Season record: 13-16-1

Last week: 4-2 (Pittsburgh -3.5, Iowa State/Texas Tech over 55.5, LSU -18.5, Navy -14, Ole Miss +6.5, Penn State -9)

Week 8 was my best week so far. Pittsburgh got it started off Friday night, and I was undefeated through the Navy game. Ole Miss fell just short of the number, losing 24-17 in a very competitive game. Then Penn State was unable to cover the spread against Michigan. Taking Penn State was unfortunate, not because they did not cover, but because some things are bigger than sports. Thanks to the friends that reminded me of that.

And now for this week’s picks:

Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2) @ Northwestern Wildcats (1-5) | October 26 | 11:00 AM CT | Ryan Field

Line: Iowa -10.5 | Total: 37.5

This is a game that you probably have no interest in watching. Why would you? Iowa is not particularly exciting, and Northwestern has been awful.

Northwestern has scored a mere 38 points in their last four games. They will face an Iowa defense that only gives up 11.6 points per game.

Sounds simple. Give me under 37.5.

Oklahoma Sooners (7-0) @ Kansas State Wildcats (4-2) | October 26 | 11:00 AM CT | Bill Snyder Family Stadium

Line: Oklahoma -23.5 | Total: 57.5

Oklahoma continues to put up gaudy numbers on offense. The Sooners lead the country with 612.9 yards per game, averaging 9.55 yards per play. They also lead the country in scoring at 50.4 points per game.

Kansas State is leading the Big 12 Conference in scoring defense, allowing 18.7 points per game. However, the Wildcats have struggled in conference play. They have been defeated by Oklahoma State and Baylor, both by double digits. Kansas State averages 5.61 yards per play, while their opponents have averaged 5.94 yards per play.

Oklahoma has made large strides on the defensive side of the ball. Last season, the Sooners gave up 33.3 yards per game. This season, that has gone down to 19.4 points per game. Oklahoma has only given up 30 points or more once this season. That came in the opening week of the season, when they gave up 31 to Houston.

Oklahoma has once again become the class of the Big 12. With Jalen Hurts at the helm, I expect that to continue.

Oklahoma -23.5 is the pick.

Wisconsin Badgers (6-1) @ Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) | October 26 | 11:00 AM CT | Ohio Stadium

Line: Ohio State -14 | Total: 50.5

Like Oklahoma, Ohio State has been simply dominant this season. The Buckeyes are outscoring opponents by an average of 49.7 to 8.

Wisconsin presents Ohio State’s most difficult challenge to date, and probably their most challenging opposition in the Big Ten. The Badgers lead the nation in total defense and scoring defense.

Wisconsin is coming off a last-second upsest loss to Illinois. The Badgers came in as a 29-point favorite and lost despite outgaining the Illini 420 to 315 in total yards.

While no one has been able to contain Justin Fields and the Ohio State all season, I think the Badgers find a way. They may not win, but I will take Wisconsin +14.

Arizona Wildcats (4-3) @ Stanford Cardinal (3-4) | October 26 | 2:30 PM CT | Stanford Stadium

Line: Arizona -1 | Total: 53.5

Both these teams come into this game with significant issues. Arizona is on a two game losing streak, while Stanford is coming off an embarrassing loss against UCLA.

Arizona has struggled defensively, as they have given up 34.1 points per game. The Wildcats have also struggled with turnovers. They have turned the ball over seven times in their last two games.

Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate has struggled lately. Tate has only thrown for one touchdown in the past two weeks. That has resulted in playing time for freshman quarterback Grant Gunnell. Gunnell threw for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns against USC last week. Despite this, Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin has stated Tate will continue to be the starter.

While Arizona has quarterback issues, Stanford’s are worse. Starter K.J. Costello has missed three straight games due to a thumb injury. His backup, Davis Mills, missed last week’s game due to a calf injury. Third string quarterback Jack West played against UCLA and struggled mightily. West, a redshirt freshman, completed 15 of 32 passes for 143 yards. He was also sacked seven times.

In addition to West’s struggles, the Stanford defense had its share against UCLA. The Bruins scored on their first two drives of the game. The Bruins totaled 263 rushing yards on the game.

Neither of these teams exudes much confidence right now, but I am less sure of Stanford. There are just too many injuries to overcome. The Cardinal only had six healthy linemen against UCLA. Their kicker Jet Toner is also out for the season.

Give me Arizona -1.

Texas Longhorns (5-2) @ TCU Horned Frogs (3-3) | October 26 | 2:30 PM CT | Amon G. Carter Stadium

Line: Texas -2 | Total: 59.5

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger has been great for Texas this season. Ehlinger has accounted for 26 touchdowns while completing 69.4% of his passes (nice!). He also has a host of talented receivers in Devin Duvernay, Brennan Eagles, and Colin Johnson.

This week the Longhorns face a TCU defense that only allows 181 passing yards per game. However, the Horned Frogs have given up big numbers to the good quarterbacks they have faced. SMU’s Shane Buechele threw for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns and Iowa State’s Brock Purdy threw for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns.

As good as Ehlinger has been, the Texas defense has been equally as bad. The Longhorns have given up over 500 yards of offense in the past two weeks. For the season, they are giving up 6.42 yards per play.

TCU quarterback Max Duggan has not been the most effective passer, only completing 56.3% of his passes. However, Duggan has thrown for two touchdown passes in two of three Big 12 games.

This game is going over 59.5.

OUTTA HERE!