By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com Publisher
The weekend is here! It is time for our panel of experts to pick tomorrow’s big games. Enjoy.
UPDATED STANDINGS
Adam Carper, 33-15
Chris Williams, 30-18
Chris Hassel, 29-19
Brent Blum, 29-19
Adam Gray, 29-19
Steve Deace, 29-19
Matt Perrault, 28-20
Dave Zawilinski, 26-22
Bret Meyer, 24-24
FORMER CYCLONE LINEBACKER ADAM CARPER
Kansas @ Iowa State (-14) – I’m still mystified this Kansas team beat Georgia Tech earlier in the year. In their last three games, the Jayhawks have been outscored 159-24. With that being said, Iowa State should have no trouble covering 14 points.
Missouri @ Nebraska (-6) – Best game of the weekend as the winner is in the driver’s seat for trip to Dallas in December. The Huskers have struggled at home in conference play dating back to last year and I think it’ll continue as Missouri covers and wins the game.
Oklahoma State @ Kansas State – Even without star receiver Justin Blackmon playing this weekend, the Cowboys have too much firepower on offense. The Cowboys go on the road and get the W.
Baylor @ Texas – Texas can’t lose three straight at home can they? I think the streak ends and the Horns get back on track.
Michigan State @ Iowa – Iowa’s stellar D-line will overcome the depleted Iowa linebacker corps as two are out on Saturday. Hopefully Iowa will improve their special teams’ performance from a week ago because I’m picking them to win.
Florida @ Georgia – Georgia is on a 3 game winning streak as the Gators have lost 3 in a row. Doesn’t matter…I’m taking the Gators!
CYCLONEFANATIC.COM PUBLISHER CHRIS WILLIAMS
Kansas @ Iowa State (-14) – In the past, this game would scare the bejesus out of me. Not this year. Not this team. I see Iowa State getting off to a fast start. Hopefully they’ll be able to rest their starters in the second half. Get ready for a steady dose of Shontrelle Johnson and Jeff Woody Kansas. Iowa State 38, Kansas 17.
Missouri @ Nebraska (-6) – I think that the ‘Skers will find a way to win this game but it will be close. I like Missouri to cover, Nebraska to win. Nebraska 31, Missouri 27.
Oklahoma State @ Kansas State – Oklahoma State’s best player is out. Kansas State can score a lot of points. This one will be a shootout. I’ll take the home team. Kansas State 41, Oklahoma State 31
Baylor @ Texas – The Horns will not lose this game. They’ll bounce back from last week with a Nebraska-like performance. Texas 27, Baylor 20
Michigan State @ Iowa – You’ve got to go with the Hawks here. Kirk is too good of a coach to let this team drop two in a row at home. Iowa 21, Michigan State 17
Florida vs. Georgia – Betting trends are leaning heavily towards Georgia in this one. Florida opened as a 1.5 point favorite. Now the dogs are favored at 2.5. I’m going to go with the advice that my good friend Kenny Miller once gave me. When in question, go against America. If you’re not a Gator, you’re Gator bait. Florida 17, Georgia 14
WHO TV 13’S CHRIS HASSEL
Kansas @ Iowa State (-14) – When was the last time the Cyclones were favored by two touchdowns in Big 12 play. It says a lot about how far ISU has come, and more about how far KU has fallen. I’m not sure Kansas’ 8th string quarterback can keep it close. I’ll take ISU, 31-14.
Missouri @ Nebraska (-6) – I think Missouri will have to play better at Nebraska than they did at home against #1 Oklahoma. Missouri’s dream season hits its first bump in the road, in Lincoln. Nebraska wins, and covers, 35-27.
Oklahoma State @ Kansas State – The Wildcats showed me something in last weeks loss to Baylor. They’re definitely not as bad as I thought. I still like Okie State to bite them in the Tiny Apple, 45-35.
Baylor @ Texas – The Longhorns can’t possibly lose three straight home games. Mac Brown was so mad after Texas’ loss to ISU, that he may actually do some coaching this week. Texas 28, Baylor 21.
Michigan State @ Iowa – The Hawkeyes shot off their foot with a cannon, last week. If they can avoid getting in their own way, and Ferentz finished reading Clock Management for Dummies, they’ll beat Michigan State. Hawks win 27-21.
Florida @ Georgia – The Gators have much more to lose in this game. I can’t see them falling to 4-4, on the year. Florida 28-24.
