#20 Kansas State vs. Kansas

Saturday, October 24th 11:00 AM CT, FS1

Another year, another seemingly lopsided Sunflower Showdown between #20 Kansas State (3-1, 3-0) and Kansas (0-4, 0-3). Surprisingly, Kansas actually looked somewhat decent against West Virginia last week for about three quarters, before losing it big in the 4th quarter, with the final score ending up 38-17 for the Mountaineers. Kansas State is coming off of a bye week, and the week before they beat TCU by a touchdown. The Wildcats should be able to handle the Jayhawks once again, even with Skylar Thompson out for the season. I expect the Wildcats to cover the 20.5 point spread as well.

42-13 Kansas State

Oklahoma @ TCU

Saturday, October 24th 11:00 AM CT, ABC

Oklahoma (2-2, 1-2) has clearly had a disappointing season thus far by their standards. Nevertheless, they did pullout a four overtime thriller over rival Texas before entering a bye week this last weekend. TCU (1-2, 1-2) has also had a relatively disappointing start to their season, losing to Kansas State before their bye week. Oklahoma still seems to be trying to figure out what to do with Spencer Rattler, as they pulled him midway through their last game but put him back in through the end of the game. TCU has been having some similar quarterback issues, with Max Duggan playing alright but not quite up to par. Oklahoma is a 6.5 point favorite but I actually like TCU in this one. TCU’s defense is likely enough to throw Rattler off and the OU defense is bad enough that TCU’s offense might be able to get itself back on course, somewhat. TCU wins a close one.

35-33 TCU

Baylor @ Texas

Saturday, October 24th 2:30 PM CT, ESPN

Baylor (1-1, 1-1) has really been getting the worst of COVID in the Big 12, with the team shutting down operations briefly last week because of positive COVID tests. This led to the postponement of their game against Oklahoma State. While the extended time has allowed the team to seemingly get the outbreak back under control, the lack of practice for a squad that really needs it (especially the offense/offensive line) isn’t great. Texas (2-2, 1-2) just lost a heartbreaker to Oklahoma before entering their bye week. At this point, I think Baylor’s defense is absolutely sufficient to beat Texas and potentially keep Ehlinger out of the endzone once again. However, I have major concerns about the Baylor offense. I think in a normal year Baylor wins this one, but given everything going on Texas probably gets this one at home. Texas is favored by 8.5 points at the writing of this article.

24-17 Texas

#17 Iowa State @ #6 Oklahoma State

Saturday, October 24th 2:30 PM CT, FOX

This is a game with huge implications in the race for a Big 12 championship. #17 Iowa State (3-1, 3-0) has rebounded from their opening loss exceptionally well, beating TCU, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech back-to-back-to-back. #6 Oklahoma State (3-0, 2-0) has defeated Tulsa, West Virginia, and Kansas. None of those wins by OSU scream signature victory. The Cowboys had an extended bye period, as their game against Baylor was postponed. Oklahoma State is a 3.5 point favorite. I like Iowa State’s Brock Purdy as the better quarterback, but Oklahoma State has the all around better offense by a slim margin. I think the biggest question will be if Oklahoma State’s secondary can successfully defend Iowa State’s flurry of tight ends that tend to just out-size their competition. I’ll take OSU at home, but it will be close.

45-42 Oklahoma State

West Virginia @ Texas Tech

Saturday, October 24th 4:30 PM CT, ESPN2

West Virginia (3-1, 2-1) had a bit of a scare last week, as they struggled with Kansas for the better part of three quarters. Now they need to shake off that slow start and travel to Lubbock to face Texas Tech (1-3, 0-3). While Tech hasn’t been Kansas bad this season, they have not looked very good whatsoever. They’ve lost three straight to Texas, Kansas State, and Iowa State. That close Texas loss may have demoralized the team and they can’t seem to get out of that rut. Will the Red Raiders win a conference game? Probably (almost certainly against Kansas, at least). Will they beat West Virginia this weekend? Maybe. I actually think this is one of the games Tech has a decent shot of winning because of how bad the WVU offense has looked. WVU is a 3 point favorite but I’ll shoot my shot and take Tech in this one.

31-27 Texas Tech