris Hassel, 9-8
AUSTEN ARNAUD – FORMER IOWA STATE QUARTERBACK
Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M – Texas A&M 34-30. The 12th man is a huge advantage in this game of "Big 12" powers. The A&M crowd will be electric. The Cowboys have won the last three in this series and this looks to be a perfect setup for A&M. Justin Blackmon will get his usual numbers at receiver, however Brandon Weeden has thrown six interceptions in three games. Those interceptions were against below average defenses. This underrated A&M secondary makes a couple big plays in this game to keep the Cowboys at bay.
Florida State @ Clemson – Florida State 27 – 23. The Noles bounce back in a big way here and get a w at Clemson. Clemson had its big home win of the year last week against Auburn. The Florida State defense played really well against OU last week and kept them in the game. I think Saturday the defense wins the game with a big defensive touchdown and makes up for a banged up offense.
LSU @ West Virginia – LSU 27-14. Shame on ABC/ESPN for making this game of the week. LSU looked dominant on defense last week against a good Miss St. It looked like the national championship defenses of the past a lot strength and speed. I like WVU’s QB Geno Smith. He’s a good talent but LSU is good enough in the secondary to bring all kind of blitz packages and leave guys manned up on the back end, so Geno will be on the run this week. WVU will have a great home environment but that will not be enough.
USC @ Arizona State – USC 31-28. USC looked very sound and executed well against a decent Syracuse team. In comparison, Arizona State got beat up physically by Illinois last week. Arizona State’s defense will have a very tough challenge against a pro style offense with great players in USC. I see both teams struggling to get points early and then an exciting second half with the Trojans being the victors.
Missouri @ Oklahoma (-19.5) – OU. If this was in Columbia, it would obviously be different, I think Boomer Sooner comes out and puts it on Mizzou.
Kansas State @ Miami (-11.5) – THE U. Miami comes off a big win and gets another against an average K State team. Miami’s speed will be too much, I don’t see the K State offense being very effective against this stingy Miami D.
BRENT BLUM – CYCLONE RADIO NETWORK
Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M – Tough call here. I love me some Cowboy offense and Mike Gundy’s club has won ten of their last eleven on the road and three straight against A&M. That’s really good. But something tells me A&M will be too much to overcome in this spot. A&M 34 Okie State 30.
Florida State @ Clemson – The Seminole offense didn’t inspire me with their performance against OU. They are not back to prominence yet. Fun fact of the day: Clemson’s head coach Dabo Swinney was given the nickname Dabo by his older brother who referred to then- infant as "That Boy." The more you know. Give me ‘Da Boy’ and the Tigers. Clemson 24 Florida State 17.
LSU @ West Virginia – I just Googled West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen. And the first auto populated item showed up, "Dana Holgorsen drunk." Needless to say, Dana had an interesting summer. LSU’s defense too much for the Mountaineers. Hang in there Dana. LSU 27 West Virginia 13.
USC @ Arizona State – Amazing how under the radar USC is right now. I guess NCAA probation can do that. But the’ Men of Troy’ are 3-0 and the once hyped Matt Barkley has thrown for 900 yards and has a 9-1 TD-INT ratio. Pretty salty. That said, I like the Devils to bounce back after their tough showing at Illinois. Home field edge. Arizona State 28 USC 25.
Missouri @ Oklahoma (-19.5) – Missouri out-gained Western Illinois last week 744-44 in a 69-0 win. Kansas is embarrassed by Western’s performance. And good news Cyclone fans, the Leathernecks come to Ames next year! Playing OU after Western Illinois is well….have fun Tigers. Sooner statement game. OU 52 Missouri 17.
Kansas State @ Miami (-11.5) – K-State leads the nation in three defensive categories (total defense, scoring defense and pass efficiency defense). That’s what you get when you schedule Roland-Story high school in the non-conference. Nice to see an actual opponent for K-State in this one. Wildcats don’t have enough fire-power on offense. Miami speed overwhelming. Miami 27 K-State 10.
CHRIS WILLIAMS – CYCLONEFANATIC.COM’S PUBLISHER
Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M – Since June, I’ve been calling for a Cowboy victory here. Too much offense. I can’t change my pick now. Cowboys 31, Aggies 30
Florida State @ Clemson – Florida State’s offense was brutal last week against Oklahoma. But mark my word that a lot of teams will look bad against the Sooner defense. The Noles will be fine and will finish the season as ACC champs, with either an 11-1 or 10-2 mark. Take it to the bank. Florida State 27, Clemson 17
LSU @ West Virginia – LSU, a national title contender and SEC powerhouse vs. the Big East. Hmmm. LSU 24, West Virginia 10.
