Last week was a doozie for our "experts."
I hate to brag, but my 4-2 effort skyrocketed "Team Williams" to the top of the standings. Trevor Enerson went 4-2 as well, while former points leader Austen Arnaud went 1 pathetic 1-5!
We’ve got some tough games on tap for week five of the college football season. Enjoy!
CURRENT STANDINGS
Chris Williams, 16-7
Brent Blum, 15-8
Adam Gray, 15-8
Austen Arnaud, 14-9
Dave Zawilinski, 14-9
Bret Meyer, 14-9
Trevor Enerson, 14-9
Adam Carper, 13-10
Chris Hassel, 12-11
CHRIS WILLIAMS – CYCLONEFANATIC.COM’S PUBLISHER
Texas @ Iowa State – I just wrote 2000 words about this game. READ IT HERE. Clones 20, Horns 17.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (in Cowboy Stadium) – Arkansas has a dinged up defense. Give me the Aggies 31-21.
Baylor @ Kansas State – Bill Snyder’s sixth ranked Kansas State defense will slow Robert Griffin down. They have to. It’s not possible for RG3 to keep up at this pace. Plus, the Wildcats will milk the clock as much as possible. I like the under in this game. Still, Baylor is too much. Bears 27, Kansas State 20
Alabama (-6) @ Florida – The betting public is heavily going with Florida to cover in this one. I’m not. Bama 28, Gators 17.
Texas Tech (-12) @ Kansas – Statistically, Kansas has the worst defense in all of division one football. According to those same numbers, Texas Tech’s offense is ranked ninth. The line is moving heavily in favor of Kansas here. Again, I’ll cut against the grain. Texas Tech 49, Kansas 28
Nebraska @ Wisconsin (-7) – This is one of those bet the mortgage type games. Badgers 35, Huskers 24
BRENT BLUM – CYCLONE RADIO NETWORK
Texas @ Iowa State – One of the most anticipated Iowa State games in recent memory. Most of the numbers favor Texas in this matchup. The Cyclones don’t have a real advantage on paper. But I just can’t pick against the good guys. Jack Trice will be electric, Cyclones force some early turnovers and rattle the young Longhorn QB’s. Cyclones 21 Texas 20.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas – Good spot for A&M to bounce back. Nice to know these two will be battling out for middle-of-the-pack status in the SEC for years to come. Have fun Aggies! A&M 34 Arkansas 28.
Baylor @ Kansas State – Robert Griffin’s numbers are silly. It’s absolutely terrifying really. K-State’s defense has been almost as salty. Looking forward to this game. I think K-State controls this game up-front and runs the ball at will. Wildcats win a fun one. K-State 27 Baylor 25.
Alabama (-6) @ Florida – Florida is definitely not on the Tide’s level yet. Bama wins a feisty one and Trent Richardson’s buys a new car. Alabama 24 Florida 14.
Texas Tech (-12) @ Kansas – Kansas is dead last in the nation allowing 7.5 yards per carry. That is absolutely atrocious. Granted giving up 604 yards rushing to Georgia Tech can tend to skew a statistic. Texas Tech is actually running the ball a bit this year, averaging over 180 yards on the ground. That said, KU has some pride at home and makes it interesting. Beware the backdoor cover! Tech 34 Kansas 27.
Nebraska @ Wisconsin (-7) – One thing is certain; a night game in Madision= a plethora of intoxicated Badgers. Bo and Carl may want to join them when this thing is over. Badgers put it on ’em. Wisconsin 31 Nebraska 10.
ADAM GRAY – ADAM GRAY INSURANCE AGENCY
Texas @ Iowa State – Can we cut down on the penalties? The turnovers? We have a tremendous opportunity in this game and if we eliminate the mistakes we can win a HUGE game. My heart is telling me to pick the Clones! My head says Texas. Sadly, I’m going with my head. Texas 24-20
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas – How will A&M recover from that 2nd half collapse against Okie State? Games like that can kill a team’s season if they don’t have good leadership. I think Tannenhill is a great leader of that team and Texas A&M beats an SEC team for the first time since 1995. A&M 35-30
Baylor @ Kansas State – Baylor’s offense looks like my offense when I play on my PS3 on Junior Varsity mode. They make scoring look stupid easy. Their defense though? Not so good. I think this is a game that sneaks away from them. I think Snyder draws up a great gameplan to slow down Griffin and Kansas States offense SHREDS Baylor on their way to a 41-28 win.
Alabama (-6) @ Florida – First big game for head coach Will Muschamp. That’s not good when you are going up against a Nick Saban coached team. This is going to be a hard nosed game and whichever team has the better special teams play will win. I say Bama covers and wins 24-13.
