Friday Locks | Are We Hating On Texas A Week Too Early?

We're looking at the Big 10, Big XII, and SEC this week, along with a couple of Friday night specials from Matt, in this week's pick set. We've got some pretty big games we're picking on this week but both guys handling Baylor at Texas are going with the Bears to win big. Can Texas put up a good fight the week before facing Oklahoma or are we just prematurely hating on the Longhorns?

Donnie

Tennessee (-2.5) over Florida 31-27. Tennessee is trending upwards and Florida is trending down. I think

Mich St over Nebraska (+7) 34-31. Ameer Abdullah is a super star and I am not quite sure that this score wouldn't be flipped if the game was in Lincoln. I see a tight close game full of big plays, that ultimately ends in a close Spartan win. 

Baylor (-15) over Texas 45-10. Texas has talked trash on Baylor this week which is crazy considering the direction both teams are going. I thought about putting 45-17, but if Texas can barely muster 23 against KU, I can't see them scoring 3 times against Baylor. Charlie Strong's defense will show a blue print on how to stop Baylor, but they don't have the talent or play makers to stop Petty or Cannon.

Saint Sooner

NOTRE DAME (+3) over Stanford.  I think the Domers take this one in the battle of the powerhouse eggheads.  Golson's been sneaky good this year.

MISSISSIPPI STATE (-2.5) beats Texas A&M outright.  The Bulldogs are that weird team that always seems to have a pretty decent season, but never quite reaches far enough for the golden ring.  Is Vegas crazy by giving them a point and a half against the Aggies?  Enh, I dunno, but I'm none too sane, and I'm taking it.

BAYLOR over Texas, even at -16.5. The matchups in this one are nightmarish for Longhorns fans, who need to calm themselves in this, Strong's first season.  I think we're seeing just what Mack Brown left his antecessor, and Strong's coaching will probably not be too evident until at least next year.  That said, I think Texas will have a surprise win or two left in them.  (Hopefully not on 10/11....)

Rich

LSU (+7.5) vs Auburn - Against the Kansas St. Wildcats, one of the nations top teams, Auburn, struggled mightily. Now Auburn must face a perennially stout defense in LSU and you can expect Les Miles and Company to use a few of Bill Snyder's tactics to slow down an electric offense. However, true freshman Brandon Harris becomes the difference maker with his athletic ability. I'd venture to say the Tigers (ok...ok...I'll be more specific with the LSU Tigers) win this one outright.

South Carolina (-5) vs Kentucky - No team has been more dominant over another like the Gamecocks over the Wildcats. I expect that trend to continue as USC runs away with this one to cover the spread.

Notre Dame (+2) vs Stanford - Last season, the Cardinal benefited from facing an average ND defense. The end result was a 7 point victory over mistake prone Tommy Rees and the Fighting Irish. Now, Everett Golson has returned to the field as a proven play-maker and leads an offensive charge. The defense for Notre Dame looks to be improved from last season. Combine that with the fact they are playing at home and I'll take ND and the points.

Matt

Louisville (-1.5) at Syracuse - I'm expecting Louisville to win this game by at least a touchdown, even though they're playing on the road with a backup quarterback. The Cards defense is allowing an average of just 14 points per game and will derail the Orange in their first ever ACC conference game.

Utah State (+20.5) at BYU - I'm dialing up a couple of Friday night specials (Rich will verify that I would have taken Arizona last night if I could have) in a weekend where I think huge road dogs have a fighting chance.

Virginia Tech (-2.5) at North Carolina - A Tar Heels defense that is giving up an average of 44 points per game is the perfect cure for an ailing Virginia Tech offense.

Think you can pick better that us?  Sound off in the comments section below. Friday Locks is sponsored by Totally Tickets. For your OU football tickets make sure to check out Totally Tickets.