By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com Publisher
Last week was a wild one in our experts pick’em competition. After week six, there is now a four way tie for second in our standings, with all of those competitors one game behind former Cyclone linebacker Adam Carper. In another twist, ABC 5’s Dave Zawilinski would had a perfect weekend. As Johnny Carson would say, this is some wacky, wild stuff. We’ve got another round of great games on tap for week seven. The crew will pick the first two games this week AGAINST THE SPREAD.
UPDATED STANDINGS
Adam Carper, 24-11
Chris Williams, 23-12
Chris Hassel, 23-12
Brent Blum, 23-12
Adam Gray, 23-12
Steve Deace, 20-15
Matt Perrault, 20-15
Dave Zawilinski, 20-15
Bret Meyer, 17-19
FORMER CYCLONE LINEBACKER ADAM CARPER
Iowa State @ Oklahoma (-23) – With the uncertainty of A-Rob and Oklahoma being fresh coming off of a bye week, I like the Sooners to cover.
Texas @ Nebraska (-8) – What was anticipated as the game of the year has quickly dissipated but don’t tell the Husker faithful that. Nebraska has only beaten the Horns once since the inception of the Big 12 and I think they will add to that come Saturday, but Texas has the athletes to control Martinez and will cover.
Missouri @ Texas A&M – Missouri gets their first test of the year and I think that’ll hurt them especially in the hostile conditions in College Station. A&M
Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech – This game will resemble last week’s Baylor/Tech game where neither defense could stop the other team. I’m taking Oklahoma State and the over at 69 as they could reach that by halftime.
Arkansas @ Auburn – Ryan Mallett is no threat to run the ball and I think Chizik will get enough pressure on the big man to make him uncomfortable in the pocket. Auburn
Iowa @ Michigan – Michigan has proven they cannot stop anyone on defense and I think Iowa will be able to corral Denard Robinson. Iowa big.
Ohio State @ Wisconsin – Seems like anytime these two teams square off in Madison, it’s a dogfight till the end and this year, I don’t expect it to be any different. Ohio State limits John Clay and wins the game.
CYCLONEFANATIC.COM’S CHRIS WILLIAMS
Iowa State @ Oklahoma (-23) – The Sooners are an interesting football team. When they’re up, they’re great. When they’re down…not so much. I don’t imagine that they’ll be too up for Iowa State. Still, I don’t see any way where the Cyclones pull off a win in Norman. I think that Iowa State’s defense will go back to the basics this week. I think that the offense will score a couple of TD’s against Oklahoma’s 93rd ranked defense. I’ll take Iowa State to cover. Oklahoma 41, Iowa State 21.
Texas @ Nebraska (-8) – I wish that I could go to this game. The atmosphere in Lincoln should be unbelievable. If you didn’t know, the Huskers don’t care much for Texas. I think that Texas is better than their 3-2 record indicates. But still, Nebraska is hell bent on leaving the Big 12 in style. I’ll take Nebraska to cover, 31-20.
Missouri @ Texas A&M – Missouri’s schedule has been lame up to now. We’ll find out a lot about this team on Saturday. Give me the Aggies at home. Texas A&M 28, Missouri 24
Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech – This one should be a lot of fun. But can somebody convince me how Tech’s defense will even put a finger on the Cowboys? Oklahoma State 45, Texas Tech 31
Arkansas @ Auburn – This Tiger team just knows how to win. I like Chiz in a close one, 28-24.
Iowa @ Michigan – A big test for the Hawks. Michigan’s defense is ranked 112th nationally. They’re 119th against the pass. I like Iowa’s receivers and tight ends to have a big day and yes, the Hawks can slow down Mr. Robinson. Iowa 27, Michigan 24.
Ohio State @ Wisconsin – The Buckeyes are without a doubt the class of the field in the Big Ten. They’ll prove it again on Saturday. Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 20.
WHO TV’S CHRIS HASSEL
Iowa State @ Oklahoma (-23) – ISU lost by 41 to the 10th ranked team, at home. Under that logic I’d take #6 OU to cover the 23 points. But, as we all know, that’s not logical. OU hasn’t exactly been knocking teams’ heads off at home, this season. Sooners win 38-20.