USC @ Arizona State – The money in Vegas is going with the Sun Devils here. I’m not sure why. USC 28, Arizona State 20
Missouri @ Oklahoma (-19.5) – It’s been a struggle so far, but Missouri is a much better football team than the Tigers have shown. They’ll prove it on Saturday by keeping this one fairly close. Sooners 35, Tigers 21
Kansas State @ Miami (-11.5) – I’m banking on Bill Snyder to milk a lot of clock with Kansas State’s rushing attack in this one. The Wildcats have a solid defense too. They won’t win, but they’ll cover. Miami 20, Kansas State 13
ADAM GRAY – ADAM GRAY INSURANCE AGENCY
Oklahoma State@ Texas A&M – Great game. I’m going to give the nod to the road team here. I think Oklahoma State has more weapons and is better coaches. 38-31 OSU in a high scoring game.
Florida State@ Clemson – Flip a coin in this game. Both teams had emotional games the week before. One ended in a win, the other in a loss. Florida State is probably the better team but it’s on the road and they may be without Manuel at QB. I’m still going with the Noles defense to win this one. Clemson faced a team in Auburn the weak before that despite their head coach having a defensive background, doesn’t believe in defense. Noles 20-13
LSU@ West Virginia – LSU’s defense is just to good. Perhaps one of the fastest I have seen at the college level. West Virginia has a good offense but is going to struggle in this game and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of INT’s in this game. LSU 24-10
USC @ Arizona State – Tough game to predict but I will go with the home team during a night game. Arizona State 27-24
Missouri @Oklahoma (-19.5) – Payback game. Last year Missouri upset Oklahoma and ruined their chances for a National Championship season. The Sooners didn’t forget and I think that defense completely shuts out Missouri in this game. I just don’t see Missouri doing anything on offense. 38-6 Oklahoma.
Kansas State @ Miami(-11.5) – No balance on offense for Kansas State. Their QB has 20 more carries than the next guy and that won’t work on the road against a fast Miami defense that will be playing with a lot of confidence after the OSU game. Miami 31-13
DAVE ZAWILINSKI – ABC 5 SPORTS
Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M – I have been looking forward to this game since I went to the Big 12 media days in July. Oklahoma St. won a thriller last year 38-35. It was their third straight victory in the series. But A&M didn’t have Tannehill at QB yet. The Aggies also have a better defense. It’s the first top ten showdown at Kyle Field since 1975. That place will be rocking Saturday afternoon. I’ll take the Aggies 35-30.
Florida State @ Clemson – FSU lost to OU but they still looked like one of the FSU teams of old last Saturday night. My only question is, can they "get up" for another big game? Clemson is in the same boat coming off an emotional win over Auburn. I’ll take Clemson at home.
LSU @ West Virginia – LSU has one of the best defenses in the country. Anytime the SEC matches up against the Big East it’s normally a mismatch. LSU BIG… 31-13.
USC @ Arizona State – Neither team has looked all that impressive thus far. ASU took a tough loss at Illinois last Saturday. I think they’ll be motivated to bounce back. Taking ASU because they are the home team. 24-17
Missouri @ Oklahoma (-19.5) – I think OU wlll have a little payback on their minds for that trip to Columbia last fall. Mizzou won that game in the fourth quarter, but that won’t happen this year. I expect a small hangover from OU at the start but they will pour it on in the second half. Im laying the points… OU 41 Mizzou 20.
Kansas State @ Miami (-11.5) – Another one of these games where at least one of the teams is coming off an emotional victory. I just don’t think Kansas State can even come close to matching up with the Hurricanes. Putting stock in Miami regrouping in time for this game worries me but not as much as picking K-State on the road. Miami scores a late TD to cover… 31-17.
BRET MEYER – FORMER IOWA STATE QUARTERBACK
Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M – Texas A&M’s ability to pressure the quarterback (11 sacks in two games) will be key in slowing down the second best offense in the country. The Aggies feed off the 12th man, pressure Weeden, and get the big win at home 38-34.
