Welcome to week 14 of Pick Six, a weekly column where the RTI team plus a weekly guest picker calls their shots on six games. We’ll do our best to pick the most competitive games each week and will focus heavily on the SEC when possible. Spreads are listed and will occasionally be mentioned in the comments. We’ll keep a running tally of records (straight up, not ATS) throughout the year and compare those to how Vegas fared.
Daniel led the way at 3-3 last week while Reed and Houston went 2-4. Guest picker Tony Basilio went 2-4. For the year, Daniel is 49-29, Reed is 44-24, Houston is 43-35, our guest pickers are 42-36 and Vegas favorites are 46-32.
This week’s guest picker is Wes Boling, former WVLT sports reporter and current freelance broadcaster.
Arkansas (-2.5) at No. 17 Missouri 2:30 pm CBS
Daniel: This is going to be a good one. Arkansas’s physical offensive line and running game against Missouri’s fierce defensive line will be must-see television. Arkansas’s defense has stepped up as well – forcing two straight shutouts against LSU and Ole Miss. I feel like Missouri doesn’t get enough credit overall. Almost everybody, including myself, picked against the Tigers in Knoxville last week and they took care of business there. I think this is going to be a four-quarter game that will be extremely physical. Missouri is playing for more (the SEC East crown), but Arkansas is the hotter team, so I’m going to take the Razorbacks in a nail-biter. Winner: Arkansas 21-14
Houston: Arkansas can clearly get it done at home, but can they do it on the road? I have been skeptical of Missouri all season, but the Tigers continue to find ways to win ugly games by playing strong defense and hitting timely plays on offense when they have to. Arkansas is riding some crazy momentum right now, coming off wins against LSU and Ole Miss in which they didn’t allow a single point. The Hogs are hot right now and their style of play is the exact style that has given Missouri fits all season. I look for Arkansas to control the game with a power-rushing attack and strong defense. Sorry Missouri, but I still don’t respect you. Winner: Bielema 27-17
Reed: I have no idea who to pick in this game. Zero. Arkansas has been excellent of late…at home. Missouri, on the other hand, has been better on the road. Power rushing attacks have given the Tigers fits and Arkansas certainly fits that bill, but Missouri has more to play for, with an SEC East championship on the line. Every time their backs have been against the wall, they’ve responded with a W the last two years. Razorback starting QB Brandon Allen will start the game but is struggling with a hip injury, if he’s less than 100%, I like Missouri in a nail biter. Winner: Tigers 20-17
Wes: This is the game I’m looking forward to the most. Arkansas is enjoying Petrino-like levels of success, but they’re visiting a Mizzou team playing for the right to go to the SEC title game. Consecutive shutout wins by the Hogs over LSU and Ole Miss have injected loads of confidence into that program, but it will be tough to sustain that level of play on the road against a strong opponent with so much on the line. Mizzou’s defense is physical enough to keep Arkansas’ power offense in check, and it will be effective enough to win a slugfest and send the Tigers to the SEC Championship Game. Winner: Missouri 17-13