Texas Tech (-12) @ Kansas – Two teams with horrible defenses. Kansas had 2 weeks to replay the embarrassment that took place at Georgia Tech. Two weeks to let that stew is a long time for competitive kids. Last year Kansas lost an embarrassing game against North Dakota State where they only scored 3 points. They followed it up by beating a top 15 team in Georgia Tech. I see something similiar here. Give me Kansas to cover.
Nebraska @ Wisconsin (-7) – I would love nothing more than for Nebraska to run the table in the very very weak Big 10 but they are going into Camp Randle with no shot in this game. Wisconsin is to balanced and playing at home in that environment is to much for their opponent. Wisconsin 31-17.
AUSTEN ARNAUD – FORMER IOWA STATE QUARTERBACK
Texas @ Iowa State – Call me a "homer," but I believe Iowa State will win this game. If Steele and the offense can win the turnover battle, which is easier said than done, they can be the aggressor in this game. However, the big advantage in this game is the experience at QB. Steele has played every snap at QB for I State, where as UT hasn’t had one guy get every snap of one game. If they rotate QB’s it will be hard to get a rhythm for McCoy or Ash in JTS. Iowa State 24 – Texas 20.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas – Game played in Dallas…Advantage A&M. Also, A&M runs the ball really well and Arkansas isn’t great at defending it. The Aggies will have a similar rushing attack to Arkansas’ most recent defeat Alabama, Cyrus Gray is one of the best backs in the country and I believe he is the difference in this game. Texas A&M 33- Arkansas 27.
Baylor @ Kansas State – K-State will slow down RG III but they will not stop him. Baylor has too much firepower on offense and its an offense that is finally the juggernaut that people were expecting. I’m really high on Baylor after seeing the offensive outburst they’ve displayed consistently so far this season. Baylor 31 – Kansas State 23.
Alabama (-6) @ Florida – These two teams match up really well at about every spot, not to mention UF’s home field advantage. These schools have similar athletes, although Bama has better talent. I think Bama wins but UF covers the spread in an old school smash mouth SEC slobber-knocker.
Texas Tech (-12) @ Kansas – I believe the last team to have the ball here wins this game; Sure KU’s defense is last in about every category in the NCAA, but then again Texas Tech’s defense isn’t much better. The home crowd is still a huge factor in Lawrence, their fans are still delusional believing Turner Gill will lead them to the BCS. #JustSaying
Nebraska @ Wisconsin (-7) – Once again, shame on ABC having this game be the game of the week. Wisconsin is going to expose a suspect Nebraska defense, even more so than previous opponents Fresno St. and Wyoming did earlier in the year. Wisconsin will win by two scores. T-Magic will be T-Miserable on Saturday night at Camp Randall.
DAVE ZAWILINSKI – ABC 5 SPORTS
Texas @ Iowa State – I really want to pick ISU here, but this is a contest and Texas is favored by 10 points for a reason. I’ll take Texas for the contest but I would easily take the points anywhere else. ISU can and will win this game if they get off to a fast start and protect the ball. Texas will be aggressive on defense and come after Jantz. He has to prove he can handle it.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas – Both teams are coming off tough emotional losses. Normally I would take the home team in this scenario but this game is being played at a neutral stadium. Next tiebreaker, conference. Damn it! They’re both in the SEC, well A&M isn’t yet. Give me Arkansas… 31-27.
Baylor @ Kansas State – Robert Griffen has more TD passes and incompletions. Enough said. Baylor 38 KSU 17.
Alabama (-6) @ Florida – This line is down to three as of Thursday afternoon. I like Bama to win but I really like Florida to cover this line at home. Bama 24- Florida 20
Texas Tech (-12) @ Kansas – Another case where the line has dropped dramatically since this opening one. I think these may be the worst teams in the Big 12. KU getting 12 at home is just too much to pass up. Ill take Kansas.
Nebraska @ Wisconsin (-7) – I asked people on Twitter last Saturday night who would win this game? And by how much? 100% of the people said Wisconsin by double digits. That’s what I originally thought, but I LOVE to go against the public opinion. Give me Nebraska. They’ll be amped up for their first Big Ten game. They should cover.
BRET MEYER – FORMER IOWA STATE QUARTERBACK
Texas @ Iowa State – Does it matter that we’re lucky to be 3-0? Absolutely not. That being said, we MUST limit penalties and turnovers to have a chance to improve to 4-0. Really looking forward to being a part of what should be a great atmosphere at JTS. I like Steele’s big game mentality, Cyclones win 24-21.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas – After blowing a 17 point halftime lead at home, it will be tough for A&M to bounce back versus a talented Arkansas team. I like Arkansas to win a close one, 24-20.
Baylor @ Kansas State – RG3. Baylor wins on the road
Alabama (-6) @ Florida – Close game in the Swamp, Alabama wins by a field goal.
