This week does not have any "huge" matchups in the Big XII, but there are a couple that could have a big impact. Will Texas lose their first conference game of the season after losing Jonathan Gray and Chris Whaley? Does Texas Tech have anything left in the tank to try and beat Baylor? How hungover will Oklahoma be after their embarrasing loss to Baylor?
Here are previews of this week's Big XII matchups.
Texas Tech (7-3, 4-3 Big XII) vs. #5 Baylor (8-0, 5-0 Big XII)
After a hot start to the season, winning seven straight games to open, Texas Tech has dropped their last three. And that streak does not look like it will be stopping this weekend.
Baylor has been incredible this season offensively, led by Bryce Petty and a slew of running backs and wide receivers who have contributed in big ways. They lead the nation in total offense and in scoring.
Texas Tech’s problem in recent weeks has been their defense. A unit that had been playing very well prior to the losing streak, the Red Raiders have allowed 139 points in their last three games, something that Baylor will surely take advantage of.
The Red Raiders outlook for Saturday looks bleak. If they want to stand a chance, they will need the defense to play better than they have, and they will need Baker Mayfield to minimize mistakes, something he has been prone to all season.
Predicted Winner: Baylor
#12 Oklahoma State (8-1, 5-1 Big XII) vs. #24 Texas (7-2, 6-0 Big XII)
Texas has easily been the biggest surprise of the Big XII this season. If anyone mentioned after the Ole Miss game that the Longhorns would be undefeated in conference play, they would be laughed at and considered unintelligent. However, here we are.
The Longhorns head into this game hurting though. Last week against West Virginia, they lost defensive tackle Chris Whaley, who has arguably been the best player on that unit this season, and Jonathan Gray, who is the team’s leading rusher, for the season. Case McCoy also did not perform well as a whole last week ,and will need to play much better if the ‘Horns want to stay undefeated.
Since Chelf took over at quarterback, the Cowboys have averaged nearly 51 points per game. With how inconsistent the Longhorns’ defense has been, and especially now with the loss of Whaley, the Cowboys certainly have the edge.
Predicted Winner: Oklahoma State
Iowa State (1-8, 0-6 Big XII) vs. #18 Oklahoma (7-2, 4-2 Big XII)
Iowa State has not been very good this season, but they have scared a few teams, namely Texas and TCU. Oklahoma is in a vulnerable position, coming off an embarrassing loss to Baylor, all but crushing their Big XII title hopes. It will be key that the Sooners have the right mindset heading into this game, because the Cyclones can certainly sneak up on teams.
Blake Bell will need to play better overall. He needs to make smarter decisions when passing and be more accurate. However, he will need a lot of help from the running game to help open up passing lanes. Damian Williams, Roy Finch and Co. will need to play better than they did last week and keep the offense moving.
Iowa State will need to settle on a quarterback. Grant Rohach has not been any better than Sam Richardson in his starts. Last week, although Rohach was the starter and played nearly all game, Richardson was the only one to contribute an offensive touchdown. It will be an interesting storyline to follow who starts for the Cyclones, who have certainly fallen from their early season start.
Predicted Winner: Oklahoma
TCU (4-6, 2-5 Big XII) vs. Kansas State (5-4, 3-3 Big XII)
Kansas State has not been a BCS-caliber team like they were last season, but they have quietly been one of the better teams in the conference. They gave Baylor their biggest scare of the season, they played Oklahoma State down to the wire, and they demolished Texas Tech last week. Their offense, led by a dual quarterback system and a strong running game, has been incredibly successful. Against TCU’s strong secondary, Daniel Sams will likely be the quarterback that takes the majority of the snaps, and will run a lot with running back John Hubert, who have scored 18 rushing touchdowns between the two of them so far this season.
For TCU, the key will be finding a way to get the ball to Trevone Boykin. Crazy, right? Boykin has been significantly more dangerous since he was moved to an offensive weapon role, rather than as the quarterback. In the past two games, he has totaled 197 yards and three touchdowns. Pachall has solidified the quarterback position, but he will need to minimize turnovers, as the Wildcats are very good at possessing the ball and keeping opposing offenses off the field.
This game is certainly a toss-up, and will be fun to watch from the opening kickoff until the clock strikes zero.
Predicted Winner: Kansas State
West Virginia (4-6, 2-5 Big XII) vs. Kansas (2-7, 0-6 Big XII)
West Virginia’s roller coaster season continues, following a tough, overtime loss to Texas. Even worse news, quarterback Clint Trickett suffered a potential head injury and will likely not play, leaving Paul Millard the only healthy quarterback on the roster. Millard did not play well last week, only completing 50-percent of his passes and only threw one touchdown against two interceptions.
Kansas is going through their own quarterback issues, as Jake Heaps has failed to live up to expectations heading in, and was replaced by Montell Cozart last week. Until they develop some consistency on offense, their Big XII losing streak will likely continue.
Predicted Winner: West Virginia