According to the results from last week’s pick’em, our week 8 slate of games was one of the toughest in history. Three of our "experts" (Carper, Meyer and Zawilinski) took it on the chin and went 1-5 on the week. Meanwhile. Adam Gray went 4-2 and took advantage of a 2-4 showing by Brent Blum to take a two-game lead in the standings.
CURRENT STANDINGS
Adam Gray, 30-17
Brent Blum, 28-19
Chris Williams, 26-21
Adam Carper, 25-22
Chris Hassel, 24-23
Austen Arnaud, 24-23
Dave Zawilinski, 23-24
Trevor Enerson, 23-24
Bret Meyer, 22-25
ADAM GRAY – ADAM GRAY INSURANCE AGENCY
Iowa State @ Texas Tech (-17.5) – TT is back home after and emotional win. I think ISU covers.
Oklahoma (-13.5) @ Kansas State – I will be shocked if Oklahoma doesn’t respond by beating KSU by 20-plus.
Missouri @ Texas A&M (-11) – I love A&M’s offense. I think they will wear down teams. Their wide receivers catch the ball better this week and they cover.
Baylor@ Oklahoma State (-18) – Oklahoma State is finally at the top of the Big 12. How will they respond? They have a team in Baylor that is coming off a bye and really needing a big win on the year. Sure Baylor can’t stop anybody and that’s not good against this offense, BUT I still see this being a close game.
Michigan State @ Nebraska – MSU had an emotional win and now they have to go to Lincoln? I don’t see them coming away with a victory. Give me the Huskers.
Georgia vs.Florida – How is Georgia favored in this game? They haven’t beat anybody. Florida gets Brantley back, they are at home and desperate for a win. Give me the Gators.
BRENT BLUM – CYCLONE RADIO NETWORK
Iowa State @ Texas Tech (-17.5) – Credit the Encyclonepedia himself, Kirk Haaland, with this nugget: Iowa State is 0-5 all-time in Lubbock with an average defeat of 28 points. "Lubbock: where nothing good happens before or after midnight." I think the Cyclones can make this entertaining, but Doege and crew are playing with sky-high confidence. That’s not encouraging. Texas Tech 48 Iowa State 29.
Oklahoma (-13.5) @ Kansas State – K-State is like the Will Ferrell character in Austin Powers. They just won’t die. The Sooners had their annual mishap already. If they can stop the run, I think the Sooners take care of the old man’s Wildcats once and for all. "The wound is starting to feel like almonds, which is not good!" Oklahoma 47 K-State 17.
Missouri @ Texas A&M (-11) – The Big 12 should not assign any officials for this game. Just let these two skip along in lock-stepped merriment into the sunset of Alabama and LSU’s shadow. Enjoy that you guys! Texas A&M 37 Missouri 24.
Baylor @ Oklahoma State (-18) – Wow 18 points is a big number. Oklahoma State is due for a letdown of some sort. This one has a chance to end up in the 50’s. These two should share points with Iowa State once in a while. Oklahoma State 58 Baylor 45.
Michigan State @ Nebraska – I am uninspired by the Big 10 this year. Compared to the Big 12, it’s like jumping on the Tornado at Adventureland after returning from Disney World. Speaking of Disney, Bo and Carl Pelini could be stand-ins for the next Shrek movie. They’d be perfect in the donkey role. The resemblance is uncanny. Nebraska 27 Michigan State 20.
Georgia vs. Florida – 2011 is shaping up as an SEC classic type year. I swear every game between the average to good teams ends 20-17. It’s just like the old days. Georgia 20 Florida 17.
CHRIS WILLIAMS – CYCLONEFANATIC.COM’S PUBLISHER
Iowa State @ Texas Tech (-17.5) – Read all about this bad boy including my prediction that Iowa State will cover by CLICKING HERE.
Oklahoma (-13.5) @ Kansas State – We’ve learned two major things through the first eight weeks of the college football season. Always put your money on Stanford (the Cardinal are 7-0 ATS this season) and NEVER, EVER, bet against Wild Bill Snyder. Oklahoma has struggled for not one, but two weeks in a row. KSU will keep it close.
Missouri @ Texas A&M (-11) – I’m finally off of the Missouri bandwagon. I just don’t trust James Franklin enough to pick them on the road. Aggies cover and win.
Baylor @ Oklahoma State (-18) – Talked a lot about this game on our call-in show last night. I fully expect Oklahoma State to have complete control of this game at home, but Baylor’s offense is too good to not cover an 18 point spread. I see a backdoor cover here by the Bears.
Michigan State @ Nebraska – Heard a Nebraska writer who I respect say that the key to this game is Taylor Martinez’s brain. If that’s the case, I’ll take Sparty by two touchdowns.
Georgia vs. Florida – I already went against Vegas in one straight up game. Better not test my luck twice. Give me the Dawgs.
ADAM CARPER – FORMER IOWA STATE LINEBACKER
Iowa State @ Texas Tech (-17.5) – Like ISU to cover as the Red Raiders are still riding high after last week’s upset.
Oklahoma (-13.5) @ Kansas State – Could very well see Oklahoma come out with their hair on fire and open up a can but the home crowd keeps it close. KSU covers.
Missouri @ Texas A&M (-11) – Missouri
Baylor @ Oklahoma State (-18) – 18 points is just absurd. Baylor covers.
Michigan State @ Nebraska – I have to go against the guys in Vegas and pick Sparty!
Georgia vs. Florida – Georgia is just too much against a depleted Florida team.
