We had a change at the leaderboad after last week’s picks.
Former Iowa State kicker Bret Culbertson had a tough round, going 2-5 and dropping from being in a tie for first to sixth. That’s how tight this thing is at week 7!
Now, former Iowa State linebacker Adam Carper has reclaimed his spot at the top with yours truly breathing down his neck in second. Ironically, Carper was the best man in my wedding. I was the best man in his wedding. Something tells me that we will indeed find out who the better man is at the end of this season! Here are this week’s picks.
Current Standings
Adam Carper, 28-15
Chris Williams, 27-16
Bret Meyer, 26-17
Adam Gray, 26-17
Brent Blum, 26-17
Bret Culbertson, 25-18
Kirk Haaland, 24-19
Dave Zawilinski, 23-20
Trevor Enerson, 23-20
Austen Arnaud, 20-23
Chris Hassel, 19-24
Former Iowa State linebacker Adam Carper
Straight UP
Texas Tech @ TCU – Texas Tech’s hot streak comes to an end. TCU prevails.
Kansas State @ West Virginia – Geno Smith is back home and back to his old ways. WVU
ATS
South Carolina @ Florida (-3) – South Carolina has lost 7 of 8 trips to Florida. Make it 8 of 9.
LSU (-3) @ Texas A&M – Still not sold the Aggies are capable to compete against the SEC elite. LSU covers.
Baylor @ Texas (-10) – Rumors swirling around Austin calling for the firing of Mack Brown die down as the Horns get the win but not enough to cover.
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State (-13) – Amazing how much disrespect Vegas gives us sometimes. Clones storm into Stillwater and steal a win.
Cyclone Fanatic Publisher Chris Williams
Texas Tech @ TCU – I honestly have no idea on this game. It all comes down to if you believe in Texas Tech or not. I think we all pretty much know what TCU will bring to the table at this point. I am a believer. I love that Tech defensive line. Give me the Red Raiders but again, I’m not confident in the pick.
Kansas State @ West Virginia – Flip, flop. Flip, flop. That’s me on this game. Earlier in the week, I was all-in on West Virginia. On Wednesday night’s call-in show, I was 60-40 WVU. Not anymore. Give me the Snydercats. As gaudy of numbers as the Mountaineers have put up at times this yaer, they’ve been inconsistent at others. I’m taking Kansas State because they are the more complete football team. I’m a big believer in Collin Klein.
South Carolina @ Florida (-3) – Can I predict a push? Give me the Gators at -3 in a classic, low-scoring SEC brawl.
LSU (-3) @ Texas A&M – If I hear the words "Johnny" and "football" thrown together one more time I’m going to SCREAM. I’ll take LSU to shut that hype train up.
Baylor @ Texas (-10) – The Longhorns have been my fickle mistress all season long. They’ve burned me time and time again. Eventually that trend has to go the other way right? Forget that. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I won’t let it happen again. Baylor covers.
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State (-13) – Oklahoma State 28, Iowa State 27
Former Iowa State quarterback Bret Meyer
Texas Tech @ TCU – Texas Tech’s defense will be the difference. Red Raiders win on the road
Kansas State @ West Virginia – Geno Smith gets back on track, WVU wins at home.
South Carolina @ Florida (-3) – Florida covers
LSU (-3) @ Texas A&M – A&M with the upset at home.
Baylor @ Texas (-10) – Ill take Baylor and the points.
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State (-13) – I like the Clones.
Cyclone Fanatic’s Director of Sales Adam Gray
Texas Tech @ TCU – How does Tech come back after that emotional win against West Virginia? I think they will be playing with a lot of confidence and will wear down a thin TCU team. Tech wins 34-20
Kansas State @ West Virginia – This should be a great game. Klein will do what he does and he will eat up clock and keep Geno off the field. But I really don’t think Kansas State’s defense is that good and I think Geno will have time again to throw the ball and West Virginia will be able to score quickly. West Virginia wins at home 31-27.
South Carolina@ Florida (-3) – I think South Carolina’s front 4 on defense shuts down Florida’s running game and South Carolina scores just enough points to go on the road and get a much needed win to keep their BCS hopes a live. South Carolina 20-13
LSU (-3) @ Texas A&M – What is the biggest differential in points from one week to the next? A&M scored 59 points last week and I don’t think they get to 20 this week. 23-17 LSU
Baylor @Texas (-10) – Texas can’t be THAT bad, can they? Their defense has looked soft the last two weeks and Baylor’s offense is capable of putting up points, but their defense isn’t capable of stopping Texas. I look for Texas to win 45-31.
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State (-13) – Ridiculous line. Would be a huge win with Baylor coming to Ames next week. I’ll go with the homer pick and take Iowa State by 3.
