Gridiron Picks – Week 7

Jeremiah Davis, Sports Editor (30-12)

Jake Calhoun, Asst. Sports Editor (27-15)

Dan Tracy, senior sports reporter (30-12)

Jake Lovett, editor-in-chief (32-10)

 

Iowa State vs. Missouri

Jeremiah Davis: Missouri — Saw a tweet earlier today that they should rename the “Telephone Trophy” the “iPhone Trophy.” If the trophy’s the phone, then the game is the app called “Ugly Football Game.”

Jake Calhoun: Iowa State — The Cyclones are 3-1 after two consecutive losses under Paul Rhoads. Plus Missouri is on the #strugglebus, so there’s that.

Dan Tracy: Missouri — A must-win for both teams if they want a shot at the postseason. I think James Franklin plays his best game of the season and the Tigers win a close one.

Jake Lovett: Missouri — The Tigers aren’t what they once were, but the Cyclones always seem to struggle in Columbia.

No. 6 Oklahoma State vs. No. 22 Texas

Davis: Oklahoma State — Mack Brown-coached teams usually bounce back after rough losses or performances. I just don’t think they’re still a very good team — at least compared to the Texas standard.

Calhoun: Oklahoma State — Someone should teach Mack Brown how to Gundy.

Tracy: Oklahoma State — Brandon Weeden turns 28 today, equaling the amount of points the Cowboys will score on the Longhorns … in the first half.

Lovett: Oklahoma State — No one has slowed down the OSU offense yet. This Texas defense won’t be the one to do it.

No. 18 Arizona State vs. No. 9 Oregon

Davis: Oregon — Wanted to pick the Sun Devils due to LaMichael James’ injury, but with even the prospect of him possibly playing has me sold. Ducks fly togeher.

Calhoun: Oregon — Oregon’s cartoon duck jerseys = great uniforms or greatest uniforms of all time?

Tracy: Arizona State — I’m making a blind pick here. It’s so unfair, I never get to watch any of these Pac-12 games because they all play wayyy after my bedtime.

Lovett: Oregon — The Ducks are just too tough to beat at Autzen. Quack, quack.

No. 11 Michigan vs. No. 23 Michigan State

Davis: Michigan — Michigan-Michigan State at the Big House? Please. No one likes Michigan, but the Wolverines are dang hard to beat at home, especially with how Denard Robinson is playing.

Calhoun: Michigan State — Even Michigan thinks it’s ranked too high.

Tracy: Michigan State — Denard and Co. versus the defense allowing the fewest yards in the country. Something has to give. Sparty has won the last three in the series and their last 11 games overall at home. Make it four. Make it 12.

Lovett: Michigan — Why doesn’t Denard get the same respect as RGIII? Maybe because Michigan is down? Maybe because of the schedule the Wolverines have faced? Or, maybe because he’s not as good? Who knows?

No. 20 Baylor vs. No. 21 Texas A&M

Davis: Baylor — A&M may have the No. 7-ranked run defense, but its pass defense sits at No. 84 in the nation. That wouldn’t be a big deal if Robert Griffin III weren’t the nation’s leader in pass efficiency.

Calhoun: Baylor — In RG3 we trust.

Tracy: Baylor — Heard this week that Baylor used to have a live bear as its mascot. Also heard their quarterback this year is a cheetah.

Lovett: Baylor — “Spumoni! Spumoni!” — Mike Sherman.

No. 3 Oklahoma vs. Kansas

Davis: Oklahoma — Posed the question to the OU Daily’s editor-in-chief if the Sooners could put up 80 on the KU defense. The answer? They could, but Stoops wouldn’t run it up.

Calhoun: Oklahoma — The fourth-stringers for Oklahoma are really excited about padding their stats in this one.

Tracy: Oklahoma — Kansas fans will be chanting “Sooner!” because they’ll want this want to be as soon as possible.

Lovett: Oklahoma — When was the last time a D-I team scored 100?

Northwestern vs. Iowa

Davis: Northwestern — I’ve picked the Hawkeyes twice in Picks. They’ve failed me both times. No more.

Calhoun: Northwestern — How long before James Vandenberg begins drunkenly punching out bus windows?

Tracy: Iowa — I don’t even want imagine the scene in Iowa City if the Hawks lose this one.

Lovett: Iowa — For whatever reason, I just don’t think the Hawkeyes are as bad as they looked last week.