Week 6: Pac 12, Big 12, SEC, WAC, MWC

Hello Nitty Griddy readers. Sorry for the delay—moving to Nevada has been distracting to this half of TNG's staff—but we're back. This week we're breaking down the Red River Rivalry, the Battle in the Bayou, and Nevada's battle over which state school has the loosest... slots. On to the picks!

Pac 12
Cal @ Oregon -24
Arizona -2 @ Oregon St.
Arizona St. -4 @ Utah
Colo. @ Stanford -29.5
WSU @ UCLA -3.5

Big 12
Oklahoma -9.5 vs. Texas (Dallas)
Kansas @ Oklahoma St. -29.5
Mizzou -3 @ KSU
Iowa St. @ Baylor -15.5
Texas A&M -9 @ Texas Tech

SEC
Miss St. -17 @ UAB
Kentucky @ South Carolina -21
Florida @ LSU -14
Auburn @ Arkansas -10
Vanderbilt @ Alabama -29.5
UGA -1 @ Tenn.

Mountain West
Boise St. -21 @ Fresno St.
UNLV @ Nevada -21
La. Tech -4 @ Idaho
Wyoming @ Utah St. -11
SJSU @ BYU -12.5

WAC
Air Force @ Notre Dame -14.5
TCU -4 @ SDSU

Kyle says...

UNLV @ Nevada -21
Boy did the Rebels pick the wrong year to come north. Nevada is coming off a few ugly losses to much better competition than UNLV can muster in Texas Tech and Boise State. And, despite just plain stinking on defense, the Pack rolls out a top-15 rushing attack led by Junior RB Mike Ball, who is going to roll through a Reb's defense ranked nearly dead last in D1 play. There's no way Rebs RB Tim Cornett, no slouch in his own right, gets enough touches to make a difference. Look for the Pack running game to buy whoever is quarterbacking the air attack enough time to pick apart UNLV's porous secondary for at least a few scores. Nevada takes out its frustration on the boys from down south and covers at home.

Georgia -1 @ Tennessee
The Bulldogs have looked good in their last three games—including a beating of Mississippi State—which may be lending Vegas an edge in confidence in this line. But, do not underestimate these young Vols, led by QB Tyler Bray and his monster year so far. Bray has more weapons, and the homefield advantage on Georgia's Aaron Murray, who hasn't had any problem finding the end zone this year. Look for Tennessee to beat the spread in a shootout.

Florida @ LSU -14
If Alabama exposed Florida last week, LSU is going in for the kill this week. With starting QB John Brantley out, the Gators turn to one of a trio of freshman to lead them against one of the top defenses in the country in LSU. LSU is giving up the ninth fewest points in the country, and manhandled a senior-laden offense in Oregon in week 1. The Tigers will continue to hammer away on defense and maximize their big play potential on offense. Look for an easy win and LSU to cover in the Bayou.

Oklahoma -9.5 vs. Texas
When has there ever been less hype going into this game with both teams undefeated? Oklahoma is getting no love, partly as a function of a soft schedule that's really only featured a drooping Florida State squad, and partly because Alabama and LSU are on freaking fire. Coach Bob Stoops knows he'll have to make a statement in this Texas game to fend off the haters (and maybe Boise St. in the rankings.) That makes me scared for the Horns, BUT, UT is having almost no problem scoring points despite a pathetic QB situation, which tells me Fozzy Whittacker and Malcolm Brown are holding Texas in games. Look for UT to keep it on the ground and keep it tight. Oklahoma will win, but the Horns beat the spread.