Big 12 Fan Nation Week 6 Staff Predictions
The Baylor Bears are off this week after falling to Oklahoma State last Saturday. But there is still plenty of Big 12 football to be played in Week 6.
Staff members from Longhorns Country, Inside the Bears and Red Raider Review provide their picks for each of the other Big 12 games this week.
No. 17 TCU (4-0, 1-0) at No. 18 Kansas (5-0, 2-0), 11 a.m. central, FS1
Collier Logan, Staff Writer: Who would’ve predicted this being a Top-20 clash? Only one can survive though, and it’s Kansas this weekend. Kansas 33, TCU 31
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: In my opinion, this is the game of the week in college football. No one thought these two teams would be undefeated at this point in the year. Kansas will have an electric crowd behind its back, but the undefeated magic will end here for the Jayhawks. TCU 32, Kansas 27
Adam Glick, Staff Writer: Who would have thought College GameDay would be in Lawrence, Kan? I am as shocked as anyone, but don't let that distract you from how massive this is for both sides. Kansas will be ready to play and has shown it can win with defense, as it did last week against Iowa State. I do think TCU has more firepower to stave off a feisty Jayhawks team and survive on the road. TCU 35, Kansas 31
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Just give me Kansas until they lose. TCU should give them one heck of a game. Either team is going to have to score a lot of points to win this one. Kansas 39, TCU 36
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: College GameDay finally got it right by heading to Lawrence. While the Jayhawks have been one of college football's more surprising teams, the Horned Frogs are a close second. Both teams enter Saturday with Top 15 scoring offenses. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is a passing machine, while the Horned Frogs are averaging 258.1 yards per game on the ground. Another week, another close match, another great week for Kansas coach Lance Leipold and his bank account heading toward the offseason. Kansas 31, TCU 28
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Ranked Kansas vs. Ranked TCU. No, this isn't basketball season folks. With College GameDay set to appear in Lawrence, there is no doubt the Kansas faithful will be rocking come kickoff. However, their undefeated season ends here, as TCU edges out a close win in a thrilling game on the road. TCU 38, Kansas 34
Texas (3-2, 1-1) vs. Oklahoma (3-2, 0-2), 11 a.m. central, ABC (game is in Dallas, Texas)
Collier Logan, Staff Writer: The 118th meeting between these two programs should be nothing short of a fireworks show. Oklahoma is not what we thought it was, and Texas has been surprisingly good. Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers appears closer to getting back on the field after missing some time due to an injury and that should worry Sooners fans. OU gave up a ton of yardage in its last two losses and Texas’ offense looks at least as good as TCU’s. The Longhorns will get the bragging rights in this year’s Red River Rivalry. Texas 28, Oklahoma 17
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: The Longhorns have had some heartbreakers in the Red River Rivalry the past few years. But based on the past two weeks, it seems to be the perfect time to catch OU slipping as the Sooners continue their first year under coach Brent Venables. It can be difficult to predict rivalry matchups, but I think it’s Texas’ turn to take one in a game that Texas coach Steve Sarkisian needs to win. The Longhorns came close last season and I think either Longhorns quarterback — Hudson Card or Ewers — can take them over the top at the Cotton Bowl this time around. Texas 45, Oklahoma 31
Adam Glick, Staff Writer: The Red River Rivalry is always guaranteed to entertain. Given how bad the Sooners’ defense has looked I expect it to be a shootout. I think the Longhorns are the better team and the expected return of Ewers is massive. Oklahoma is desperate for a win to try to save its season, which makes the Sooners dangerous in my opinion. If Texas can control the turnover battle it will come away victorious. Texas 42, Oklahoma 34
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: This all comes down to which quarterbacks play, and there’s a good chance we won’t know that until Saturday morning. There’s a better chance of consistency for Texas at the position than Oklahoma. So I’ll take the Longhorns. If OU has to turn to its backup quarterback, I don’t think the understudy is up to Caleb Williams’ standards from a year ago, if you know what I mean. Texas 33, Oklahoma 23
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: This game hinges on the quarterbacks. Ewers and OU's Dillon Gabriel will be game-time decisions, meaning both defensive coordinators will be prepping for two different styles of quarterbacks when watching the tape. Ultimately, Oklahoma has had back-to-back horrendous performances defending the pass. After allowing Kansas State to throw for 283 yards, they allowed TCU to finish with 307 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Even if Card starts, the emergence of tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders strengthens the Longhorns' arsenal. Texas claims the Golden Stetson under Sark in Year 2. Texas 35, Oklahoma 24
