Big 12 Conference: Week 8 Predictions

The Texas Longhorns and Baylor Bears take this week off, but there are still a couple compelling games in the Big 12.

The game of the week will be Oklahoma State at Missouri. The Tigers might be 3-3 but they are much better then their record indicates.

The other three games in the conference could turn into blowouts but you never know in college football.

#4 Oklahoma State (-7.5) @ Missouri

The Cowboys travel to Columbia to face the Missouri Tigers. Missouri is 3-3 this year but all three loses have come on the road and against Top 25 teams. Saturday, they finally get a Top 25 team coming to Faurot Field.

Oklahoma State should have success passing the ball. Missouri gives up 224 passing yards a game, and in their three loses, have given up an average of 313 passing yards.

One of the keys again this week for Missouri will be running back Henry Josey. Oklahoma State ranks 81st in the country in rush defense, allowing 252 rushing yards, per game, on the road. If the Tigers are going to win, they need to control the game on the ground with Josey and quarterback James Franklin.

I want to predict the upset in this one but I think Oklahoma State is a legit Top 5 team and will stay motivated on their march towards their match-up against Oklahoma. The Cowboys win, but it should be a close game.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 34-31

#11 Kansas State (-11) @ Kansas

The Wildcats keep on winning and are one game away from taking on the Oklahoma Sooners in Manhattan. This week they play their in-state rivals, the Kansas Jayhawks.

A lot of people are expecting Kansas State to overlook Kansas and consider this a trap game, but I don't see it. Bill Snyder has always had a lot of success against the Jayhawks. He's 13-1 against the spread versus Kansas and the Wildcats are 12-4 ATS against Kansas during the last 16 years.

The Jayhawks do have a good running game but unfortunately for them, the Wildcats rank 16th in the country in run defense. I expect Collin Klein to have a big game on the ground and for the Wildcats to roll in this one.

Prediction: Kansas State 38-24

#17 Texas A&M (-21) @ Iowa State

Road teams this week in the Big 12 look to have a lot of success and it will continue here in this one. Iowa State is really struggling. After starting 3-0, they have now lost three straight and are seeing their bowl chances vanish.

Texas A&M finally put a complete game together last week as they dominated Baylor 55-28. I expect much of the same this week against the Cyclones. Iowa State really struggles stopping the run.

They rank 112th in the nation in run defense giving up 217 yards per game so look for big games out of the Aggies' Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray.

Texas A&M's pass defense is still ranked 120th in the country so it will be interesting to see if Steele Jantz and receiver Darius Reynolds can have good games and keep this one close.

Prediction: Texas A&M 42-24

Texas Tech @ #3 Oklahoma (-29)

Oklahoma made a lot of mistakes last week in their win against Kansas and I expect a much better performance this week against Texas Tech.

The Red Raiders had plenty of opportunities last week to knock off the undefeated Wildcats but could not get it done and this week they are in danger of losing their third straight game and falling to 4-3. Seth Doege is still having a good year, throwing for 361 yards per game and 18 touchdowns, but he won't be enough to carry Tech past Oklahoma

Texas Tech gives up 219 rushing yards per game so running back Dominique Whaley should be able to have a good game. Wide receiver Ryan Broyles has also been on fire lately, averaging 136 receiving yards per game and nine touchdowns.

The Raiders might be able to put up some points against the Sooners but Oklahoma will win comfortably.

Prediction: Oklahoma 42-27