Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the big one. Saturday is the slate we’ve all circled since the schedules came out. Red river, Ohio State Oregon, Penn State USC, LSU Ole Miss. It has all the potential in the world. With that said it’s a high benchmark to be as good as last week so we’ll wait and see. Last week was a disappointing 2-2 -0.14 units bringing us to 12-14 -0.79 units on the season. We should have gotten that Pitt UNC over, that was a brutal loss. Nailed the double pick. No comment on the South Carolina pick.

Quickly a word on the Red River Shootout. It’s my favorite game in the college football calendar. Going back to when I was a kid I used to sit down annually to watch this game. I have no real connection to either program but to me it’s what I think of when I think college football. The 50-50 split in the stadium burnt orange on one side crimson on the other. The iconic players over the years. Most importantly it’s one of the best color matchups in the game (I will have a definitive color matchup ranking later in the season). Now for the picks.

Mizzou @ UMass -27 o/u 54.5

We watched Texas A&M absolutely dog walk Missouri in Kyle Field last weekend. Now if Eli Drinkowitz and the Tigers want to save their playoff chances they pretty much have to be perfect. That starts this weekend. Mizzou smashes UMass give me the Tigers -27.

Cal @ Pitt -3 o/u 58

Cal absolutely blew that game to Miami last week. They were in complete control and they blew it. Meanwhile the Pitt Panthers are 5-0, how about that? Give me Pitt -3. I’m just not sure how Cal gets back up off the mat after that loss and in the long travel on top of that? Yes it has to be Pitt.

Vanderbilt @ Kentucky -13.5 o/u 44.5

Sometimes you just have to get a spot. Vanderbilt is coming off one of the biggest wins in its programs history. Diego Pavia was all over the place. Kentucky and it’s tough defense will be ready to hammer away at the Commodores. Kentucky -13.5.

Texas vs Oklahoma (neutral) +14.5 o/u 49.5

I already said my piece on how much I love this game so I’ll just jump into my analysis. I don’t think Texas has seen a defense as good as Oklahoma’s yet. Also Oklahoma has t seen an offense as dynamic as the Longhorns. Oklahoma is banged up on offense, specifically at receiver. So I think the Sooners will do everything they can to establish the run and control the clock. As a rule I usually take the underdog and the over and I’m not deviating from it this year. Give me the Sooners +14.5 and the over 49.5.

Ohio State @ Oregon +3 o/u 54

Thus far into the season Ohio State has looked like the best team in college football. The defense is experienced and seemingly more physical than years past. They feature the best running back duo and the best receiver duo in the country on the offensive side of the ball. Oregon has not quite lived up to expectations. They struggled with Idaho, they stole a win against Boise. Dillon Gabriel has been inconsistent at quarterback and the defense has had its ups and downs. I think the most important unit in this game is the Oregon offensive line. This Ohio state defensive front is talented and experienced if Oregon is to stay in this game they’ll have to give Gabriel time. I’m banking on this being a close game at Autzen stadium so I’ll take the Ducks +3. Quack Quack.

Kansas State @ Colorado +3.5 o/u 56.5

The Big 12 is absolutely wide open. K-State, seemingly one of the favorites has had its own ups and downs this season. The downs have come on the road. They narrowly avoided an upset at Tulane and then got hammered by BYU. I think they’ll be loud in Boulder on Saturday and those playmakers on the outside will give K-State fits. I’ll take the Buffs +3.5.

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