Texas at Nebraska (-8) – The Longhorns have never lost 3 in a row under Daddy Mac. I doubt Texas can pull the upset, but I think it will be close. Huskers win, 28-21.
Missouri at Texas A&M – The 12th man will be the difference in this one. I like A&M at home, 31-28.
Oklahoma State at Texas Tech – Tech’s offense is cookin’. Should be a very entertaining game. The Red Raiders are favored by 3.5. I’ll take TTU, 41-37.5.
Arkansas at Auburn – The Chiz has been living on the edge, all season. God is on his side, so I like the Tigers in 6 overtimes — 67-65.
Iowa at Michigan – Iowa has the best defense in the nation. Michigan has the best offensive player in the nation. "D" beats "O". Give me the Hawks, 31-21.
Ohio State at Wisconsin – The atmosphere will be wild, but if Wisconsin plays like it has the first half of the season, it doesn’t stand a chance. I like the Bucks, 31-17.
BRENT BLUM FROM THE CYCLONE RADIO NETWORK
Iowa State @ Oklahoma (-23) – Iowa State is going to need a Nebraska-esque turnover performance from the Sooners to win this game. OU’s ability to run the ball and control the game up front is concerning to say the least, tough bounce-back game for the Cyclones. Oklahoma 41 Iowa State 20
Texas @ Nebraska (-8) – The Taylor Martinez ("T-Magic") hype is chugging along full steam. Keep in mind, Texas is sixth in the country in rush defense and has the athletes to keep Martinez bottled up. If Texas can strike for a few big plays, I think they have an opportunity to win this game outright. I will go the safe route and take the points. Nebraska 20 Texas 17.
Missouri @ Texas A&M – I like the Aggies to bounce back in this spot. Mizzou has some question marks that have yet to be exposed. A&M has one of the best offenses in the country, this one has shoot-out potential. Texas A&M 34 Mizzou 30.
Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech – Oklahoma State is 2nd in the nation in scoring offense behind Oregon. Utah has now Shaky Smithson’d its way up to 3rd. Fun fact: Cowboys Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen is a Mt. Pleasant, Iowa native and learned the spread offense from Mike Leach when he played for him at Iowa Wesleyan. I think home-field gives Tech the edge. Texas Tech 38 Oklahoma State 35.
Arkansas @ Auburn – The Chiz and Malzahn show definitely has some sort of bizarre luck on their side. And it helps that their QB Cam Newton is a beast. As hard as it is to believe, Bobby Petrino may be more unlikable than Chizik. In fact, are there any SEC coaches that are easy to pull for? I can think of three: Dan Mullen at MSU, Joker Phillips at Kentucky and whoever is at Vandy. The rest are stooges. Arkansas 34 Auburn 27.
Iowa @ Michigan – We still have yet to see bad Ricky Stanzi this year. He has thrown 10 TD’s and only 2 interceptions. I have to give Captain America some props, he’s been very good. But, eventually he’s going to have to feed that INT habit. That has to frighten Iowa fans. But he won’t slip up here. Michigan’s secondary is woefully bad. D-Rob will get some of his, but it won’t be enough. Iowa 27 Michigan 21.
Ohio State @ Wisconsin – Two things we know about Wisconsin: Bret Bielema should coach in the SEC because he would fit in with those stooges. The Badgers are great in Camp Randall in night games. This atmosphere will be electric. I don’t think Wisky has an answer for Mr. Pryor. Ohio State makes a statement. Buckeyes 35 Wisconsin 24.
ADAM GRAY FROM ADAM GRAY INSURANCE IN JOHNSTON
Iowa State @ Oklahoma (-23) – Iowa State got knocked out last week. The question now is how do they respond? We have seen ISU teams in the past go downhill real fast after a beatdown like the one they took against the Utes. I don’t think this Coach Rhoads led team is one of those teams though. I think they rebound to play a very inspired game and show that they have some mental toughness. They will keep it a game in the first half but OU will wear them down in the second for a 34-17 win.
Texas @ Nebraska (-8) – Count me in as a guy that is not buying into the Taylor Martinez hype. Don’t get me wrong, the kid is fast and fun to watch. But you put a speedy defense up against this kid and have a LB shadow his every move and he struggles to run the ball like he has. Similar to Shoelace at Michigan. Nebraska wins this game but it is close and they win it with their defense as Texas offense continues to struggle. Nebraska 17 to 13.
