Six-Pack of Picks

Call it a "sneak peak" if you want, be here's the six games I'm taking a look at for today's show - you can hear the complete breakdown around 6:15 on 1460 KXNO. 

NCAA:

1. Minnesota +27.5 over Wisconsin
Yes, Wisconsin will be leaving Minneapolis with Paul Bunyan's Axe.  And, Minnesota stinks.  BUT, I personally don't think they stink 27.5 points.  The Gophers are coming off their two best games of the season, a win over Iowa and a seven point loss to Sparty on the road.  There's no way Minnesota wins the game, but they play well enough in the rivalry game to keep it close.

2. Iowa +2.5 over Michigan State
Looking back two weeks ago, I liked Iowa's chances over Sparty better than I did against Michigan and Denard Robinson.  The Hawks defense woke up last week, and I like their chances against a pocket-passing Kirk Cousins much better than the mobile QB's they faced against Michigan and Minnesota.  Iowa wins the game outright, and heads to Purdue looking for their first road win of the year.

3. K-State +5 over Texas A&M
A&M has been somewhat inconsistent this year, losing four games, but to four good teams.  K-State has been the biggest surprise in the Big 12, giving Oklahoma State all they could handle last week.  The game is at K-State, and in my mind, the wrong team is favored.  Give me the Wildcats and the points.

NFL

4. Atlanta +1 over New Orleans

Matty Ice?  Yes please!

"Matty Ice" should finally get all of his weapons back this week.  Julio Jones had quite the coming out party last weekend, and Roddy White is finally (and I mean FINALLY) getting close to full speed.  Add in Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner in the backfield, and this is an offense that can stand up to anyone in the league.  New Orleans isn't without weapons - I love what Darren Sproles has been able to do, and rookie Mark Ingram is on his way back from injury.  If the game was in New Orleans, it might be a different story, but I'll take the Dirty Birds in the Georgia Dome.

5. Green Bay -14 over Minnesota
All the stars have aligned against the Vikings in this one - Rookie QB?  Check.  First trip to Lambeau?  Check.  Prime time TV on Monday Night Football?  Check.  Oh, and the fact you're squaring off against the consensus mid season MVP and the defending Super Bowl champs?  Sorry Vikes fans, it's not going to happen. 

6. KC -3 over Denver

Tim Tebow, say hello to Tamba Hali.  And Derek Johnson.  And Brandon Flowers (yes, I think the secondary will play a role in this one).  An option offense just won't work in the NFL...especially when you go on TV and tell the opponent that's what you're going to do.  I can see the smile on John Elway's face already - my bet is Tebow get speared at some point in this game and is carried off the field.  For his sake, he's just lucky Eric Berry is injured.  KC gets the ship pointed back in the right direction with a win over Denver. 

Enjoy your weekend.