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Big 12
Iowa State vs. No. 18 Oklahoma
Jamie Plunkett
Oklahoma 45, Iowa State 20 - Oklahoma doesn't lose another game this season, which helps TCU out tremendously. Iowa State gave Texas a run for their money last week, and probably should have won, but they won't even sniff the Sooners today.
Marshall Weber
Oklahoma 35, Iowa State 17 - Pretty clean win for Oklahoma. They had a big drop off in October, but they should get their footing back in November. A nice warm-up against the Cyclones will get them ready for their big matchup against Baylor next weekend <----Haha remember when that was the biggest Big 12 matchup of the year. Still should be fun though.
coachmelissa
Oklahoma 38, Iowa State 13 - OU has had a tough month since falling at TCU, but a bye week and a home game verses the Cyclones should get them back on track. ISU battles in every game they play, and they will be tough, but they don't have the horses on D to slow down Semaje Perine and Sterling Shepherd. Trevor Knight, who has been inconsistent at best, plays just well enough, and the Sooner D, led by Striker and co, dominate.
Hawkeyed Frog
Oklahoma 56, Iowa State 20 - If this game had come straight after the Kansas State loss I'd give Iowa State a puncher's chance of pulling the upset here, but Stoops knows how to settle his guys after a loss and a Bye week will only help that cause. OU announces their return to the Big 12 title chase with an emphatic rout of the Cyclones (Even if by Big 12 rout standards it's a little lacking).
No. 13 Baylor vs. Kansas
Jamie Plunkett
Baylor 56, Kansas 17 - Kansas is terrible, and Baylor is looking to get back on track after a loss to West Virgina. I could see something like TCU/Tech happening in this game if Baylor is really pissed off.
Marshall Weber
Baylor 13, Kansas 9 - For the sake of comedy, and curses on Halloween, I really really wanted to pick Kansas. But I won't. I will however, give Baylor an unlucky 13 points.
coachmelissa
Baylor 63, Kansas 24 - Kansas has played much better, but doesn't have the results on the scoreboard to show it. Baylor has been in a bit of a mini slump, but as I have been saying all year, Kansas is the cure for what ails ya. Bryce Petty and co try to match TCU's point total against Tech, but fall short, as they get a little sloppy with the ball late. Kansas makes enough noise on offense to keep things respectable ish.
Hawkeyed Frog
Baylor 200, Kansas 17 - Coming off of a bye in which they saw TCU rewarded for mercilessly pummeling Texas Tech, Baylor will attempt to reenact the famous Georgia Tech-Cumberland game against Kansas by playing their starters the whole way in the hopes of moving up the polls themselves. Sadly they fall just short in both of their goals and are actually passed in the next playoff poll by another SEC team, but you know what they say- sucks to B U.
Texas Tech vs. Texas
Jamie Plunkett
Texas Tech 28, Texas 20 - Yeah, I'm actually picking Tech in this game. I think they're embarrassed after last week (who wouldn't be?) and the fact that they have a chance for redemption against Texas, in Lubbock, sets this upset up perfectly.
Marshall Weber
Texas 27, Texas Tech 24 - Tech is to Texas what Kansas State is to Texas. Despite the spread, I'll take the Texas. Swoopes and Co. finally put everything together at the right time and ruin Halloween weekend in Lubbock.
coachmelissa
Texas 34, Texas Tech 20 - I just don't see how Tech wins another game this year. With their tail firmly between their legs and their QB hobbled, they will be no match for a Texas D that has vaulted itself in to the conversation for one of the top in the country. Tyrone Swoopes, who has looked pretty good in recent weeks, picks apart the Red Raider "D", and the UT running game, which has shown the ability to be excellent, bullies its way to a big day on the ground.
Hawkeyed Frog
Texas 20, Texas Tech 14 - The Longhorns head into the Twilight Zone and come out on the other side with a win that will pretty well drive the stake into Tech's fringe bowl hopes. The Texas Tech offense is better than the Texas offense on paper by a lot, but the Longhorns have the running game (and running QB) to frustrate Tech's defense and keep drives alive, while the Texas defense is much better than the Raider defense. That trumps the home field advantage.
No. 9 Kansas State vs. Oklahoma State
Jamie Plunkett
Kansas State 31, Oklahoma State 24 - Kansas State struggles a bit in this game, but they put away the Cowboys to remain atop the Big 12.
Marshall Weber
Kansas State 38, Oklahoma State 20 - Kansas State has a tough November. This will be a nice break. It's not the best look for Oklahoma State passing up Doug Meacham and for a especially team that's been so prolific on offense in recent years.
coachmelissa
Kansas State 37, Oklahoma State 24 - Kansas State has flown just slightly under the radar nationally, as they have rolled off win after win since throwing away the Auburn game. The combination of Waters and Lockett is one of the best in the country, and they have only gotten more in sync as the season has rolled on. Oklahoma State is facing a do or die game here, and will give everything they have to hold off the Cats. Unfortunately, it's not enough, and K State makes quick work of the Pokes to set up their showdown in Cowtown.
Hawkeyed Frog
Kansas State 39, Oklahoma State 17 - The Cowboys score with a few deep balls, but the Wildcats balanced offense pummels Oklahoma State at home in a big way, setting up the showdown of the Big 12 season... part 3? It seems like every week is the Big 12 showdown of the season, doesn't it? Still, OSU is not a balanced offense, and you need that if you're going to threaten the Wildcats (especially in Manhattan).
No. 7 TCU @ No. 20 West Virginia
Jamie Plunkett
TCU 35, West Virginia 31 - This game will be close, and thanks to the weather, it won't be as high scoring as people think. Couple the weather with teams that actually have decent defenses (despite what people are saying), and this is going to be an incredible game. Hopefully the win brings GameDay down to Fort Worth next weekend against the Wildcats.
Marshall Weber
coachmelissa
TCU 38, West Virginia 31 - This is such a tough game to predict. The Eers are so good at home - basically a completely different team. They beat the last team that came in ranked in the top 10, and almost knocked off the Sooners when they were still thought to be the best team in the conference and one of the best in the land. And you throw in GameDay to rile up those students even more? Yeesh. It's going to be crazy out in Morgantown and I really wish I was going to be there to see it first hand. The weather looks cold and snowy, but the Frogs come in blazing hot, so hopefully that isn't a factor. This will be Boykin's chance to show he is a legit Heisman contender in front of a national audience, and we will get tons of pub in the lead up. Though he has effectively stiff-armed it to this point, don't think he doesn't know that if the Frogs go in and win, and he plays like he has been, he won't jump to near the top of the list.
Hawkeyed Frog
TCU 48, West Virgina 34 - I think the elements may actually favor TCU in this one, as the Frogs have a much more robust running game than the Mountaineers, so despite being a southern team, the Frogs have the right personnel to be able to take advantage of a cold and rainy day in West Virginia. I think the Frogs force enough turnovers to cancel out the horrors that Kevin White (West Virginia Kevin White) will enact on... TCU's Kevin White. The Frogs score a late TD to chalk up a little in the way of style points, but this is a one possession dogfight throughout.