Handicapper Stone: Take Oklahoma State minus-8 over Griffin, Baylor

Baylor coach Art Briles is orchestrating one of college football's feel-good stories.

Prior to this season, the Bears had compiled a 14-98 conference record in the history of the Big 12, prompting some observers to call for Baylor to trade in the financial benefits of major conference membership for the opportunity to win a game every now and then.

But with the arrival of Briles, the Bears have made incremental improvements, hitting a virtual grand slam in February 2008 when they lured quarterback Robert Griffin, once an Olympic hopeful in the 400-meter hurdles, to the Waco campus.

When Baylor, led by the fast-rising Griffin, shows up today to play Oklahoma State in Stillwater, the Bears will be nationally ranked and leading the Big 12 South.

Say what? It's early November, with some already counting the shopping days until Christmas, and Baylor fans should be shifting their attention to basketball.

But what comes up must come down, as they say, and this looks like a spot for the Bears to slip and stumble.

Two weeks ago, Baylor celebrated wildly on its home field after defeating Kansas State (47-42) to gain bowl eligibility, and followed that with its first victory over Texas (30-22) since 1997 on the road.

The Bears are playing for the 10th consecutive week.

Oklahoma State gets back star Justin Blackmon, who has 1,112 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, after a one-game suspension. Go with the Cowboys as 8-point favorites.

Eight more plays for today (home team in CAPS):

■ Illinois (+3½) over MICHIGAN -- After feasting on a smorgasbord of powderpuffs, the Wolverines have failed to cover any of their four Big Ten contests, falling short of the number by an average of 11 points. Michigan has allowed at least 34 points in every league game.

■ Arkansas-SOUTH CAROLINA (Over 58½) -- Despite having a taste of early-season success, the Gamecocks' pass defense is full of holes. That does not bode well with quarterback Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks up next.

■ BOISE STATE (-21) over Hawaii -- Boise State has few opportunities left to impress the computers and pollsters. Expect the Broncos to bring their full measure of intensity against the Warriors, who have won six consecutive games since falling at Colorado in mid-September.

■ Oklahoma (-3) over TEXAS A&M -- Oklahoma's national championship hopes are slim at best, plus the Sooners have periodically stumbled on the Big 12 road in recent years. However, Texas A&M's most notable victories since the start of last season both came against Texas Tech, and there's no reason to believe the Aggies will start knocking off the big boys now.

■ Oklahoma-TEXAS A&M (Over 60½) -- In their past three true road games, the Sooners allowed an average of 35.3 points. The Aggies' offense received a jolt of energy from the insertion of Ryan Tannehill at quarterback.

■ LOUISIANA TECH (-2) over Fresno State -- Fresno State has covered six of its past 19 road games. Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech has covered 14 of its past 18 home games and seems to be catching on to Sonny Dykes' spread offense, as evidenced by 394 total yards last week against Boise State.

■ ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM (-10½) over Marshall -- The Thundering Herd could use a little lightning as they have averaged just 14 points in four conference games. Quarterback Bryan Ellis has developed nicely for the Blazers.

■ Missouri (-4½) over TEXAS TECH -- Inheriting a solid group of Mike Leach's leftovers, coach Tommy Tuberville's first season in Lubbock has been lukewarm at best. The Red Raiders have lost at home by double digits to Texas and Oklahoma State.

Last week: 3-5 against the spread

Season: 27-32-3

Texas-based handicapper Paul Stone of Vegassportsauthority.com is providing college football analysis for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.