Predicting the 2023 Big 12 Season: Week 5
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My preseason series predicting every single Big 12 game of the 2023 season continues today with week No. 3 as the non-conference slate nears the end plus we get our first conference matchup of the year as Houston takes on TCU.
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Previous Weeks: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
Friday, September 29th
Cincinnati 12 at BYU 24
The Cougars need to get things back on track and they do at home in Provo. The defense puts together a strong day as they force multiple turnovers and hold the Bearcats under 100 yards rushing. Aidan Robbins is relied on heavily as he totals 150 yards and two scores on 30 carries as he keeps the Cougars' offense moving. Emory Jones struggles mightily on the road with multiple turnovers and inconsistency. BYU rolls.
Saturday, September 30th
Iowa State 17 at Oklahoma 31
The Cyclones only managed 13 points against the Sooners a year ago and now they have to go on the road with an offense that might not be much better. Recipe for disaster. Dillon Gabriel leads the Sooners to a balanced day even against the Cyclones' strong defense as the unit finishes with 250 yards through the air and 150 yards on the ground. The Sooners defense holds Iowa State under 250 yards of total offense and Billy Bowman has an interception as OU gets an easy home win.
West Virginia 13 at TCU 30
The Horned Frogs continue to take advantage of a soft schedule in the early going as they have found major momentum. Chandler Morris has another strong performance as he totaled three touchdowns and the run game goes for 173 yards thanks to strong performances by Trey Sanders and Emani Bailey. The defense has the best game of the season so far as they stifle the Mountaineers’ rushing attack and force Garrett Greene into a two-turnover game. Not a great performance here by WVU as the Frogs keep the undefeated streak alive.
Kansas 27 at Texas 48
The Jayhawks are off to a hot start but the holes on the defensive side really show on the road in Austin. Quinn Ewers throws two touchdowns to JT Sanders but the running game steals the show as Jonathan Brooks and Jaydon Blue combine for 250 yards and three scores. Jalon Daniels has his first mediocre game of the season as he is under constant pressure and turns the ball over twice. Easy win for Texas against a Kansas team off to a hot start.
Houston 17 at Texas Tech 44
The Red Raiders rebound in a big way after a rough road loss last week. Tyler Shough picks apart the Cougars' defense with 375 yards and four touchdowns. Jerald Bradley catches two of those touchdowns. The Red Raiders intercept Donovan Smith three times and hold Houston under 300 yards of total offense. Tough road matchup for Houston as they run into the wrong Tech team on this day.
Baylor 31 at UCF 23
Both of these teams are coming off a loss so now it is all about how you respond. This is a bad matchup for the Knights. The Bears continue to be one of the strongest rushing offenses in the league and the Knights continue to struggle stopping the run. Richard Reese and Dominic Richardson combine for 225 yards on 40 carries as the Bears control the time of possession drastically. John Rhys Plumlee and the offense create explosive plays with Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson but they don’t get the ball enough for it to make a difference. The Bears get a huge road win at the Bounce House.
BYE Week - Kansas State, Oklahoma State
Big 12 Standings
1. TCU — 5-0 (2-0)
1. Oklahoma — 5-0 (2-0)
1. Texas — 4-1 (2-0)
4. Kansas State — 4-0 (1-0)
4. Oklahoma State — 3-1 (1-0)
6. Kansas — 4-1 (1-1)
6. Baylor — 4-1 (1-1)
6. West Virginia — 3-2 (1-1)
6. Texas Tech — 3-2 (1-1)
6. BYU — 3-2 (1-1)
11. UCF — 3-2 (0-2)
11. Iowa State — 2-3 (0-2)
11. Cincinnati — 2-3 (0-2)
11. Houston — 2-3 (0-2)