Texas Tech (-12) @ Kansas – Texas Tech is putting up Mike Leach like numbers in the passing game, expect the Red Raiders to cover.
Nebraska @ Wisconsin (-7) – Wisconsin could put all eleven defenders in the box and Taylor Martinez still would struggle to complete passes. Badgers win big at home. 34-14
TREVOR ENERSON – THE VOICE OF THE FAN (YAMAN3)
Texas @ Iowa State – So here it is. This is perhaps a game that could define the season. A win could propel us to unexpected success. A loss sends us into the heart of our schedule with, well, a loss. I don’t believe Texas is "back" just yet. I think if Jantz can simply be efficient and not turn the ball over, ISU wins. We have been very tough to stop when we don’t turn the ball over. I think ISU takes care of the ball and wins. ISU 31-24
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas – I picked against Aggie and won last week. If I do that this week, I won’t win. They are better than Arkansas. aTm – 42-24
Baylor @ Kansas State – This is likely Griffin’s first test against a pretty solid defense. I think they will bring him off cloud nine but Baylor still win’s pretty easily over an offense that struggles. Baylor-31-17
Alabama (-6) @ Florida – Roll Tide – Alabama’s front four will be able to handle the Florida runing game and I see Brantley struggling with the pressure. Bama covers 27-17.
Texas Tech (-12) @ Kansas – Kansas can’t be that bad can they? TT isn’t as good as they were in the first two games are they? This is the toughest pick of the week for me. Conventional wisdom take TTU to cover but I am going to go the opposite way. Tech wins, but they don’t cover. Tech-31-24
Nebraska @ Wisconsin (-7) – Some call this a preview to the B1G Championship. I disagree. Nebraska isn’t as good as their ranking. Russell Wilson is off to a fast start and he has two of the best backs in the B1G to help him. Wisconsin covers in a somewhat boring game. Wisconsin-35-24.
ADAM CARPER – FORMER IOWA STATE LINEBACKER
Texas @ Iowa State – What an atmosphere this will be in Ames on Saturday. This game seems reminiscent to the Nebraska game in 2006 as it’ll be in primetime, a record crowd is expected and an arrogant fan base enters Jack Trice. I think the Cyclones will find success spreading the field and running their zone reads but I think Case McCoy will be the difference and pull it out at the end. Texas 27 ISU 24
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas – Both teams are looking to rebound after bad losses last week. Arkansas will be without both defensive ends in this one and expect Ryan Tannehill to take advantage of it. Texas A&M 35 Arkansas 28
Baylor @ Kansas State – What more can you say about RG III thus far? It has been well documented this week he’s thrown for more TDs (13) than incompletions (12) but what’s remarkable is he makes considerable throws downfield so that stat is not skewed. As for the game, Kansas State doesn’t have an RG III so that’s all I need to know. Baylor 31 Kansas State 21
Alabama (-6) @ Florida – Speed, speed, speed. That’s what this game (along with the majority of SEC games) will feature. The Swamp should be at its best come Saturday night, but unfortunately for the Gators, it won’t be enough. Alabama makes another statement and covers 27 – 17.
Texas Tech (-12) @ Kansas – Don’t know a lot about either team and honestly I don’t care to. Both defenses are just as horrific as the cities their college resides in. 12 points seems a little high so I’ll take the home team to cover.
Nebraska @ Wisconsin (-7) – The Huskers defense will need to step up and create some turnovers if they have any shot of winning this game. Bo Pelini has had some success in big games but I don’t have a lot of faith in Taylor Martinez’s passing attack. Wisconsin 28 Nebraska 20
CHRIS HASSEL – WHO TV 13 SPORTS
Texas @ Iowa State – Texas isn’t back, but the Longhorns still have as much talent as anyone in the nation. Can Steele Jantz play as good of a game as he did against Iowa? I don’t see how that’s possible. ISU keeps it close for a while but Texas takes it, 24-14.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas – Who knows how A&M will respond after completely falling apart against Oklahoma State. This will be another high-scoring, tight game. I like Arkansas to eek one out, 38-35.
Baylor @ Kansas State – K-State shocked everyone with a last-second win at Miami, but RG3 will rip apart this Wildcat defense. Baylor stays perfect on the road, 35-24.
Alabama (-6) @ Florida – Home-field is worth more than a few points in SEC country, especially in the swamp. Alabama is the better team, but the Gators can cover. Bama, 27-23.
Texas Tech (-12) @ Kansas – Two bad teams. One unpredictable game. I’ll never take Kansas to cover a spread. Tech wins, 42-24.
Nebraska @ Wisconsin (-7) – Nebraska’s defense was supposed to be great…and it hasn’t even been good. The Huskers will play better against Wisconsin, but the Badgers aren’t going to get pushed around in Madison. Wisconsin continues toward a perfect season by covering, 31-21.
