The Cowboys’ biggest problem? It ain’t Dez Bryant. Really? 623 yards against? Megatron goes off? It gets back to one thing – talent on the field. Bad drafts over the years have taken its toll on this team, especially on the defensive side of the football. It doesn’t help when your head coach plays “not to lose” in the final minutes. Even though Jason Garrett does not call the plays any longer, he should have told Bill Callahan that he wanted a first down how ever he needs to go get it when the Cowboys took over (twice) with 3:30 and 1:24 left in regulation and a 3-point lead. Two words: bad ball. Play to win the game (right, Herman Edwards?)…Sean Lee is a heck of a player. That’s one pick that Jerry got right. Sincerely, Capt. Obvious…Baylor has a very good chance to run the table, but probably won’t sniff the BCS Championship Game. The scary thing – if the four-team playoff existed this year, Baylor still might get shutout, with undefeated teams Bama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State in front of them. But I suspect that one of those teams will mix in a loss…There be some good college ball coming our way in early November. OU at Baylor will play a pivotal role in the Big 12 while LSU at Alabama is always a classic. Can Texas keep on winning? Texas Tech will have something to say about that…KC Chiefs – 8-0. Their best ever start? 9-0 in 2003. Chiefs are at the Bills next week.
Weekend Picks Review
We picked the Lions to win a close one (check), the Sooners, OSU, Baylor, Texas and A&M (check x 5). The only blemish? West Virginia. Oh, and nice upset pick of the Nittany Lions to win at Ohio State. The Buckeyes just scored the third-most points EVER vs. a Penn State team in a 63-14 win. Our apologies to Penn State and the entire Dallas Stars Team Services Dept. (who bleed blue and white).
The Week Ahead
Vikings at Cowboys: What effect will that meltdown we witnessed at Detroit have on this game? It should be a very interesting week. How bad is the NFC East? The Giants are 2-6 and are only two games back of the lead. This game comes down to defense, or lack there-of. Will DeMarcus Ware be back? Will Samantha Steele’s husband be starting? Regardless, we’re taking the Cowboys, 30-20.
Kansas at Texas: Texas is undefeated in the Big 12. Whoda thunk that was coming after the Iowa State controversial ending (remember that?). Regardless, props to Mack Brown and the Horns as the dismantled OU and TCU in the last two games. Kansas, well, if you can’t say anything nice…. Horns 37 Jayhawks 10
Iowa State at Kansas State: The Cyclones have been, well, spinning since their heartbreaking loss to Texas a few weeks ago. Will the slide continue at Manhattan? Barometer says yes. Wildcats 24, Cyclones 17
West Virginia at TCU: West Virginia has been reeling in October, losing to Kansas State by 23 points on Saturday. TCU can’t score points. Unfortunately for the Frogs, the Mountaineers still can. West Virginia 27 TCU 20
Oklahoma State at Texas Tech: The Red Raiders pushed the Sooners to the limit in Norman, and now set their sights on the other Oklahoma team. This one is in Lubbock, which usually spells doom for Big 12 visitors when Tech is good. Guess what? Kliff’s boys are pretty good. Raiders 38 Cowboys 24
UTEP at Texas A&M: The initial line said it all – Aggies by 45. It doesn’t help the Miners that Jameill Showers suffered a separated shoulder Saturday vs. Rice, ruining what was to be the former A&M quarterback’s homecoming to Kyle Field. It’s a late start (8:30 pm CT) but Johnny Football should have a quick night. Don’t blink or you’ll miss him.
No. 7 Miami at No. 3 Florida State: The Seminoles take another top-10 match-up and roll the opponent. Miami was lucky to get past Wake Forest last week and they won’t be as fortunate this weekend.
Upset Pick of the Week: Nevada at No. 16 Fresno State. Tune in to the only game going late-night this Saturday. Since we get to “fall back” one hour on Sunday morning, take advantage and pop some more popcorn.
Random question: Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?
