We have truly made it to the best time on the calendar. Everything about October gives reason to be excited. Football is now hitting the middle of the season. Iowa State is undefeated, and can hopefully
overcome some injuries for a Rocctober to remember. We are also hitting the MLB playoffs. I’ve decided that, as a Cubs fan, I am not emotionally prepared for a playoff run. On the day this runs, they’ll play an elimination game. There is nothing like the pressure that playoff baseball takes on you. Every pitch your team throws has the potential for disaster. Watching Iowa State football this weekend will be amazingly be a stress reliever.
On top of that, we are in peak Oktoberfest season. The weather is finally going to turn. Heck, I might finally get to break out the quarter zips that I’ve wanted for weeks. It’s scary movie and pumpkin bar time as well. Who has it better than us? Oh yeah, and we still get to bet on Big 12 football. Last week was my best week of the year. I am very happy with where I am with the conference in 2025. I’m seeing the board well. There’s no reason the good times shouldn’t roll again this weekend. Here we go!
THE GAMES
#24 TCU (3-0, 0-0) at Arizona State (3-1, 1-0)
Kickoff: Friday 8:00pm | TV: FOX | The Line: Arizona State -3 | O/U: 54.5
Here we start off with a very fun matchup. What instantly stood out to me is that the unranked team is favored at home against a ranked team. The radar is going off in my head. That’s a trend to follow. Take ASU who threw us off the scent after losing to Mississippi State but has righted the ship.
Pick: Arizona State -3
West Virginia (2-3, 0-2) at #23 BYU (4-0, 1-0)
Kickoff: Friday 9:30pm | TV: ESPN | The Line: BYU -19.5 | O/U: 47.5
Let’s check on how things are going for West Virginia:
The backup QB is also out. BYU has a good defense. Does this have the look of a team that is ready to travel 2,000 miles on a Friday night and compete? Not exactly.
Pick: BYU -19.5
#14 Iowa State (5-0, 2-0) at Cincinnati (3-1, 1-0)
Kickoff: 11:00am | TV: ESPN2 | The Line: Cincinnati -1.5 | O/U: 54.5
Iowa State’s defense is extremely injured and Cincinnati has a good offense. Cincinnati gave up 400+ passing yards to Jalon Daniels last week, and Iowa State has a good passing attack. This game has points, points, points written all over it.
Pick: Over 54.5
Kansas State (2-3, 1-1) at Baylor (3-2, 1-1)
Kickoff: 11:00am | TV: ESPN+ | The Line: Baylor -6.5 | O/U: 61.5
My analysis here is pretty simple: I do not trust Baylor as a favorite of any kind, let alone by almost a touchdown. They fumble the ball, go for it on 4th down in weird spots and don’t convert, and generally make too many mistakes. K-State finally had a good effort on offense last week. They can do enough to keep this one close. Amazingly, both these teams only have 1 conference loss right now.
Pick: Kansas State +6.5
Oklahoma State (1-3, 0-1) at Arizona (3-1, 0-1)
Kickoff: 2:00pm | TV: TNT | The Line: Arizona -20.5 | O/U: 55.5
I wouldn’t exactly count last week as an interim bounce for Oklahoma State, and I certainly don’t expect any carry over on the road. After seeing Arizona in person, I kind of get the vision. They’ll move the ball. The question is, will they punch in enough touchdowns to cover the big number? I say yes.
Pick: Arizona -20.5
#11 Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0) at Houston (4-0, 1-0)
Kickoff: 6:00pm | TV: ESPN | The Line: Texas Tech -10.5 | O/U: 51.5
Don’t be fooled by Houston almost losing last week. That was a classic look ahead spot. Texas Tech is flying high, the talk of college football. Long term I am a believer, but this week will be a real test. This is Houston’s biggest game in decades(?). Count me in for watching this one.
Pick: Houston +10.5
Colorado (2-3, 0-2) at TCU (3-1, 0-1)
Kickoff: 6:30pm | TV: FOX | The Line: TCU -13.5 | O/U: 57.5
I don’t really understand this line. Colorado has been impossible to predict, but can they really be trusted to go on the road and face a pissed off TCU team that let a key game slip away last week. TCU will name their number on offense, and the Buffs won’t be able to keep up.
Pick: TCU -13.5
Kansas (3-2, 1-1) at Central Florida (3-1, 0-1)
Kickoff: 6:30pm | TV: ESPN2 | The Line: Kansas -4.5 | O/U: 54.5
The over on Kansas games might be an automatic play from here on out. That offense can certainly score, and the defense cannot stop anything.
Pick: Over 54.5
BEST BET AROUND THE COUNTRY
Alabama -10.5 vs Vanderbilt
It’s a revenge spot. It’s in Tuscaloosa. Vanderbilt is getting a little bit too much love here. It’s kind of a fun story, but things are about to get real for them.
Enjoy the games!
Season Record: 26-20-1 (+4.0 units)
