Big 12 Fan Nation Week 4 Staff Predictions
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The Baylor Bears will open their Big 12 slate against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday at 11 a.m. central. Last year’s game featured the Bears winning in Waco, Texas, but by two points, 31-29.
Baylor had an 11-9 edge in the all-time series. The staff predictions for this game will be out later this week.
But what about the rest of the Big 12 this weekend?
Staff members from Longhorns Country, Inside the Bears and Red Raider Review provide their picks for each of the other Big 12 games this week.
West Virginia (1-2) at Virginia Tech (2-1), 6:30 p.m. CT Thursday, ESPN
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: West Virginia has looked formidable at times this season, and Virginia Tech has disappointed. West Virginia 21, Virginia Tech 17
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: West Virginia has been hit in the mouth this season with tough losses. The Mountaineers are better than their 1-2 record shows and they will beat the Hokies by double digits. West Virginia 43, Virginia Tech 31
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: West Virginia is 0-2 against Power-5 teams. Virginia Tech is 1-0. So I’m taking the Hokies. Virginia Tech 30, West Virginia 24
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: West Virginia quarterback JT Daniels needs to play better after throwing for less than 200 yards against Towson, but the offense is clicking under coordinator Graham Harrell. Over the past two games, the Mountaineers have scored 110 points. The Hokies' defense, however, currently is leading the ACC in total yards (201 yards per game) and scoring (12.3 points). It's close, but West Virginia improves to 2-0. West Virginia 20, Virginia Tech 17
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: West Virginia's lone win came over Towson this year, with two uninspiring losses preceding it. The Mountaineers go on the road and lose to Virginia Tech, making WVU coach Neal Brown's seat even hotter. Virginia Tech 35, West Virginia 21
TCU (2-0) at SMU (2-1), 11 a.m., ESPNU
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: Something tells me this matchup’s going to belong to the Mustangs. SMU takes TCU out in this in-state battle. SMU 30, TCU 18
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: TCU has lost the last two matchups with the Mustangs and I’m feeling a third. At least one team has scored 40 points in the past three meetings, so expect another game in that range where SMU comes on top. SMU 45, TCU 35
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: It’s a rivalry game, it’s at SMU and the Mustangs probably want to stick it to their former boss, new TCU coach Sonny Dykes. The Boulevard will be lit that night. SMU 33, TCU 27
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: The Big 12 honestly should've offered a bid to SMU just to add more fuel to the Battle of the Iron Skillet. Dykes is expecting the boos at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, and they'll be flying in hotter than water jumping out of a pan. The Ponies won last year to put Dykes on the map. They'll win again at home with Rhett Lashlee now as coach. SMU 34, TCU 24
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: One of the more underrated matchups of the college football weekend, TCU comes close but falls just short of a win over SMU. SMU 28, TCU 24
Duke (3-0) at Kansas (3-0), 11 a.m., FS1
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: Kansas might not creep into the Top 25 with this win, but they’re on their way. Kansas 42, Duke 20
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: Who would’ve thought these two teams would each be 3-0? The ‘Blue Bloods of College Basketball Bowl’ is going to be a fun matchup, one where Kansas and quarterback Jalon Daniels continue to prove they’re not the worst team in the Big 12 this season. Kansas 39, Duke 24
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Yes the records you see next to those two teams is correct. No, it’s not the second week of basketball season. It’s the coolest game of the week in my opinion, and the Jayhawks keep rolling. Kansas 36, Duke 28
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: It's the game of the week. No, really, this is the game of the week. The fact that College Gameday elected to stiff Kansas of national recognition will have the Jayhawks playing ticked off in front of a packed Memorial Stadium. By Sunday morning, Kansas, under coach Lance Leipold, will be ranked for the first time since 2009. Now comes the hard part — convincing Leipold to stay on a new contract. Kansas 45, Duke 24
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: 3-0 Duke meets 3-0 Kansas. No, this isn't an early season marquee basketball matchup. Look for the Kansas offense to propel the Jayhawks past Duke, giving them a 4-0 record and making their case to be ranked even stronger. Kansas 42, Duke 31
No. 22 Texas (2-1) at Texas Tech (2-1), 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: The Longhorns have looked better than usual, but they’re due for a traditional UT disappointment. The Red Raiders’ defense might be better than advertised and they’re going to give the Longhorns problems in Lubbock. Texas Tech 24, Texas 23
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: I expect a classic Big 12 shootout from these two teams. The Longhorns have scored 40 points or more in eight of the last 11 meetings, which has included four-straight victories. Tech's defense will need to show loads of improvement to keep up with Texas running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Xavier Worthy this time around. The Red Raiders and quarterback Donovan Smith will make things closer than expected, but coach Steve Sarkisian has Texas on the right track. Texas 51, Texas Tech 37
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: First, I don’t know who’s on tortilla duty for this but my apologies in advance. We’re going to find out what a sold-out tortilla toss looks like. Next, it’s great that it’s sold out and the Red Raiders are highly motivated for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is it COULD be the last one in Lubbock. But I think I trust Texas quarterback Hudson Card (assuming he starts) more than Smith right now. Texas 31, Texas Tech 28
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: Even if Card starts, the way Texas' defense has played should keep the program ahead of coach Joey McGuire's Texas Tech. The Longhorns are holding opponents to 16.7 points per game and have only allowed two touchdowns through the air. McGuire is building something special in Lubbock. Sarkisian is just a chapter or two ahead. Texas 38, Texas Tech 17
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Texas Tech will be looking for a marquee win under McGuire, and a rivalry game undoubtedly meets the criteria. However, the Longhorns will head into Lubbock and pull out the win in what could be their final game in Lubbock for the foreseeable future. Texas 45, Texas Tech 28
Kansas State (2-1) at No. 6 Oklahoma (3-0), 7 p.m., FOX
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn will be the best player on the field in this game. Oklahoma won’t be able to contain the Wildcats’ shifty playmaker. Kansas State 34, Oklahoma 29
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: Oklahoma whopped Nebraska last week and the Sooners did it swiftly. Under coach Brent Venables, OU has proven nothing has changed after Lincoln Riley’s exit. The Wildcats were upset last week by Tulane but should still give the Sooners a good fight. OU 43, Kansas State 36
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: OU tends to have trouble with Kansas State, especially in Big 12 openers. OU has the talent edge and the momentum. I think the Sooners win this one by a bit more than some might expect. Oklahoma 38, Kansas State 27
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: I said at the start of the year that Oklahoma would drop a game at home. This isn't one of them. While the Wildcats rushing attack of Vaughn and quarterback Adrian Martinez is potent, the Sooners have allowed two rushing touchdowns all season. It's closer than expected, but Oklahoma remains undefeated to begin Big 12 play. Oklahoma 30, Kansas State 20
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Kansas State has given Oklahoma trouble in recent years, so this game could be the best one of the Big 12 slate. However, Oklahoma survives an upset attempt with a narrow victory over Kansas State. Oklahoma 35, Kansas State 34
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