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Predictions: Big 12 Week 5

Not a fantastic week of picks. I whiffed on the game of the week, trusting that Texas A&M could hold a 17-point halftime lead and grind the OSU defense with a physical running game. Silly me.

I also foolishly didn't give Kansas State a chance to knock off the 'Canes in Miami. Oh well. I wasn't the only one there. Here's to a better set of picks this week.

I'll be sticking around the metroplex for Texas A&M-Arkansas at Cowboys Stadium, but I'll have my eye on K-State-Baylor and Texas-Iowa State throughout the rest of the day.

Off: Oklahoma State, Missouri

Last week: 3-2 (.600)

Overall: 23-7 (.767)

No. 14 Texas A&M 31, No. 18 Arkansas 24: Texas A&M hasn't beaten an SEC team since 1995, but that streak ends against an Arkansas team that got walloped by a juggernaut Alabama team a week ago. Texas A&M rediscovers its running game, while Arkansas rediscovers it lost its own when Knile Davis went down before the season.

Texas Tech 48, Kansas 37: Jordan Webb has been really good for Kansas this year, and he'll continue to be. But Seth Doege is better, and Kansas' defense can't slow the Red Raiders.

No. 15 Baylor 44, Kansas State 30: Kansas State's defense is much better this year, but Baylor's offense might still be underrated. It's not just the Robert Griffin III Show. Terrance Ganaway is averaging almost six yards a carry, Kendall Wright is putting up better numbers than Justin Blackmon and Ryan Broyles, and the Bears have great depth at receiver. It's one of the league's best units.

No. 17 Texas 27, Iowa State 17: Steele Jantz gives the Longhorns some early problems, but this is the best defense Iowa State will have seen by far, and one of the most experienced. Iowa State doesn't have the athletes on either front line to keep Texas from ruining what should be a great atmosphere in Ames.

No. 2 Oklahoma 51, Ball State 13: I forget, what city is the capital of Ball again?