Cyclone Fanatic Columnist Brent Blum
Texas Tech @ TCU – We have reached late October and your top four teams in total defense in the nation: Alabama, LSU, Florida State and TEXAS TECH! Things that I never thought I’d say for $200, Alex. Tommy Tubberville’s team has a bit of used car salesman stench on them, still not sold. Show me the carfax and beat a solid TCU team and we can be cool. I doubt that happens. TCU 27 Texas Tech 21.
Kansas State @ West Virginia – The Mullet Express got hijacked by the Red Raiders last week, but much like Steven Seagal saved the day in Undersiege 2, Dana Holgorsen will come to the rescue. I still want to see if K-State can battle back from behind. West Virginia responds in a big way. West Virginia 41 K-State 28.
South Carolina @ Florida (-3) – Florida averages 145 yards passing per game (good for 115th in the nation), yet they are undefeated. No way that can continue. South Carolina is the more balanced team. They win straight up. South Carolina 24 Florida 14.
LSU (-3) @ Texas A&M – I don’t trust adult men named Johnny: Cash, Depp, Appleseed…those were some crazy fools, especially that Appleseed cat. A&M Freshman QB Johnny Manziel has been unbelievable and should be in the Heisman race, he is 2nd in the nation in total offense. But I can’t buy into a man named Johnny. LSU is coming for you, beware. LSU 31 Texas A&M 21.
Baylor @ Texas (-10) – Baylor should star on those late night self-help infomercials. "Is your offense feeling down, need a little rejuvenation in your running and passing game? We’ve got just the thing for you, Baylor!" Baylor is now dead last in the nation in total defense. They have allowed 500 or more yards in five of six games. Horrendous. Texas isn’t much better on defense, but they are better. Texas 45 Baylor 34.
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State (-13) – Iowa State is 5-0 against the spread in their last five road games. That is what we call a trend. Oklahoma State’s defense led the nation by creating 44 turnovers last year, this year they have only created four. The Cyclones and Cowboys are more even talent wise than most realize. This game comes down to who takes care of the ball. I trust Barnett over the Cowboys youngsters. Cyclones 31 Cowboys 28.
Former Iowa State kicker Bret Culbertson
Texas Tech @ TCU – This might be one of the funnest games to watch this week. Both teams blew out Baylor and West Virginia last week in a similar fashion. Pachall would have swayed me on my pick for this game. Red Raiders win. Don’t drink and drive folks.
Kansas State @ West Virginia – With Collin Klein able to run the ball against an ISU defense, he’ll own the WV defense. I’m going with the Wildcats on the road.
South Carolina @ Florida (-3) – This is another game I’m looking forward to. I could honestly go either way on this, but I think Florida holds their own.
LSU (-3) @ Texas A&M – LSU covers.
Baylor @ Texas (-10) – I think Texas beats up the Baylor defense and covers.
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State (-13) – 13 point spread? I may call my bookie this evening. Easy Money. Thanks for an easy win in the Pick’Em, Vegas, but is a huuuge slap in the face to Cyclone Nation. This tells us that these odds makers think unranked OSU is better than No. 4 ranked K-State. Let’s all take some time and reflect on how Kansas almost came back last week against OSU. No doubt Okie State can still pass at times, but Walsh is no Collin Klein. Cyclones will upset on the road, although I’m still trying to decide if this is considered an upset or not…
enCYCLONEpedia’s Kirk Haaland
Texas Tech @ TCU – TCU was impressive at Waco last week but I’m jumping on the Tech bandwagon in a big way. Red Raiders deliver the second straight home loss to the Frogs.
Kansas State @ West Virginia – Can we get Blum to compare and contrast Dana Holgorsen’s hair with Ernie McCracken’s from Kingpin? It will be an interesting night in Morgantown as two opposite styles collide. I’ll roll with the Mountaineers in a bounce back win after last week’s debacle in Lubbock.
South Carolina @ Florida (-3) – Want to hear some awful reasoning? Florida hasn’t let me down yet this year so I’ll pick ’em again. Plus, it is a second brutal road game in as many weeks for the Gamecocks.
LSU (-3) @ Texas A&M – The Aggies scored 59 to win at Louisiana Tech last week…I don’t think they’ll pull that off against LSU, home or not. LSU covers.
Baylor @ Texas (-10) – The Texas defense isn’t so great. The Baylor offense is really good. ‘Horns may win but they don’t cover the ten.
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State (-13) – The upset of 2011 is a major talking point here but as my buddy says, "revenge doesn’t suit up to make tackles and score touchdowns." True story. The Cowboys have a weird season going on where they’ve already had two bye weeks and their offense has overcome a lot to be statistically great. The Cowboys had a close home loss against Texas who showed last week to maybe not be quite as good as we thought. The Cyclones will cover this spread and if they can run the ball they’ll win it outright.
