There are plenty of big tilts this Saturday, and of course the Reverse Barometer is here to give you the wrong advice. Read below with caution, and certainly think twice before following my lead at the sports book. I’m not always wrong, but when I am, it’s usually with my sports calls.
Oklahoma (-14) at Texas Tech
No one seems to be talking about it, but the atmosphere in Lubbock should be quite jacked up for the return of quarterback Baker Mayfield. The problem is – he might be jacked up more than anyone. Mayfield thrives in situations like this. Combine that with one of the worst Tech teams in the last 10 seasons and you have quite the mess in West Texas on your hands. This one gets out of hand early and Mayfield has one of his best career days. OU 51, Texas Tech 29
Texas (+2.5) at Kansas State
There are a couple of things on the line here – Texas is looking for its first road win of the season, and their first victory in Manhattan since 2002. Kansas State, however, has not lost at home in 2016. With an over/under of 54.5, that might be the best action to bet on from this game. Texas continues to struggle on defense while lighting up the scoreboard on offense. Kansas State is still well coached by Bill Snyder, and they play well at home. Shane Buechele and Texas do enough on offense to pull out a victory. Texas 48, Kansas State 38
TCU (+6) at West Virginia
There’s a reason that West Virginia is undefeated and it’s a trait that no one but the Mountaineers have these days in the Big 12. It’s called defense and it wins championships. That starts with winning games, as West Virginia has done. They shut down the Texas Tech offense last week and have bolted to the top among conference contenders. Gary Patterson’s team will keep this game close but the Mountaineers will come out on top. Again. West Virginia 34, TCU 28
Texas A&M (+18.5) at Alabama
I can count on one hand the people who are picking the Aggies to have any chance in this game. Not win the game, but have a chance to win it. Sounds ridiculous that the No 6 team in the nation is such an underdog after starting out 6-0. But that’s life in the SEC and the reality of facing Alabama. The Tide simply rolls (pun intended). This might be Nick Saban’s best defense since arriving in T-town, and that’s saying something, but this game will come down to when the Aggie defense is on the field. A&M has one chance, in my opinion, and that’s to win first down enough through the game, putting the Tide at numerous second and third and longs. Do that, and the Aggies will hang around to possibly make a game of it in the fourth quarter. Even then, it’s a tall task to expect a win. But they’ll show up. Alabama 30, Texas A&M 20
