I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving last week. I know Iowa State fans did. All of a sudden, the pandemic season is winding down, as a couple of teams finish off their regular seasons this week. What helps us this week is knowing the motivations of the teams involved. Hopefully that gives a lean on how to responsible place our wagers. Fresh off a (slightly) profitable weekend, we’re ready to charge into the end of the season hot after our cold spell in the middle of the year.
THE GAMES
#15 Oklahoma State (6-2) at TCU (4-4)
Kickoff: 11:00am | TV: ESPN2 | The Line: Pick ‘Em
I’d be interested in TCU as an underdog, but this line has moved so much that I’m back on the other side. Okie State found something with the 3rd string running back last week, and they’ll carry that momentum to a win, especially since they need this one to have any shot at the conference championship.
Pick: Oklahoma State PK
Texas (5-3) at Kansas State (4-4)
Kickoff: 11:00am | TV: FOX | The Line: Texas -7
How many players have opted out for Texas by this point? K-State is a program of pride, and they’re going to cover here against a team that couldn’t have quit on the season fast enough.
Pick: Kansas State +7
Kansas (0-8) at Texas Tech (3-6)
Kickoff: 11:00am | TV: FS2 | The Line: Texas Tech -27
Oh my god. I.... I just.... I’ve got nothing. This is the worst game I can imagine, but if Kansas is ever going to cover, this is the game. I think the Jayhawks score around 20 points and that’ll be just enough to get the job done.
Pick: Kansas +27
West Virginia (5-3) at #9 Iowa State (7-2)
Kickoff: 2:30pm | TV: ESPN | The Line: Iowa State -6
Iowa State wears black to funerals. Breece Hall is going to run wild and Iowa State clinches the Big 12 regular season title outright in style.
Pick: Iowa State -6
Baylor (2-5) at #11 Oklahoma (6-2)
Kickoff: 7:00pm | TV: FOX | The Line: Oklahoma -21.5
Oklahoma is playing as well as anyone in the country right now. Baylor might be coming off a nice win against Kansas State, but the Sooners are in another class. No way Baylor slows Spencer Rattler and his high powered offense.
Pick: Oklahoma -21.5
BEST BET FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Ohio State -24 at Michigan State
Ohio State’s argument for the College Football Playoff essentially boils down to “the eye test proves we’re one of the best four teams”. The only problem with that is they haven’t exactly shown it yet. Michigan State is not good, so this is the perfect time to back the Buckeyes to win a game by 50 and convince every national outlet that they should get in regardless of how many more games they play.
NFL PICK OF THE WEEKEND
Patriots -1 at Chargers
I’ve seen enough awful in-game coaching by Anthony Lynn this year that there’s no way I’d trust the Chargers against Bill Belichick. That’s really all there is to it.
PROP OF THE WEEK
How many not-yet-open jobs will Matt Campbell be linked to this weekend?
O/U 5.5
SEASON RECORD: 39-31-2 (+4.9 units)