Big 12 Week 8 Fan Nation Predictions
The Baylor Bears are preparing to host the Kansas Jayhawks at 11 a.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas.
The Bears are coming off a 43-40 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers last Thursday. The Jayhawks, after a 5-0 start, have lost their last two games.
Those predictions will come 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 at Texas Tech, 2 p.m. central, FS1
Collier Logan, Staff Writer: Tech’s undefeated at home this year and the Red Raiders will be looking to keep that streak alive. West Virginia is fresh off a big win over Baylor, so it will have plenty of momentum. For the Red Raiders, their defense will need to be staunch to allow whoever lines up at quarterback to have a chance at scoring some points. Tech stays undefeated in Lubbock this weekend. Texas Tech 42, West Virginia 30
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: Tech coach Joey McGuire said he’ll look to get all three quarterbacks of Tyler Shough, Donovan Smith, and Behren Morton against the Mountaineers. But WVU will only need one quarterback, JT Daniels, to hand the Red Raiders their third straight loss. West Virginia 27, Texas Tech 26
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Texas Tech is coming off a bye. West Virginia has had 10 days off since its win over Baylor. I think the season is at an inflection point for the Mountaineers and their coach Neal Brown, who is the closest of any Big 12 coach to a hot seat. It sounds like regular starting quarterback Tyler Shough is back at practice, and there’s noise about Tech using all three quarterbacks this week. If you ask me, that’s a recipe for disaster. The Mountaineers steal one in Lubbock. West Virginia 33, Texas Tech 30
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: The Mountaineers are coming off a hard-fought win against Baylor. And despite having 10 days to recuperate, the Red Raiders were on their bye last week and have had two weeks to rest and recover. Texas Tech also is healthy at quarterback with the return of Tyler Shough, giving Joey McGuire options in the passing attack. Add in the fact that the game is in Lubbock, and the Red Raiders improve to 4-3. Texas Tech 31, West Virginia 27
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: West Virginia is coming off the upset win at home against Baylor in a 43-40 shootout. Meanwhile, Texas Tech is fresh off its bye week and looking to get back on track after two straight losses. Whether Donovan Smith, Tyler Shough or Behren Morton starts at quarterback for Texas Tech, West Virginia squeaks by in a close win on the road. West Virginia 35, Texas Tech 34
No. 20 Texas at No. 11 Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m. central, ABC
Collier Logan, Staff Writer: Oklahoma State was undefeated until it was stunned by TCU last week. This Saturday the Cowboys will face another, potentially more formidable, Texas team — the Longhorns. Unfortunately, the result will probably be the same for the Cowboys. Texas 35, Oklahoma State 24
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: The Longhorns barely escaped Iowa State while the Cowboys couldn’t do the same against TCU. A pivotal game in the Big 12, Oklahoma State’s chances of a win linger on the availability of quarterback Spencer Sanders. But even if he suits up, Texas running back Bijan Robinson could have his way against a Cowboys defense that is a shell of itself from last season. Texas 37, Oklahoma State 30
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Texas hasn’t won a game away from home this year. Granted, the chances have been few — the trip to Texas Tech was the Longhorns; one true road game. The win over Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl was a neutral site game. So, this is a great test for Texas to see if it can go into a higher-ranked team’s house and steal one. It’s the kind of game you have to win if you want to get to the Big 12 Championship game. Make no mistake — erach of these teams has a league loss, and a second puts them in precarious position. I saw Oklahoma State in person last week. If Spencer Sanders has a huge game at quarterback, then OSU wins. If Texas back Bijan Robinson does, then Texas wins. Texas 36, Oklahoma State 30
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: Texas running back Bijan Robinson is currently on a five-game streak of 100-plus rushing yards. He's leading the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (111.4) and has scored 10 touchdowns in seven games. Last season, Robinson totaled 135 rushing yards and three TDs against a Pokes defense that ranked fifth nationally in run defense. This season, Oklahoma State ranks 57th in rushing defense and has struggled to contain runners on third down. It's close, but Texas prevails and becomes the second Big 12 team to become bowl eligible. Texas 41, Oklahoma State 37
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Whether or not Texas coach Steve Sarkisian plays up the revenge angle, there is no denying that the wins over Iowa State and Oklahoma felt good for Texas. Next up on the list? A road trip to Oklahoma State, which is celebrating its homecoming weekend. With the health of Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders unclear, Texas will leave with its fourth straight win and put itself firmly in the Big 12 title race. Texas 42, Oklahoma State 28
No. 17 Kansas State at No. 8 TCU, 7 p.m. central, FS1
Collier Logan, Staff Writer: Another big-time conference clash. This game should tell us a little more about TCU. Despite the Horned Frogs’ success, K-State takes this W home. Kansas State 28, TCU 24
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: One of the best games in the country this week, a battle of strong running games and dual-threat quarterbacks will favor the TCU Horned Frogs, as they look to continue a Cinderella season. The Frogs win in overtime for back-to-back weeks. TCU 40, Kansas State 37
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: I saw TCU in person last week. I saw a team closing in on its first loss of the season. The Horned Frogs are not good on third down offensively, and Kansas State’s defense is great on third down. Expect that to be the difference. Kansas State 31, TCU 28
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: TCU is the feel-good story of the Big 12. Coach Sonny Dykes deserves immense praise for implementing a new system with a new staff and seeing it translate with ease. That said, the Horned Frogs still are struggling to defend the run. Currently, TCU is letting opponents average 135.2 yards per game. And K-State? It's averaging 244.5 yards per game behind the legs of quarterback Adrian Martinez and running back Deuce Vaughn. The Wildcats end the Horned Frogs' perfect season. More importantly, there's more conference chaos. And I'm here for it. Kansas State 35, TCU 21
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Talk about purple overload. This game will tell us a lot about the Big 12 title race picture, as both TCU and Kansas State remain undefeated against Big 12 foes. TCU finds itself in the Top 10 after a win over Oklahoma State, while Kansas State is looking to play spoiler and establish itself as top dog in the conference. However, TCU quarterback Max Duggan has a Heisman moment and lights up Kansas State in a statement win. TCU 49, Kansas State 31
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