Current Standings
Chris Hassel, 19-9
Adam Carper, 19-9
Andrew Downs, 18-10
Bret Culbertson, 17-11
Austen Arnaud, 16-12
Dave Zawilinski, 15-13
Jack Whitver, 15-13
Trevor Enerson, 15-13
Brett McIntyre, 11-18
Brent Blum, 11-18
Chris Williams, 9-19
Kirk Haaland, 9-19
Adam Gray, 8-20
ESPN’S CHRIS HASSEL
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – I can see Texas laying the wood to Iowa State. Don’t give me that "distraction" garbage. Games are won on the field. But I’ve got ISU with the backdoor cover.
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) – I think TCU can keep it close. Frogs cover.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – I don’t see K-State losing by 3 scores. Wildcats cover. Should be a good game.
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – Would love to know the last time a team have won back-to-back games as a 20+ point underdog. Not going to happen here but WVU should have confidence and should cover.
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – This game opened up as a pick ’em and the money is going Iowa’s way. There’s no reason for the Hawks to lose this game at home. MSU has nary an offense. Hawks in a tight one.
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern – I love this game. Can’t wait to see the scene in Evanston. Reminds me of the ’95 season when the Cats went to the Rose Bowl. But the Buckeyes have superior talent. NW can win, but smart money is on OSU to cover.
FORMER IOWA STATE LINEBACKER ADAM CARPER
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – Iowa State improved last week against Tulsa and that’s imperative for this young squad. Unfortunately I think Texas has too much talent on both sides and eventually covers.
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) – Perfect trap game for the Sooners as they had a monumental win last week in South Bend and the Red River Shootout is next week. Give me the Horned Frogs to win outright.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – Bill Snyder & Co. do enough to keep this one close. K-State
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – When was the last time a team was a 27.5 point underdog after beating a top 15 opponent the week before? What’s even crazier is Baylor is averaging 70 ppg with a margin of victory of 62 in 2013! Give me the odds, Baylor.
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – Iowa wins a thriller in Kinnick by score of 5-2.
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern – As much as I would love to see Urban Meyer pick up his 1st loss at Ohio State this week, I don’t see it happening. Ohio State wins convincingly and covers.
1460 KXNO’S ANDREW DOWNS
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – Texas. Cyclones showed us something at Tulsa, but Texas comes in needing a win. I don’t think it is a blowout, but I’ll give the points.
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) Oklahoma – TCU hasn’t impressed, Oklahoma has. This has rout written all over it.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) K-State – OK State will get some momentum back with a win, but take the points.
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) West Virginia – I doubt the Mountaineers win this, but that’s way too many points.
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) Iowa – Similar game to last week against Minnesota: true Big 10 football relying on defense and the running game. Iowa impressed me on both fronts Saturday, and I look for that to continue.
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern Ohio State – Ohio State is the only "very good" team in a down Big 10.
FORMER IOWA STATE KICKER BRET CULBERTSON
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – I think ISU can keep it rolling after a feel-good win. Big plays are key. Cyclone’s need to take advantage of every scoring opportunity. Long field goals aren’t gimme’s, but they have to be this week. ISU wins against a broken Mack Brown team.
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) – Oklahoma covers. Some may be swayed by the close TCU game against LSU, but that was the first game of the year. OU has a solid squad.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – Cowboys cover. Okie State was upset last week. Upsets happen. Cowboys bounce back this week with a Wildcat whipping.
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – Baylor sure knows how to put together a preseason schedule. Who knows what West Virginia will bring. I think they show up again enough to beat the spread. West Virginia.
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – Spartans. If their quarterback was named Leonidas I would pick them the win the national championship also. Every year.
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern – I honestly have no idea. Ohio State covers by a touchdown.
FORMER IOWA STATE QUARTERBACK AUSTEN ARNAUD
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – I will take the Clones and the hook here (surprise). I do believe Iowa State can run the football on this Texas defense. Keys will be getting third down stops like they did last week on defense. And, also scoring TD’s when they enter the Case iH redzone (free plug) , field goal "attempts" won’t do it.
