The first two games of this week are being picked against the spread.
UPDATED STANDINGS
Adam Carper, 36-18
Chris Hassel, 33-21
Chris Williams, 32-22
Brent Blum, 32-22
Steve Deace, 32-22
Adam Gray, 31-23
Matt Perrault, 31-23
Dave Zawilinski, 26-28
Bret Meyer, 26-28
FORMER CYCLONE LINEBACKER ADAM CARPER
Nebraska (-17) @ Iowa State – ISU comes in thinking they can play with and beat anyone on their schedule which they very well can on Saturday. Confidence can do wonders for a team. I believe the difference in this game though will be Nebraska’s offensive line and their ability to reach ISU’s linebackers. The Clones keep it close but Nebraska wins by a TD.
Oklahoma (-6) @ Texas A&M – Although the game is at home, I don’t think A&M has enough in their arsenal to compete with the Sooners. Oklahoma covers
Texas @ Kansas State – Could Texas really be on the cusp of staying home for the holidays as they have only 4 wins with 4 remaining? Not this year as they pick up a win this weekend and against the 2-5 Owls of Florida Atlantic in a couple weeks.
Baylor @ Oklahoma State – Very intriguing game as both teams control their own destiny and a trip to the Big 12 Championship game. Many points will be scored but Oklahoma State will prevail at home.
TCU @ Utah – Both teams are very impressive on paper and this game could go either way. Since the Utes have home field and I’ve seen their potent offense in person, it’s hard for me not to pick them.
Arkansas @ South Carolina – South Carolina is undefeated at home this year and is a completely different team when playing in Columbia. South Carolina.
WHO TV 13’S CHRIS HASSEL
Nebraska (-17) @ Iowa State – I think I’ve missed every single ISU pick, this season. Jack Trice will be as charged up as ever, but so will the Huskers. If Nebraska turns it over 8 times, the Cyclones will win. I just don’t see it happening, this year. I’ll take the Huskers to win, and cover, 42-21.
Oklahoma (-6) @ Texas A&M – Unless the 12th man can defend Mr. Murray, OU wins, and covers. Sooners win 31-20.
Texas @ K-State – Texas won’t lose again, at least not this week. Longhorns take a bite out of Manhattan, 28-24.
Baylor @ Oklahoma State – The Bears begin their slide down the Big 12 South standings with a 35-31 loss to the Pokes.
TCU @ Utah – The Utes looked awfully good against Iowa State, and I think this is the year they swallow the Frogs. High altitude and high energy will be the difference in a 35-34 thrilling Utah win.
Arkansas @ South Carolina – Another fantastic SECOND match-up. If this game was being played anywhere outside of South Carolina, I’d take the Hogs. This is a big one for the ol’ ball coach. He needs it, and I think he gets it. USC East wins it 24-20.
CYCLONEFANATIC.COM PUBLISHER CHRIS WILLIAMS
Nebraska (-17) @ Iowa State – Everyone is so focused on Iowa State’s defense slowing down the Husker rushing attack. Yes, that is important, but Iowa State’s offense consistently scoring points is the number one key to the game. How will the Cyclones do that? They have to take advantage of Nebraska’s 75th ranked rush defense. I’ll take Iowa State to cover here, but barely. Nebraska 37, Iowa State 24
Oklahoma (-6) @ Texas A&M – Texas A&M has played three good teams this year. They’ve lost to them all. New quarterback or not, I still don’t think that any team coached by Mike Sherman can slow down the Sooners. Oklahoma 42, Texas A&M 20
Texas @ Kansas State – I did my good deed by picking K-State at home against the south last week. I refuse to make that mistake again, no matter how terrible Texas has looked as of late. Horns 27, Kansas State 13
Baylor @ Oklahoma State – Two great offense vs. two bad defenses. Go with the home team and Vegas favorite right? Oklahoma State 38, Baylor 31
TCU @ Utah – For Iowa State’s sake, I want Utah to win this game. I just think that TCU’s defense is too good though. The Horned Frogs are giving up an average of 8.67 points per game this season. That is as ridiculous of a number as you’ll ever see. It will be a close one and I’m pulling for the Utes. I’m taking TCU though 24-14.
