Predicting the Big 12 Season: Week 3

A strong first couple of weeks for the conference leads to some tough matchups in week three.

Previous Weeks: Week 1 | Week 2

Week 3

Oklahoma 24 at Nebraska 21

The most exciting game during week 3 will be in Lincoln, Nebraska. I expect both of these teams to have top 30 defenses while also having explosive capabilities on the offensive side. Dillon Gabriel vs Casey Thompson will be the difference as will Oklahoma’s ability to run the football. Nebraska hits on some big plays to keep them squarely in it throughout but the Sooners move the chains more consistently and convert 3rd down at a higher percentage. Dillon Gabriel leads an 11-play drive which leads to a field goal with 7 minutes left to give the Sooners the lead. That is all the defense would need to close this one out.

Texas State 17 at Baylor 52

The Bears are going to run all over Texas State while getting plenty of stops as well. The Bobcats kept the game close last year in San Marcos but that won’t be the case in this one. The Bears run for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. The defense piles up seven sacks and forces three turnovers. The backups get plenty of reps in the 4^th quarter. Baylor rolls.

Towson 13 at West Virginia 45

Another blowout in the Big 12 this week as WVU’s defense is way too much for Towson’s offense. Dante Stills wreaks havoc with two sacks and four tackles for loss. The defense holds Towson under 200 yards of total offense. JT Daniels throws for 300 yards and two scores as the Mountaineers keep things moving in a good direction.

Ohio 13 at Iowa State 32

The Cyclones' defense is going to dominate this game. I expect them to hold Ohio under 250 yards of total offense. Hunter Dekkers makes enough throws to put this game away early as they go up 17-0 and never look back.

Tulane 17 at Kansas State 35

Adrian Martinez and Deuce Vaughn carry the workload for the Wildcats in this one as they combine for 400 yards of total offense as they wear down Tulane on the ground. This game stays close for a while but the Wildcats pull away in the second half thanks to a couple of timely forced turnovers by the defense. 

Kansas 20 at Houston 37

In order for Kansas to beat Houston the Jayhawks are going to have to be efficient throwing the football but they aren’t quite there yet. Jalon Daniels throws for 200 yards but completes under 50% of his passes and turns it over twice. The Cougars load the box to try to take away Devin Neal and Ky Thomas, it works. They hold Kansas to under 100 yards rushing. Kansas can’t stop the passing attack led by Clayton Tune as Houston’s skill position guys take over as they pile up over 450 yards of total offense. The Jayhawks play hard but aren’t talented enough yet to win this one.

Texas Tech 20 at NC State 41

The Red Raiders come into this one excited after a good showing against Houston but that quickly ends. The Wolfpack are a very good team this year with a very solid defense and an NFL quarterback in Devin Leary, things get out of hand. Leary throws two touchdowns in the first quarter while Tyler Shough throws two interceptions. The Wolfpack go up 21-3 early and never look back as they control this one from start to finish. The Red Raiders turn to Behren Morton and Donovan Smith in the 4th quarter as a potential season-long quarterback controversy begins.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff 6 at Oklahoma State 60

Not much to add here. This is going to be an absolute smackdown in Stillwater. The crowd will be gone by halftime as the Cowboys do whatever they want in this game.

UTSA 30 at Texas 40

This is a tough spot for Texas after an emotional game against Alabama as the Longhorns circled that one as the Super Bowl early in the year. They competed against the Crimson Tide but now they have to shift their focus to a UTSA team that won double-digit games a season ago and this is their Super Bowl. I think this one is closer than many think. If the Roadrunners could get any stops they would have a great shot a winning this one but the Longhorns' offense piles on 550 yards of total offense as Quinn Ewers throws for 375 yards and three touchdowns. Bijan Robinson total 120 yards and three scores. Texas survives a game that is close throughout.

TCU - BYE Week

Big 12 Standings

1. West Virginia — 3-0 (1-0)

2. Baylor — 3-0 (0-0)

2. Kansas State — 3-0 (0-0)

2. Oklahoma — 3-0 (0-0)

2. Oklahoma State — 3-0 (0-0)

2. TCU — 2-0 (0-0)

2. Iowa State — 2-1 (0-0)

2. Texas — 2-1 (0-0)

2. Texas Tech — 1-2 (0-0)

10. Kansas — 1-2 (0-1)