After a rough start to the football season, the Big 12 enters week 2 of its conference schedule with only two undefeated teams: Baylor and West Virginia.
No. 22 Texas at Oklahoma State
With a double overtime win over then-No. 10 Notre Dame, many declared that the old Texas was back. Follow that up with a loss to unranked Cal, and it’s hard to tell how good Texas really is. It’s clear that true freshman quarterback Shane Buechele is a much-needed piece of the puzzle. Oklahoma State was picked to finish third in the Big 12 this season, but a controversial loss to Central Michigan on the last play of the game cost them credibility. After a loss to Baylor in Waco, the Cowboys are looking to get their first conference win of the season. Stillwater is usually a tough place to play, but in this series, the road team has won the last seven meetings.
Texas 35, Oklahoma State 31Â
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No. 13 Baylor at Iowa State
No. 13 Baylor heads to Ames, Iowa to face the Cyclones in their first conference road game. Watch for Baylor’s prolific offense, lead by quarterback Seth Russell, to make big plays. Baylor leads the series 8-6, but Iowa State has a 4-3 advantage in games played at home. The Bears should come out on top, but don’t underestimate Iowa State. In 2011, they famously knocked off No. 2 Oklahoma State 37-31 in Ames, crushing the Big 12’s BCS title hopes.
Baylor 35, Iowa State 17
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Kansas State at West Virginia
This is the first conference game for both Kansas State and West Virginia. Kansas State’s defense has ranked at or near the top of almost every statistical category through the first three weeks of the season and they have held all three opponents to 300 yards or less. WVU’s offense is ranked No. 12 nationally in total offense, with quarterback Skyler Howard ranked No. 8 in total offense and receiver Shelton Gibson is ranked No. 4 in all-purpose yards. This matchup should be a good test for both teams. It’ll be a close one, but West Virginia will get their first win over the Wildcats since joining the conference four years ago, using the home crowd to their advantage.
West Virginia 35, Kansas State 28Â
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Oklahoma at No. 21 TCU
TCU’s only loss came in double overtime to Arkansas and OU’s two losses came to currently ranked No. 6 Houston and No. 2 Ohio State. Through four games, TCU’s quarterback transfer from Texas A&M, Kenny Hill, ranks fourth nationally with 1,487 yards passing and 66.1 passing percentage. The Horned Frogs defense, however, has given up an average of 26.3 points and 384.8 yards per game. The Sooners have not lost back-to-back regular season games since October 1999 and have won 18 of their last 20 road games. OU is averaging 6.91 yards per play, which is more than last year’s championship team did. This will be a close game that could go either way.
Oklahoma 45, TCU 42
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Kansas at Texas Tech
The Raiders explosive offense is averaging 61 points per game this season and ranks first nationally in passing offense. Kansas’s defense is ranked fifth nationally in pass defense, allowing 135 yards per game. Kansas may defend the pass well, but Texas Tech’s offensive power will win out in the end.
Texas Tech 50, Kansas 21