Arkansas @ South Carolina – You might as well flip a coin. That’s the hard hitting analysis that I can deliver for this game. Give me the home team and the Ole Ball Coach. SC 31, Arkansas 30
THE CYCLONE RADIO NETWORK’S BRENT BLUM
Nebraska (-17) @ Iowa State – Slowing down Nebraska’s run game is an immense challenge. Expect the Huskers to score at least 28. The Cyclone offense is going to have to play their best game to date. There’s nothing more that I’d like to see than Iowa State winning the final two games in the series. Still have to lean to the Huskers on paper. Nebraska 35 Iowa State 24.
Oklahoma (-6) @ Texas A&M – The Aggies threw a curve ball last week by benching the Big 12 Pre-Season player of the year Jerrod Johnson in favor of Ryan Tannehill. It worked. Tannehill threw for over 400 yards and 4 "tuddies" against Tech. Tougher test this week. I like OU big. If I were one of those gambling dudes who advertise on the radio this would be my, "25 star gold silver platinum aluminum play of the year." Oklahoma 44 A&M 21.
Texas @ Kansas State – Who had a more difficult last two weeks: Texas, Brett Favre or Charlie Sheen? Yikes. Texas 31 Kansas State 21.
Baylor @ Oklahoma State – The Paul "Bear" Bryant committee released its coach of the year watch list late last week. There were 20 coaches on the list, 5 of them from the Big 12. And by some sheer force of ignorance Paul Rhoads and Baylor coach Art Briles were not on the list!! That’s unconscionable! Rhoads is one thing, but to not have Briles– who has Baylor on top of the South in November, is absurd. Yet, Bill Snyder and Kirk Ferentz are on the list. Does not compute. Oklahoma State 34 Baylor 30.
TCU @ Utah – TCU. Stat of the week: TCU has allowed only 16 points total in their last 5 games. That’s just silly. The Dallas Cowboys would be better off driving to Fort Worth and kidnapping the entire Horned Frogs D. Seriously. TCU 27 Utah 17.
Arkansas @ South Carolina – South Carolina 27 Arkansas 23
CF ADVERTISER ADAM GRAY OF ADAM GRAY INSURANCE IN JOHNSTON (NATIONWIDE)
Nebraska (-17) @ Iowa State – We are a better team than we were when we went into Lincoln and won last year. We have a healthy A-Rob and a healthy Arnaud going into this one. But I can’t get over the fact that our offense has not been able to score on the 2 elite defenses we have played thus far. Seven points in a combined 2 games against Iowa and Oklahoma. And Nebraska’s defense might be just as good if not better. I think ISU has a hard time putting up points in this game and the defense gets tired. Nebraska 31-10
Oklahoma (-6) @ Texas A&M – A&M’s defense is as soft as they get. Oklahoma’s balanced attack will have no problem putting 40+ up on the Aggies. OU 45 – 27
Texas @ Kansas State – Texas can’t lose 3 straight games to Iowa State, Baylor, and Kansas State right? That is what I am counting on. After a while the talent has to click on offense for the Longhorns. Kansas States defense will help the Longhorns get back on track with a 31-20 win
Baylor @ Oklahoma State – What a great season it has been for Baylor. They are a really fun team to watch play and frankly I am very glad that Iowa State doesn’t play them this year. Oklahoma State at home will be to much for them and Baylor will be coming off an emotional win against Texas. Oklahoma St. 42 – 31
TCU @ Utah – This should be a great game! Winner goes to a BCS bowl game. I’m going to go with Utah just because they are home. Utah 27-21
Arkansas @ South Carolina – This is the time of the year were South Carolina has typically gone in the tank. So I am taking Arkansas to go on the road and steal a win 31-24.
