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OKLAHOMA (5-0, 2-0) VS. TEXAS (4-1, 2-0)
Date & Time: Saturday, October 9th @ 11:00 am
TV: ABC
Line: Oklahoma -3.5
Commentary: Oklahoma and Texas were both tested, OU beating a feisty K-State team 37-31 and Texas handling TCU in Ft. Worth, 32-27. KSU quarterback Skylar Thompson threw for 320 yards, which is a ton for that OU defense, while the Sooners were just ever-so-slightly better. For UT, they continued to pound the ball with Bijan Robinson running for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns. Right now, that appears to be the Longhorns’ strength, the thighs of Bijan. If I had to put money on this game and this line, I’ll take the Longhorns and those points. Something is amiss with Oklahoma and I can’t say I know exactly what it is, but squeaking by games is not a good indicator of post-season dominance.

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WEST VIRGINIA (2-3, 0-2) @ BAYLOR (4-1, 2-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, October 9th @ 11:00 am
TV: FS1
Line: Baylor -3.0
Commentary: Baylor lost to Oklahoma State in Stillwater, which I sort of thought would happen. The offense sort of stalled on the road, which is normal, Bohanon barely completed 50% of his passes and Baylor only ran for 100 yards overall, while the Cowboys ran for 219 yards overall and pretty well dominated, especially on defense. West Virginia will likely struggle on offense in Waco because if you’re going to struggle at home on offense, you’ll struggle on the road more times than not. I’d expect a bit of a bounce-back with the defense for West Virginia and be a bit more active than what they were against Texas Tech. My guess is that this will be a low-scoring affair and so does Vegas as the over/under is 44.5 and I’d take the over there, but not by much.

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TCU (2-2, 0-1) @ TEXAS TECH (4-1, 1-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, October 9th @ 6:00 pm
TV: ESPN
Line: TCU -1.5 (Opened Texas Tech -1.5)
Commentary: TCU lost to Texas with Duggan not being particularly explosive only 6.5 yards per pass is the opposite of what Cumbie is doing, while Zach Evans ran for 113 yards and 7.5 yards a carry. Should probably give him the ball a bit more (except for this week). From having not watched the game, the 3 fumbles lost were the difference in the game most likely. For Texas Tech, the loss of so many starters is probably not sustainable for Texas Tech, both starting safeties, starting cornerback, and that’s going to be an issue perhaps against the Horned Frogs, but even if it is not, it will at some point. The patchwork offensive line played fine, but it would be nice to have Ahmad Brooks breaking long runs in addition to Erik Ezukanma back catching bombs. That’s one more thing for TCU to have to defend. My gut tells me that depending on the health of so many players will help me figure out how I’ll make my pick, but we probably won’t find that out until Saturday. I’m inclined to pick Texas Tech with those points as I think Wells likes to keep things close and am not sure as to TCU’s ability to absolutely drill a Big 12 team, but I have a feeling the line is going to be active this week.

OFF-WEEK

IOWA STATE (3-2, 1-1): The Cyclones absolutely drubbed Kansas, including 4 touchdowns in the first quarter and Kansas could never recover. The Cyclones sit at 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference. After this off-week, they’ll travel to Kansas State. I still can’t figure out if Iowa State has figured things out and with 1 Big 12 loss, maybe they’re still in the Big 12 race, but they need Oklahoma to lose as well as the Longhorns and only 1 of those teams can do that this weekend.

KANSAS (1-4, 0-2): Kansas is 0-2 in conference and struggled last week after some decent outings. Just decent, or decent for Kansas. Kansas is trying to run the ball, running 44 times last week to just 22 pass attempts. The Jayhawks still need a quarterback to be great, but it appears they are trying to be a more ground oriented team perhaps?

KANSAS STATE (3-2, 0-2): I would not have expected KSU to be without a Big 12 win, but that’s what happens when you open against Oklahoma State on the Road, then host Oklahoma. They’ll have a week to get ready for the Cyclones at home, so that will be beneficial. Once the Wildcats are past Iowa State, then they’ll travel to Lubbock to face Texas Tech. Getting Skylar Thompson back at quarterback helps the Wildcats a ton and this week off will probably do them quite well.

OKLAHOMA STATE (5-0, 2-0): The Cowboys are playing well, but not great. They are undefeated, but maybe that’s not saying a ton. Both conference wins are at home and that makes life that much easier. After the off-week, they’ll be on the road against Texas and then on the road against Iowa State. That’s going to be a tough matchup after the off-week, but having an off-week to prepare is a benefit.