Before we begin this weeks’ picks, I’d like to reflect upon a few things I’ve learned while writing my last few columns and provide a crash course for any new readers.

One, I don’t think Gary Pinkel could coach his way out of a paper bag. Two, Mark Mangino is rather rotund; in fact, some may even say he’s a little pudgy.

Just wanted to make sure we’re all on the same page.

And three, if I go 4-2 again this week I’m going to get angry.

Let’s break out with a 5-1 week.

Brett was 4-2 last week, raising his record to 37-11.

OKLAHOMA STATE 3-2 (0-2) AT TEXAS A&M 3-2 (1-1)

Last week: Oklahoma State lost to Missouri 38-31; A&M lost at No. 23 Colorado 41-20.

Even after last week’s furious comeback against Missouri, I’m still not sold on Oklahoma State. They haven’t looked impressive yet this year. On the other hand, you have Texas A&M, whose season is rapidly being sucked down the drain after nearly losing to Baylor and then getting pasted by Colorado.

But the Aggies made some mistakes early that put them in a hole, so I’m not ready to write them off completely just yet.

The home field and the 12th man give the Aggies the edge in an ugly game.

THE PICK: TEXAS A&M

OKLAHOMA 2-3 (1-1) AT KANSAS 3-2 (0-2) AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM, KANSAS CITY

Last week: Oklahoma lost to No. 2 Texas 45-12; Kansas lost to Kansas State 12-3.

Texas beat the crap out of the Sooners last week, snapping Oklahoma’s five-game winning streak in the series, but Oklahoma has bigger things to worry about. Like making a bowl.

The Fighting Manginos are just what the doctor ordered for Bob Stoops and company, as Kansas turns to back-up quarterback Brian Luke to right the ship.

To make matters worse, Kansas has to play their “home” game with Oklahoma in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium.

Both of these offenses are subpar at this stage in the game, and I fully expect an ugly game, but Oklahoma wins 19-5.

THE PICK: OKLAHOMA

KANSAS STATE 4-1 (1-1) AT No. 13 TEXAS TECH 5-0 (2-0)

Last week: Kansas State beat Kansas 12-3; Texas Tech beat Nebraska 34-31.

Kansas State’s record may make the Wildcats look a little better than they actually are, but the defense is stingy. K-State held Kansas to 286 yards and eight first downs last week.

But let the record show that in the meantime, the Kansas State offense was managing a 182-yard performance that was bad enough to make grown men cry. Even worse was that Kansas still couldn’t beat them.

Texas Tech may not put up huge numbers, but they still roll into next week’s “Showdown for the South” with Texas undefeated.

THE PICK: TEXAS TECH

IOWA STATE 3-2 (0-2) AT MISSOURI 3-2 (1-1)

Last week: Iowa State lost to Baylor 23-13; Missouri won at Oklahoma State 38-31.

Iowa State needs to win this conference game to salvage any hope of winning the Big 12 North, and maybe to keep team morale and the season from slipping into a dark abyss.

The Cyclones’ now infamous loss has brought out a lot of speculation on what this team will do, how it will respond and what the problems seem to be.

No one seems to know the answers, though. Nothing has gone right for the Cyclones as of late.

The defense hasn’t forced turnovers, the offense is sputtering and a road game in the Big 12 isn’t a place to work out problems.

Missouri survived blowing a big lead against Oklahoma State last weekend and will try to kick the Cyclones while they’re down on homecoming in Columbia.

Brad Smith leads the Tigers to a 10-point win on his senior homecoming.

THE PICK: MISSOURI

UPSET WATCH: NEBRASKA 4-1 (1-1) AT BAYLOR 4-1 (1-1)

Last week: Nebraska lost to No. 13 Texas Tech 34-31; Baylor won at Iowa State 23-13.

Let’s just go ahead and get this out of the way now. I hate Nebraska. I never have liked the Huskers and I never will. I wish nothing but losses for its teams and terrible technical difficulties with its new scoreboard in Memorial Stadium.

Moving on, ISU fans are sick of hearing it, but Baylor is not a bad team. In fact, the Bears are only one play away from being 5-0, and are only 2.5 point underdogs to the Huskers. The Bears are playing with confidence after befuddling Texas A&M’s Reggie McNeal two weeks ago and finding a way to win a tight game in the second half on the road at Iowa State.

Nebraska will get Baylor’s best punch, and even though the thought of Waco doesn’t strike fear into many, this is still – amazingly – Nebraska’s first road game and they will struggle. Not like they struggled last year in their 70-10 defeat in Lubbock, but they’ll still struggle.

THE PICK: BAYLOR

GAME OF THE WEEK: NO. 23 COLORADO 4-1 (2-0) AT NO. 2 TEXAS 5-0 (2-0)

Last week: Colorado beat Texas A&M 41-20, Texas beat Oklahoma 45-12.

Colorado is a better team than people gave it credit for at the beginning of the year – including myself – and are now my favorite to win the North.

The Longhorns are the favorite to win the Big 12 and earn a date with the USC Song Girls in the Rose Bowl. Wait, they’re the favorites to play the USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl.

I’m the one who wants to date the Song Girls in the Rose Bowl, but I bet a few Longhorns would be … I’m going to stop before I get fired.

And thus here’s the problem for Colorado. Texas is really, really good and Colorado … well, they’re a nice team and all, but it’s like comparing Nebraska’s cheerleaders to the Song Girls. The Song Girls always come out on top.

THE PICK: TEXAS

Now it’s time for the “Brett McIntyre on Heavy Artillery” lesson of the week.

As many of you know, the Cyclones have a cannon in the northwest corner of the stadium that fires after touchdowns and victories, but things got a little out of hand last week against Baylor.

As I stood on the field waiting for the game to be completed, not five steps away from said cannon, it went off.

Two things: Don’t shoot off that cannon after a loss, and don’t shoot it off when I’m standing next to it without telling me first. I’m sure I looked rather foolish when I tried jumping into the arms of the guy next to me.