Picks for Oct. 15th

A barely winning week at 3-2, brings the season record to 12-12-1. 

East Carolina -14 at Memphis - You generally can't go wrong picking against Memphis and this week should be no exception.  The Pirates were humiliated by Houston last weekend while Memphis kicked two field goals against Rice in a 28-6 loss.  East Carolina will find the Tigers to be the cure for last weekend and roll easily.

LSU -16.5 at Tennessee - The Tigers are playing absolutely nasty on defense and now the offense is starting to move the ball with some consistency.  The Volunteers are looking better, but they'll be no match for the speed and athleticism of LSU.

at Northern Illinois +1.5 Western Michigan - The Huskies have hung 40+ points on everyone they've played this season except Wisconsin.  Unfortunately, for them, they've also given up 40+ points to everyone they've played on the road. They're at home this week and I think that will be enough for them to pull the mild upset over the Broncos.

Oklahoma State -7 at Texas - Oklahoma has a very good offense and they torched the Longhorns for 55 last week.  Some of that was aided by Texas turnovers that led to easy points, but the Sooners exposed a young Texas team, that was highly overrated, and still is.  Oklahoma State comes calling and while Mack Brown has never lost a game the week after the Red River Shootout, this is the year that streak comes to an end. The Cowboys are loaded offensively and they will be looking to make a national statement and comparison to their instate neighbors.  Oklahoma State big over the Longhorns.

at Wisconsin -39.5 Indiana - The Badgers can call their score.  They put 83 on Indiana last year.  They need the beauty points to get the voters attention.  A number in the 70's will look pretty.  The only fear is that Bret Bielema will take his foot off the gas in the second half after the criticism he received last year for running it up on the Hoosiers.  I don't think it will matter and they'll be close to this number by halftime.  The first half line of 23.5 is a bonus pick on this game.