Predicting the Big 12 Season: Conference Championship and Bowl Games
The conference championship matchup is settled! Let’’s find out where is everyone going bowling.
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Big 12 Championship
Baylor 31, Oklahoma 17
The rematch of a game that the Sooners won in Norman. But this one goes a little differently as Dave Aranda gets a second look at the Sooners offense. The Bears start the game off with 10-straight points thanks to a 40-yard touchdown catch by Hal Presley and a six minute field goal drive. The Sooners get a field goal before the end of the first quarter, Baylor leads 10-3. The Bears strike again as Swirl Williams breaks off a 25-yard touchdown run to go up 17-3. Oklahoma answers with a Marvin Mims 20-yard touchdown right before the half as the score is 17-10. The second half is dominated by the Bears as Dillon Gabriel throws two interceptions and the Baylor defensive line piles up three sacks in the half. Meanwhile the Bears hold possession for 20 out of 30 minutes with a dominant run game. Baylor dominates the second half en route to a second straight Big 12 Championship.
Bowl Games
#1 Alabama 34 vs #4 Baylor 20 - Peach Bowl (CFP)
Everyone said no Group of Five team would ever make the College Football Playoff but Cincy made that possible last season. Now how about a two-loss team? Yes they will need help but the PAC 12 will likely have a two-loss champ and the ACC looks vulnerable as well. My guess is Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State will be the other three teams. Baylor will get in over two loss PAC 12 and ACC Champ. What a season for the Bears….but it ends here as Alabama has too many weapons on the offensive side and their defensive line gets too much pressure on Blake Shapen. Alabama is just simply the better team with the best player on offense and defense.
Oklahoma 37 vs. Tennessee 40 - Sugar Bowl
Offensive explosion in New Orleans as both teams find tons of success moving the football. Hendon Hooker erupts for 400 total yards and five touchdowns as the Vols get to 10 wins.
Oklahoma State 34 vs. Utah 33 - Valero Alamo Bowl
The best bowl game of the season for the Big 12 is this thriller as Spencer Sanders delivers another epic bowl performance to get OSU to 10 wins.
Kansas State 28 vs. NC State 27 - Cheez-It Bowl
Battle between two teams who had higher hopes for their season but they both battle hard in this game. This is one of the most physical bowl games in the off-season.
Iowa State 33 vs. Ole Miss 24 - Mercari Texas Bowl
The Cyclones dominate a very mediocre Rebels team as Matt Campbell and company have a solid rebound this season.
West Virginia 20 vs. Auburn 28 - AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Close game here but the Auburn defensive line overwhelms the Mountaineers offensive line. Rough day for JT Daniels.
Texas 27 vs. Purdue 40 - Guaranteed Rate Bowl
The Boilermakers hang 400 passing yards on the Longhorns as Quinn Ewers and company end the season on a disappointing note. (Bijan Robinson and others sit the game out)
Final Big 12 Standings
1. Baylor — 11-3 (7-2)
2. Oklahoma — 10-4 (7-2)
3. Oklahoma State — 10-3 (6-3)
4. Kansas State — 8-5 (5-4)
4. West Virginia — 7-6 (5-4)
4. Iowa State — 8-5 (5-4)
7. Texas — 6-7 (4-5)
8. TCU — 5-7 (3-6)
8. Texas Tech — 4-8 (3-6)
10. Kansas — 2-10 (0-9)