Bird in a Blender week.

What's up with the bird? Is there a bird called a Cyclone? I thought a cyclone was a storm over the ocean? There is no ocean near Ames, Iowa. What gives? With that being said, I like Iowa State. They have great fans and seem to support the Birdsinablender with class.

The big question is: Will Tech "mail it in" the rest of the season and miss a bowl game for the first time since the early 90's?

I have been right on in my picks the last three weeks, as far the beloved go. This is the torment bowl. Both programs are experiencing some difficulty and both teams are having problems with almost everything. It is in Ames, Iowa. Seneca Wallace owned us there 4 years ago and unfortunately the Matador Defense is back. Ames is not College Station or Boulder tough, but it will be rough if Tech falls behind and turns the ball over.....again. In fact, they could play in Lubbock and I still think you dont get a better game out of Tech. Tech is snakebit and needs to get an antidote. Hopefully, it isn't in Shreveport. I also dont think that Ames is as big of an advantage as it looked three weeks ago when we thought ISU was going to be a force in the North. Also, ISU doesn't have the team to dictate who wins this one. It is all about how good or bad the Red Raiders play.

If last week was a big game for Tech, this one really isn't. They have already underachieved and not met the collective Tech fan expectations. The only thing they lose in Ames is a salvagable season. Is that enough?

So many questions, but I will take a stab on how I think the game will unfold. A cyclone will hit Jack Trice Stadium from the right. With power out, a brief postponing of the game will free birds from blenders everywhere. Unfortunately, a left looking Tech quarterback Graham Harrell was whisked away and a search will ensue. Mike Leach will send Defensive guru/philosopher Lyle to look for him. Power will be restored and Chris Todd will throw the winning touchdown pass after it is deflected off of a covey of cardinals flying north for the winter. Just kidding.

I am predicting Graham Harrell has a break out game and regains his confidence and that of his team. The defense will discover the safety blitz and lets Garcia try to make plays behind the line he does so well after they have broken through the line. The NINJA formation will return and fun will again be had by the Tech Offensive players. I swear I haven't been on pain medication today.

Raider Power!

Prediction: Texas Tech UPSETS ISU 27-23

Other Big 12 games:

Kansas State at Missouri: Chase Daniel will get them rolling early. Blowout at home.
Missouri 45 K-State 7

Kansas at Baylor: Do the Baptists have a difribulator at the stadium? If KU blows another haltime lead like last week, it might come in handy for Coach Mangino. It will probably not come to that. The Bears are getting better and if they can eliminate the mistakes, they will win.
Baylor 38 KU 24

Colorado at Oklahoma: No A.D. means the Sooners will throw. They can do that. If it were in Boulder I would predict another upset from the rapidly improving Colorado offense. But since it is in Norman, I will go with the Land thieves.
Oklahoma 24 Colorado 10

Texas A&M at Okie Lite: Luckily, Gundy found his offense and standard trickery just in time last week. It is either feast or famine this season with the Pokes. The Aggies have played well all season with their best game coming last week. I think the Aggies have just enough balls to squeeze by.
Texas A&M 24 Oklahoma State 23

Texas at Nebraska: I dont think the shuckers are for real. They better hope the Horns are looking past them to next weeks trip to take on the Red Raiders in the Jones...yeah right. The Nebraska faithful are pleading for the upset but the Texas Defense is going to smother them early and often.
Texas 28 Nebraska 13