Season predictions in July might sound like a fruitless endeavor, but we just can’t help it. We’re too ready for this season to begin. And this time last year, we did boldly and correctly project TCU would beat Oklahoma as well as a West Virginia upset of Baylor. So what have we cooked up for 2015?
Over the next two weeks, we’re making predictions for all 75 Big 12 games of the season. We continue our predictions for the entire season with Week 6:
Baylor 56, Kansas 14: The Bears continue cruising through the first half of the season with another 50-plus point performance as Seth Russell seamlessly slides into the triggerman role in Waco. The lasting images of this game are a pair of touchdowns — one rushing, one receiving — from LaQuan McGowan, who carried a Jayhawk into the end zone on his touchdown catch than ran over another on his scoring run.
TCU 42, Kansas State 24: Trevone Boykin rebounds after a subpar showing against Texas, dominating in the Horned Frogs' win over K-State. He accounts for 514 total yards and five touchdowns in the win. and Davion Pearson’s disruptive nature makes the Wildcats running game nonexistent in an relatively easy TCU win.
Oklahoma 28, Texas 20: Neither offense sets off fireworks at the Texas State Fair as the game is tied at 7 at halftime. The Sooners turn to Samaje Perine and the running game to get things back on track in the second half but it is a pair of big plays from Eric Striker, a forced fumble and an interception, that are the difference as Bob Stoops earns win No. 2 over Charlie Strong.
Texas Tech 42, Iowa State 35: One of the most entertaining games of the season is decided in the final minute after the Cyclones tie the score at 35 late in the fourth quarter. Patrick Mahomes leads the Red Raiders on a last-second drive, culminated by a 35-yard catch and run from Jakeem Grant to win the game and give Tech its first conference win of the season.
West Virginia 38, Oklahoma State 31: The Mountaineers rebound after last week’s overtime loss to OU with the help of a big game from William Crest, who stars in multiple roles on his way to three touchdowns. OSU quarterback Mason Rudolph has a solid showing but it is the Cowboys inability to establish a running game against WVU’s aggressive defense which decides the outcome.
Week 6 standings
1. TCU -- 6-0, 3-0
2. Baylor -- 5-0, 2-0
3, Oklahoma -- 5-0, 2-0
4. West Virginia -- 4-1, 1-1
5. Iowa State -- 3-2, 1-1
6. Oklahoma State -- 4-2, 1-2
7. Texas -- 3-3, 1-2
8. Texas Tech -- 3-3, 1-2
9. Kansas State -- 3-2, 0-2
10. Kansas -- 1-4, 0-2