THE CYCLONE RADIO NETWORK’S BRENT BLUM
Kansas @ Iowa State (-14) – KU has more issues than Gary in Teen Mom right now. The Jayhawks are 111th in the nation in run defense and 120th (dead last) in the nation in turnovers forced. Turner Gill’s club has forced only 4 turnovers in 7 games. That’s abysmal. The Cyclones should be able to control the game up-front and if KU challenges with 7-8 guys in the box, Arnaud and the receivers are going to need to take advantage. That said back-up QB’s from Kansas scare the heck out of me. Recall the ghost of Brian Luke back in 2004. Not good. Still like the Cyclones to win comfortably. Iowa State 34 Kansas 14.
Missouri @ Nebraska (-6) – I continue to wait for the Gary Pinkel house of cards to come crashing down. I simply cannot fathom the Pink winning back-to-back games against top 10 caliber teams. I will take the ‘Skers to shut-down Gabbert and company. Nebraska 27 Mizzou 17.
Oklahoma State @ Kansas State – The Cowboys clearly have the superior talent. And they have proven they can go on the road and win. The ‘Cats will need a massive performance from Daniel Thomas to win this. It is very possible, but I think the ‘Boys have too much firepower. Pokes 35 K-State 28.
Baylor @ Texas – If Texas loses at home to Baylor…perhaps DeLoss Dodds reconsiders the move to stay in the Big 12. It just may be too tough for them. I kid, I kid. No chance the Horns come into this game with the same fat and happy attitude they entered the Iowa State game with. Big statement game for Texas and Mack Brown. Texas 37 Baylor 21.
Michigan State @ Iowa – If Kirk Ferentz and Les Miles played a game of Battleship, they may sink their own ships with their botched game management. Very surprising to see. Classic ambush opportunity here though. Sparty comes back down to earth….barring a Stanzi catastrophe of course. Iowa 31 Michigan State 17.
Florida @ Georgia – Check this out. Florida is 89th in the country in total offense. Kansas is 87th. How the Gators have fallen that far is hard to believe. Interesting to note Auburn QB and Heisman front-runner Cam Newton backed up Tim Tebow for a year and a half until he got arrested and kicked off the team. Flip a coin here. Georgia 24 Florida 21.
CF ADVERTISER ADAM GRAY FROM ADAM GRAY INSURANCE (NATIONWIDE)
Kansas @ Iowa State (-14) – This game should make me nervous. We are coming off an emotional win and playing a team that has ripped our hearts out year after year it seems. But this isn’t your average Cyclone team. Rhoads seems to keep breaking trends and showing people that Iowa State is a team that comes to play every week. Kansas has to many question marks and with the loss of their big play threat Breashers I don’t see Kansas putting many points on the board. Iowa State 34 – Kansas 13.
Missouri @ Nebraska (-6) – Same as Iowa State, Missouri is coming off one of their biggest wins in school history. This game has every sign of being a let down game for the Tigers but I think Pinkel has no issue getting his players back to work and ready for this game. There is just to much to play for. I’m not convinced the Taylor Martinez can go up against a defense as talented as Missouri’s and win. So I will take Missouri in an outright win 24-17.
Oklahoma State @ Kansas State – Talk about two teams with zero defense. Oklahoma State has the more balanced offense and thus I will give them the edge. OSU 44 KSU 38
Baylor @ Texas – You think Mack Brown and staff had their players attention after their loss last week? I do. They are angry, mad, and embarrassed. All those things do not equal up to good things for Baylor. I think Texas goes into this game to prove a point and absolutely pounds on Baylor 45-10
Michigan State @ Iowa – First game I ever attended in Kinnick Stadium was Iowa vs Michigan State in 2000. Iowa had lost 13 straight games, hadn’t won a Big 10 game in over 2 years, and Michigan State was ranked in the top 25 (barely) led by stud RB TJ Duckett. Iowa was garbage (shocking because Hawk fans make you believe that they are the greatest team in history). But Michigan State lost to Iowa despite out gaining them by 200 yards because they had 11 penalties. Hawkeye fans stormed the field. It was cute. I will go with the same score from that day seeing as it is the 10 year anniversary. Hawks 21-16
Florida @ Georgia – I will be honest. I have no clue who is going to win this game. Florida has lost 3 straight and only scored 7 points at home against Mississippi State. But they are coming off a bye week and getting star playmaker Chris Rainey back. Georgia looks to be the team on the upswing though and so I will give them the edge 24-20.
WHO RADIO’S STEVE DEACE
Kansas at Iowa State – I expect ISU to have a little bit of a letdown here after the big win, and win the game by a score that isn’t indicative of the fact the Jayhawks, well, suck. Iowa State 31, Kansas 20
Missouri at Nebraska – Tigers had a huge win last week, and then get a reality check this week. Nebraska 34, Missouri 17
Oklahoma State at Kansas State – I think I’ll go with K-State now that Oklahoma State’s best player got busted for a DUI.