Florida State @ Clemson – I like Clemson at home. FSU heads to Death Valley after a big letdown at home versus Oklahoma. Clemson 24-20.
LSU @ West Virginia – LSU boasts the nations top defense. Look for Les Miles and company to win big on the road, 24-3
USC @ Arizona State – Both teams feature effective, classic, drop back passers in USC’s Matt Barkley and Arizona’s Brock Oswieler. Barkley averages over 300 yards a game, with a 9-1 TD to interception ratio. He will be the difference. Trojans win in Tempe, 30-24
Missouri @ Oklahoma (-19.5) – Oklahoma wins, but not by 19.5.
Kansas State @ Miami (-11.5) – Miami has an emerging star at running back in Lamar Miller. Canes put together another solid performance and cover at home.
ADAM CARPER – FORMER IOWA STATE LINEBACKER
Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M – This highly anticipated matchup should be a shootout with two prolific offenses. After the dust has settled, I believe A&M comes out on top.
Florida State @ Clemson – With this game being played at Death Valley and the Seminoles possibly being without starting quarterback EJ Manuel, I like Clemson to stay undefeated.
LSU @ West Virginia – LSU has a daunting first 4 games with another road trip to Morgantown this weekend. Their stifling defense continues to dominate pushing the Tigers to 4-0.
USC @ Arizona State –History doesn’t favor Arizona State in this series as they haven’t won in 12 years. I think the streak is safe for one more year.
Missouri @ Oklahoma (-19.5) – Last week’s impressive victory in Tallahassee validated the Sooners #1 position in the polls. Revenge will be a factor this week for the boys from Oklahoma after Missouri ruined their national title hopes last year and that doesn’t bode well for the Tigers. Oklahoma covers.
Kansas State @ Miami (-11.5) – What’s more of a surprise? Old man Bill Snyder is still roaming the sidelines of Kansas State or that his team will not be playing another patsy non-conference game? You have to think Ron Prince scheduled this one. Either way, I like the Hurricanes to roll and cover.
TREVOR ENERSON – THE VOICE OF THE FAN (YAMAN3)
Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M – This would be much easier if you told me who gets the ball last. I am going to go with Okie State here. I just think their running game, combined with the Weeden/Blackmon connection is just too much. This is a shoot out but OSU’s defense makes one more play.
Florida State @ Clemson – This is an interesting matchup. Normally I would take FSU here but they are coming off a tough loss to Oklahoma while Clemson is coming off a great win. Dabo Swinney’s emotions are like CPR’s on steroids. I for one like that and I think this Clemson team wins a tight one. This may be the year they live up to expectations. Clemson 35-31
LSU @ West Virginia – Lou Holtz loves him some WVU. I think the jury is still out. Can they get the running game going? Can Geno SMith do enough if they can’t? I think the answer to both questions is no and LSU rolls. That defense is for real. LSU 32-17
USC @ Arizona State – I have to take USC. Matt Barkley is very good and he has a bunch of young players around him with talent. This USC will only get better. USC 27-14.
Missouri @ Oklahoma (-19.5) – This seems like an easy one to me. The key will be Mizzou getting pressure on Landry Jones like FSU did last week. They have the talent up front to do that. While I don’t think this game will be "close", I think Mizzou beats the spread. Oklahoma 27-13
Kansas State @ Miami (-11.5) – Miami is a better team than they showed last week. Jacory Harris and Travis Benjamin aren’t in their first game back this time. Miami covers easily. Miami 42-24.
CHRIS HASSEL – WHO TV 13 SPORTS
Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M – This should be the most entertaining game of the weekend, if you’re not a fan of defense. Both teams are similar, but the 12th man is worth one point. A&M squeaks by 56-55.
Florida State @ Clemson – I think FSU will have a hard time regrouping after losing to OU. Clemson wins a tight one 29-26.
LSU @ West Virginia – WV has the home-field advantage, but that’s it. LSU is the best team in the nation. West Virginia may not even score a touchdown. LSU 21-9.
USC @ Arizona State – I like Arizona State to rebound after losing to Illinois. ASU 24-14.
Missouri @ Oklahoma (-19.5) – Very surprised the spread is this big. I think OU handles Mizz easily, but I’ll take MU to cover. OU 35-17.
Kansas State @ Miami (-11.5) – Miami covers, 27-10. Nuff said.
