Picks Trying Not to Suck: Week 11

Tough week... Lines seem pretty tight.

-The Skinny

Indeed.

On to this week's picks:

Blatant Homerism--Week 11
(Last week: 4-1; Overall: 32-17-1)

Baylor at Oklahoma (-6)

I'll try to get a post in on this before the game. Essentially, this boils down to the Bears' struggles on the offensive line and Bryce Petty's dodgy health.

The pick: Sooners exact a measure of revenge for last season's dismantling.

West Virginia at Texas (+3)

This has the feel of a major flat spot for the Mountaineers after giving last week's game away to TCU. Also, Dana Holgorsen's play selection in the second half suggested that Clint Trickett isn't right.

As an aside: I can't believe Texas hasn't come up with a marketing campaign yet for Charlie Strong based on the 2010 Gwyneth Paltrow movie "Country Strong." No-brainer, right?

The pick: Laugher for the Longhorns – think "Shallow Hal."

Memphis (-7.5) at Temple

Temple recovered nine out of 11 fumbles in the game in last week's upset of East Carolina. Otherwise, the Owls got worked. They were outgained 300 yards and garnered 10 first downs to ECU's 30. That's as fluky as it comes.

Henceforth, I will back the superior team in Memphis. Enjoy what might be the final days of Justin Fuente as your head coach, Tigers.

The pick: Memphis with a quickness.

Oregon at Utah (+8.5)

For Oregon, Utah is what Stanford was. The Utes have a rugged front seven capable of putting the clamps down on the Ducks' high-flying offense.

Equally important, beating the Cardinal last week got UO over a major mental hurdle. I don't trust Mark Helfrich to keep his team sharp for this one.

The pick: Oregon by two, if at all.

Clemson at Wake Forest (+21)

The Tigers' offense just hasn't been the same since Deshaun Watson was lost with a broken finger. Watson will be available versus the Demon Deacons, but it doesn't sound like he's that "available," ya know?

Really don't like that many games this week. This one is a dart throw.

The pick: Clemson by not enough.

The Skinny--Week 11
(Last week: 3-2; Overall: 26-23-1)

Oregon (-8.5) at Utah
Kansas State (+6) at TCU
Utah State at Wyoming (+7)
Wisconsin at Purdue (+17) – Ugh, bad week.
Memphis at Temple (+7.5)