Fifth grade science can't solve OU's road issues
BY The Picker
Thursday, November 04, 2010
11/04/10 at 10:47 AM
Outpick the Picker: Think you can outpick the Picker? Take him on every week of the football season.
THE QUESTION sweeping across the college football landscape is: Why isn't OU the same team on the road?
It can't be rocket science.
It has to be more like fifth grade science.
The choices are few.
OU doesn't play as well on the road as it does at home because of which of the following reasons:
(a) Coaching strategies.
(b) A strange mysterious force that nobody can identify.
Competing on the road in any sporting situation is more pressurized.
But champions thrive on overcoming pressure. Losing to pressure is called choking.
It would seem that OU plays extremely conservatively on the road.
Playing it safe works against inferior foes, but when talent is similar, creativity wins the day.
It's like OU starts a road game with one eye on the clock.
Bad road games, bad second halves, it's nerves, loosen up, open up, man-up.
PICKS
Saturday
Baylor at OSU (-7): Highlight of a three-team round-robin in the South to see who gets to take Nebraska down a notch.
If OSU and OU were to go today in Stillwater, we'd favor the Cowboys slightly.
OSU is solid, consistent, the best kicking game this side of the pros.
Fortunate this is in Stillwater, 40,000 could appear, instead of the 30,000 Baylor gets.
Put a spy and a bouncer on the Baylor quarterback.
OSU by 9.
OU (-5 1/2) at the Aggies: Talk about Vegas having caught up with OU's road show detours - you'd think this number should have a one in front of it.
The Aggies have a new quarterback who is mobile and accurate, raising the question: Where has he been?
The A&M defense remains its usual lost self.
Hard to imagine the home team could actually beat a recent No. 1.
OU by 10.
Rice at Tulsa (-18): Since the victory over Notre Dame, there have been questions raised about what exactly is a big win.
It's actually pretty simple.
A big win is a victory over a team that has a winning record.
Therefore we would label TU's performance against the Irish as a good win against something of a dog.
TU by 17.
So long goal posts.
Arkansas at South Carolina (-3): Hey Boise, you want some of this?
It's what separates the SEC from all else lesser: upper middle class torture.
Spurrier and SC by 7.
Nebraska (-19) at Iowa State: Actually might not favor Nebraska over the south winner. The quarterback is one option run away from being put on ice.
Nebraska by 17.
Texas (-4) at Kansas State: Not to be presumptuous or anything.
Not to be rude.
Not to pry.
But hey Mack, is there another quarterback down there?
Tex by 7.
Arizona at Stanford (-8): The Stanford quarterback is enough to make Mike Stoops furious.
But then, what isn't?
Stanford by 13.
TCU (-5) at Utah: For a ticket on the BCS express.
TCU is solid, Utah flashy.
Could see season's first nip in the air.
TCU by 3.
Missouri (-5 1/2) at Texas Tech: Fire Leach. Hire Tupperware. Kiss program goodbye.
Nice work, administration, you and Kansas sold the farms.
Missouri by 7.
Alabama (-6) at LSU: Solid players have saved Loopy Les a dozen times.
Alabama by 7.
Sunday
San Diego at Houston (-1): Norv Turner must own 51 percent of this team.
San Diego by 3.
Tampa Bay at Atlanta (-9): Tampa has already won more than its share.
Atlanta by 10.
Kansas City at Oakland (-2 1/2): The pro equivalent of OSU-Baylor, surprises at the top.
Raiders by 3.
Indianapolis at the Eagles (-2): Only short week, open air can slow Indy robo-qb.
Eagles by 3.
Dallas at Green Bay (-8 1/2): Watch them roll over.
Watch them quit.
Watch them sulk.
Watch them punt.
Dallas has to play nine more games!
Green Bay by 10.
Monday
Steelers (-3 1/2) at Cincy: The Cincy quarterback has lost 10 miles per hour off his fast pass.
Polamalu's hair is flagged for tripping.
Steelers by 6.
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