Predicting the Big 12 Season: Can the Big 12 pick up key Power Five wins in week three?

Week three is prove it week in the Big 12 as there are many matchups across the Power Five conferences.

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Week 3

Saturday, September 19th

Incarnate Word 10 at Baylor 51 (Waco)

The Bears get some much-needed playing time for backups in this game after the Bears build up a 34-3 lead at the half. The defense was outstanding and thanks to interceptions by JT Woods and Dillon Doyle, Baylor was able to score 14 points off turnovers early. Charlie Brewer throws three touchdown passes to Yusuf Terry, Jared Atkinson and Ben Sims. In the second half Qualan Jones, Jonah White and Taye McWilliams run wild as they pile up over 150 yards rushing in the half. This will be an easy win for Baylor as they remain unbeaten and move inside the top 20 in the rankings.

UNLV 13 at Iowa State 37 (Ames)

The Runnin’ Rebels were not very good last year and are probably on their way to being a 4-8 team this season. Iowa State will have no problems in this one as the Cyclones get up early and then cruise to the finish. Breece Hall scores two touchdowns while Brock Purdy puts up 300 yards of total offense. The defense forces two turnovers and get a defensive touchdown as Iowa State cruises to the win.

Boston College 37 at Kansas 20 (Lawrence)

The Jayhawks went on the road and embarrassed Boston College 48-24 in one of the more shocking outcomes of last season. I expect the 2020 game to be much closer. Kansas gets the run game going with Pooka Williams as he top 150 yards and two touchdowns, but the passing game is less than average as Thomas MacVittie throws two interceptions and only has 180 yards passing. On the other side Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec throws for 300 yards and a couple scores while David Bailey runs for over 100 yards on the ground for the Eagles. This game is close late in the 3rd but Boston College pulls away late thanks to more steady play at the quarterback position and a better defense.

Maryland 17 at West Virginia 34 (Morgantown)

The Mountaineers get a huge opportunity to make a little bit of a statement for the conference against a Big 10 program. Jarrett Doege gets things going early as he throws three first half touchdowns and the defense forces a couple turnovers to give them a 21-10 lead at the half. In the second half the Mountaineers defense continues to keep things going as they swarm Maryland QB Josh Jackson and sack him four times in the final two quarters. The game could get ugly but the Mountaineers struggleand are unable to improve the margin of victory. But still a mini-statement win.

Arizona 41 at Texas Tech 44 (Lubbock)

Even though the contest between the two teams was supposed to be an offensive barn burner last year, it ended a 28-14 win for Arizona. Both teams put yards but could not put points on the board. I expect that to change this year. Tech QB Alan Bowman throws for 350 yards and three touchdowns and SaRodorick Thompson runs for 100 yards and a couple touchdowns. For Arizona, QB Grant Gunnell throws for 400 yards and three touchdowns. The game goes into the fourth quarter with Texas Tech up 31-30 and the teams go back and forth for two straight drives to get the score to 41-41 with four minutes left. Tech gets the ball back and Alan Bowman leads the Red Raiders down the field to kick a go-ahead field goal attempt and nail it. The Red Raiders get a huge win at home.

UTEP 10 at Texas 48 (Austin)

The Longhorns come into this game following a tough loss on the road to LSU so they need to get back on track. Good thing they are playing one of the worst FBS programs in the country. Sam Ehlingher scores three total touchdowns in the first half and the defense forces three turnovers as the Longhorns go up big early and never look back.

Western Illinois 14 at Oklahoma State 47 (Stillwater)

Spencer Sanders, Tylan Wallace and Chubba Hubbard put up huge numbers again as they combine for four touchdowns in the first half. This week the defense really gets in a groove as they force four turnovers and hold Western Illinois under 200 yards of offense. Easy win for the Pokes.

Vanderbilt 16 at Kansas State 30 (Manhattan)

The Wildcats need to win this game for the conference and for their own season because I believe they are significantly better than the Commodores. The teams start off slow in what looks to be a defensive battle but sloppy football leads to some early points while both defenses stand strong a force a turnover. The Wildcats take a 10-6 lead to the half. In the second half QB Skyler Thompson, Harry Trotter and the run game in general gets going for the Wildcats as they rack up 150 yards rushing in the half and score on two of their first three drives coming out of the break to build up a 20-13 lead heading to the fourth. Finally an explosive play happens as Malik Knowles torches the defense for a 50-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach and the Wildcats cruise to the finish.

Big 12 Standings

1. Baylor — 3-0 (1-0)

2. Iowa State — 3-0 (0-0)

2. Texas Tech — 3-0 (0-0)

2. Kansas State — 3-0 (0-0)

2. Oklahoma State — 3-0 (0-0)

6. Oklahoma — 2-0 (0-0)

6. TCU — 2-0 (0-0)

8. Texas — 2-1 (0-0)

8. West Virginia — 2-1 (0-0)

10. Kansas — 1-2 (0-1)