Like Fletcher's Corny Dogs, Victory Tastes Good
The dynamite went boom in Week 6, as we went 4-1 against the number, and got our second consecutive winning week. If not for those damn Sooners giving up a garbage time TD, we would have had a perfect week, but once again Bob Stoops put the screws to a Longhorn fan. Thanks, Bobby, you're still a prick. Despite our shortcomings early on in the season, we are now 6-2-2 over the last two weeks, a very respectable number for anyone in the business of CFB prognostication. This week brings about my favorite game of every season, the Red River Shootout in Dallas. Although this game is no longer the rivalry it once was when I was an undergrad (Thanks again, Mack), the weekend is still one of the best of the year, filled with incredible amounts of debauchery, fried foods, and wax cups full of beer. Before I start rambling about all the glorious things you can find at the State Fair, here are this week's picks.
First Down: Oklahoma -13.5 vs. Texas
What?!? A Longhorn fan betting against the Horns in the biggest game of the season?!? Yup, you're damn right. This isn't about emotions, this is strictly business. Bob Stoops always has his team ready for this game, and his boy's always take the field as if it's the last they will ever play. The same can't be said for Mack Brown, who has a habit of clapping his way blowouts where his team is out of the game by halftime. Texas has shown the world they can't compete with the big boys this season, and this Oklahoma defense should wreak havoc on Case McCoy. Mack has only beaten Bobby once without Vince Young or Colt McCoy under center, and though this game may not be as bad as the past two, Oklahoma should still win handily. Consider this the first nail in Mack's coffin.
Second Down: Washington +14 vs. Oregon
This game is much more than just the battle of the two best helmets in the country. Puddles better look out, as the Huskies are Oregon's first legitimate opponent of the season. If you watched the game in Palo Alto last week, you saw that Washington was the better team on the night, and should've come away with the victory. Stanford was lucky to escape with a victory, mostly because of how poorly the Huskies performed in the kick return game. Keith Price is flat out balling right now, as he has returned to the form of his first two seasons on campus. The Ducks have to travel to Washington this week, and though I have them as the top team in the country right now, there is no way they should be laying this many points against this good of a team. Keep in mind, the Huskies only lost by 21 at Oregon last year, and they are a much better team this season. Husky Stadium should be rocking, and Washington should keep it within the number, potentially even getting the outright win.
Third Down: USC -6.5 vs. Arizona (Thursday night game)
Both teams are coming off a bye heading into this week's game, but these two teams are headed in opposite directions. USC made the right move by firing Lane Kiffin, and though Ed Orgeron isn't the greatest interim head coach, the team should be headed in a positive direction now that they've gotten rid of that toxic Kiffin poison. Arizona, on the other hand, still has BJ Denker under center, and anyone who watched him against Washington knows the Wildcats aren't going far with him under center. He is extremely limited in the passing game, and should be the perfect matchup for a USC defense looking to get back on track after the debacle in Tempe. It may not be pretty, but the Trojans should win by double digits in this revenge scenario.
Fourth Down: LSU -6.5 vs. Florida
Don't get me wrong, I love Will Muschamp's defense. However, I hate an inexperienced quarterback traveling to Death Valley. Though Tyler Murphy had a pretty solid game against Arkansas at The Swamp last week, there is a big difference between the friendly confines of home, and the hostile atmosphere of Tiger Stadium. LSU's defense is nowhere near as good as last year's unit, but they should have some success at home against Murphy, who is starting only his second game. Mettenberger's numbers may not be as gaudy as they have been the last few weeks due to the stingy Florida defense, but he should produce just enough to get LSU backers the cover.
Extra Point: Baylor 1H -9
Last week's extra point of Baylor OVER 49 might have been the easiest play in the history of the universe, as the Bears went over the total in the second quarter. Art Briles' team is for real, and not only have they demolished every team they've gone up against, they've also hammered every line Vegas has set, as they have covered their last ten and gone over the total in 23 of their last 29! Kansas State will probably be missing their top two receivers this week, and their defense gave up over thirty points to two unimpressive offenses in Oklahoma State and Texas. Baylor should cover the 1H line easily again, and taking the full game at -17.5 might also be a strong play given their recent track record of blowing teams out. Also, their uniform and helmet for last week's game (pictured above) was one of the filthiest I've ever seen in college football. Other than beer drinking, it seems they are doing everything right in Waco these days.
The Four To Score: 9-12-2
Extra Points: 2-2-1
Overall: 11-14-3
Sic'em
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