Week 12: Pressure cooker

Welcome to week 12, where we're just coming to terms with the fact that the season is winding down. That doesn't mean the action is, though, on the field or at the book. Sure, the SEC is playing the poor sisters of the blind this week, but there are some hot matchups in the Big 12 and out west. A handful of teams—Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Oregon— are going to be pressing for big win margins to impress the voters and BCS computers as we come down to the wire in the national championship hunt. We'll see who can handle the pressure, and who struggles with it this week. Onto the picks...

Kyle says...

BIG 12

OSU -27 @ Iowa St.

K-State @ Texas -9.5

Kansas @ Texas A&M -31

Texas Tech @ Mizzou -18

Oklahoma -15 @ Baylor

PAC 12

Washington -3 @ OSU

Utah @ Wash. St. -3.5

Colorado @ UCLA -11

USC @ Oregon -15

Arizona @ ASU -10.5

Cal @ Stanford -18.5

SEC

Citadel @ South Carolina OFF

Kentucky @ Georgia -30.5

Samford @ Auburn OFF

Furman @ Florida OFF

Georgia Southern @ Alabama OFF

Mississippi State @ Arkansas -13.5

LSU -29.5 @ Ole Miss

Vanderbilt -1.5 @ Tennessee

MWAC

New Mexico @ Wyoming -24

Colorado State @ TCU -33

UNLV @ Air Force -23.5

Boise State -18 @ SDSU

WAC

Navy -4.5 @ SJSU

LT @ Nevada -7.5

Utah St. -10 @ Idaho

NMSU @ BYU -23

Fresno State @ Hawaii -5.5

Kansas State @ Texas -9.5

KSU comes to Austin as both programs struggle to figure out where they go from here. The Wildcats can score at will and came strong in the second half last week against the Aggies, but the defense is low-grade dog shit, giving up 30 ppg and more to competent offenses. Texas, though, is far from a consistently competent offense, putting up a meager 5 points against Mizzou after averaging more than 45 in its two previous games. The Horns have great ability on defense and a strong running game, however, they don't have the passing prowess to really put it on KSU. The Wildcats cover in a Texas victory.

Oklahoma -15 @ Baylor

In the two games between last week's bye and the loss to Texas Tech, Oklahoma came out like Wisconsin circa 2010, blowing out KSU and A&M by a combined score of 99-42. The Sooners are out for blood, and they know their chances at a title shot only get better if they annihilate the opposition. Landry Jones is leading the nation's third-ranked passing attack against a defense that gives up 36 points per game, looking only slightly better at home than on the road. I don't doubt RGIII's ability to keep up with anyone, though, and I'm not sure OU's defense has seen someone quite like him yet. I think Baylor covers in a shootout loss at home. Look for fireworks.

USC @ Oregon -15

USC's got no problem scoring points, but the thing keeping them from balling with the PAC 12's big boys isn't Matt Barkley and the offense, though. The Trojan defense breaks (hahaha!) against quarterbacks who are A) big and ballsy enough to be able to look far downfield and B) good. Darron Thomas is both of these things, and is aided by the most talented running game not found in Tuscaloosa. While he may not always make the best decisions, Thomas gets plenty

of pass protection and can elude the rush, and big game QBs can work wonders when given time in the pocket. Oregon's very solid defense will corral the USC offensive attack and the offense will blow right past them as the Ducks cover in Eugene.

Vanderbilt -1.5 vs. Tennessee

In a game of brain vs. brawn, I'm leaning toward the brains of Vanderbilt. Playing for bowl eligibility, Vandy has a tough, top-30 defense and a scrappy offense. The D should be more than enough to contain Tennessee, who can't seem to muster a rushing attack no matter who is at QB. Phenom Tyler Bray is set to return this weekend, though he's expected to split time and he's not the kind of guy who can tote it for 100 yards in addition to chucking it around. I look for a tight one in Knoxville, with Vandy's hard-nosed, smart brand of football winning out and the Commodores covering.