Picks Trying Not to Suck: Thanksgiving edition
BH is thankful this year for a season of successfully not sucking – up to now. With two weeks left in the regular season, he's sitting at 54 percent for the year. That probably puts you in the black if you've been following along, but there's still enough time left to dip below the Mendoza line for the year.
Skinny needs a miracle.
On to this week's picks.
BLATANT HOMERISM--Week 13
Last week: 3-2; Overall: 32-27-1
TCU at Texas (-3)
I previewed this one for Athlon. The line here essentially says these teams are even, and while Texas stole the headlines last week by losing to Kansas, the Horned Frogs looked equally unimpressive in getting roughed up by Oklahoma State.
I'm banking on the Longhorns having a little big more of an edge with Charlie Strong likely (possibly?) taking the field as head coach for the final time in Austin.
The pick: Lay it.
LSU (-7) at Texas A&M
The Aggies are trotting Trevor Knight out at quarterback after he sustained a shoulder injury weeks ago that supposedly ended his season. That's like loading a frozen turkey up in the fryer under your carport – sound the alarm.
The absence of Leonard Fournette doesn't really worry me in this spot. A&M has struggled to stop physical running games all season, and Derrius Guice can carry that load.
The pick: The Tigers won't be gracious turkey day guests.
Michigan at Ohio State (-6.5)
Too often this year, the young Buckeyes have looked disinterested. I can't imagine that will be the case on in Columbus on Saturday against the Wolverines.
You know that whole "defense wins championships" thing? Michigan is the epitome of the caveat "not without a quarterback."
The pick: Buckeyes by 14.
Kansas (+27) at Kansas State
The Purple Wizard would never admit it, but he loves beating the tar out of Kansas State's in-state rival. KSU has covered every game against the Jayhawks since 2009, often pouring on the points.
That streak ends this weekend. If you followed KU this season, last week's upset of Texas wasn't entirely surprising. That team has played hard for David Beaty all year. I can't see them getting rolled by four scores.
The pick: K-State by not nearly enough.
Baylor vs. Texas Tech (+5.5)
*JerryWorld (Arlington, Texas)
I don't like many games on this slate, so I'll take a flyer here.
Weird team, that Texas Tech. The last time the Red Raiders got worked the way they did against Iowa State, they nearly upset Oklahoma the following week. I'm looking for a similar effort here.
In this week's podcast with Scott Roussel of FootballScoop.com, he said Kliff Kingsbury's favorite son status will keep him safe with Tech's administration. I expect that's true. However, he could still use something nice to cap off the season and remind everyone in Lubbock why they like him so much.
With a bowl game now out of reach, I'm looking for the Red Raiders to lay it all out there versus the Bears.
The pick: Tech straight up.
The Skinny--Week 13
Last week: 2-3; Overall: 23-34-2
TCU (+3) at Texas
Utah (+10) at Colorado
Notre Dame at USC (-17)
Baylor vs. Texas Tech (+5.5)
Michigan at Ohio St. (-6.5)