WHO RADIO’S STEVE DEACE
Iowa State +17 over Nebraska – It’s been three meat-grinders in a row for the Huskers, and Taylor Martinez is banged up. ISU has the emotional edge here, especially given the final visit by the hated Big Red. Cyclones don’t win, but do represent. Nebraska 34, Iowa State 24
Oklahoma -6 over Texas A&M – Sooners are simply the better overall team here. Oklahoma 38, Texas A&M 28
Texas over Kansas State – Remember the last time the Longhorns lost two straight and then went on the road, they beat Nebraska in Lincoln. Texas 21, Kansas State 14
Oklahoma State over Baylor – Can you believe this is for first place in the Big 12 South in November? Back-to-back road games tough on Bears, who are ranked this late in the season for the first time since 1991. Oklahoma State 31, Baylor 24
Utah over TCU – This is the game the Utes have been pointing towards all season, and it’s at home. Utah 24, TCU 20
Arkansas over South Carolina – I just don’t like the way the Gamecocks have played since upsetting Alabama. Arkansas 28, South Carolina 24
1460 KXNO’S MATT PERRAULT
Nebraska (-17) @ Iowa State – What to do here huh? This is tough. I can easily see a blowout if Taylor Martinez plays because Kansas State and Missouri’s defense sure couldn’t stop Nebraska’s running game. I’m going to go on my gut here and say that Iowa State covers the 17 point line. Nebraska 31-21 winners in Ames.
Oklahoma (-6) @ Texas A&M – Texas A&M may have found something in special in QB Ryan Tannehill. 4 TDs and 449 yards passing against Texas Tech grabbed a lot of headlines. Oklahoma on the road has not been very good but I’ll take them to barley cover 27-20.
Texas @ Kansas State – I’m done picking Texas to win games that they should. They are horrible. Kansas State wins 24-21
Baylor @ Oklahoma State – Oklahoma State will get their star WR back this week in Justin Blackmon and I think we are in for a crazy shootout in Stillwater. I’ll take the Pokes 35-31.
TCU @ Utah – TCU’s defense vs. Utah’s offense is the best match-up of the weekend. Like pitching beating hitting in baseball (see the Giants), I’ll take TCU to win 21-20
Arkansas @ South Carolina – South Carolina has a shot to win the SEC. I don’t see them blowing it against Arkansas at home. USC wins 27-21.
ABC 5’S DAVE ZAWILINSKI
Nebraska (-17) @ Iowa State – Iowa State has been playing some very good football over the past couple of weeks. Much like Texas returning home after a big win over Neb, I think Nebraska might still be caught up in a big win over Missouri last week. Ill take ISU and the Points. Neb wins 35-20.
Oklahoma (-6) @ Texas A&M – Oklahoma has struggled all season on the road. But for me, six points just isn’t enough to take a wildly inconsistent A&M team. Ill lay the points and take OU. 35-17.
Texas @ Kansas St. – I think Texas is in a free fall. They got pounded by UCLA at home and KSU beat UCLA back in week one. Im sticking with my love for Snyder. Ill take KSU outright. 21-14.
Baylor @ OSU – Hard to believe that Baylor is leading the Big 12 South and its November! However, give me the pokes in this one. They have had an impressive season as well. OSU 41-30
TCU @ Utah – TCU arguably has the best defense in the country. They took down Utah last year and I think they’ll do it again this year. TCU 28 Utah 13.
Arkansas @ South Carolina – Both of these teams have been impressive this season. I think Arkansas has more individual talent but SC will be too much at home. SC 24 Arkansas 17.
FORMER CYCLONE QUARTERBACK BRET MEYER
Nebraska (-17) @ Iowa State – At first glance, 17 seems a bit high. If we can’t stop the run, it won’t matter. Nebraska wins, but not by 17.
Oklahoma (-6) @ Texas A&M – Mike Sherman may be a lame duck coach. OU covers and wins big on the road.
Texas @ Kansas State – My guess is that Mack Browns squad is ready to leave the state of Texas. Longhorns win on the road.
Baylor @ Oklahoma State – Happy for Baylor and the success they have enjoyed all year. Mike Gundy deserves more credit than he gets for keeping Okie State relevant. Okie State wins at home.
TCU @ Utah – One less BCS buster to hear about? Yes please. Utah wins at home.
Arkansas @ South Carolina – Better QB play will be the difference. Hogs win on the road.
