Big 12 Football: Predictions For Week 9
Last week was a big week in the Big XII.
First-ranked Oklahoma lost to still-undefeated Missouri, 36-27.
Iowa State beat Texas for the first time ever, 28-21.
Baylor snuck into the top 25 for the first time since 1994 after winning a barn burner over Kansas State, 47-42. The Bears now lead the Big XII South, over teams like Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and the lowly Texas Longhorns.
Nebraska recovered from their loss to Texas by beating formerly undefeated Oklahoma State 51-41.
After a week of football like that, let's hope that we can get some similar action this week.
Here are my predictions for Week 9.
No. 17 Oklahoma State at Kansas State
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Potentially one of the best matchups in the Big XII season this year, this battle between two great offenses and two subpar defenses should create a hugely entertaining game.
Despite a stellar game from Kendall Hunter last week against the Cornhuskers, the Cowboys were unable to beat Nebraska in a 51-41 shootout last week. Hunter, the best running back in the Big XII, had 201 yards and two touchdowns, but the defense wasn’t able to get it done.
Kansas State also lost a wild one last week against the Baylor Bears, 47-42.
Although outshined by Baylor running back Jay Finley’s 250 yards last week, Wildcat running back Daniel Thomas’ 113 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns just added to what has already been a great season for him.
This game in Manhattan will be hosting the two best running backs in the Big XII (yes, Kendall Hunter and Daniel Thomas are better than DeMarco Murray).
Whichever team can break from their mediocre defensive habits will win on Saturday.
Prediction: Kansas State 42, Oklahoma State 31.
No. 25 Baylor at Texas
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The Baylor Bears are ranked in the top 25 for the first time since Pentecost.
Your second favorite Christian university in Texas has a match-up of Biblical proportions this week against the Texas Longhorns.
Led by quarterback Robert Griffin III, the Baylor Bears have a very legitimate shot at knocking off Texas this week, an accomplishment that has evaded them ever since the beginning of Big XII play.
Texas has hit a new low after losing to the Iowa State Cyclones at home last week. Losing to Baylor would be no surprise to anyone.
However, despite what the Church of Christ may want, God’s fortunes will be on Texas’ side on Saturday.
After beating Nebraska, Texas went in to their game against Iowa State with a real sense of entitlement. They got outworked by all of the Cyclone players.
They came out unmotivated, flat, uninspired. They got what they deserved.
Texas comes back this week with a vengeance against Baylor.
Prediction: Texas 28, Baylor 24. A close game, but Texas’ underrated defense will keep them from losing to the Bears.
Kansas at Iowa State
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A game with the sex appeal of Kelly Osbourne, this electrifying Big XII match-up will likely be rivaled in excitement only by Church or a trip to the dentist's office.
Kansas, on a three game losing streak in which they’ve been outscored 159-24, tries to bounce back and get their first win in conference play against Iowa State in Ames.
Iowa State, despite beating Texas last week in Austin, has a very average record at 4-4 and 2-2 in conference play. They got shut out by Oklahoma and had 63 points put on them against Utah. Cross-state rival Iowa beat them by 28.
They key to a Kansas victory would be to stop Alexander Robinson. The Cyclone running back was a key component in Iowa State’s upset of Texas, and if Kansas hopes to pull an upset, they’ll need to keep him quiet.
Prediction: Kansas won’t keep him quiet. 28-10 Cyclones.
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Texas Tech at Texas A&M
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Known as the “Big Pillow Fight,” this riveting game between two subpar Texas universities has the nap-inducing power of a bottle of Xanax.
Aggie quarterback Jerrod Johnson, referred to by a friend of mine as ‘the worst thing to ever happen to football,’ has lived up to his title. The predicted Big XII Offensive Player of the Year has lead Texas A&M to a 4-3 record with his fourteen touchdowns… and nine interceptions.
Though he has shown signs of the player he was supposed to be this year, the quarterback got benched for former high school quarterback and current Aggie wide receiver Ryan Tannehill in the Missouri game. Not good.
On the other side, Texas Tech has been pretty meh since Tuberville took over. Vowing to bring a powerful, SEC-style of football to the Red Raiders, the Riverboat Gambler has since broken from this promise and continued throwing the ball on every down.
However, despite their 4-3 record, the Raiders have had some bright spots, like their wins against a rising SMU team and the Baylor Bears.
Regardless, I think that A&M has a better overall team this year.
Prediction: Aggie 35, Red Raiders 21.
Colorado at No. 8 Oklahoma
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It is entirely possible that this game is over before the end of the first quarter.
Colorado has lost three straight.
They’re 3-4 in their last season in the Big XII.
They lost quarterback Ty Hansen to a ruptured spleen against Tech last week, meaning that they’re going to start Cody Hawkins this week.
Starting Cody Hawkins on your football team is like playing the lotto. You’re going to pick six and you’re going to lose.
Oklahoma lost their perfect record and number one ranking in their loss to Missouri last Saturday, and they want heads to roll to make up for it.
They’re going Buffalo hunting this week.
Prediction: Oklahoma 56, Colorado 7.
No. 6 Missouri at No. 14 Nebraska
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Missouri pulled a big-time upset on their homecoming night last Saturday when they beat the first-ranked Oklahoma Sooners and jumped to sixth in the BCS standings.
Nebraska recovered from Texas’ kick to their nuts with a victory over previously fourteenth-ranked Oklahoma State.
Blaine Gabbert lived up to Mel Kiper's pimping of him with his 308 yards and touchdown.
Taylor Martinez finally showed that he can pass and that he’s not just a running back in a wildcat-formation.
Missouri is the team to beat in the Big XII, which is exactly why Nebraska's going to beat them in Lincoln on Saturday.
Now, don't get me wrong. I don't think that Nebraska is a world-beater by any means. They lost to Texas at home. They managed to put up 17 points against South Dakota State.
I also don't think that Missouri isn't a good team. Beating first-ranked OU turned some heads, and rightfully so. While Oklahoma was overrated, they were still a good team, and Missouri's victory wasn't a fluke.
But Nebraska will win this game.
Prediction: Nebraska 28, Missouri 21.
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