Big 12 Preview: Week 13

Texas Tech 48 Texas 45

I didn't get a chance to get a preview out in time before the Tech/UT game on Thanksgiving night but in case you missed the game, there are 3 plays you need to see that should tell you everything about this game.
1) Tech successfully ran the hook and lateral with a Texas DB.

Intercep... No, #Touchdown Red Raiders! #TTUvsTEXAS https://t.co/XV3dgBh1M6

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 27, 2015

2) Texas ran for over 350 yards. Tackling was very optional.

When you're racing to the kitchen for the last piece of turkey. #Touchdown Longhorns! #TTUvsTEXAS https://t.co/3cpsHTLt6z

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 27, 2015

3) MERRY KLIFFMAS

WOW. What a play! #TTUvsTEXAS https://t.co/EsW8l6bvF9

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 27, 2015

With the win, Tech moves to 7-5 and awaits their bowl invitation, which could be either the Texas Bowl in Houston or the Cactus Bowl in Phoenix. Meanwhile, Texas falls to 4-7 and out of bowl contention. The Longhorns' season will end next Saturday at McLane Stadium.

Iowa State @ West Virginia
Milan Puskar Stadium (Morgantown, WV)
11:00 AM CT, FS1
Line: West Virginia (-14)

After an epic collapse in Manhattan last Saturday, Iowa State made the decision to fire head coach Paul Rhoads, who has amassed a 32-54 record over 7 seasons in Ames. Rhoads will coach his final game today as the Cyclones look to finish on a high note at West Virginia. The Mountaineers are coming off of a proverbial bye week as they cruised to a 49-0 win last weekend against winless Kansas. WVU continues to play well in November as their schedule has lightened up after a brutal October, and the key has been in the running game. Wendell Smallwood has been a monster all season for the Mountaineers but he's been especially good of late, running for over 100 yards in each game of West Virginia's 3 game win streak. If he can get going against an Iowa State front that is susceptible to the run, it could be a long day for the Cyclones. It will be interesting to see how Iowa State comes out knowing that they are playing mainly for their coach and for university pride. They are also dealing with a huge emotional letdown after blowing the 20 point lead last Saturday at K-State. How ISU responds will determine how entertaining this game gets. I think the Mountaineers take it on Senior Day regardless.

Prediction: West Virginia 42 Iowa State 24

Kansas State @ Kansas
Memorial Stadium (Lawrence, KS)
3:00 PM CT, FS1
Line: Kansas State (-20)

Here it is folks. The final "ain't talkin bout Kansas" video of 2015. Jayhawks gonna finish the impossible dream of an 0-12 season.

Prediction: Kansas State 21 Kansas 6

#3 Oklahoma @ #11 Oklahoma State
Boone Pickens Stadium (Stillwater, OK)
7:00 PM CT, ABC
Line: Oklahoma (-7.5)

Welp. After the events that occurred in Fort Worth last night that shall go unnamed, this game becomes the de facto Big 12 Championship Game. Oklahoma likely will lock up the Big 12's first bid to the College Football Playoff with a win in Stillwater but the Cowboys have plenty to play for as well. The Sooners come in with several injury concerns from last weekend's close call against TCU but Bob Stoops released a statement yesterday that Baker Mayfield, Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon will all be available tonight for OU. Mayfield is especially crucial, because the Sooner offense came screeching to a complete halt against TCU after Trevor Knight had to come in to replace him. Oklahoma State is nursing some injuries as well (as is everyone this time of year) as Mason Rudolph injured his ankle in the Cowboys' loss to Baylor last weekend. This game could very well be decided by the running games and who takes care of the football as the weather in Stillwater tonight calls for freezing rain with temperatures in the low 30s or high 20s. The field at Boone Pickens Stadium is Fieldturf so the playing surface won't become a chewed up mess as it did at Amon Carter last night but I would expect that the football will be slick and footing could still be an issue. If it comes down to a grudge match in the trenches, that will greatly favor Oklahoma who has the much stronger running game. The Cowboys rely a ton on the big play offensively and they'll need to be creative in moving the ball if the long pass becomes more difficult due to the conditions. I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot more of J.W. Walsh tonight for OSU to run the zone read and give the Sooners a different look. In the end, I like the Sooners to take it home, win the Big 12, and advance to the CFP.

Prediction: Oklahoma 34 Oklahoma State 27