The Big 12 Conference will host one of six games around the country today between ranked opponents when no. 4 Oklahoma travels to Fort Worth, Texas to take on no. 25 TCU. Here’s the rundown and with what to look for in today’s Big 12 games.
Iowa State (1-3, 0-2) At #21 Oklahoma State (3-1, 1-0)
Kickoff: 12:00 PM (ET) Line: OSU -18 O/U: 65.5
Iowa State’s only win on the season came on the road (Cyclones are 0-3 at home) when they upset Iowa 20-17 on September 13. Oklahoma State has reeled off three consecutive 40+ point performances since dropping the season opener against top-ranked Florida State.
Key Matchup: Iowa State quarterback Sam Richardson vs. the O-State secondary. Richardson is the Cyclones leading rusher but ISU needs him to try and win this game with his arm and not his legs. He’s completing 68% of his passes, for an average of 6.09 yards per attempt, and will be going against an Oklahoma State squad that boasts the statistically worst pass defense in the Big 12.
Score Prediction: OSU 38 – ISU 24
#7 Baylor (4-0, 1-0) at Texas (2-2, 1-0)
Kickoff: 3:30 PM (ET) Line: Baylor -16 O/U: 57.5
It was only Kansas but Texas got exactly what they needed in last week’s 23-0 road victory. After dropping back-to-back games against ranked opponents, the road trip to Lawrence was the buffer Texas needed before taking their third shot at a ranked team.
Key Matchup: Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty vs. the Texas secondary. The Longhorns have only allowed two passing touchdowns on the year and have nabbed a total of nine interceptions. They are holding opposing quarterbacks to a 54.5% completion percentage as Petty brings the nation’s fourth ranked passing offense to Austin.
Score Prediction: Baylor 37 – Texas 17
#4 Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0) at #25 TCU (3-0, 0-0)
Kickoff: 3:30 PM (ET) Line: Oklahoma -4 O/U: 56.5
Oklahoma has already played one big game on the road (West Virginia) this season but this will be their first test against a ranked opponent. TCU is sitting on a fantastic opportunity in what has already been a great start to the season.
Key Matchup: Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine vs. the TCU defense. Perine had his coming out party with a 200+ yard performance in Morgantown and now takes his 6.3 yards per carry average against a TCU defense that is only allowing opponents an average of 2.1 yards per carry.
Score Prediction: Oklahoma 24 – TCU 21
Kansas (2-2, 0-1) at West Virginia (2-2, 0-1)
Kickoff: 4:00 PM (ET) Line: WVU -28 O/U: 58.5
The Charlie Weis era came to an end in Lawrence and this weekend’s trip to Morgantown will mark the beginning of the new era. Probably not the start to the new era that Kansas is looking for.
Key Matchup: WVU quarterback Clint Trickett vs the Kansas secondary. With all of the attention given to Baylor and Bryce Petty, it’s actually Clint Trickett and West Virginia who boast the Big 12’s top passing attack. Opponents have only averaged 17.5 passing attempts per game against Kansas but that’s gonna change in a big way when they face the Mountaineers’ potent offense.
Score Prediction: West Virginia 38 – Kansas 21
Texas Tech (2-2, 0-1) at #23 Kansas State (3-1, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7:00 PM (ET) Line: KSU -15 O/U: 67
Texas Tech is quietly spiraling downward and it won’t be long until people start noticing. The Red Raiders have lost two games in a row by multiple scores and now face the tall task of trying to win at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Key Matchup: Jake Waters and Charles Jones vs. the Texas Tech defensive front. Waters is the Wildcats’ leading rusher in total carries (52) but Jones leads the way with total yards (228) and yards per carry (5.2). He’s also crossed the goal line eight times on the ground this season. Texas Tech has given up a Big 12 leading 1,042 yards on land, which means good news for Jones and Waters.
Score Prediction: Kansas State 38 – Texas Tech 28
*Section Photo credit to Jamie Squire, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Jasen Vinlove, USA Today Sports
