Predicting the Big 12 Season: Week 5

The first full conference slate of the season occurs in week five with a couple very intriguing matchups for the darkhorse contenders in the Big 12.

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Baylor 22 at Oklahoma State 31

The Bears head out on the road to take on the undefeated Cowboys in Stillwater following its first loss of the season. The Bears get down in the first half thanks to Spencer Sanders two touchdown passes in the first half as he gets the Cowboys offense rolling while Baylor struggles to get up and down the field against a stingy OSU defense. OSU takes a 17-6 lead to the break. In the second half Gerry Bohanon leads the Bears to a couple scoring drives capped by a rushing touchdown by Trestan Ebner and a 40-yard reception by RJ Sneed that leads to a field goal to cut the OSU lead to 24-16 heading into the fourth quarter. But in the final quarter the Cowboys defense steps up to the challenge and holds the Bears to just two field goals in the quarter and Brennan Presley returns a punt for a touchdown to solidify the Cowboys big home win.

Texas Tech 17 at West Virginia 27

The Mountaineers defense makes things very difficult for the Red Raiders as they turn the ball over four times and give up five sacks on the road. Dante Stills and VanDarius Cowan wreck havoc with four of those of those sacks. WVU QB Jarrett Doege throws for 250 yards and two scores, one to Sean Ryan, while Leddie Brown runs for 100 yards and a score. Tech QB Tyler Shough has a rough day but keeps them somewhat in this game with 300 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns to McLane Mannix and Travis Koontz but it is not enough on the road.

Texas 26 at TCU 30

The game of the week is in Fort Worth this weekend as the Longhorns travel to take on the Horned Frogs. TCU QB Max Duggan gets the scoring started with a touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston followed by a Zach Evans rushing touchdown to go along with two field goal drives in the opening half. The Longhorns had some punch of their own with a Bijan Robinson touchdown and two field goal drives to make the score 20-13 at half. In the second half the Horned Frogs defense takes over as La’Kendrick Van Zandt reels in a pick six and the duo of Ochaun Mathis and Corey Bethley pile up three second half sacks. The Longhorns still manage to stay in this one with a couple big plays by Joshua Moore and Casey Thompson. With three minutes left the Longhorns cut the lead to 30-26 with a field goal but on the next TCU possession Kendre miller busts off a big run on 3rd down as the Frogs bleed out the clock on the way to a win.

Kansas 12 at Iowa State 45

Welcome to the Breece Hall show this week as the Cyclone running back goes for 215 yards and three touchdowns as he runs all over the Jayhawks. Brock Purdy throws two touchdowns to Xavier Hutchinson and Charlie Kolar. The defense does the rest as they create too much pressure for KU QB Jason Bean to get comfortable. The Jayhawks turn the ball over three times and give up six sacks as they are completely overwhelmed all day. Easy win for the Cyclones.

Oklahoma 44 at Kansas State 23

There is one Big 12 team who is on a two-game winning streak over the Sooners and it is the Kansas State Wildcats. OU QB Spencer Rattler heads to Manhattan and puts up 350 yards and four touchdowns through the air as Marvin Mims piles up 100 yards receiving and a score. He puts on an absolute show on the road. On the other side Kansas State keeps the game close for three quarters as Skylar Thompson totals 250 yards and two scores and Deuce Vaughn totals 150 yards and a score. Unfortunately the Wildcats turn the ball over three times thanks to a Nick Bonito forcing two strip sacks and deflects a pass that is picked off by Jeremiah Criddell. The Sooners get tested but pull away to make the score look worse than it actually was.

Big 12 Standings

1. Iowa State — 5-0 (2-0)

1. Oklahoma — 5-0 (2-0)

1. Oklahoma State — 5-0 (2-0)

4. TCU — 4-0 (1-0)

5. Texas — 3-2 (1-1)

5. West Virginia — 4-1 (1-1)

7. Baylor — 3-2 (1-2)

8. Texas Tech — 3-2 (0-2)

8. Kansas State — 2-3 (0-2)

8. Kansas — 1-4 (0-2)