Over the next two weeks, we're making predictions for all 75 Big 12 games of the season. We continue the series today with Week 7.
Baylor 38, West Virginia 28: Despite having two of the Big 12’s best and most experienced defenses, these two teams just can’t avoid a shootout. West Virginia has the right answers early thanks to its physical play in the secondary, but the Bears’ run game comes through in a big way (unlike in 2014). Shock Linwood surpasses 100 yards and Johnny Jefferson busts off a 50-yard score to fire up a packed McLane Stadium. Skyler Howard tries to lead the comeback, but the Bears’ defensive line sacks him too many times in the fourth quarter and stops the upset attempt. For a third consecutive season, Baylor is off to a 6-0 start.
TCU 49, Iowa State 17: Iowa State beat Trevone Boykin in his first career college start, and he’s been tormenting the Cyclones ever since. He does it again in Ames, topping 500 total yards for a second straight year and accounting for six TDs in another easy Frogs victory. Allen Lazard finds the end zone twice late in the game, but Iowa State fails to put up much of a fight in a first half that gets out of hand fast.
Oklahoma 37, Kansas State 24: Against one of the conference's better pass defenses, the trio of Sterling Shepard, Dede Westbrook and Mark Andrews runs wild. Baker Mayfield patiently picks the Wildcats apart, connecting with all three of his top pass-catchers for touchdowns as the Sooners roll. Athletic juco transfer Jonathan Banks gets snaps and makes plays in the second half, raising more questions about K-State's quarterback situation.
Texas Tech 42, Kansas 21: The Red Raiders extend their winning streak against KU to nine in a row thanks to a blistering start against a Jayhawk defense that’s too beat up from playing Baylor. Among the many bright spots of the blowout: Davis Webb gets in on the action for the entire fourth quarter and looks as sharp as ever. David Gibbs isn’t happy with 21 points, but Tech will take any easy win it can get.
Current Big 12 standings
1. TCU -- 7-0, 4-0
2. Baylor -- 6-0, 3-0
3. Oklahoma -- 6-0, 3-0
4. Texas Tech -- 4-3, 2-2
5. West Virginia -- 4-2, 1-2
6. Oklahoma State -- 4-2, 1-2
7. Iowa State -- 3-3, 1-2
8. Texas -- 3-3, 1-2
9. Kansas State -- 3-3, 0-3
10. Kansas -- 1-5, 0-3