Frogs O'War Friday Picks: Week 8

Last week had it's fair share of crazy. This week shouldn't be any different. There are some pretty great matchups in Norman, Morgantown, and hey--not such a bad one in Fort Worth. After a depressing slugfest, Baylor is on upset alert as they play at West Virginia. Kansas State looks to prove they're a legit darkhorse contender. TCU's looking to bounce back, Tech taking on Kansas is exciting as it would seem. And finally, Texas and Iowa State are meeting in mid-October both at 2-4.

It's the general consensus that TCU will get their footing back this weekend and take advantage of a very talented, yet flawed Oklahoma State team. However, Oklahoma State has had TCU's number since joining the Big 12. Coming into this game as underdog, Tyreek Hill and Co. could very well kick the Frogs while they're down. Despite the Pokes' weaknesses, this is not one to sleep on for TCU.

Big 12 Games

Baylor at West Virginia

Marshall:

West Virginia 49, Baylor 45-It’s not an unpopular opinion to say the Mountaineers will get the win. Baylor is notorious for playing weaker on the road, and Morgantown isn’t exactly an easy place to visit. Add that in with last week’s exhausting game, and you have yourself an upset.

Nick:

West Virginia 44, Baylor 27-Baylor's struggles on the road, combined with a letdown after their comeback win over the frogs have me thinking that they're ripe for an upset against a high powered mountaineer offense.  Baylor goes down and the Big 12 base becomes totally open.

Melissa:

Baylor 42 West Virginia 38-Baylor overcomes the natural let down after that thing that happened last Saturday that we won't talk about it. WVU scores with the Bears, but can't stop them, and falls just short in a furious rally of their own. I hope I'm wrong.

Jamie:

Baylor 42, West Virginia 30-Baylor starts slow, but picks it up in the second half, avoiding the letdown game after an emotional win last Saturday.

Kansas State at Oklahoma

Marshall:

Oklahoma 35, Kansas State 31-This is another popular upset pick. Had this been in the Little Apple, I’d go with the Wildcats. But it’s hard to beat Bob at home. Lest we forget just how freaking good Eric Striker and that defense is.

Nick:

Oklahoma 31, Kansas State 23-Oklahoma hasn't looked like the team that they were supposed to be coming into this year, but one of the rules of the Big 12 is it's generally folly to pick against the Sooners in Norman.  I don't have much reason for the pick other than that- OU wins at home.

Melissa:

Oklahoma 28, Kansas State 24-OU hasn't looked good in the last couple of games, but they right the ship against a very good K State squad. Sterling Shepard turns a short pass in to a long TD late, and the OU D hangs on for the win.

Jamie:

Oklahoma 27, Kansas State 24-The Sooners only win this game because it's in Norman, and Bill Snyder forgot his wizard staff in his Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl windbreaker.

Kansas at Tech

Marshall:

Texas Tech 42, Kansas 28-The Jayhawks just can’t catch a break. The good news for Lawrence is that basketball is right around the corner.

Nick:

Texas Tech 38, Kansas 21-Finally a Big 12 win for the bedraggled red raiders as Kansas does enough to threaten the Raiders early on, but even with Tech's awful performance on the year so far, I just don't see any way that they drop this one to Kansas- unless they get caught looking ahead of Davis Webb finds a way to be even worse.

Melissa:

Texas Tech 28, Kansas 21-Kansas looks… better… Tech suffered a gut wrenching defeat last week… but the Jayhawks lose; different week, same story.

Jamie:

Texas Tech 35, Kansas 17-This is the only conference win Tech will have this season, so they need to enjoy it.

Iowa State at Texas

Marshall:

Texas 24, Iowa State 17-Texas reminds me a lot of TCU last year. Great defense. No offense. The Cyclones come to Austin and play the Longhorns close the entire game, but Texas makes a big defensive play in the 4th to put it away.

Nick:

Texas 23, Iowa State 10-Texas is steadily improving on offense and their defense is pretty darn impressive so far this season.  The Cyclones have a few calls go against them, but not of the AD-rant-inspiring variety, but can't get the offense going.

Melissa:

Texas 24, Iowa State 13-The upset wouldn't surprise me here, but the Texas defense is just too good, and Swoopes looked much improved against OU.

Jamie:

Texas 24, Iowa State 14-Texas is bad, but Iowa State is worse. The question now is, does Paul Rhodes make it to the end of the season?

Oklahoma State at TCU

Marshall:

TCU 42, Oklahoma State 24-Don’t call it a comeback. After playing 75% of a brilliant game last Saturday, TCU bounces back and gets the win--for two big, easy reasons. They’re scoring early--something they’ve never really done (They’ve scored on their first drive in every game this season). And second, the defense is going take advantage of newbie Daxx Garman and the Pokes’ weak offensive line. Garman has been terrific filling in the speedy shoes of J.W. Walsh, but has suffered from lack of protection. Daxx Garman will make it interesting, but I think TCU goes for the leg Billy Zabka style early in the second half and puts it away.

Nick:

TCU 40, Oklahoma State 20-Picking the Frogs to bounce back with a big win after what has reportedly been a very good week of practice.  It's a miserable feeling, but a loss may be just what this team needs to stay motivated and focused in this murderer's row of the Big 12 season.  Daxx Garman has a bad day, throwing three picks and the Cowboys can't find consistent offensive success, only scoring with a few deep balls, while Boykin and Co. keep up their frantic pace.

Melissa:

No. 12 TCU 38, Oklahoma State 24-The TCU D shows up this week in a big way, harassing Daxx Garman in to sacks, interceptions, and incompletions. The Cowboys will put points on the board, but the Frogs make some great halftime adjustments to shut them down when it matters. Boykin has a solid game, but it's the running backs that carry the load, and BJ has a huge game to the tune of 200 all-purpose yards and three scores.

Jamie:

TCU 31, Oklahoma State 20-The Frogs come out pissed off and fired up after last week. They get out to a big lead early and this time they hold on for the W.

Around the Country.

Week 8	No. 2 Florida State vs. No. 5 Notre Dame	No. 7 Alabama vs. No. 21 Texas A&M	No. 17 Arizona State vs. No. 23 Stanford	No. 13 Ohio State vs. Rutgers	No. 9 Oregon vs. Washington
Marshall	Notre Dame 28, Florida State 45	Alabama 27, Texas A&M 17	Stanford 10, Arizona State 20	Ohio State 42, Rutgers 24	Oregon 48, Washington 45
Nick	Notre Dame 40, Florida State 31	Alabama 24, Texas A&M 14	Stanford 26, Arizona State 30	Ohio State 50, Rutgers 17	Oregon 37, Washington 30
Melissa	Notre Dame 31, Florida State 30	Alabama 24, Texas A&M 21	Stanford 21, Arizona State 17	Ohio State 34, Rutgers 24	Oregon 45, Washington 35
Jamie	Notre Dame 24, Florida State 35	Alabama 30, Texas A&M 38	Stanford 27, Arizona State 31	Ohio State 24, Rutgers 21	Oregon 42, Washington 38