Entering Week 8, the Big XII standings are starting to take shape. Oklahoma losing to Texas last week put them one game behind Texas Tech, Texas and Baylor, who all are still undefeated in conference play. The Sooners and Oklahoma State currently sit with one loss, and everyone else is under .500 in conference play.
Here are this week's Big XII matchups.
Iowa State (1-4, 0-2 Big XII) vs. #12 Baylor (5-0, 2-0 Big XII)
Despite Iowa State’s 1-4 start, they have shown they are not a easy win for Big XII opponents, after being one replay away from beating Texas and keeping pace with the aerial attack of Texas Tech. Sam Richardson has developed as a passer through the season and Aaron Wimberly has emerged as a reliable running back.
Baylor is coming off a game last week against Kansas State, where they were able to only score half the points of their season average. They were trailing entering the fourth quarter, which forced quarterback Bryce Petty to play in the final quarter for the first time this season. The Bears suffered an inability to establish a run game and suffered some bad drops in the passing game. Fortunately, they have the firepower that they were able to pull out a victory.
If Iowa State wants to have a chance, they will need to do the same thing Kansas State did: Run the ball and control the clock. The Wildcats carried the ball 58 times against Baylor, while only throwing the ball 22 times. It will be key for Richardson and Wimberly to give the Cyclones manageable 3rd downs and keep the clock moving.
Unfortunately, Baylor’s ability to strike quickly is far superior to anything Iowa State has seen this season. It will not be surprising to see this game get out of hand early.
Predicted Winner: Baylor
#16 Texas Tech (6-0, 3-0 Big XII) vs. West Virginia (3-3, 1-2 Big XII)
Texas Tech has easily been the biggest surprise of the Big XII this season. Nobody predicted the Red Raiders would be undefeated this far into the season. They have done well overcoming tough situations and inconsistent quarterback play. With Baker Mayfield’s status still uncertain and Davis Webb’s great play last week, it is safe to assume that Webb will be the starter once again.
West Virginia has suffered similar problems at quarterback. They have used three different players at the position, but none of them have been able to successfully hold the job down. All three quarterbacks have each won a game, but all three have also succeeded at being pulled from the following game. If the Mountaineers want to finish the second half of the season better than they played in the first half, they will need one of the three guys to successfully hold down the job.
The key for both teams will be consistent quarterback play. Webb and whoever starts for the Mountaineers will need to be able to spread the ball and allow their playmakers to do the work. The team with the fewest turnovers will win the game.
Predicted Winner: Texas Tech
#18 Oklahoma (5-1, 2-1 Big XII) vs. Kansas (2-3, 0-2 Big XII)
Oklahoma is coming off an embarrassing loss in the Red River Rivalry against Texas, when they were beaten in every facet of the game. Lucky for them, they go to Lawrence, Kansas to play a Jayhawks team that has not won a Big XII game since 2010. This is building up to be a nice rebound game for the Sooners.
For Kansas, it is highly unlikely that they will end their Big XII losing streak this weekend. What they need to focus on is developing a consistent offensive plan. They’ve had to rely on Jake Heaps and their passing game because running back James Sims has struggled to get going. Over the last three games, Sims has averaged less than four yards per carry, forcing the game into Heaps’ hands.
Predicted Winner: Oklahoma
TCU (3-3, 1-2 Big XII) vs. #21 Oklahoma State (4-1, 1-1 Big XII)
TCU has struggled on offense all season. Their defense has carried them and kept them in games. They held Texas Tech to 10 points until late in the fourth quarter, and held SMU and Oklahoma to 17 and 20 points respectively. They will have their hands full again, as they go against J.W. Walsh, Josh Stewart, and a slew of other receivers.
Oklahoma State will have to be patient on offense. TCU’s secondary has been phenomenal thus far, so using short passes and developing a run game should open up bigger plays downfield. Defensively, shutting down the run game and forcing Trevone Boykin to throw the ball has to be their focus. Boykin has been very average, at best, as a passer this season. Taking away the running game and allowing cornerback Justin Gilbert to shut down one half of the field will limit the Horned Frogs’ offense.
Predicted Winner: Oklahoma State