I’m a picks guy. I pick winners, I pick losers, I make picks. I’m also a beer guy. I drink this beer, I drink that beer, I like beer. Well, now I have the best of both worlds with my 6 pack of picks for the week. Follow me on this journey of flavor.
1. Your favorite Beer: Oregon @ Texas Tech +6.5
Full disclosure, I cheated here. I had to go as generic as possible because Tech is your go-to beer of choice. You drink it when you’re happy, you may drink it when you’re sad. You drink it to celebrate, you drink it to forget. Either way, you always go to the well for this one. Well, I foresee us drinking to celebrate this week. Tech came into week 1 with all of the hype in the world following a strong finish to last season, going 8-5 year one under Joey Mcguire. We laid an egg. Went up 17-0 early v Wyoming and thought we had done enough to win the game; believed Wyoming didn’t belong on the same field. Joey won’t let that happen again this week. Expect the team to be focused and energized by an electric crowd at the Jones. We will need to focus on establishing a bigger threat in the run game to open up the passing game more for Shough. Tech was held to 2.8 yards per carry and 93 rushing yards for the game. Tech also needs to focus on getting to the Quarterback. Oregon had a field day in their last game hanging 81 on Portland state (yes, I know it’s Portland state). 30 year old quarterback Bo Nix in his 10th year of eligibility went 23/27 for 287 yards and 3tds, almost perfect. We can’t let him get comfortable and pick us apart. Tech has the size and talent on the interior line to plug holes and stop the run. Now it’s time to get Linton going and get to the Quarterback. Night game at the Jones, the atmosphere will be enough to carry tech to a win in Lubbock over Oregon 34-31.
PICK: Texas Tech +6.5 and ML
Now to the rest of the degenerates who stayed for winners, here’s the remaining 5 in our wonderfully assorted 6 pack.
2. Sour Beer: Nebraska @ Colorado -3
First glance, and you see this old big 12 conference game and think Sour Beer? Well, sour beers are a newer craze. They are fun to experiment with, but then you get over it pretty quick. Sounds a lot like Colorado to me. 1-0 off of a 1-11 season, and we are already ranking them 23rd in the country? Man, I thought the Tech hype train was big, seems like way too many people are drinking the kool-aide. That being said, Sanders has been a good coach at Jackson state and does a good job managing in game situations. His son looks like the real deal, and Travis Hunter has been a very fun player to watch. However, there are a lot of questions on that defense after giving up 262 on the ground to TCU, who hung 42 on them. Now to Nebraska. It’s comical at this point. It has to end at some point, right? How can they keep managing to lose these close games? Blowing a touchdown lead in the 4th and throwing a pick while driving to kick a game winning field goal… back breaker. Certainly, Rhule will figure that out and not continue down the Scott Frost path. Well, not on this day. Colorado will cover the 3 at home in front of a fan base that has been waiting for this for a long time. Sour beers weren’t big for only a week and you know you enjoyed more than one. Soon everyone will make one and we’ll get over it but till then still drink it. Colorado will come back to earth at some point, but not here
PICK: Colorado -3
3. Stout: Iowa @ Iowa State +3.5
The Cyhawk game. Do you like points? Well, if you answered yes, then this is not the drink for you. Like a stout, this game is heavy and will knock you down quickly. Brian Ferentz has to score over 25 a game to keep the OC job. I will keep using that angle and losing on that angle as the season goes on. Surely, they would’ve run it up last week against Utah State to help that average, but they were only able to score 24. Iowa looked good, scoring early and then fizzled out quickly. Returned to the Iowa we know and love. Now to Iowa State. What the hell is going on there? 250 yards against Northern Iowa. You were outgained by Northern Iowa. NORTHERN IOWA! And Matt Campbell, talk about someone who “fumbled the bag”. This was the hottest coach on every search a couple of years ago. That’s why you strike when the irons hot because you never know what can happen. I know Iowa is in the same boat, but not to this extent. Too many key players are busy reading blogs like this to pick winners rather than be winners. Well, if you’re reading this then bet against your teammates, Iowa will cover the 3.5 in and uninspiring CyHawk game.
Pick: Iowa-3.5
4. National Brand Light Beer: Texas @ Alabama -7
In America, we love our beer but we also don’t want to put on too many pounds from it. We also love a great tasting and affordable beer. That’s why everyone drinks national brand light beer. That’s why it’s on every commercial you see with catchy slogans I won’t share here. Your uncle you crack jokes with at the family get-togethers drinks it. Your friend from college you don’t keep up with is drinking it. Your grandmother that you should call more, Ya even she is drinking it. Well, I can bet they will also watch this football game, even grandma. Is Texas back? Every year, the pundits and fans lead you to believe they are. They have the talent this year. Ewers should progress further this year. I’ll believe the hype when I see it though. What do we do with Bama this year? Early in the off-season, everyone was down on them and now everyone is back on them. Georgia has dethroned Alabama as of late. That being said, Alabama still brings a top roster to the table year in and year out. Milroe’s Dual threat ability creates an even more dynamic run game and passing game. Night game at Bryant-Denny, take Bama and lay the points. Texas may be good this year, but I’ll believe they are at this level when I see it.
Pick: Alabama -7
5. Seltzer: SMU @ Oklahoma -15.5
Points points points. When there are a lot of points and no defense, is it even football anymore? Well, like a Seltzer isn’t beer, this may not resemble football on the defensive side. It will be nice, light, and refreshing though. I expect both of these offenses to show out but Oklahoma has too much fire power, especially at home. Oklahoma will bounce back this year, not to the level they were but they will improve upon 6-6. Far too much talent and another year for Venables to build towards his vision for this team. Take Oklahoma and take the over. A 2 for 1 special. A seltzer is so light you might drink 2 before you even realize it. Be careful and responsible because they can sneak up on you.
Pick OU -15.5 & over 68.5
6. IPA: Purdue @ Virginia Tech -2.5
Like an IPA this game is an acquired taste. Your “cool” friend might be drinking this and will certainly be telling you all about it. But in the end, you don’t really care. Just like you don’t care about Virgina Tech anymore. They have been awful. It used to be cool to hear Enter Sandman play in Blacksburg. Well, just like your flannel wearing buddy talking about his double IPA, it’s not cool anymore. Until this team shows life, you can not take them against a talented Purdue team. Fresno state took down Purdue last week, but don’t discount them too much for that. Jeff Tedford runs a great program that performs year in and year out. Take Purdue and the points, they will win outright.
Pick: Purdue +2.5
There’s your 6 pack to take into the weekend. You get to enjoy many different styles of beer, drink responsibly.
PS here are 6 more rapid fire to fill up the 12 pack for the rest of you.
7. Notre Dame -7.5
8. UCF -3.5
9. Houston -9.5
10. James Madison -6.5
11. Kansas -3.5
12. UCONN +3
