Big 12 Preview: Week 3

Although this is not a banner schedule week in college football, it is a big week in the Big 12 as there are 7 non-conference games involving Power 5 conference teams. As a result, this is a statement weekend for the conference to make its case for inclusion in the inaugural College Football Playoff. Yours truly is in Buffalo for the Baylor game tonight so this will be an abbreviated Big 12 Preview (aka an extreme lack of commentary) but let's jump on it.

West Virginia @ Maryland
Byrd Stadium (College Park, MD)
11:00 AM CT, BTN
Line: Maryland (-3.5)

Clint Trickett looks like a new man this year. Maryland hasn't been as impressive as WVU through 2 games. I trust WVU's offense.

Prediction: West Virginia 38 Maryland 35

For more on West Virginia, check out The Smoking Musket, SB Nation's Blog for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Kansas @ Duke
Wallace Wade Stadium (Durham, NC)
2:30 PM CT
Line: Duke (-14)

Anthony Boone is better than any QB Kansas saw last week against SE Missouri State. Duke rolls.

Prediction: Duke 34 Kansas 10

For more on Kansas, check out Rock Chalk Talk, SB Nation's blog for the Kansas Jayhawks.

Iowa State @ Iowa
Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, IA)
2:30 PM CT, ESPN
Line: Iowa (-11.5)

This game is always close and always ugly. 11.5 points is too much but Iowa still wins.

Prediction: Iowa 21 Iowa State 14

For more on Iowa State, check out Wide Right & Natty Lite, SB Nation's Blog for the Iowa State Cyclones.

Arkansas @ Texas Tech
Jones AT&T Stadium (Lubbock, TX)
2:30 PM CT, ABC
Line: Texas Tech (-1.5)

Tech has been "sneaky awful" so far according to Dan Rubenstein, friend of Our Daily Podcast. I tend to agree. Arkansas runs at will and beats Tech in Lubbock.

Prediction: Arkansas 31 Texas Tech 29

For more on Texas Tech, check out Viva The Matadors, SB Nation's Blog for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Minnesota @ TCU
Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, TX)
3:00 PM CT, FS1
Line: TCU (-15.5)

I'm not sure how this line got up to 15.5 in favor of TCU but I don't believe in the Frogs that much yet. I need to see their offense against a real opponent.

Prediction: TCU 27 Minnesota 14

For more on TCU, check out Frogs O' War, SB Nation's Blog for the TCU Horned Frogs.

UTSA @ Oklahoma State
Boone Pickens Stadium (Stillwater, OK)
6:00 PM CT, FSN
Line: Oklahoma State (-13.5)

The Daxx Garman era in Stillwater begins. The OSU defense allows him time to get comfortable and the Cowboys cover easily.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 44 UTSA 17

For more on Oklahoma State, check out Cowboys Ride For Free, SB Nation's Blog for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Tennessee @ Oklahoma
Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Norman, OK)
7:00 PM CT, ABC
Line: Oklahoma (-21)

Bob Stoops hates the SEC. Bob Stoops wants to kill the SEC. Bob Stoops kills the SEC. At least a bottom feeder of the SEC East anyway.

Prediction: Oklahoma 45 Tennessee 21

For more on Oklahoma, check out Crimson and Cream Machine, SB Nation's Blog for the Oklahoma Sooners.

UCLA v. Texas
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
7:00 PM CT, FOX
Line: UCLA (-8)

I have no freaking clue what's going to happen in this game. So here's my worst guess.

Prediction: UCLA 19 Texas 14

For more on Texas, check out each of the SB Nation blogs for the Texas Longhorns: Barking Carnival and Burnt Orange Nation.