The stock market and college football have been volatile lately. During this time of uncertainty, here are a few equities that I’m offering guidance on.
Texas Tech is a contender for the Big 12 Championship
Tech’s quarterback Alan Bowman has over 2,000 yards passing even though he missed the TCU game and most of the West Virginia game with an injury. Where does Texas Tech get all these quarterbacks? At 3-1 they’re tied with Oklahoma and West Virginia for second place in conference and are 5-2 overall.
They’re second in the Big 12 in scoring offense averaging 43.9 points per game. They’re sixth in scoring defense and ninth in total defense.
Texas Tech has nice road wins against Oklahoma State and TCU. But a lot of the luster has come off those accomplishments with OSU at 4-3 and TCU at 3-4.
To qualify for the Big 12 Championship game, Tech has to run the table and their remaining schedule is somewhat favorable getting Oklahoma and Texas at home. As usual, Tech’s weakness is defense and I place the over/under on the points OU will score against them at 62 ½.
I always dread the Longhorns’ trip to Lubbock and this year is no different, but that doesn’t make Texas Tech a Big 12 contender. They’ll lose this weekend to Iowa State in Ames and to Oklahoma the following week.
Willie Earl’s guidance: Sell
Texas is a contender for the College Football Playoff
Election years are often referred to as “Silly Season.” “Silly Season” also applies to conversations about the Longhorns chances to make the CFP.
Texas would have to win out to have any possible chance of getting in the playoff. Remember, winning is hard and the Horns winning all their remaining regular season games will be hard enough. Add in, winning a rematch against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game and you’re left with an “In your dreams” scenario if you’re a Texas fan.
Willie Earl’s guidance: Sell
Sam Ehlinger is as good to go as Tom Herman claims for the Oklahoma State game
Tom Herman said yesterday that Ehlinger has been sore at times but practiced all week and will likely start against Oklahoma State. “He’s thrown the ball great,” Herman commented.
The way Ehlinger was holding his right arm on the sideline during the Baylor game made me think the injury was too serious to recover from in two weeks. That’s mere speculation on my part and he could have woken up the morning after the Baylor game already feeling 90 percent better. Who knows?
Here’s a guess. Ehlinger is not quite as healthy as Herman claims and it will show on at least a two or three throws with funny looking releases and inaccurate passes. Whether Ehlinger’s health has a big effect on the game depends on how well Texas runs the ball and on how bad the Oklahoma State defense is. They rank 113th in passing defense giving up 269 yards passing per game.
Willie Earl’s guidance: Sell
Texas beats Oklahoma State
Texas has lost three in a row and four of the last five to OSU. Oklahoma State has won 10 games four of the last five years. Texas has averaged six wins over the past five years. Maybe OSU has had better players than Texas. I know they’ve had better (I’m a man!) coaching.
I’m not ready to proclaim Tom Herman the equal of Mike—I’m a man—Gundy, but coming in at 6-1, maybe this is the year that Texas’ decided—on paper—recruiting edge over Oklahoma State shows and Texas overcomes the paddles and tight hostile confines of T. Boone Pickens Stadium to whip up on OSU.
Willie Earl’s guidance: Hold
HooK ‘Em,
W.E.
Off Week Over/Under Results
Evidently most Over/Under contestants needed the Off Week as much as Sam Ehlinger did as only four participated.
Mike Frank emerged from that small field with the win with eight correct answers. Mark Adams finished second with seven correct.
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