ABC 5 Sports Director Dave Zawilinski
Texas Tech @ TCU – Texas Tech is hot. I knew they had a great chance of beating WVU last week. If you remember back to last season, they upset OU in Norman then came home and laid and egg vs. Iowa State. I think they correct those mistakes and get a great road win Saturday.
Kansas State @ West Virginia – Really looking forward to this matchup. I just don’t know how you can go against Bill Snyder and more importantly Collin Klein these days. KSU in a close game.
South Carolina @ Florida (-3) – I thought SC would beat LSU last week. The Swamp isn’t an easy place to play either. I just don’t see this talented Game Cocks team losing two in a row. Give me the Old Ball Coach.
LSU (-3) @ Texas A&M – Texas A&M had troubles with La Tech. Now they get the real team from Louisiana. Tigers all the way.
Baylor @ Texas (-10) – I posted a great read about the state of the Texas football program written by Chip Brown on twitter the other night. His words lead me to believe there is something really wrong with this program. He makes several mentions to this team heading in a downward spiral. I think Baylor wins outright.
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State (-13) – The Cyclones are holding opposing offenses way below their season averages. I think that trend continues. I’m not sure it’ll be enough to win in Stillwater but I do think they cover the spread.
The Voice of the Fan, Trevor Enerson
Texas Tech @ TCU – Give me Tech here. I just think they have a little more firepower offensively and may have the better defense as well.
Kansas State @ West Virginia – How does WVU recover from getting clobbered by Tech? Was that a fluke or not? I think it was but I still think KSU wins this. Klein just doesn’t make mistakes and that WVU defense is not very good.
South Carolina @ Florida (-3) – Give me USC and the points. I don’t know that Florida will be able to run the ball efectively enough to win.
LSU (-3) @ Texas A&M – I’ll take LSU and give the points. I just think talent wins out here.
Baylor @ Texas (-10) – This is intriguing. Did UT have a bad week or are they just not as good as we thought? I think they had a bad week. That said, I think Baylor scores enough to keep this one close. Give me Baylor and the points.
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State (-13) – I don’t have a good feeling about this, I really don’t. I just feel like this could be a huge letdown week. I will go against my gut here and take ISU and the points.
Former Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud
Texas Tech @ TCU – Tech coming off a huge win against West Virginia keeps it rolling here this one will be a close one but I think Tech wins by a score, 31-24.
Kansas State @ West Virginia – This game lost a lot of its allure with WVU losing last week at Tech, however this still will be a very exciting game and maybe a instant classic. West Virginia is going to throw the kitchen sink at K-State this week in Morgantown and win 41-34.
South Carolina @ Florida (-3) – Great opportunity for the Ol’ Ball Coach and the Gamecocks to bounce back after a very tough loss at LSU. There is just something about Spurrier coming back to his alma mater. South Carolina covers and wins this game out right.
LSU (-3) @ Texas A&M – This match-up of brute strength and finesse. Kliff Kingsbury and this new look Aggie offense, with Johnny Manziel calling the shots, can score points in bunches. However, this LSU front seven on defense will be up to the challenge of stopping Manziel and company. LSU covers on the road.
Baylor @ Texas (-10) – Texas’ struggling defense doesn’t receive any favors this week in trying to stop the aerial attack of the Baylor Bears. However, Baylor is going to run into a Longhorn squad that will be enraged with revenge on its mind from an embarrassing 24 point loss a season ago. UT hammers Baylor and covers at home to stop the bleeding.
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State (-13) – This will be another great game to watch on Saturday in the Big XII. If the Cyclones can take care of the football and whether the storm (Combat Okie State’s big play potential), then I see no reason why Iowa State can’t go in and beat the Cowboys. However, a slow start by the Cyclones very well could end up being a long day at the office. Iowa State covers the two scores in Stilwater.
WHO-TV 13’s Chris Hassel
Texas Tech @ TCU – Both teams know how to bounce back, but which can put together a winning streak? I’ll go with the home team.
Kansas State @ West Virginia – Beware of burning couch. West Virginia hands K-State its first loss.
South Carolina @ Florida (-3) – South Carolina is a different team on the road. And that team isn’t good enough to win in The Swamp. Gators win by two scores.
LSU (-3) @ Texas A&M – The Tigers are back on track and still in the running for a national title. LSU covers.
Baylor @ Texas (-10) – Both teams were embarrassed last week. I expect to see a different Texas team after the OU beat down. Horns roll.
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State (-13) – Iowa State is unbeaten on the road this season. I don’t expect an ISU upset, but I think the Cyclones can hang. OSU wins, but not by much.
