Last week: 6-6

Season: 21-30

On my way to call UCO’s football game at Emporia State, I was stopped at the Knute Rockne Memorial rest stop in Mattfield Green, Kansas, when I put some real American money on my twelve picks last Saturday morning (and maybe a few other games).

Let’s just say, I’m glad the ‘Chos are at home this weekend. 

Cincinnati (-1.5) at BYU — 9:15 p.m. Friday: I have no idea why the line has moved so much after opening with BYU as a one-and-a-half point favorite. BYU seems the better team and they’re playing at home. Pick: BYU +1.5

No. 24 Kansas at No. 3 Texas (-16.5) — 2:30 p.m. Saturday: I might believe in a look-ahead game for the Horns if this one were on the road, but Texas fans are believing right now. Kansas has had a nice start, but this might bring them back to reality. Pick: Texas -16.5

Houston at Texas Tech (-9.5) — 2:30 p.m. Saturday: Interest in this game is at quarterback. Houston is led by Donovan Smith, who played for the Raiders last season, and Texas Tech is led by Behren Morton, who is in for the injured Tyler Shough. The Red Raiders have won 10 of 11 in the series, and Houston looks to be the least talented team in the conference.  Pick: Texas Tech -9.5

Baylor at UCF (-11.5) — 2:30 p.m. Saturday: UCF is fourth in the country in yards per play and Baylor is 109th in the country in yards per play allowed. First conference home game for UCF and the first road game of the year for Baylor. This one could get ugly. Pick: UCF -11.5

Iowa State at No. 14 Oklahoma (-19.5) — 6 p.m. Saturday: Technically, the Sooners have covered four weeks in a row now, with two half-point covers against SMU and Cincinnati. The week after a disappointing offensive performance against SMU, the Sooners racked up points early and often against Tulsa. Iowa State may be in for the same fate. Last week’s win over OSU was impressive for the ‘Clones, but one nice performance doesn’t erase bad ones against Ohio, Iowa and Northern Iowa for me. Pick: Oklahoma -19.5 — Sooners win easy, 42-10.

West Virginia at TCU (-11.5) — 7 p.m. Saturday: Kudos to Neal Brown’s West Virginia for a 3-1 start, but the Mountaineers have had good fortune. Rival Pittsburgh is no good and last week’s opponent, Texas Tech, lost its quarterback to a broken leg in the first quarter. The luck runs out on Saturday. Pick: TCU -11.5

Temple at Tulsa (-3.5) — 6:30 p.m. Thursday: Two teams who statistically look very similar, but Tulsa’s stats have been against a much tougher schedule. Pick: Tulsa -3.5

No. 10 Utah at No. 19 Oregon State (-3.5) — 8 p.m. Friday: It’s Oregon State against the world, and after a tough road loss last weekend, Corvallis will be rocking on Friday night. Utah is 4-0, but it’s not the most impressive 4-0. Pick: Oregon State -3.5

No. 13 LSU (-2.5) at No. 20 Ole Miss — 5 p.m. Saturday: Ole Miss is 31st in the country in yards per play allowed. LSU is 89th. I’ll almost always take a team with a better defense getting points at home. Pick: Ole Miss +2.5

No. 11 Notre Dame (-5.5) at No. 17 Duke — 6:30 p.m. Saturday: In a rare occurrence in Durham, Krzyzewski-ville will be rocking for a big football game. With Gameday in town, this will be one of the biggest games in Duke’s recent history. Notre Dame is used to playing in big games. Look for the Irish to rebound like Shelden Williams at Duke. Pick: Notre Dame -5.5