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) – Oklahoma is for real this year but this game they will come out flat after a big win in South Bend last weekend. TCU covers in an ugly one 27-21.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – OK state will be fired up after getting beat up in Morgantown this past Saturday. Kansas State is so predictable on offense as well, ok state wins big in Stilwater. 37-14
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – this is a huge number but I don’t see a problem with it, Baylor is one of the fastest teams in the country and puts it on WVU here. 48-10
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – Going to be hard for the hawks to move the ball efficiently in this game and the same for the Spartans. This will be a low scoring affair with Special teams playing a huge role, I like Sparty by a FG in Kinnick. 13-10
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern – this is the game of the week, this will be a battle of two very good offenses. So the X factor has to be who is going to get more stops. As much as people want to say playing in Evanston is not too crazy as some of the other Big Ten venues. I like NW to cover but Ohio State still stays undefeated 24-23.
ABC 5 SPORTS DIRECTOR DAVE ZAWILINSKI
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – This game comes down to one thing – Texas’ effort. If they believe they’re a Big 12 title contender and they want to fight for their beleaguered coach they will win. Will they, I don’t know. Give me the horns, I’ll lay the points.
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) – TCU will cover. Take that to the bank.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – Old man Snyder will find a way to keep this one close. KSU
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – WVU is coming off a huge emotional win. Expect a setback. Baylor
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – Hawks win 5-2
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern – People say the Cats are legit. Ill believe it when I see it. Urban Meyer is still undefeated at OSU. Buckeyes.
FORMER IOWA STATE WIDE RECEIVER JACK WHITVER
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – ISU hangs around for awhile, but The Longhorn talent is too much in the end. Texas covers.
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) – TCU has too many problems on offense. OU quietly continues to improve. OU wins and covers.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – OSU is angry after a tough loss. Kansas State can’t keep up with the Okie State offense in Stillwater. OSU
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – That’s a huge number to cover in conference. Baylor wins but doesn’t cover against a defense with a pulse.
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – Sparty wins outright in a slugfest against an improving Hawkeye team.
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern – Ohio State continues to roll no matter who is at QB. Buckeyes win big and cover.
THE VOICE OF THE FAN TREVOR ENERSON
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – I don’t know. Texas wasn’t good at all, then they looked capable against KSU. So which is it? I think this comes down to the offense. Can ISU score 30? I’m just going to be a homer here and say that they do and they cover.
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) – I think this is the first game where we find out about either of these teams. I don’t know how good Notre Dame is. I don’t know how good Tech is. LSU is likely pretty good and given that TCU put up a fight, I will take TCU to cover this. Side-note- "Notre" is flagged by spell-check. You aren’t that important Rudy.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – This is another tough one. Did OSU have a bad day last week or is that closer to the norm for them this year? I happen to think that’s closer to the norm when playing a good defense. Snyder will have the guys ready and this will be a game. KSU covers.
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – Boy howdy that’s a lot of points. I think WVU has a good enough defense to cover that. I think Baylor wins easily but not that easily.
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – Iowa favored over Sparty? I suppose this has to do with the tire fire that is the MSU offense and Iowa at least having something to hang their hat on. I think maybe, just maybe, Iowa is better than we thought and they pull this out.
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern – This is the toughest one of the week for me. I think Northwestern is a really good football team. I think OSU may be a great team. Home field means pretty much nothing in Evanston and I think either Northwestern pulls out a huge win or they get throttled while OSU makes their statement. I’m going to say say OSU goes out and makes a statement here.
WHO-TV 13 METEROLOGIST BRETT MCINTYRE
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State — The Horns’ world looks to be coming apart at the seams, AD, QB, HC drama. I think it backs them into a corner and they will be in must-win mode. On the other hand Cyclones and Wimberly have a chance to prove last week was more than just the by-product of a terrible opponent. 30-21 Texas.
