Big 12 Preview: Bye Week Blues

TCU @ Kansas
Memorial Stadium (Lawrence, KS)
11:00 AM CT, ESPNU
Line: TCU (-29)

TCU continues to struggle with inconsistency on both sides of the ball, exemplified no better than in their loss to Oklahoma last weekend. The Frogs jumped out to an early two touchdown lead, got thoroughly dominated through the 2nd and 3rd quarters, and then nearly came back from 25 down in the 4th before falling 6 points short. Thankfully for TCU, this week they play a consistent Kansas team and by consistent I mean super bad like all the time. But it will be interesting to see how TCU comes out in this game. KU has given the Frogs a serious scare each of the last two years and this is an 11am game on the road in a half-empty stadium. I think TCU has an easier go of it this year but wouldn't be surprised if they struggled out of the gates for a bit.

Prediction: TCU 44 Kansas 17

Texas v. #20 Oklahoma
Cotton Bowl (Dallas, TX)
11:00 AM CT, FS1
Line: Oklahoma (-13.5)

The winning food at this year's State Fair was the fried jello. And this perfectly describes both of these teams: lathered in whipped cream and powdered sugar for that nice "we're a traditional power!" coating but actually unstable in the middle with that jiggly red core. This game will have lots of points and somebody will probably get fired for losing.

Prediction: Oklahoma 52 Texas 45

Iowa State @ Oklahoma State
Boone Pickens Stadium (Stilwater, OK)
2:30 PM CT, ESPNU
Line: Oklahoma State (-17)

Here's a matchup of two teams that have taken L's to Baylor so now let's see which win the College Football Playoff committee might deem less impressive! Oklahoma State bounced back well last week with a 49-31 romp over Texas and the Cowboys defense really showed out in the 2nd half after a skiddish 1st half. I'm curious to see how Iowa State responds after what had to be just a gut wrenching loss for them last week. Matt Campbell is building at ISU but this may be a lot to ask this week. Mason Rudolph and James Washington should do Mason Rudolph and James Washington things. OSU wins big.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 48 Iowa State 24

Texas Tech @ Kansas State
Bill Snyder Family Stadium (Manhattan, KS)
6:00 PM CT, ESPNU
Line: Kansas State (-10)

Here's how Tech prefers to score:

Here's how Bill Snyder would rather play keepaway so that Tech can't make things explode:

K-State is quietly the best defense by far in the Big 12 this year and I think they ride that to a victory.

Prediction: Kansas State 39 Texas Tech 28