Big 12 Week 7 Preview
Even though we are halfway through the season, it’s one of the biggest weeks of the year.
Of course, there are other reasons as the other 2 matchups should create hype. It’s Red River Rivalry week. Once again, this could very well be the matchup we see in December.
Or this year, it very well could be different. West Virginia has a chance for a monumental win.
Tech and Baylor return to Waco for the first time in a decade.
#6 Oklahoma vs. #11 Texas 12 PM EST FOX
62-47-5. That is the current record in the Red River Rivalry. One that is lead by the Texas Longhorns. However, Oklahoma has had the recent success winning 7 of the last 10.
This one looks to be even better than last year. It feautres 2 Heisman candidates, 2 explosive offenses, and 2 rather underwhelming secondaries.
All of that mixed together should create a barnburner with a bunch of points.
Both teams are coming off of unsatisfactory performances last week. Oklahoma only lead by 14 to KU at half. Texas was in a fight with WV for about 3 quarters.
Jalen Hurts hasn’t been stopped all year and skill players like CeeDee Lamb and Charleston Rambo has prospered from that. Texas is weak in the secondary with injuries (their most talented position).
That should create more opportunities for Hurts to show his ability to sling the rock.
For Texas, their offense has been just as good, even though not quite as electric. Ehlinger has similar weapons in Collin Johnson and Devin DuVernay leading a deep WR core.
The line for this game is relatively high at OU being an 11 point favorite. If I were to bet, I’d for sure take Texas to take the points.
However, in terms of the game result, I believe Oklahoma will pull out a high-scoring, instant classic.
Oklahoma 45, Texas 37
Texas Tech vs. #22 Baylor 3 PM PM EST FOX
38-38-1. The rubber match for this rivalry will be settled on Saturday. This matchup over the years has been relied on by dominance.
Baylor went on a stretch of winning 16 of 19 over the Red Raiders. Through the 90’s and early 2000’s, Tech had won 15 straight.
Most recently however, Baylor has won 6 of those 8 contest. Another note is that this is Texas Tech’s first time making the road trip to Waco since 2007. It is also the first time they have played in McLane Stadium.
BU-TT had been played in AT&T stadium for near a decade. Both teams have decided to go with home and homes for the foreseeable future.
Baylor is off to a surprising 5-0 behind the top ranked defense in the conference. Baylor and defense in the same sentence is a rarity. However, that’s how the Bears have been getting it done.
Charlie Brewer is coming off a 230 yard, 1 TD performance against Kansas State. He got knocked out of the game early in the 4th quarter. Matt Rhule has confirmed he will be ready for Saturday though.
For Texas Tech, the confidence in Jett Duffey must be near an all-time high. He flashed greatness in a 45-35 win over then Top 25 Oklahoma State. Throwing for over 400 yards and 4 TD’s with 0 interceptions.
Baylor’s defense is better than Oklahoma State’s, so this should be a different test. With being on the road as well, how will Duffey play.
The home field advantage will be enough as Baylor will continue on and get to 6-0.
Baylor 37, Texas Tech 27
Iowa State vs. West Virginia 3 PM EST ESPN
West Virginia fans deep down knew they had a chance last week. There was a lot of positive to take away. Austin Kendall flashed a ton of potential and made some big plays.
The problem is he always gave it to players in white jerseys 4 times.
West Virginia started halves on defense really well. Only giving up a combined 7 points in the 1st and 3rd. However, finishing halves was the issue. WV gave up 35 in the 2nd and 4th.
Iowa State is coming to this game still angry and hungry for more. They took their frustration out on TCU last week, nearly hanging half a hundred on them.
It’ll be intriguing to see if Iowa State brings the same intensity to Morgantown.
This is also a big game for WV for the rest of their schedule. After ISU, they have back to back road trips to Oklahoma and Baylor.
All 3 games should be close, but this one is probably the hardest to predict. Iowa State will get plays from Deshaunte Jones and Charlie Kolar.
Enough for the Cyclones to move on to 4-2 on the year.
Iowa State 34, West Virginia 30
Image Credit: https://sports.yahoo.com/baylor-moves-5-0-dominates-kansas-state-31-000638640–ncaaf.html