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) — Sooners will win, but TCU should be able to hang long enough to steal a cover.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – Oklahoma State — As concerning as the WV game was, I’m just not on the KSU bandwagon this year, especially after they couldn’t really move the ball against Texas.
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – Baylor — Can we PLEASE stop picking WV games? Please? I don’t know what to do with them.
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – Iowa — As ridiculous as it sounds to call Minnesota a "prove it" game, the Hawks proved what they can do to a team with no offense.
Michigan State fits that description.
Ohio State (-5-5) @ Northwestern — The Cats will make it interesting early, but fade late.
CYCLONE FANATIC COLUMNIST BRENT BLUM
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – I have no feel for this game whatsoever. Texas is more unpredictable than the Wayne Morgan coached Iowa State basketball teams. I just can’t get past the fact they gave up 700 yards of offense to BYU. Cyclones get it done. Iowa State 27 Texas 24.
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) – Not a fan of this TCU offense and don’t think their D can hold OU under 24. Oklahoma 27 TCU 13.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – The old man keeps the Cats close. Oklahoma State 30 K-State 21.
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – I know Baylor is playing silly football at the moment, but this line is higher than Miley Cyrus. Baylor 42 West Virginia 20.
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – Hawks go to 5-1 and Hawk fans emerge from every crevice and back-alley of the state. Iowa 20 Michigan State 17.
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern – They have been this fired up during October in Chicago since Bartman. Cats cover. Ohio State 30 Northwestern 27.
CYCLONE FANATIC PUBLISHER CHRIS WILLIAMS
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – Texas 24, Iowa State 17
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) – TCU wins outright. Get ready for a wacky Big 12 season folks.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – The Bill Snyder miracle is a thing of the past. OSU is angry after last week and wins by 20.
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – A classic letdown game for WVU, but that line is insanely high. I’ll take WVU to barely cover.
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – Hawks by 6.
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern – Buckeyes by 13.
ENCYCLONEPEDIA’S KIRK HAALAND
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – I think this is a winnable game for Iowa State, especially if the upward trend of their game performances continues. I just haven’t seen enough yet from the offense to be convinced they’ll be able to score enough or from the defense that they’ll be able to stop the run. I’ll take Texas to cover and have them winning 31-21.
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) – I’m pretty firmly on the Oklahoma bandwagon and TCU has been a bit up and down so far this year. I think the Sooners win but TCU keeps it inside the spread.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – I’m not really a believer in teams playing “mad” or what not even though the Cowboys should have a bit more focus after their disaster in Morgantown. Kansas State will try to limit possessions but I think the Cowboy offense will get back on track and cover the 14.
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – Baylor is absolute dynamite on offense right now. They score 4.64 points per possession (1st in NCAA) and score touchdowns on 55.6% of their possessions. I think they’ll win reasonably comfortably but I can’t lay that many points. West Virginia covers.
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – I wouldn’t be completely shocked for this game to have a little more scoring than everyone is expecting. Not upper 20’s but at least in to the 20’s. I’ll take Iowa.
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern – Northwestern isn’t exactly known for their home field advantage and they have a pretty strong team this year but I think Ohio State is the class of the Big Ten. Buckeyes cover.
CYCLONE FANATIC SALES DIRECTOR ADAM GRAY
Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State – I like what I saw last week against Tulsa but I still think there some items that need shored up for us to win a game like this. Texas 28-20
TCU @ Oklahoma (-10.5) – OU is playing well and I expect them to win but not cover. TCU keeps it close but loses 23-20.
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (-14) – Man was I wrong about OSU last week? I missed that spread by 38 points! I am jumping back on their wagon though. OSU answers big 41-20
West Virginia @ Baylor (-27.5) – No clue on WV anymore. They lost on the road to Maryland by 37 so I will say they do that again. Baylor 57-20
Michigan State @ Iowa (-2) – Iowa seems to have figured out some things and they always play MSU well. Iowa 23-17
Ohio State (-5.5) @ Northwestern – OSU has to much firepower for Northwesterns defense. OSU wins 49-30
