Texas Tech to Upset Oklahoma

This is rivalry week but all the classic get-togethers have been upstaged by Texas Tech and Oklahoma. If Tech wins they have an easy path for a spot at the BCS championship table. If Oklahoma wins it keeps them alive for a spot and assures them a BCS game no matter what they do the next week against Oklahoma State.

Oklahoma is 60-2 at home under Bob Stoops which makes the task even harder. The Red Raiders, though, are about the only team with the talent and the temperament to pull it off. And we think they will.

This week’s best bets: Miami, TCU and Rutgers.

Saturday
Texas Tech +7 at Oklahoma—It’s hard to find a tougher game to pick. We’ve been riding Texas Tech all season, a team with an offense everyone loves to watch. And now Tech has a defense to go with its offense.

Oklahoma’s riding a 25-game winning streak at home and would be tough to beat under any circumstances. But if anybody can beat them in Norman it’s the Red Raiders who had a touchdown lead at halftime in their last meeting in Norman and who has won the last two clashes in Lubbock. Most of the Tech offense played in Norman two years ago and won’t be in awe of the Sooners. With Reynolds out of the middle, Oklahoma remains somewhat vulnerable. If the line can keep Harrell clean, he’ll play pitch and catch all day.

Also, these two coaches know each other very well, with Leach being off. coordinator for Stoops before he took the Tech job seven years ago. Regardless, I can’t see a blowout happening here, either way. So with a prospect of a close game, the points are very attractive.
The pick: Texas Tech.

Pittsburgh + 6 at Cincinnati—Pitt may have gotten a bye at the wrong time now that they’re finally playing up to their potential. Cincy again has QB issues with Pike knocked for a loop late last week and Grutza looking rusty off the bench. The Panthers have won this game the last three years, and in fact, have never lost to the Bearcats.

Pitt also has been a terrific road team, winning five straight out of town. The streak started at the end of last season with their improbable 13-9 victory at West Virginia, costing the Mountaineers a chance to play for the BCS title. This year the Panthers have won at Syracuse, South Florida, Navy and Notre Dame. As good as Cincy is at home at night, Pitt won’t be intimidated. With the Big East title at stake, this also looks like a close finish.
The pick: Pittsburgh.

Michigan +20½ at Ohio State—Ohio State doesn’t get a chance to blow out Michigan very often and we have a feeling they’re going to relish this opportunity. If Rodriguiz can somehow talk Michigan into a showing up it’ll be the greatest speech since Rockne. The Wolverines are hurting at QB again and are out-manned in nearly every category.
The pick: Ohio State.

BYU +7 at Utah—Ten of the last 11 meetings between this Holy War pair have been decided by 7 points or less, which should be enough to tell you which way to go here. BYU has slumped after losing to TCU, but showed some life beating Air Force last week.
Utah’s been lucky, catching Michigan before anyone knew how bad they were, and topping TCU in a game they would have never won on a neutral field. The Utes aren’t bad, mind you, but they’re certainly not as good as their No.7 ranking.
The pick: BYU.

Michigan State +15½ at Penn State—The Lions had a week to cry in their beer after blowing their title hopes at Iowa, and looked like a shadow of themselves for a half last week, before waking up to smother Indiana. Now they realize that winning the Big Ten and going to the Rose Bowl isn’t so bad after all, so expect a full out effort against the Spartans. Michigan State choked at home against Ohio State so how can you expect them to stay in the game at Happy Valley? Besides, Penn State should control both lines.
The pick: Penn State.

Boise State -6½ at Nevada—Is Nevada ready for prime time? Two years ago we thought so after three straight blow-out victories they hosted Boise and got knocked to kingdom come, 31-7. Last year the Wolf Pack lost a 69-67 zillion-overtime heartbreaker at Boise. Now they are coming to host this game off of two impressive victories, 41-28 at Fresno and 41-17 over San Jose State, two teams that are next best in the conference. Of course, Boise’s still working on a perfect season, and praying for BYU to beat Utah so it can return to a BCS bowl. In September the Pack ran for over 200 yards against Texas Tech and only trailed Tech 14-12 in the second half before finally succumbing.
The pick: Nevada. Like the Liza Minelli song, for Nevada it’s “Maybe This Time.”

Air Force +20 at TCU—After watching one-dimensional Air Force try to pass against BYU, you get the feeling they might get shutout by TCU’s great defense. Besides, TCU’s been explosive at home this year, beating Stanford by 17, BYU by 25, San Diego State by 34 and Wyoming by 47. This number seems very makeable.
The pick: TCU (best bet).

N.C. State +11 at North Carolina—There’s no question that the Tar Heels are on the verge of being a power in the ACC, and a win vs. N.C. State could send them to play for the conference title. But N.C. State has also improved by leaps and bounds. Five straight covers for one thing. And they weren’t against patsies, but teams like B.C., Florida State and last week’s victim, Wake. This is a rivalry and the Wolfpack are still undervalued.
The pick: N.C. State.

Army +18½ at Rutgers— Rutgers looks like a layup against Army with the Cadets thinking about Navy upcoming. Can’t see how Army can defend the suddenly potent Rutgers offense. The Scarlet Knights have won four straight and after a 1-5 start can finish 7-5 and go to a good bowl. But beware of the back door because the Cadets never give up.
The pick: Rutgers (best bet).

UCF +5½ at Memphis—Memphis is at home where they’ve played well this year and get QB Hall back from injury. Hall threw for 350 yards vs. Louisville before he got hurt. UCF has had problems scoring all season and usually lays an egg on the road. To add some spice, Memphis still has a shot to play for the Conference USA title.
The pick: Memphis.

Wednesday
Ball State -7 at Central Michigan—The Chips have won the last four meetings and are coming on at the right time of the year. Ball State is undefeated and looking for a challenge. The Cardinals hardly broke a sweat in their last two and should be able to move the ball through the air again. This could be one of those games won by the team who has the ball last.
The pick: Central Michigan.

Thursday
Miami +3½ at Georgia Tech—Miami is the only team this year whose defense knocked Florida around. Now the Hurricanes have realized just how good they are or could be. Facing Georgia Tech’s triple option for the first time with only a week to prepare is a tough assignment, but Miami has the fastest defense in the ACC. And if Tech falls behind the triple option isn’t designed to play catch up.
The pick: Miami (best bet), straight up.

Friday
Fresno State -3 at San Jose State—Fresno’s won four of its five road games this year and played the tougher schedule. The Bulldogs also have dominated San Jose in the series. The Spartans’ season appears to have gone downhill after losing to Boise State. Since then they squeaked passed awful Idaho and were badly beaten at home by La. Tech and trounced at Nevada.
The pick: Fresno State, which might be looking ahead to Boise next.

Season: 85-76-1; Last week: 5-7
Best Bets season: 19-17; last week: 1-2

Second Thoughts

Arizona vs. Oregon State is an intriguing match-up but too tough to call. Hard to believe Mike Stoops was the Oklahoma defensive coordinator before he left for Arizona. Last week the Sun Devils defense leaked 55 points Oregon’s way. Who among you wouldn’t have taken Arizona +6 last week if you knew they were going to score 45?

Stanford’s been in one tough game after another and just when they need a break they face Cal in the big one at Cal. Gotta think Stanford finally collapses here…Maryland is undefeated at home and has a way of winning the close ones. FSU might have thrown it all away last week in a campus brawl, and the hangover from that will probably hand the victory to the Terps….

Believe it or not, money is pouring in on Washington State in the Apple Cup. The line opened with the Huskies favored by 9½ and dropped down to 7½ in two days. Hard to believe that anyone would bet this game, let alone on State….




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