This week, there aren’t too many games that make you wantto tie yourself to the couch with a mini-fridge full of beer nextto you. But things could always be worse. On a side note, the mathused to calculate my weekly and seasonal records has been off(arithmetic is not my strong suit). Non-journalism majors will behandling all the numbers that flow through here from now on. Sorryfor the confusion, let’s get to the picks.
Last week: 5-0 straight up, 2-3 vs. spread. Season: 35-15straight up, 20-30 vs. spread.
 
No. 2 Oklahoma (-12) at No. 22 Texas A&M, 2:30 p.m., ABC— After an embarrassing loss to Baylor last week, the Aggieswill be primed to bounce back against the Sooners. Throw in thefact the score of last year’s game was 77-0, andthere’s a little revenge factor in play here. OU tailbackAdrian Peterson rolled up 249 rushing yards last week; this guy isthe man. To put those numbers in perspective, Vanderbilt averagesonly 137 rushing yards per game. This translates into the Soonersputting up big numbers against the Aggies for the second year in arow.
 
Prediction: Oklahoma 31, Texas A&M 13
 
No. 19 Oklahoma State (+12.5) at No. 7 Texas, 6 p.m., TBS— The Cowboys gave Oklahoma a great game last week, but Idon’t think they can get up two weeks in a row against asolid opponent. Texas has one of the best defenses in the Big XIIthat’s going to limit OSU tailback Vernand Morency andquarterback DaJuan Woods. Meanwhile, the Longhorns’ CedrickBenson will run loops around Oklahoma State’s defense likePeterson did. The bottom line is Texas is looking to make astatement to the BCS higher-ups, and they’ll play like a teamdeserving of an at-large bid.
 
Texas 41, Oklahoma State 17
 
Notre Dame (+7) at No. 11 Tennessee, 2:30 p.m., CBS — Thisis your classic let down game between conference games, and UTcould be in trouble here. No matter what happens the rest of theyear, Tennessee is going to coast to Atlanta with Vanderbilt andKentucky left on the schedule, while Notre Dame is vying for a bowlgame. Quarterback Erik Ainge is now the man under center afterBrent Schaffer is out with an injury. The Vols will take this onebecause it’s in the land of Rocky Top, but don’t besurprised if this game puts you to sleep by 3:15 p.m.
 
Tennessee 7, Notre Dame 6
 
Maryland (+14) at No. 13 Virginia, 2:30 p.m., ABC (regional)— Maryland finally beat Florida State for the first time EVERlast week. Watching coach Ralph “The Fridge” Friedgenin those Under Armour commercials really got the Terps fired up forthat game. This week it’s the Cavs turn to yell out “Wemust protect this house!” A win sets UVA up nicely for ashowdown in Chancellorsville with Miami for what could decide theACC title next week. But Virginia better not overlook the Turtle orit will end up on its back.
 
Virginia 23, Maryland 21
 
Purdue (-2) at No. 20 Iowa, 2:30 p.m., ESPN — Is itpossible Purdue could lose four straight games after everyone inthe country was hyping them up for a BCS bowl bid? Well Kyle Ortonprobably won’t play, the Hawkeyes are on a good run and theBoilermakers find ways to lose close games. Instinct says to pickIowa, but predicting college football games is harder to understandthan women. So I’m going to use the George Constanza”do the opposite” method and maybe it will come outright.
 
Purdue 24, Iowa 10