Year To Date: 9-15 (-6.98 units)

Well…..this sucks! I just haven’t been able to string together successful weeks all season and because of that I have dug myself into a hole that is going to be tough to get out of by the end of the season. Because of this I’m going to completely change my approach. Going forward I’m going to throw picks at the wall and see what sticks. To be completely honest with you readers, I have taken every single pick I’ve given out in my weekly articles, but I have also been keeping other picks to myself. Of course with my luck all of my public picks continue to fall short while privately I’ve had a very successful season, so from now on I’ll be sending out all picks that I take every week. With many more picks coming your way the write ups may be a bit shorter, but if you have any faith in me, take the ride.

Ole Miss +5.5 vs Oklahoma -112

Going all the way back to my preseason futures article, you can all see that I’ve been high on the Oklahoma Sooners all year. They’re a win away from cashing their season win total, but I just don’t know if it comes this week. John Mateer is very obviously still not at 100% due to his thumb injury, and the offense is pedestrian without him going all out. Ole Miss is coming off of a tough loss last week and I think Lane Kiffin is going to have his team chomping at the bit to get back in the win column. I know the Oklahoma defense has looked great, but realistically, what quarterback’s have they gone up against? I trust Trinidad Chambliss and the high powered Rebels offense not only to cover, but to win outright. But for the sake of the readers I am playing it safe and taking the Rebels with the points.

Arkansas Moneyline vs Auburn -112

Auburn is dead and in the dirt after their horrendous loss to Missouri last week. The team has nothing to play for other than playing spoiler, and going up against a 2-4 Arkansas team, I just don’t see them getting up for this one. The Auburn defense is one of the best in the country, but their offense backed by Jackson Arnold is putrid. Interim Head Coach Bobby Petrino has the Razorbacks playing with some fight, the offense is strong and the defense has solved some significant issues that plagued them throughout the first half of the year. It might not be a super high scoring game, but I’m backing Arkansas to put up enough offense to put away one of the worst ran teams in the country.

Houston +8.5 vs Arizona State -110

One of my favorite things in college football is when a quarterback for an elite program falters, moves programs and builds himself and his team back up. Conner Weigman at Houston is that exact type of player after falling flat on his face a few years back at Texas A&M as he has the Houston Cougars playing some great football. Both sides are coming off of great wins, Houston winning a total sprint against Arizona and Arizona State knocking off a Top 10 team in Texas Tech. Houston’s offense isn’t as strong as Texas Tech, but the way they can run the ball and keep the clock moving against a Sun Devils squad that will attempt to win the game without arguably the best wide receiver in the sport in Jordyn Tyson should be the difference maker. Houston’s defense will need to make some key stops (easier said than done), but if they can just control the clock this should be a one score game.

Iowa State -2.5 vs BYU -110

Looking at this line without reading into it, you’d be quite shocked. Iowa State has largely disappointed this year after having Big 12 Championship aspirations in the preseason and BYU is rolling and closing in on a Top 10 national ranking, and yet the Cyclones are favored by almost a field goal? Well, with Iowa State coming off of a much needed bye that should help them get past significant injuries and BYU having played four straight tough games, especially the last two, it becomes a bit more palatable. Bear Bachmeier has looked great under center for BYU, but as a true freshman I’m just waiting for that first slip up game. I’m willing to wager it comes this week against a veteran team still fighting to hang on to a slim chance of greater success. Rocco Becht needs to prove this week that the Cyclones are still contenders, if it doesn’t come this week then it probably won’t come at all.

Vanderbilt -2.5 vs Missouri -110

Everyone who knows me knows I love the Missouri Tigers this year. I’ll just say if Ahmad Hardy were somehow to win the Heisman Trophy this season you may never hear from me again because I’d be retiring to a private island sipping Piña Colada’s. Unfortunately I don’t think that will be happening, especially because I think they fall flat this week against Vanderbilt. The Commodores are no longer a fun story, with Diego Pavia leading the way they are an actual threat in the SEC and this week they will prove that fact again against a team that has proven to run very hot and cold over the last few weeks. Both Auburn and Alabama have shown that it is possible to contain Hardy and Jamal Roberts in the backfield, and when that happens the Missouri offense is an ugly watch. Vanderbilt’s defense isn’t an elite unit, but if Missouri doesn’t get the run game going immediately they will be playing from behind because Pavia has shown how quickly Vanderbilt can put up points. Give me the home team in practically a win or go home game for the two SEC contenders.

Texas A&M Moneyline vs LSU -135

This one is ugly, as it feels impossible to really trust Texas A&M to win a big game this deep into the season. This year just feels different though, Mike Elko has gotten his team to buy into his system and the Aggies are flying because of it. Marcel Reed has taken a step forward at quarterback, and the additions of KC Concepcion and Mario Craver at wide receiver gives them one of the best tandems in the sport. LSU’s defense is going ot have to continue playing at an elite level to stop the Aggies offense, but due to multiple injuries to starters I don’t know how much I trust that to happen. Add in the fact that Garrett Nussmeier may also be playing injured and hasn’t looked anything like the Heisman frontrunner he was to start the year and it makes backing the Aggies even more enticing.

Pittsburgh -6 vs NC State -112

The Pitt Panthers have completely turned their season around after making a switch at quarterback to Mason Heintschel. Coming off of three straight wins, the team is playing with confidence, and with a wide open ACC, they aren’t completely out of contention. Trusting Pat Narduzzi is a dangerous game, but I do believe in the freshman against an NC State team that has had a rollercoaster season.

Oregon Team Total Over 37.5 vs Wisconsin -125

I understand Oregon’s loss to Indiana a few weeks ago was a shock to the system for many, but I’m not completely selling all of my Ducks stock just yet. If anything, I think that loss was the kick in the ass this team needed. They were flying high after a win against Penn State that looks worse and worse by the day, and were punched in the mouth. They’re still in fine shape to make the College Football Playoff, but Dan Lanning seems to be on a warpath to remind the public just what his team is all about before they get there. Wisconsin is an absolute joke, they’ve scored three points in their last 11 quarters and everyone from the starters to the coaches looks like they’ve completely given up. Now having to go up to Eugene, Oregon I can’t see anything other than a mauling happening to the Badgers. Oregon is looking to embarrass their competition after losing a few weeks ago, this should be no different.

LATE ADD: Kansas State +3.5 vs Kansas -112

Not much research behind this one, it all comes down to a heated rivalry and a quarterback that is at about as rock bottom as it gets. Avery Johnson and the Kansas State Wildcats came into the season with high expectations, and really nothing has gone right for them. On the other side, veteran Jalen Daniels is putting together another really nice season, but this is usually the point in the season that they stumble into a loss they can’t afford. Can they lose outright? Sure, but I’ll play it safe and just take Kansas State with the points.

LATE ADD: Mississippi State +7.5 vs Texas -115

I don’t trust these Longhorns at all, and last week’s “win” against Kentucky in overtime proved a lot of haters right. Yes, their defense is elite and full of NFL prospects, but for as good as that unit is, the offense is just as inept. Arch Manning looks lost, I don’t know if he’s overcompensating for an injury or the lights are just too bright in his first season as a starter. On the other side, Mississippi State has taken a pretty sizable step forward after last year’s dumpster fire of a season. They aren’t a finished product, but the defense looks solid and should be able to hold the Longhorns in check long enough to put up some points themselves.