Year To Date: 11-10 (-0.45 units)

We’ve hit a little bit of a slide in the last few weeks, going 1-2 in consecutive Saturday’s. To be totally honest, I haven’t loved the board recently, and I’ve been trying to push through in order to get some wins for you readers. The games last week were all time, and I couldn’t fully enjoy them because of the thought of giving out another week of under .500 picks. We’re over halfway through the season, and I refuse to end the season with a losing record. Let’s get back on track.

Texas Tech -10.5 vs Cincinatti -110

After all of the drama surrounding Texas Tech football heading into the season, it kind of feels like they have flown under the radar so far. This is partially due to many not seeing them as true contenders following the dismissal of quarterback Brenden Sorsby, but the Red Raiders still find themselves squarely in the hunt for a playoff spot. The product on the field hasn’t been perfect, but the team does seem to be rounding into form while many top teams around the country are sliding. Will Hammond is back under center, and it seems like he has started to figure things out. His stat line isn’t very impressive (1,334 pass yards, 6 TD’s, 5 INT’s) but in the last two weeks he has cut down on turnovers and relied more heavily on a strong run game (955 rush yards, 11 TD’s combined between the top three TTU running backs).

Cincinnati isn’t a bad team, but the main reason I feel so strongly about this pick is because how much their defense has struggled this year. In the last four weeks the Bearcats have given up an average of 34 points per game. The offense can definitely keep them in the game, but they also haven’t gone up against a roster as talented as Texas Tech this season. I’m backing the stronger roster with more to play for in this one. I don’t expect. a full blowout, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a double digit Red Raider win.

West Virginia +10.5 vs TCU -125

This game is truly an unstoppable force vs. an immovable object when it comes to the TCU offense against the West Virginia defense. TCU hasn’t been able to put up big points against Power 5 schools, while West Virginia hasn’t been able to stop a nose bleed. Funny enough, the opposite sides for both teams are some of the strongest in the nation as the TCU defense and West Virginia offense are what have both teams winning games. Can the Horned Frogs defense control a Mountaineers offense that has shown the ability to explode at any moment? Sure. But can the TCU offense put up enough points to run away with this game? Even against a horrible defense, I don’t think that can happen. With TCU possibly being without their top running back in Jeremy Payne who left last weeks game after one carry, I don’t know who they turn to in order to move the ball with any consistency. All we need from West Virginia is for Michael Hawkins to make a few explosive plays, get in the end zone a few times, and I think West Virginia not only covers, but they could win outright.

Minnesota +7 vs Iowa -115

The Golden Gophers were riding a high going into last week before things completely fell apart for them. After huge wins in back to back weeks against Washington and Michigan, Minnesota had their doors blown off on the road to Purdue last Friday night. Luckily for Head Coach PJ Fleck and company, they’ve had some time off thanks to their bye week to lick their wounds and move forward. In a very weird year for the Big Ten where the top hasn’t separated themselves from the middle, this is a huge game for both teams. Minnesota has a chance to tell the national media that they are a serious program, and the Iowa Hawkeyes look to prove that after years of being lumped in with the middle of the pack, this is not a fluke year.

Iowa quarterback Hank Brown is still out due to injury, but backup Jeremy Hecklinski has shown to be a very serviceable replacement. Hecklinski can also rely on star running back Kamari Moulton to shoulder the load on offense. As long as Hecklinski doesn’t turn the ball over, the Hawkeyes offense which for years was a joke has all of a sudden become a strength. Going up against another tough Iowa defense is a tall task, but I believe that Drake Lindsey is one of the best quarterbacks in the sport that not enough people are talking about. If this game was on the road i may have a different opinion, but it being in Minnesota can only help the Gophers. I expect this one to be a throwback to matchups of years ago. Hard hitting and low scoring. If I’m being given a touchdown worth of points between two teams I think are very closely rated, I’ll take that every time.

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