Season record: 22-17-1
Last week: 3-2 (Baylor -3, South Carolina -2.5, Oklahoma/Mississippi State under 44.5, Colorado +13.5, Arizona -10.5)
It was a rough start to the day with Baylor losing outright, a game that also cost head coach Dave Aranda his job. We re-grouped with two winners in South Carolina on a late game field goal and Oklahoma and Mississippi State not doing much scoring. Sadly, the latter saw Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor’s last action of the 2026 season. Our late Big 12 action saw Arizona roll and Colorado falter after a hot start.
After eight weeks of action, our winning percentage sits at 56.25%. I am pleased with the results, but it is not time to let up. Let’s keep winning!
#22 Arizona Wildcats (6-1) @ #13 Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-1) | October 31 | 11:00 AM CT | Galaxy Stadium
Line: Texas Tech -3.5 | Total: 54.5
Speaking of winning, Arizona has done so in five straight. Quarterback Noah Fifita has another impressive showing, completing 27 of 34 passes with two touchdowns against Iowa State. Fifita now has 18 passing touchdowns on the season.
The Wildcats defense was also dominant against the Cyclones last week. They had four sacks while holding Iowa State to only three points.
Meanwhile, the Texas Tech defense that was so good in their College Football Playoff run last season has taken a step back this season. The Red Raiders have allowed over 400 offensive yards in each of their last two games.
The Texas Tech offense has been able to pick up the slack for the most part. However, where they have fallen short is in the red zone. The Red Raiders have scored touchdowns on 15 of their 29 red zone trips. Arizona, by comparison, has done so on 20 of 27.
Give me Arizona +3.5.
Illinois Illini (4-3) @ Maryland Terrapins (2-5) | October 31 | 11:00 AM CT | SECU Stadium
Line: Illinois -2.5 | Total: 54.5
I do not have a whole lot to say about this game. Illinois at Maryland is certainly not an appealing matchup, even on a Saturday without many high profile games. However, we like points, don’t we?
These two defenses should make that possible. Illinois and Maryland feature two of the Big Ten’s worst defenses. Illinois allows 6.4 yards per play, while Maryland allows 6.45 yards per play.
These two teams also do not run the ball very well. In fact, Maryland passes the ball 59% of the time, the fifth highest rate in the country.
With a lack of running and lack of defense, scoring opportunities should be aplenty. I am taking over 54.5.
Kansas Jayhawks (3-4) @ TCU Horned Frogs (3-4) | October 31 | 2:30 PM CT | Amon G. Carter Stadium
Line: TCU -6 | Total: 46.5
This game is on Halloween and there is nothing a coach on the hot seat should fear more than the Kansas Jayhawks. As I mentioned earlier, it was Kansas who delivered the final blow to Dave Aranda’s tenure at Baylor. Now, the Jayhawks face an embattled Sonny Dykes at TCU.
TCU is coming off a loss to West Virginia. While the TCU defense continues to put up good numbers, they showed they were vulnerable against the run last week. West Virginia ran for 186 yards, the most allowed by TCU all season.
This is something the Kansas offense can certainly exploit. The Jayhawks ran for 209 yards in their win over Baylor. Running back Dylan Edwards led the way with 156.
TCU, meanwhile, continues to search for its running game. The Horned Frogs average 110.3 rushing yards per game. That mark ranks 123rd in the country.
I am taking Kansas +6.
Arizona State Sun Devils (4-3) @ #8 BYU Cougars (6-1) | October 31 | LaVell Edwards Stadium
Line: BYU -16.5 | Total: 54.5
It has been a crazy two weeks for BYU. The Cougars pulled of one of the biggest upsets in taking down previously undefeated Notre Dame then got knocked off at UCF a week later. Now, BYU hosts Arizona before facing their biggest rival, Utah.
That is quite a four-week stretch.
On the Arizona State side, it has been like musical chairs at the quarterback position. The Sun Devils played three different signal callers in their win over Kansas State.
It is likely that Jake Fette will get the start this weekend. Fette’s backfield mate Cardae Mack should provide a boost to the young quarterback. Mack was remarkable in last week’s victory, rushing for 159 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Arizona State +16.5 is the pick.
Purdue Boilermakers (3-4) @ Penn State Nittany Lions (3-4) | October 31 | 3:15 PM CT | Beaver Stadium
Line: Penn State -9.5 | Total: 54.5
The Penn State offense is one of the worst in the Big Ten. In conference play, the Nittany Lions average only 4.58 yards per play, which is 15th best in the Big Ten.
Their opponent, Purdue, averages 6.47 yards per play. That is largely in part to the play of quarterback Ryan Browne. Browne averages 8.2 yards per pass attempt with 10 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on the season.
Penn State ranks third nationally in passing defense, allowing only 141.3 passing yards per game. However, a closer look reveals the Nittany Lions have not faced many potent passing attacks. Also, Northwestern had so much success on the ground against them, they did not need to throw.
Penn State did face one competent passing attack in USC and got torched for 301 yards and 3 passing touchdowns. Downtown Ryan Browne should be able to replicate that.
Purdue +9.5 is the pick.
OUTTA HERE!
