Easy Pick’ems Revisited – Weekend of October 20

Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

Last week I went 0-5 against the spread, so it felt good to get back on the winning side of that end. However, once again I totally whiffed on this week’s Easy Pick’em. Last week I absolutely knew that West Virginia was set to destroy Texas Tech, and we all know how that turned out. This week I ranted and raved about how ridiculous it was to consider Oklahoma State to be a two touchdown favorite over Iowa State, and they won by three touchdowns. Similar to the Madden Curse, I’ve apparently carved out my own little ‘Easy Pick’em Pestilence.’ Look out Texas, because your game against KU is looking mighty easy to pick right now…

Week (Season)
Straight Up: 4-1 (14-4)
Against the Spread: 4-1 (10-8)

Kansas at #9 Oklahoma (-35)
Prediction: Oklahoma 52, Kansas 16
Final Outcome: Oklahoma 52, Kansas 7
I don’t know what commentary you want from me here. KU tried out a new starting quarterback. He wasn’t very good. Oklahoma used its old quarterback. Landry Jones did look good. A top ten team beat what is hands down the worst team in the conference. Not much to see here, folks, keep moving.

Baylor at #25 Texas (-10.5)
Prediction:  Texas 36, Baylor 34
Final Outcome: Texas 56, Baylor 50
A good old fashioned shootout went down in Austin Saturday night, and it fed into every trend these teams have been pegged with to-date. Baylor is playing good defense – great defense – but can’t stop anyone. They’re West Virginia-lite, because they use the same playbook but can’t win. Texas was the team to buck the trend of Big XII teams like Baylor that play great offense but defense, but has also improved leaps and bounds on offense and is scoring in bunches during most games but hasn’t yet stopped anyone. Don’t you fear though – K-State has stepped up and played the defense Texas can’t.

#17 Texas Tech (-1.5) at # 23 Texas Christian
Prediction: Texas Tech 29, TCU 25
Final Outcome: Texas Tech 56, TCU 53
Go back and check, the record’s there. And unlike a presidential candidate, I don’t have to spin what I once said. Last week I looked at this to be the best game in the conference last weekend. It was. Three overtimes, each team incurring double-digit deficit, and some incredible catches all game long. Texas Tech comes to Manhattan this weekend, and packs one of the conference’s best defenses. The Wildcats travel to Dallas later this year, where fans have already forgotten about former quarterback Paschall. Hold on to your seats, because this season is gonna get even more exciting.

#4 Kansas State at #13 West Virginia (-2.5)
Prediction: K-State 34, West Virginia 25
Final Outcome: K-State 55, West Virginia 14
Hehehehehehehe. This game was over at halftime at the score of 31-7. West Viriginia’s only offensive touchdown came in garbage time (how many thought garbage time for this game would arrive by the third quarter?). Additionally, K-State was playing a strictly prevent defense at this point. Snyder was content giving up the field in 3-4 yard hunks, because every play took a little more time off the clock. I shudder to imagine the final score had the coaching staff chosen to keep playing lockdown defense the entire game. Geno Smith’s backup looked ok during the end of the game. That’s about the nicest endorsement I’ll give anyone on that team.

And now, for this week’s Easy Pick’em:

Iowa State at Oklahoma State (-14)
Prediction: Iowa State 28, Oklahoma State 27
Final Outcome: Oklahoma State 31, Iowa State 10
Last week’s quote: There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell this is close to the final point spread. I think T. Boone put a couple million dollars on this game and Vegas had to jack up the line in order to feel comfortable about the outcome. Don’t worry oddsmakers – this is one speculation Mr. Pickens whiffs on. 
Reality: nom nom nom, crow pie, nom nom nom.