CHRIS HASSEL – WHO TV 13 SPORTS
Iowa State @ Texas Tech (-17.5) – A freshman getting his first start on the road? Can’t have too much confidence that ISU will be able to keep it close. Barnett didn’t turn the ball over against A&M, but he didn’t put up many points either. TTU covers, 44-20.
Oklahoma (-13.5) @ Kansas State – I guess I’m not the only one who doesn’t believe in K-State, though I’ve learned my lesson. I like the Wildcats to cover, but the Sooners to win, 33-20.
Missouri @ Texas A&M (-11) – A&M pulls away late, and covers, 45-31.
Baylor @ Oklahoma State (-18) – Robert Griffin is great, but he can’t do everything himself. OSU wins, and covers, 44-24.
Michigan State @ Nebraska – I don’t see Michigan State winning a fourth straight huge game. This one has Nebraska written all over it. Huskers win, 28-20.
Georgia vs. Florida – The Gators haven’t scored more than 11 points in a game, since September. Dawgs win their 6th straight, 27-17.
AUSTEN ARNAUD – FORMER IOWA STATE QUARTERBACK
Iowa State @ Texas Tech (-17.5) – The Clones come out inspired after a valiant effort against the Aggies last week. The red raiders come out thinking they are better than they are after beating OU in the worst game I’ve seen OU play in awhile.
Oklahoma (-13.5) @ Kansas State – Manhattan is a tough place to play and it will be especially with how well the Wildcats are playing right now. I’m going with the old man again. I know better.
Missouri @ Texas A&M (-11) – This the second consecutive year these teams meet in College Station and I expect a similar outcome, A&M rolls.
Baylor @ Oklahoma State (-18) – OK State is hot right now but Baylor had a bye week to get healthy and prepare for the Cowboys and I think they compete down to the wire in this game but OK State wins.
Nebraska 24 – Michagan State 20 – Michigan State is a very good football team but I am a firm believer in home field advantage, giving the edge to Nebraska. Michigan State’s hot right now, but Nebraska’s defense finds a way to win them this ball game in this low scoring affair.
Georgia 26 Florida 23 – Florida continues to struggle and loses a heart breaker in this one. What a great atmosphere it will be in Jacksonville. Georgia has been playing well under the lead of QB Aaron Murray who is coming into his own as an elite level signal-caller.
DAVE ZAWILINSKI – ABC 5 SPORTS
Iowa State @ Texas Tech (-17.5) – I fully expect a TT let down. I think they come out of the gates slow, kind of like Baylor a few weeks back, but then they turn it on and cover with a late TD.
Oklahoma (-13.5) @ Kansas State – This is the week we see KSU’s true colors. I think they are a good football team, but OU is a great one. OU rolls.
Missouri @ Texas A&M (-11) – A battle of the future SEC schools. A&M is a different animal at home. They will take care of business and cover.
Baylor @ Oklahoma State (-18) – I’d love to take Baylor here, but Im not going to make that same mistake as last week. They got drilled at A&M so why not in Stillwater? I’ll lay the points here as well.
Michigan State @ Nebraska – MSU is on a roll. They’ve beaten OSU, Michigan and now Wisconsin. I’m not going to go against a hot team. I’ll take MSU in a close one.
Georgia vs. Florida – After that 0-2 start the Bulldogs have rattled off five straight wins. They are in control of their own destiny in the SEC East. Flordia has lots of holes all over the field. I think it’s close, but the dogs win out.
TREVOR ENERSON – THE VOICE OF THE FAN (YAMAN3)
Iowa State @ Texas Tech (-17.5) – I have no reason for doing this other than I feel like it. ISU covers and wins 35-32
Oklahoma (-13.5) @ Kansas State – You know, a week ago I would have picked KSU to cover this. Not now. Sooner is pissed. Sooner Booms 42-24
Missouri @ Texas A&M (-11) – Is this a rivalry game? It should be. The Battle of the Benedicts. I’m takeing Mizzou to cover just because I htink they can score enough point on aTm. They cover but lose 45-38
Baylor @ Oklahoma State (-18) – This one is the toughest for me. I think RG3 can do enough to cover but they won’t have a chance to win. OkSt 38-27.
Michigan State @ Nebraska – MSU is coming off a huge win. Nebraska has been mediocre at best to this point. That said, I think Nebraska cut limit the MSU running game and win. Nebraska 24-17
Georgia vs. Florida – Georgia is playing pretty well right now. Florida isn’t. I will take Georgia in a game that isn’t all that competitive late. Georgia 31-17
BRET MEYER – FORMER IOWA STATE QUARTERBACK
Iowa State @ Texas Tech (-17.5) – Texas Tech is riding high after a big win at Oklahoma. Perfect time for Jared Barnett to PROTECT THE FOOTBALL, and lead the Clones on the road. I think Tech will win, but not by 17.5.
Oklahoma (-13.5) @ Kansas State – K-State is one-dimensional and will not be able to run the ball at will versus Oklahoma. K-State puts up a fight, but OU pulls away late, 34-20.
Missouri @ Texas A&M (-11) – Traditional SEC battle, impossible not to love it!! A&M covers.
Baylor @ Oklahoma State (-18) – Oklahoma State wins 80-68. Blackmon gets in early foul trouble, but still goes for 20pts, 10 boards.
Michigan State @ Nebraska – My Big 10 friends up here in Wisconsin won’t admit that the conference is having a down year, all jokes aside look for Nebraska to win at home 20-13.
Georgia vs. Florida – Georgia has been on a roll after two early defeats. Florida is beat up and reeling, Bulldogs win in Jacksonville.
