Big 12 Fan Nation Staff Predictions for Week 5
The Baylor Bears will continue their Big 12 slate against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. central. Oklahoma State won the regular-season matchup in Stillwater, Okla., last season. But the Bears beat the Cowboys in the Big 12 Championship Game.
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.
Oklahoma (3-1, 0-1) at TCU (3-0), 11 a.m. CT, ESPN
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: After getting upset by Kansas State last week, the Sooners need to bounce back quickly. They should do that against TCU, even on the road. Oklahoma 35, TCU 20
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: I mean, the ‘Hateful Eight’ (I love the name, by the way) would love to keep the ‘L’ train going for OU. But I don’t think TCU is as talented as Kansas State, honestly. The Sooners will be highly motivated this week. Oklahoma 38, TCU 28
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: Give some credit to TCU coach Sonny Dykes for handling his business in a tough environment against his former school, SMU. Too bad the Horned Frogs are playing a ticked-off Sooners team that needs to take its anger out of some poor roster after losing to quarterback Adrian Martinez and Kansas State. Oklahoma 45, TCU 21.
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Oklahoma bounces back from an upset loss in dominant fashion, taking its frustrations out on TCU. The Sooners will make sure not to get caught looking ahead to next week and the Red River Rivalry with Texas. Oklahoma 42, TCU 16
Texas Tech (3-1, 1-0) at Kansas State (3-1, 1-0), 11 a.m. CT, ESPN+
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: This will be the fourth straight ranked team that Texas Tech has taken on this season. The Red Raiders have knocked off two out of three, both in overtime thrillers. Why not make it three out of four? The Wildcats have a dynamic offense with running back Deuce Vaughn and quarterback Adrian Martinez, but the Red Raiders defense has looked stronger than usual. Tech has a playmaker of their own in sophomore quarterback Donovan Smith, who will lead the Raiders to a victory and a spot in the AP Top 25 on Sunday. Texas Tech 34, Kansas State 27
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: This one is a difficult pick. Both teams are coming off seismic wins over the two SEC-bound teams and that would naturally lead to a let-down loss. But … only one can lose (those are the rules as I understand them). I’ll take the home team. Texas Tech’s performance in its one road game didn’t inspire a lot of confidence. But, there’s something to be said for building on that experience during the next road game. That’s the unknown when it comes to Tech. Kansas State 33, Texas Tech 30
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: Can Tech pull off another Top-25 upset? After beating No. 25 Houston in overtime, playing close with No. 14 NC State and defeating No. 22 Texas, anything is possible. Then again, the Red Raiders gave up over 100 yards to Texas running back Bijan Robinson and allowed him to score twice. Vaughn is just as skilled and he’s playing in front of a home crowd. Kansas State 31, Texas Tech 24
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Both teams are entering this game riding the high of a huge upset win, looking to keep the momentum going. Unfortunately for Texas Tech, that goes the way of Kansas State who leaves this one with a victory. Kansas State 38, Texas Tech 28
Iowa State (3-1, 0-1) at Kansas (4-0, 1-0), 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: Kansas will stay undefeated in this conference clash. The Jayhawks are on a roll and could be a dark horse candidate to make a run at the Big 12 title game. Kansas 29, Iowa State 13
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: The Jayhawk train has to end at some point, right? But ISU has played just one road game and scored 10 points against Iowa. I mean, a Kansas win isn’t out of the question here. Oh, lord, I love an underdog. Kansas 33, Iowa State 30
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: If Kansas was ranked this week, I’d pick Iowa State. Too bad the AP voters couldn’t give the people what they want. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels goes off in Lawrence again, and the Jayhawks inch closer to becoming bowl eligible this season. If the Jayhawks are not ranked before taking on TCU, we riot. Kansas 34, Iowa State 20
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: The AP Poll may not want to rank Kansas yet, but it may very well move to 5-0 after this week and become a serious Big 12 title contender. I’m all in on the Jayhawks, who ride a big offensive performance to a win. Kansas 42, Iowa State 31
West Virginia (2-2, 0-1) at Texas (2-2, 0-1), 6:30 p.m., FS1
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: Texas should win this game but don’t count the Mountaineers out. It will be interesting to see who starts at quarterback for the Longhorns, if redshirt freshman Quinn Ewers is healthy enough to go. Either way the Longhorns should win this one at home. Texas 33, West Virginia 17
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: x. x
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Texas’ response in this game should be to be the heck out of West Virginia. But, I think it’s going to be closer than that. This is actually a pivotal game for Texas, I think. The Longhorns have alternated wins and losses to this point and can’t afford a losing streak with the Red River Rivalry game coming up. Plus, the Mountaineers have figured some things out since their 0-2 start. They beat Virginia Tech on the road, which is not an easy place to play. And it wasn’t close, either. The Mountaineers won’t be intimidated. But Texas prevails, albeit by less than a touchdown. Texas 31, West Virginia 27
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: If quarterback Quinn Ewers plays, Texas wins by at least 10. If quarterback Hudson Card plays and Steve Sarkisian trusts him to give Robinson the ball over 20 times, the Horns win. If not, West Virginia moves over .500 while Texas moves under. Texas 34, West Virginia 20
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: One week ahead of the Red River Rivalry with Oklahoma and Texas is in the same boat as the Sooners — coming off a huge upset loss and looking to get back on track. Like Oklahoma, Texas does that against West Virginia. Texas 38, West Virginia 17
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