Big 12 News

Nate's Eight Week 9

We are up to FIVE straight winning weeks unlike Brady Quinn at CBS Sports who has had back-to-back losing weeks going 2-4 in “Brady’s Best Bets”. Turns out his career off of the field isn’t any better than it was on the field. With that being said another week in the green at 5-3 improves our record on the season to 28-17-3 and 32-16 SU. Hopefully we can stay hot. Here are my picks for week nine.

By Nhymel Oct 30, 2015, 4:17pm CDT

No. 12 Oklahoma State (-2.5) @ Texas Tech

This game scares the hell out of me. Playing in Lubbock is no easy task, but this is a different Oklahoma State team. This is a team that has already won in Austin and Morgantown this season. It comes down to this for me and its simple. Defense. OSU has one and Texas Tech does not. The Red Raider defense is terrible. Only Kansas has a worse defense in the NATION good for the 126^th ranking in total defense. I’ll take Oklahoma State by a touchdown in another nail biter.

The pick: Oklahoma State (-2.5)

Score: 34-27

Picks that I love:

Vanderbilt @ No. 18 Houston (-12.5)

Houston has been on fire lately and Vandy has been well Vandy. I just can’t convince myself that the Commodores can score enough points to keep this game close. Vanderbilt ranks 120^th in the country in points per game with an average of 18. Houston put up 59 last week while Vandy has scored 53 points total since week three. This is a huge game for Houston and Vandy ehh not so much. Give me the Cougars at home.

The pick: Houston (-12.5)

Score: 31-13

Tulane @ No. 16 Memphis (-32)

Yes I love the American Conference and also betting against Tulane. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. And no one has certainly fixed Tulane’s offense this year. Like Vandy, Tulane struggles to put points on the board. The mighty Green Wave are 121^st in the country in total offense. How did Matt Forte ever come out of there? Give me the sixth best offense in the country against a team that struggles to score. Don’t be scared of the 32 points. This game will get ugly early as the Tigers roll to another big win.

The pick: Memphis (-32)

Score: 52-14

No. 3 Clemson (-10.5) @ NC State

Alert: TRAP GAME. Next week on the schedule for Clemson… Florida State. Let’s not forget that NC State has been close on a couple of huge upsets. Last year, the Wolfpack jumped out to a 24-7 lead on then No. 1 Florida State. This team is capable of a big upset and especially at home. The Wolfpack defense can play and keep this game close. Just a reminder that the NC State defense ranks third in the country in total defense. When 80 percent of the money is on Clemson, go the other way. Ten and half points is just too tasty. Clemson escapes.

The pick: NC State (+10.5)

Score: Clemson 30-20

Picks that I like:

No. 9 Notre Dame (-11) @ No. 21 Temple

Notre Dame has played one-possession games with both Virginia and Georgia Tech this season. And you’re telling me that I get Temple at home and 10 points and a top 15 defense? The smart bet here is on the Owls. Notre Dame is seemingly always in close games. This will be the biggest Temple football game in recent history. The Owls will be ready to go Saturday Night in primetime. Bet on the close game and Temple.

The pick: Temple (+10.5)

Score: Notre Dame: 24-20

Central Michigan (-3) @ Akron

We all learned that Central Michigan is a sneaky good team when we watched them play against Oklahoma State. And they only have to cover a field goal against Akron? Sign me up. CMU has won three of its last four while Akron has lost two of its last three. Go with the hotter team. I’m 2-0 with the Chippewas this season so why not.

The Pick: Central Michigan (-3)

Score: 23-17

No. 8 Stanford (-10) @ Washington State

After losing to Portland State at home in week one, Washington State has been impressive. Mike Leach has saved his job for now after big wins against Arizona and Oregon. This is the biggest game of the year for the Cougars who have a chance to make a statement. Ten points are too much when you combine that with Washington State’s elite offense. Luke Falk has thrown for the fourth most yards in the country leading the Cougars no. 2 passing offense. Mike Leach has something cooking (not tortillas) in Pullman.

The pick: Washington State (+10)

Score: Stanford 45-41

No. 15 Michigan (-14) @ Minnesota

This will be one of the most emotional games of the college football season in Minnesota. The Gophers are big underdogs this week but will be playing for coach Jerry Kill who had to retire this week due to health concerns. In college football anything can happen. Let’s not forget this Gopher team hung with TCU for four quarters. They can play. I have a feeling that we might see something special Saturday in Minneapolis. Hats off to a heck of a football coach in Jerry Kill.

The pick: Minnesota (+10)

Score: Minnesota 23-21