A decent week of predictions last week, but I whiffed on a Texas pick for the second consecutive week. Longhorns, who are you?
On to this week's picks!
Last week: 3-1 (.750)
Overall: 48-15 (.762)
Here's a look at where we were at this point last year.
FRIDAY
No. 2 Oklahoma State 48, Iowa State 20: The Cyclones slow OSU's offense a little bit, but not enough to make a serious threat. The Cowboys are just too good. The fourth quarter is spent focusing on Oklahoma for the starters on the sideline, the first few moments of a 15-day wait for the Sooners' arrival on game day. Jared Barnett's got a lot of upside, but OSU's offense has too many playmakers for ISU to keep pace.
SATURDAY
Texas A&M 34, Kansas 24: I'm starting to believe in Kansas' growth, and A&M has to stay focused against a 2-8 opponent with a disappointing 5-5 record. The Jayhawks have played one of the nation's toughest schedules, but hang with A&M in this one for awhile, before A&M and Cyrus Gray flex late with a few big plays to break it open and grab a safe win. Kansas is inching closer to that win, and could be in for a great game next Saturday against Mizzou.
Missouri 34, Texas Tech 21: Texas Tech, though? Nobody in the Big 12 has fallen faster, and the banged-up Raiders are feeling around for something good to happen. It's been awhile. Missouri's been competitive in just about every game. Tech hasn't been competitive in a month. Welcome to the postseason, Mizzou. The Tigers' Kendial Lawrence picks up the slack for the injured Henry Josey and goes for 150 yards.
No. 13 Kansas State 17, No. 23 Texas 13: Bill Snyder won't need much Texas wizardry in this one. K-State is the better team, and inexplicable 9.5-point underdogs. The Longhorns lock down on the K-State offense, but the Wildcats are more than capable of doing the same. We may see the fewest passes thrown in a Big 12 game all season in this one.
No. 5 Oklahoma 47, No. 22 Baylor 31: Make it 21. Baylor moves to 0-21 against Oklahoma in this one. The Sooners have won eight consecutive games away from home, including five against teams in the top 13. This makes nine. Oklahoma's defense is one of a few that can slow Baylor's offense (credit fumbles and Kansas' running game for the three points in three quarters last week), and it'll do enough for the offense to get the win.