Missouri @ Texas A&M – A&M needs this win more than Missouri does and the 12th man shows up to help with the win. I am predicting 350+ passing yards from Johnson and 4 TD’s as A&M has no problems beating up on Mizzou. 45-28
Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech – Looks like a game that OSU should run away but this is a conference game. In the end TT has shown that they make to many mistakes and OSU is to talented to not take advantage of it. I take the Pokes 38-24.
Arkansas @ Auburn – Great SEC game. Cam Newton vs Ryan Mallett. Bobby Petrino vs Gus Malzahn. Which offense can be the most efficient? Flip a coin. Arkansas 24-20
Iowa @ Michigan – Who cares? Iowa 6 Michigan 4
Ohio State @ Wisconsin – Didn’t buy into the Wisconsin hype before the season started and am still not buying into it. They just are not that good of a football team. OSU goes into Wisconsin and puts a beatdown on the Badgers. 31-10
WHO RADIO’S STEVE DEACE
Iowa State at Oklahoma – October is likely to not be kind to the Cyclones, unfortunately…Oklahoma 47, Iowa State 21
Texas at Nebraska – That spread makes me inclined to pick Nebraska because the oddsmakers are clearly expecting a rout, but I have to believe for a program of Texas’ tradition it will be a motivator and the Longhorns will hang tough coming off a bye and in desperation mode after two losses in a row. Nebraska 23, Texas 17
Missouri at Texas A&M – Blane Gabbert could be banged up, and this is the first true road test for the Tigers. Meanwhile, this is a must-win game for the Aggies and Mike Sherman. Texas A&M 27, Missouri 24
Oklahoma State at Texas Tech – I always like to pick games when an unranked team is favored over a ranked one at home. That’s the oddsmakers trying to tell you something. Texas Tech 45, Oklahoma State 28
Arkansas at Auburn – Two massive quarterbacks do battle, but I’ll pick the one that can beat you with his arms and his legs. Auburn 35, Arkansas 31
Iowa at Michigan – If the Hawkeyes get off to a good start they should beat Michigan by a score similar to what Sparty had last week, and coming off a bye they should get off to a good start. Iowa 31, Michigan 21
Ohio State at Wisconsin – Because the Buckeyes really lack an explosive passing game on the outside that will allow this game to be closer than it should be. Last time Ohio State went to Madison ranked in the top three and undefeated in primetime they lost back in 2003. Ohio State 24, Wisconsin 20
1460 KXNO’S MATT PERRAULT
Iowa State @ Oklahoma (-23) – I’m not going to get too deep into this game. Oklahoma wins big 38-10.
Texas @ Nebraska (-8) – I made a huge mistake last week taking Kansas State to beat Nebraska. I’ll take Nebraska to win but I’ll take the points Nebraska wins 27-20.
Missouri @ Texas A&M – Offenses will be on display in this one for sure. Missouri has a great one but A&M’s is pretty salty too. I’m not sold on Missouri yet. I’ll take Texas A&M 27-24.
Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech – Again, lots of offense and little defense to be played in this game. I’ll take Okie State to win a shoot out 35-30.
Arkansas @ Auburn – Maybe the best game that nobody is talking about this weekend. Auburn could really be in control of the SEC West with a W over an Arkansas team that nearly beat Alabama a few weeks ago. I’ll go with Cam Newton and Auburn 27-21.
Iowa @ Michigan – Iowa has the better defense and an offense that will move the ball at will on Michigan. Iowa goes to the Big House and wins 24-13.
Ohio State @ Wisconsin – This game is really tough. Wisconsin at home is just a different team than on the road. This will be a barnburner but I’ll take Ohio State 24-20.
ABC 5’S DAVE ZAWILINSKI
Iowa State @ Oklahoma (-23) – Oklahoma has been a house of horrors for the Cyclones and most teams. OU has the longest home winning streak in the country and its not even close. They play with a ridiculous fast tempo on offense that allows them to get 70+ snaps a game. The only way ISU can keep this game close is if they can find a way to slow the temp down. I think its going to be to big of hill to climb. Ill take OU and lay the points. 41-14.
