Nebraska -7 @Iowa St.

In the last 11 meetings, ISU has won only 2. Last week Nebraska needed overtime to beat Kansas while Iowa St. barely beat Northern Iowa 28-27. Expect a Husker rout.

Kickoff: 7:00 pm 10/7/06
Pick: Nebraska
vs. Line: Nebraska

@Texas Tech -4 Missouri

I think Mizzou should win this game, but again it's homecoming where Tech is 12-2 ATS in their last 14 homecoming games. I'm guessing Tech will find a way to cover in the last 30 seconds just like last week.

Kickoff: 6:00 pm 10/7/06
Pick: Texas Tech
vs. Line: Texas Tech

Texas -4.5 Oklahoma @Dallas

The much-hyped Red River Shootout should live up to its billing. I'm expecting a close one, despite what all the locals 'round here think.

Kickoff: 2:30 pm 10/7/06
Pick: Texas
vs. Line: Oklahoma

@Colorado -5 Baylor

Baylor should win this game, but it looks to be Colorado's one victory for the year. If the Buffs can't win this critical homecoming game, they'll go 0 for '06.

Kickoff: 2:30pm 10/7/06
Pick: Colorado
vs. Line: Baylor

Oklahoma St. -3 @Kansas St.

What a terrible game, let's hope it's not on TV. The Wildcats try to bounce back after what must have been one of their worst Big 12 performances - a 17-3 loss at Baylor.

Kickoff: 2:30 pm 10/7/06
Pick: Kansas St.
vs. Line: Kansas St.

Texas A&M -2 @Kansas

The A&M players and coaches are out to prove that they can bounce back after a devastating loss. Unfortunately the same holds true for Kansas, and it's homecoming for them. Should be a close one either way.

Kickoff: 11:00 am 10/7/06
Pick: Texas A&M
vs. Line: Texas A&M

On the Season

Through Week 5:

Straight Up: 46-7 (86.8%) WOW!
vs. Line: 29-23-1 (55.8%) NOT TOO SHABBY!

Last Week

Straight Up: 4-2
vs. Line: 3-3
mea culpa: Kansas St. - Well at least they managed to score 3...against Baylor. Oh how times have changed.

Yes, I'm Already Making Excuses for A&M's Loss to Kansas

It's never a good sign when you're the school's homecoming opponent, which is the case for Texas A&M at Kansas.

Fifth-year Jayhawk coach Mark Mangino has made the last two KU homecomings memorable. Last year, the Jayhawk defense smothered Missouri quarterback Brad Smith, holding the Tigers to a season-low 180 yards in a 13-3 victory in the 114th meeting of the Border Showdown.

Two years ago the KU goal posts came down in a 31-28 victory over Kansas State, ending an 11-game losing streak to its instate rival.

Now comes another challenge for the Jayhawks: they've never beaten Texas or Texas A&M in Big 12 Conference play.

KU on Saturday also will have groundbreaking for its $31 million football complex.