Week 11 CFB picks ATS

Time for a bounce-back week after last week's less than impressive performance. Like most things, I think picking games feeds off confidence and it is a little more difficult to have confidence after last week, but after a few days of not thinking about it and a few days of research that the Chicago Kid will bounce back strong this week. Just to set the stage, through 10 weeks, the total records stand as follows (must admit, less than impressive):

Chicago Kid = 25-24-1
Joker = 24-26
Walter = 22-27-1
Blanket = 2-7-1

So, with that, let's get to the picks - decided to list the games in blue to try to break the bad streak.

Ohio St. -16.5 vs Iowa. I am a little surprised to see this line this high, but I'm still comfortable with laying the points. Until last week, Iowa has gotten it done one way or another all season, which says a lot, but realistically, this is nothing more than a solid football team, and that is with Stanzi. Coming off their first loss of the season, a shot at the BCS and the loss of their QB, how can Iowa put it back together and travel into the Shoe and hang with the Buckeyes? I don't think they can. Ohio St. has had its own share of issues this year and is not nearly as strong as past years or even as strong as many expected, but they are still a very good football team - especially if Prior doesn't turn it over. I think OSU will have a little bit of new life here as they can win the Big 10 and play in the Rose Bowl with a victory - not really a big deal, but a motivating factor for most teams. Iowa has used all of their 9 lives and expect this to be ugly from the beginning with Iowa really struggling to move the ball with their back-up QB (they couldn't against NWern). 3 units. Loss.

Oklahoma St. -4.5 vs Texas Tech. I've been riding the Cowboys pretty often this year, mostly successful, and like them here at home again. As I see it, the Cowboys are a very solid team with some good athletes, but just a little below the top notch teams. They typically blow out less talented opponents, and raise expectations and then disappoint in the big game. Well, here I believe Texas Tech is a lesser team, especially on the road. I know Tech blew out Nebraska (I won that game), but they have been struggling lately and I think a trip to Stillwater at night will be too much to handle. 2 units. Win.

Texas -23.5 @ Baylor. Texas is playing well right now and although Baylor is clearly a lesser team, I do not think Mack Brown will have a tough time getting his team fired up for this one, even away from home. Texas likely still has a chip on its shoulder from last year and I have to believe that is helping to keep them focused every night this year. The UT offense struggled a little to start the season, but Colt McCoy is really playing well right now (I credit his girlfriend) and their D has be tough all season - that has led to a lot of victories of about 30 points. I expect another one here. How can Baylor expect to keep up? They may consider it a moral victory if they score; and I can't see UT being held below 30. Hook-em Horns! 3 units. Win.

Clemson - 8 @ N.C. State. Bottom line, Clemson is just too fast, too strong and too good for N.C. State. Clemson is trying to secure its place in the ACC title game and has been on a roll lately. N.C. State on the other hand, has disappointed most of this season and seems to be going the wrong direction (fast). Clemson's D-line should cause havoc for N.C. State forcing Wilson into quick, and likely bad decisions. Further, I do not expect the Wolfpack to have any success on the ground. This game opened at 6.5 and I wish I would have jumped early (my days off this week hurt me), but I think the movement above a TD may have attempted to balance the action, but it won't be enough for an over matched Wolpack squad. C.J. Spiller will continue to dominate. 2 units. Win.

K-State +1 vs Missouri. Well, my theory this week, and likely for the remainder of the year, is to take quality teams, hopefully at home, and expect them to cover. By this point in the year, teams are beat up so depth is important and good teams good coaching are able to expose weaknesses. That being said, here I'm not sold K-State is that good, but they seem to be heading in the right direction and playing well, especially at home. Missouri on the other hand beat up on some weaker teams early in the year, but have struggled recently, partly because of the injury to Gabbert. I think the trends continue here and I see good value in simply betting K-State to win at home. 1.5 units. Loss - when will I learn about betting for/against MU?

There you have, the Chicago Kid's effort to rebound from 2 poor weeks and post a solid performance. Good luck!