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Well, folks, the Red River Rivalry is officially upon us once again. Despite rankings or records entering the game, what happens at the Cotton Bowl between these two teams is almost always a slugfest. With an injured Oklahoma team and a Texas team looking for a statement win, look for Texas to pull away late in the fourth quarter and secure the victory. Texas 42, Oklahoma 28
Texas Tech (3-2, 1-1) at No. 7 Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0), 2:30 p.m., FS1
Collier Logan, Staff Writer: Oklahoma State’s the highest-ranked team in the Big 12, but are the Cowboys an insurmountable task for the Red Raiders? I don’t think so. If Tech can start fast on offense, they’ve got a team that can compete with anyone in a close game. Look for Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith to bounce back with a big game in this one. Texas Tech 35, Oklahoma State 33
Adam Glick, Staff Writer: The Cowboys are the best team in the Big 12. Oklahoma State showed exactly why last week by handling Baylor on the road. Quarterback Spencer Sanders is having a fantastic year and the defense has improved every week. I think they handle the Red Raiders at home and don't have a problem scoring throughout the game. Oklahoma State 38, Texas Tech 21
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: The Cowboys are coming off a win over Baylor while the Red Raiders and coach Joey McGuire are going to be a little fired up after how things ended in the loss to Kansas State last week. I see Tech’s offensive inconsistencies plaguing them again against a stout OSU defense. Oklahoma State 41, Texas Tech 24
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: This is a tough Red Raiders team that has played a tough schedule. Texas Tech will be the fifth straight ranked team. But let’s examine the first four, shall we? Three-point overtime win over Houston at home. A 13-point loss to NC State on the road. A three-point overtime win over Texas at home. A nine-point loss to Kansas State on the road. This puts Tech at a disadvantage, especially against a team that may be playing the best football in the conference. The Cowboys win in a game where they will slowly pull away in the second half. Oklahoma State 33, Texas Tech 21
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: McGuire is ahead of schedule in Lubbock, but Oklahoma State is one of college football's forgotten programs. Currently, Sanders has the Cowboys undefeated and is orchestrating an offense that ranks fifth among FBS teams in scoring. Add in the fact the game is in Stillwater, and the Pokes improve to 5-0. Oklahoma State 41, Texas Tech 24
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Oklahoma State looks like the best team in the Big 12 this season, with a dominant defense and potent offense. Texas Tech may keep this one close for a quarter or two, but Oklahoma State is simply too good and should have no issue winning this one. Oklahoma State 45, Texas Tech 21
Kansas State (4-1, 2-0) at Iowa State (3-2, 0-2), 6:30 p.m. central, ESPNU
Collier Logan, Staff Writer: K-State just keeps on rolling through conference competition. Don’t expect that to change here, even on the road. Kansas State 28, Iowa State 13
Adam Glick, Staff Writer: Iowa State is another loss away from its season falling apart. Other than the Iowa game, the Cyclones have been allergic to winning close games. Iowa State remains competitive but lacks the offensive firepower to put a team away. Quarterback Adrian Martinez of Kansas State is playing at a level we never saw at Nebraska. This Kansas State team is dangerous and will stay undefeated in the Big 12 this weekend. Kansas State 28, Iowa State 17
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: Kansas State’s rushing offense has looked untouchable the past two weeks. Martinez and running back Deuce Vaughn form a dark-horse Heisman backfield and I don’t think the Cyclones will be able to keep up. Kansas State 36, Iowa State 23
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Ah, ‘Farmageddon.’ Give me the Wildcats with a late push by Vaughn. Kansas State 27, Iowa State 21
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: Kansas State has one of the more dynamic rushing attacks in Vaughn and Martinez. The duo has combined for over 1,100 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Playing in Jack Trice Stadium is a challenge for most Big 12 teams, and with the Cyclones holding opponents to 83 yards per game on the ground, this could be a trap for the Wildcats. K-State will eventually drop a game they're expected to win, but it won't be Saturday in Ames. Kansas State 27, Iowa State 14
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: While Oklahoma State looks like the clear best team in the Big 12, Kansas State comes in a close second. Kansas State should have little issue dispatching Iowa State, as they continue to march toward the Big 12 title game. Kansas State 38, Iowa State 17
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