Baylor at Texas – Someone must pay for last week’s loss, and Bears can relax now that they have their bowl bid secure. Texas 28, Baylor 17
Michigan State at Iowa – Oddsmakers favoring Hawkeyes speaks volumes, Spartans are heading to an ambush. Iowa 27, Michigan State 20
Florida vs. Georgia – Young Dawgs are hitting their stride and the young Gators aren’t improving. Georgia 24, Florida 21
1460 KXNO’S MATT PERRAULT
Kansas @ Iowa State (-14) – I think Iowa State has a chance to win a big game at home here. KU is reeling and ISU is soaring. The Jack Trice crowd will be happy. Cyclones win 31-14.
Missouri @ Nebraska (-6) – Boy, this is the hardest game of the weekend to pick. I think this comes down to a field goal either way however. Nebraska wins thanks to Alex Henry’s leg 27-24 but take MU and the points.
Oklahoma State @ Kansas State – Okie St will be playing without their star wide receiver Justin Blackmon due to his suspension but the Cowboys will win without him 28-21.
Baylor @ Texas – Baylor is ranked and Texas is not. That. Is. Crazy. What to make of Texas huh? They aren’t good but I can’t pick them to lose back to back home games to ISU and Baylor. Texas wins 28-27.
Michigan State @ Iowa – I hate going with the flow here but Iowa losing back to back home games is something I can’t pick. Not this year. Iowa wins 24-21.
Florida @ Georgia – 6 losses between these two teams. 6! This game is normally fun but this game is a stinker. I’ll take Florida to win 30-21
ABC 5’S DAVE ZAWILINKSI
Kansas @ Iowa State (-14) – What a win for the Clones last week! I knew they would compete. Wasn’t so sure they’d win. But who’s complaining? This line vs. Kansas started at 14 and it’s now up to 19. Ill lay the 14 and go with ISU. If they don’t make the same mistake Texas did and get complacent vs. KU they should win 38-14.
Missouri @ Nebraska (-6) – Nebraska has struggled vs. formidable competition this year. Mizzou proved they were legit last week with a HUGE win over OU. Im a little worried they put everything into that win, but not enough to pick NEB. this week. Ill take the six points and take Mizzou. Ill even pick them to win the game outright. 31-17 Mizzou.
Oklahoma State @ Kansas State – I love what Gundy has been able to do this year at OSU, but Im afraid the mistake his sophomore WR made in the early hours of the morning this past Tuesday could be the difference this Saturday. Justin Blackmon has been down right filthy for the Boys this year. I think Weedon might struggle without him this saturday. Ill call the upset and take Snyder and the Cats at home. KSU wins24-20.
Baylor at Texas – I think these are two evenly matched teams. However, I think Mac Brown gets his guys to respond after a terrible loss and that is the difference. TX proved they can play great defense when they want to (see Neb gm). Horns 28-14.
Michigan St. at Iowa – This is the game I thought the hawks would lose all along, and I most certainly made up my mind in the second quarter of last week’s game vs. Wisconsin while standing on the sideline. MSU has a better QB and a better defense than Wisconsin. I really like the leadership on that Iowa team but I don’t think it will be enough to overcome a very good Spartan team. MSU stuns Iowa 28-20.
Florida vs. Georgia- Have you watched the Gators this year? Enough said. Georgia in a rout 35-14.
FORMER CYCLONE QB BRET MEYER
Kansas @ Iowa State (-14) – 14 point favorite versus a Big 12 opponent? Doesn’t happen often. Hard to bet against this staff ISU covers.
Missouri @ Nebraska (-6) – For whatever reason, Nebraska struggles at home under Bo Pelini. The trend continues as Missouri wins a close one in Lincoln.
Oklahoma State @ Kansas State – Oklahoma State will most likely be without their best offensive weapon. Doesn’t matter, Okie State wins on the road.
Baylor @ Texas – Robert Griffin is a dynamic athlete who’s developed into a great passer. I like Baylor with the upset.
Michigan State @ Iowa -Iowa’s vanilla approach in all three phases caught up to them last week against Wisconsin. Look for Sparty to hit the Hawks with another gadget on their way to another thrilling victory. MSU wins in Iowa City.
Florida @ Georgia – Wow. Do people really care about this game? Georgia’s offense has hit it’s stride while the Gators continue to struggle. Georgia wins.
