Big 12 Football: Week 12's Previews and Predictions

This week's Big 12 slate is what makes college football so exciting. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means win-or-go-home for some teams. While that "other" conference is playing a slew of cupcakes this Saturday, the Big 12 is offering some outstanding matchups.

Is this upset Saturday in the Big 12?

The two top teams in the Big 12 go on the road and those games' outcomes could produce a major BCS shake up.

Texas and TCU are on byes this week.  

Oklahoma at West Virginia

The Oklahoma Sooners will be rolling into Morgantown, West Virginia as double-digit favorites over the Mountaineers. Wait...what?

West Virginia has imploded, dropping four straight games. While I do think this game may be closer than people think, because of the Sooners' impending rivalry game against Oklahoma State next week, I can't see West Virginia stopping the Sooners' offense.

For what it's worth, West Virginia gave up 55 points to Oklahoma State last Saturday. Then there is this quote via SportsDayDFW: 

“They burn couches if they win,” Oklahoma defensive lineman Casey Walker said. “We’re going to try not to let them burn a couch this Saturday."

Prediction: Make this five straight losses for West Virginia.

Oklahoma 56, West Virginia 31

Texas Tech at Oklahoma State

Texas Tech's defense has taken a step back in the last two weeks.

The Red Raiders gave up 31 points in its loss to Texas and last week against Kansas, the Red Raider defense allowed the Jayhawks to extend the game into four overtime periods.

Granted, Kansas' offense has improved under first-year head coach Charlie Weis, but this is not a good look for a defense facing the No. 4 ranked total offense in FBS.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 45 Texas Tech 34.

Kansas State at Baylor

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein was a little banged up last week against TCU but the Wildcat defense held TCU to just 10 points and thus, the day was saved.

Baylor is 1-5 in the Big 12 and although its passing offense is pretty spectacular, its scoring defense is just awful; the Bears are yielding an average of over 39 points a game. 

Is this a trap game for Kansas State? Yes, because after Baylor, only one team stands in the Wildcats' way of getting in the BCS Championship game: Texas. 

Trap game aside, Bill Snyder will have this team ready for its destiny.

Prediction: Kansas State 55 Baylor 14.

Iowa State at Kansas

Iowa State is known for shocking upsets. Last year Iowa State upset Oklahoma State to keep the Cowboys out of a BCS Championship date with LSU.

This year, those Cyclones are at it again. Both Iowa and TCU fell victim to Paul Rhoads and his band of troublemakers. But isn't it time for Kansas to pull the upset? 

The Jayhawks have slowly improved over the season and head coach Charlie Weis' tendency to overachieve against superior opponents is well documented: Kansas lost 41-34 in quadruple overtime to Texas Tech last Saturday. Kansas also kept Texas and Oklahoma State on their heels in two close losses.

I originally had Iowa State winning this game and I still do, but this one will come down to the wire.

Prediction: Iowa State 17, Kansas 13