Welcome to this week’s edition of Nikkel’s Picks where we currently have a problem.
For three straight weeks we have three straight weeks of 4-6 records. Three straight weeks of any record is nuts. Obviously I would love for it to be a winning record but I enjoy the consistency. You know what you’re getting with me but I’m really hoping that I’ll be so much better. Our current record is 32-40. I have to do better. I have ten more games I’m picking from, starting with the home teams (who are ironically all on the road).
Oklahoma at #18 Ole Miss (Saturday at 11 a.m. CT, ESPN)
The pick: Ole Miss -20.5
Ole Miss is coming off of a much needed bye and the Sooners are struggling. Ole Miss plays physical and fast and I don’t think OU will be able to catch up with the Rebels. The big question is can the Sooners score enough points to cover and keep it close? I think not. Give me the Rebels.
Oklahoma State at Baylor (Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN+)
The pick: Oklahoma State +6.5
At this point, I have to think the Cowboys will get a win somewhere. It should be this game. Baylor upset Texas Tech so I think they’ll be riding the high of that. Oklahoma State has to win this game or their season is done essentially. I’ll take the Cowboys here reluctantly.
Cowboys at 49ers (Sunday at 7:20 p.m. CT, NBC/Peacock)
The pick: 49ers -4.5
The last time the Dallas Cowboys beat the 49ers was during the height of the COVID pandemic. The Niners have the Cowboys number since Brock Purdy has arrived there. I think that will continue again on Sunday. Niners win big to the boss’s chagrin. (Sorry Addam)
Now to the rest of the country.
#12 Notre Dame vs #24 Navy (in East Rutherford, NJ) (Saturday at 11 a.m. CT, ABC)
The pick: Navy +12.5
Navy is doing really well right now and this could be a golden opportunity for them to rise up in the rankings. If the Midshipmen could make this a high scoring game, I don’t think the Fighting Irish can keep up. Notre Dame can win a low scoring slugfest. But I think this Navy offense can do that. I’ll take the Midshipmen here.
Texas Tech at TCU (Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT, FOX)
The pick: Texas Tech +6.5
Texas Tech is coming off a very bad loss to Baylor. TCU isn’t that good. I know Texas Tech is capable of so much more. I think they’ll show up this week and dominate in Fort Worth. Tahj Brooks is going to have 125 yards and two touchdowns as well.
#5 Texas at #25 Vanderbilt (Saturday at 3:15 p.m. CT, SEC Network)
The pick: Vanderbilt +18.5
Texas probably wins this game but wouldn’t it be so funny if the bad boys of Vanderbilt did it again. It would be so much funnier if the Longhorns were still ranked #1 but man. I’ll take this, Vandy +18.5 sounds good to me! Go Commodores!
#22 SMU at Duke (Saturday at 7 p.m. CT, ACC Network)
The pick: Duke +11.5
Duke is a surprising 6-1. SMU might be a contender in the ACC. A lot is going to be determined from this game and I think +11.5 points is too high of a spread. That’s why I’m taking Duke here even though I think the Mustangs will win. But stranger things have happened.
Kansas at #16 Kansas State (Saturday at 7 p.m. CT, ESPN2)
The pick: Kansas +9.5
Fun fact: The last time Kansas beat Kansas State in football, Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States three days later. All of the Jayhawks games have been close. Kansas State is very good but Kansas is better than their record applies. I expect a close Sunflower Showdown and a heckuva battle between two great coaches in the Big 12.
Parlay of the Week: The Guns Up Parlay
(Texas Tech moneyline + Oklahoma State +6.5) (+466)
Our parlay of the week won last week! So I’m providing another one. I like Texas Tech and Oklahoma State here in Big 12 action on Saturday. These teams are capable of being better than how they’ve been performing and I think we see that this weekend.
Eagles at Bengals (Sunday at 12 p.m. CT, CBS)
The pick: Bengals -1.5
In a battle of good teams, bad coaches. I favor the Bengals in this one, I think they’re going in the right direction after the shaky start. The Bengals will need to contain Saquon though. That’s their key to victory. If they do that. They win. I think Joe Burrow gets the job done as well.
Bears at Commanders (Sunday at 3:25 p.m. CT, CBS)
The pick: Over 43.5 points
The battle of the number one pick and the number two pick with the Bears and the Commanders. This is going to be a great battle between two talented rookie QBs and because of that. I love the over here. It’s a low bar and I think we see a shootout from Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams. This game is going to be fun. Tragically, unless you have Sunday NFL Ticket, you will not be able to see this game in the Oklahoma City area. You’re stuck watching Chiefs-Raiders. Whoopty-Freakin-Doo.
Let’s have a great weekend everyone. Hopefully we do better than 4-6.
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