Last week went pretty well going 5-3 with my picks.  Cincinnati blew the game against Temple and Mizzou actually showed up against Memphis.  But 5-3 brings me back to .500.  Let’s look into this week’s games.

Wisconsin Badgers -4.5 at Northwestern Wildcats

The Badgers entered the season looking for a National Championship.  Those dreams died at the hands of the BYU Cougars.  They continued to get buried against surging Michigan two weeks ago.  The bounce back came last week against the Illini and it will continue Saturday against Northwestern.

The Wildcats are as one-dimensional averaging just 2.9 yards per carry.  Sure the Wisconsin secondary is not great but they are well coached and will be able to shut down the one strength of Northwestern.

Alex Hornibrook will come up big against a weak Northwestern pass rush.  Look for Hornibrook to play above is usual level allowing RB Jonathon Taylor to run wild.

Wisconsin -4.5

Vanderbilt Commodores at Arkansas Razorbacks, 53.5

Vandy being favored at Arkansas shows the decline of the Razorbacks program. Arkansas will enter this game giving up 34, 24, 65, and 37 points against SEC teams.  While the Commodores are not an offensive juggernaut they should be able to move the ball.  This game is more about two teams that don’t play very good defense in the SEC.

This game could be garbage or it could be a scoring marathon.  I am betting on scoring.

Over 53.5

Kentucky Wildcats at Missouri Tigers -7

I have gone back and forth on Missouri all season.  I don’t believe Drew Lock is as good as people think especially in big games, but he has his moments. His moment will come this weekend against the Kentucky Wildcats.

Kentucky has not shut down a good offense.  There wins have come against a struggling Mississippi State, a so-so South Carolina and a dreadful Vanderbilt team. They will need to put up points in Columbia.  Even if I don’t believe in Lock long-term the talent is still there.

The Missouri defense’s biggest weakness is their pass defense.  Kentucky QB Terry Wilson has yet to throw for more than 151 yards during their 6-1 start. Benny Snell will get his but they will fall behind early on the road and won’t be able to get themselves out of trouble.

Missouri -7

Texas Longhorns -3.5 at Oklahoma State Cowboys

Texas is on the rise.  Since their lose to Maryland in week one they have taken no prisoners.  Wins over Oklahoma, TCU and USC have helped put them right in the National Championship conversation.  Texas QB Sam Ehlinger is very questionable for this game, with bigger matchups coming up for Texas I can see them taking a conservative approach with him in this game.

Junior, Shane Buechele will most likely get the start.  Buechele may not have the skills of Ehlinger but he did get starts for Texas during his freshman season, so the moment should not be too big for the Junior.

The Longhorns have owned Oklahoma State in Stillwater, winning 8 of 9 game against them.  The Longhorns need this game more then the Cowboys, it will show on Saturday.

Texas -3.5

 

Other Picks:

Virginia -9

Oklahoma -24.5

South Florida +7.5