**SEASON RECORD: 46-41-3** **[LAST WEEK][1]: 5-7-1**Happy Halloween everyone!My favorite costume this year so far has been that of Kevin Romary, dressed as Spongebob Squarepants on [The Drive last Sunday][2], as the 6News sports director did a swell job pulling off the underwater troublemaker’s role, complete with hiked up socks and a pair of khaki shorts.I’d still be a little freaked out if he showed up at my door trick-or-treating, though.Second on my list has to be Arizona State, who I still think is doing a swell job disguising itself as a National Championship contender.Like Kansas, the Sun Devils are 8-0. Also like Kansas, the Sun Devils have yet to play a top-tier contender this season. That changes in the next few weeks, as three of ASU’s final four games are against Oregon, USC and, the upset special, UCLA.Personally, I think ASU has a better chance than any of the other unbeatens to see the dream ride come to a close this weekend at Oregon, where the Ducks are fresh off a win at home over USC, knocking the Trojans from the BCS title picture. Oregon has home wins in the past year over the aforementioned Trojans and Oklahoma.We’ll get to that pick a little later.**WEEK 9** **_Big 12 Tilts_** **Kansas (-19) vs. Nebraska** Nebraska has the worst run defense in Division-I football. Now, of course, Kansas has proven that it will not defer from throwing the ball against a weaker run defense, but that doesn’t mean Brandon McAnderson and Jake Sharp won’t get ample opportunities. Also, it’s hard not to go with the trend here, as KU is the only remaining team in the FBS that is undefeated against the spread this year. **My pick: Kansas -19****Kansas State (-14) at Iowa State** K-State proved last week it can punish the conference pushovers. Iowa State has covered against the likes of Missouri and Oklahoma in recent weeks, but I like K-State’s chances with a line at just two touchdowns. **My pick: Kansas State -14****Oklahoma (-21) vs. Texas A&M** When looking at Oklahoma at home, I continuously look back to the Missouri game, when I truly felt that Mizzou outplayed the Sooners and lost, but something strange goes on when OU is in its own confines. **My pick: Oklahoma -21****Texas Tech (-21) vs. Baylor** Just from looking at highlights and reading quotes, my guess is Baylor is the first Big 12 team this year to officially throw in the towel. **My pick: Texas Tech -21****Texas (-3) at Oklahoma State** The last time Texas played at OSU, Vince Young led a massive second half comeback as just another stop on a National Championship run. Lots of folks are sleeping on Okie State, but the Cowboys are 3-1 in Big 12 play, with the only loss being a one-point slip-up against Texas A&M. Given Texas’ last-second escape against Nebraska, it’s hard to see how the home team isn’t favored here. **My pick: Oklahoma State +3****Missouri (-4) at Colorado** Colorado’s already beaten Oklahoma at home this year. I know, that’s getting beaten to death, but the Buffs did the same thing to Texas Tech’s offense last Saturday that Missouri did a week earlier. Plus, the Buffs now have the motivation of being just two wins from securing a bowl bid with seven wins. Ladies and gentlemen, my upset special. **My pick: Colorado +4****_Around the Nation_** **Connecticut (-2.5) vs. Rutgers** UConn gets by on running the ball well and playing solid defense. Sounds legit, right? Rutgers does the same thing. When those two meet, I’m taking the team with Ray Rice on its roster. **My pick: Rutgers +2.5****South Florida (-5) vs. Cincinnati** Three weeks ago, this game looked to be a blockbuster. Now, both are 6-2, off to a 1-2 start in the Big East and have been forgotten as potential BCS darkhorses. It’ll still be a good game, and I like South Florida’s overall balance. **My pick: South Florida -5****LSU (-7.5) at Alabama** I think LSU wins this game because of the whole ‘first time going against Nick Saban since he ditched us for NFL mediocrity’ thing. But Alabama, who was won three straight, has yet to lose by more than a touchdown this season. **My pick: Alabama +7.5****Oregon (-7) vs. Arizona State** On top of the dangers I mentioned above about going to Oregon, ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter [wasn’t able to throw today in practice][3] after a freak thumb injury during a handoff against Cal. Even if he’s going to play, not being able to throw three days before the game is a sign of trouble, I’d say. **My pick: Oregon -7****Boston College (-6.5) vs. Florida State** If Xavier Lee was going to be in the lineup at quarterback, I might go the other way. Though Drew Weatherford has proven to be average at best. Lee is [suspended for one more game][4]. Plus, I’m sold on BC’s defense after watching the Virginia Tech game last week. **My pick: Boston College -6.5** [1]: http://www2.kusports.com/blogs/greene_room/2007/oct/24/picks_16/ [2]: http://www.thedriveshow.com/ [3]: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AiQWjzp0ZLFwa.jPaggd3l8cvrYF?slug=ap-t25-arizonast-carpenterinjured&prov=ap&type=lgns [4]: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AoTzq08.ALfF.rh_TLWt_7Jm1LYF?slug=ap-floridast-lee&prov=ap&type=lgns
