Tap's Thursday Night Picks

Thursday night football can be entertaining, sloppy, and everything else under the sun honestly. I make picks to help clear your head.

CFB
3. Oregon at 5. Stanford 8:00 pm ESPN - This has become one of the biggest games of the year. Last year, these two teams played a classic and I thank the based gods that this is on a Thursday night so there is no conflict with LSU and Alabama. I do think Stanford's number five ranking is a bit inflated.

They still do not have an offense. It does seem like they have a couple impact players, but if they do not step up, it is curtains for that offense. Against Washington, it was Ty Montgomery making big plays in special teams and on offense. Against Oregon State, it was Tyler Gaffney rushed for 145 yards with three touchdowns. Kevin Hogan needs to be better in this football game for Stanford  to win.  Hogan has definitely hit the sophomore slump. He had only 100 yards against Washington and he had 227 against UCLA albeit he was efficient going 18 for 25. But when it is all said and done, Hogan has not been where we saw him last year when he took over for Josh Nunes. This is a tough Oregon defense that gets no credit and Hogan will have some issues.

This all being said, Oregon's offense will face their toughest test against Stanford defense. If Marcus Mariota has a huge game tonight, I think there is no question about it that he is the front-runner for Heisman this year. Mariota had only 207 yards of passing against Stanford with one touchdown and an interception although he did have 87 yards of rushing. Mariota needs to do more through the air on Thursday night. Watch for De'Anthony Thomas to try and connect on a wheel route with Mariota to open up the offense early. As he has done before, Thomas can make a difference.  I will take Oregon in this one where it will be a game where they wear down the Stanford defense. ORE 34-24

10. Oklahoma at 6. Baylor 6:30 pm FOX Sports 1 - IT IS TIME. The casual college football world will get introduced to Baylor if they had not already. Baylor is the best offense in college football led by Bryce Petty and Lache Seastrunk as they are averaging almost 64 points, over 400 yards of passing and 300 yards of rushing a game. Their lowest point total this season is 35. And for those Big 12 haters, they have only give up 15 points a game. Yet the rumors are true, Baylor really has not played a top tier team this season.

Welcome in Oklahoma. After they suffered an embarrassing loss to Texas, the Sooners have reeled off four straight wins including a big home win against Texas Tech. In that game, they forced turnovers and rushed the ball like madmen. They have to do both to win this football game. If this top notch secondary can force Petty into making mistakes and then Oklahoma can hold the ball keeping control of this game, they win this football game without question.

Baylor is a 15 point favorite. I feel like that's too high, but at the same time, I believe in Baylor. I have all season. I cannot go back on Baylor right now even if Oklahoma can come into Waco and win this football game. Give me Baylor or give me death, they win in a close game though. BAY 35-31

NFL
Washington (3-5) (-3) at Minnesota (1-7) 7:25 NFLN - I loved how Rich Eisen, one of my favorites, tried to sell this game on Adrian Peterson and Robert Griffin III being on the field together with two massive college football games on. Yes, those two are on the field and yes, this is a big road game for the Redskins. I told you to bet heavy last week on Cincinnati and hope y'all did not listen to me. I would probably push a lot of coin to Washington this week with Minnesota missing two secondary members and it sounds like players are falling out of flavor with Leslie Frazier. I also think the shade on RGIII is overblown. He has a big game and puts everyone on notice. WASH 31-16

Charlie.