Texas @ Nebraska (-8) – There will be no love lost when the Longhorns and Cornhuskers take the field this Saturday. You know both teams have had this date circled since the summer when both of their ADs were having a verbal war through the media. Im really torn on this one. I think Nebraska is for real and I think they have a legit shot at the national title and I think Texas is as bad as they have looked vs. UCLA and OU. However, something tells me this one is going to be close. Ill take Nebrsaka outright, but give me the Horns and the points… Nebraska wins 23-17
Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech – Talk about two defenses that can’t stop anyone. Oklahoma St. and Texas Tech have been scoring at will but neither team can stop anyone. I expect another shootout in Lubbock, and Ill take the Red Raiders since they’re at home. Texas Tech, 45-35
Arkansas @ Auburn – The Chiz has been living on the edge all season long. I can’t believe how many close games Auburn has won. I have watched a lot of their games this year and Im really not that impressed. They make a lot of foolish mistakes, both the players and the coaches. Too many penalties, poor clock management and bad calling calling have almost cost this team on numerous occasions. If they ever did get these things corrected they would be a force to be reckoned with, but I just don’t have faith in Chizik when it comes to the little things. Upset here… Arkansas goes on the road and wins outright 24-20
Iowa @ Michigan – Did you watch the Michigan St. Michigan game last week? Michigan finally played a real defense and looked what happened, Denard Robinson looked human. I have watched a lot of Sparty games this year and I think they play a very similar style of football to the Hawkeyes. There is a reason Iowa is a 3.5 favorite. Ill take the Hawks 31-21.
Ohio State @ Wisconsin – Every year the Ohio St and Wisconsin game gets a lot of hype and every year the Buckeyes open up a can on the Badgers. This year will be no different. I just hope the Badger fans make it into the stadium in time for the third quarter. OSU 31-14
Missouri @ Texas A&M – I think Missouri is a bit of a paper champion. Their best wins are Illinois and Colorado and that’s not saying much. Blaine Gabbert is hurt but it looks like he’ll play. Ill take Texas A&M 30-21.
FORMER CYCLONE QUARTERBACK BRET MEYER
Iowa State @ Oklahoma (-23) – All season Oklahoma has played well in big games and struggled with lesser opponents. With the first installment of the BCS rankings set to unveil after week 6, look for OU to come out and make a statement Saturday night. After last week’s debacle in Ames, I don’t see any reason why the Sooners don’t win big at home. OU covers.
Texas @ Nebraska (-8) – Why Texas recruits a drop back quarterback after seven plus years of success with the likes of Vince Young and Colt McCoy is beyond me. For UT to have a chance in Lincoln, they must force Taylor Martinez to make plays in the passing game. I don’t see that happening. Nebraska covers 24-14.
Missouri @ Texas A&M – Missouri has the makings to challenge Nebraska for a spot in the Big 12 title game. Both quarterbacks have excelled in the pass game, with the difference being Jerrod Johnson’s inability to protect the football. Look for this to continue and for the Tigers to get a big win on the road. Mizzou wins 28-21
Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech – Okie State is looking like the Texas Tech of old under averaging 52 points a game. This trend will continue against a Tech defense that ranks 98th in the country. Okie State wins on the road 45-30.
Arkansas @ Auburn – Auburn has done a great job of making plays down the stretch to win big games. Ryan Mallet….not so much. Chiz has the defense making plays when it counts and Cam Newton has developed into one of the nation’s best. Arkansas keeps it close, but Auburn wins at home. 17-13
Iowa @ Michigan – Denard Robinson looked like a different player last week against the Spartans. With two weeks to prepare, look for coach Ferentz and the nation’s top scoring defense to dominate the Wolverines. Iowa wins in Ann Arbor 24-10.
Ohio State @ Wisconsin – Being in Big 10 country, I’ve had the opportunity to follow the Badgers closely throughout the 2010 season. Injuries to key defensive players and the lack of any playmakers on offense have plagued the Badgers. If Ohio State jumps to an early lead it’s over. Terell Pryor has a big day and the Buckeyes win at Camp Randall. 24-14.
