Today is the next step in a new series on the Big 12 blog that we've never done before. I love predicting the standings from top to bottom, but we're going to do it week by week leading up to the season. The end goal is to offer my official prediction for each Big 12 team's record heading into the bowl games.
Remember, these are preseason predictions. We'll obviously still do week-to-week picks once the season arrives, and they may change between now and then. There are a lot of preseason practices and a whole lot of games between now and the end of the season.
There are always teams that disappoint and teams that surprise. But here's how I see the Big 12 shaking out in Week 8.
PREVIOUS PREDICTIONS
Here's how I see Week 9 playing out in the Big 12 this season:
Kansas State 38, Texas Tech 28: K-State erased a deficit in the fourth quarter to win last year's game. It won't need it this time. Texas Tech's defense is improved, but the Wildcats are more physical than the Red Raiders' front seven and earn another hard-working win.
Texas 34, Kansas 10: Texas' most dominant performance of last season came against the Jayhawks, but KU's newfound passing game at least forces the Longhorns to respect it. Still, Texas' secondary won't let the Jayhawks' receivers get free, and the punishing running game keeps possession and the game out of reach.
Oklahoma State 47, TCU 41: TCU's undefeated season is officially over, fittingly at the hands of the reigning Big 12 champs. The Horned Frogs turn in a valiant effort on the road, but the Cowboys get the win by holding off a late charge. The 17-point, fourth-quarter lead is protected with, what else, a game-sealing turnover in the final minutes.
Oklahoma 44, Notre Dame 24: Notre Dame? Well, it's just not that good. Oklahoma? Well, it's very, very good at home. Landry Jones throws five touchdown passes and this clash of college football superpowers isn't close. ND isn't quite a superpower these days, and Oklahoma improves to 2-8 all-time vs. the Irish.
Baylor 37, Iowa State 28: This is an underrated interesting game. All the matchups between Iowa State, Texas Tech and Baylor will be. Those games will most likely decide who grabs the league's final bowl bid among the three teams. Baylor wins this one with big plays after the catch from Tevin Reese and Terrance Williams.
BIG 12 STANDINGS (after Week 9)
1. Oklahoma: 7-0 (5-0)
2. TCU: 7-1 (4-1)
3. West Virginia: 6-1 (3-1)
3. Oklahoma State: 6-1 (3-1)
5. Kansas State: 6-2 (3-2)
5. Texas: 6-2 (3-2)
7. Baylor: 4-3 (1-3)
8. Texas Tech: 4-4 (1-4)
9. Iowa State: 3-5 (1-4)
10. Kansas: 3-5 (0-5)