Big 12 Fearless Predictions, Oct. 20

Previews and Predictions for the Week 8 Big 12 Games.

Big 12
North Colorado | Iowa St | Kansas | Kansas State | Missouri | Nebraska
South Baylor | Oklahoma | Oklahoma State | Texas | Texas A&M | Texas Tech

Big 12 Fearless Predictions Sept. 1 | Sept. 8 | Sept. 15 | Sept. 22 | Sept. 29 
Oct. 6 | Oct. 13 | Oct. 27 | Nov. 3 | Nov. 10 | Nov. 17 | Nov. 24 | Dec. 1

Big 12 Week 8 Predictions, Part 2

How are the picks so far? SU: 45-11 ... ATS: 24-22

Big 12 Game of the Week

Texas Tech (6-1) at Missouri (5-1)
Why to watch: There might be other big games going on this weekend, but this might be the most intriguing matchup. It's not just Texas Tech's No. 1 passing offense vs. Missouri's No. 5 passing attack, its a battle of two teams that are still thinking Big 12 title, and rightly so. Missouri played well for about three quarters against Oklahoma, and then the roof caved in with a disastrous fourth quarter in a 41-31 loss. If this is really a different team, and not the type that'll go into the tank over the second half of the year like last year's squad, this is a game it has to win. Texas Tech has gone from an interesting novelty to downright scary. The offense is always going to be the offense, but over the last three weeks, ever since getting its doors blown off by the Oklahoma State running game in a 49-45 loss, the defense has gotten nasty. Holding Northwestern State and Iowa State to a total of 24 points is one thing, but stopping Texas A&M in a 35-7 win is another. With a home game against Colorado and a road trip to Baylor to follow, a win in Columbia will probably mean a 9-1 start going into the finishing kick against Texas and Oklahoma.
Why Texas Tech might win: Missouri's secondary is having trouble. Thank you very much, good night. Oklahoma's Sam Bradford was way too efficient last week, and without a consistent pass rush from the defensive front, Mizzou should have a hard time pressuring Graham Harrell enough to force him to screw up. He's getting rid of the ball so quickly, and the Red Raider O line is doing such a good job, that yards after the catch won't be a problem; Harrell will always put it in the right spot. Meanwhile, the Tech secondary has been impressive so far, only allowing 179 yards per game. However ...
Why Missouri might win: ... outside of its own practices, Tech hasn't seen a real, live passing game. From all indications, Mizzou was fired up after the OU loss, not dejected, as it's more confident than ever that it can play with anyone. Outside of two bad interceptions when he was pressing, Chase Daniel was brilliant, throwing for 361 yards and a touchdown. If Tech wants to wing it all over the field, Daniel and the Tigers will have few problems playing along. Tech hasn't played anyone with this kind of offensive balance.
Who to watch: Missouri was supposed to have a key cog back in RB Tony Temple, who missed the Sooner game with an ankle injury, but late in the week he went from questionable to out. It might be stretching it to say he'd have been the difference against OU, but he certainly would've allowed Daniel to relax a little more and not have to do everything by himself. Without Temple, the Tigers have to get creative running the ball, using all-purpose star Jeremy Maclin more on reverses, quick passes, whatever. He's the team's most dangerous weapon, and he's the one the Tec defense will have to keep an eye on every play.
What will happen: Oh this will be fun. Expect well over 1,000 yards of total offense, about 800 yards passing, big stats, huge numbers, plenty of highlights, and a statement Missouri win that'll get the Big 12 title hopes back on track. 
CFN Prediction: Missouri 48 ... Texas Tech 40  ... Line: Missouri -3.5
Must See Rating: (5 Keeping Up with the Kardashians - 1 Ellen's dog plea) ... 4

Big 12 Saturday, Oct. 20

Kansas (6-0) at Colorado (4-3)
Why to watch: The BCS world is still skeptical. Despite a dominant 6-0 start, despite ranking second in the nation in scoring and total defense, despite a swarming defense that forces turnovers by the truckload, despite an ultra-efficient, balanced offense that no one appears to have an answer for quite yet, Kansas is still not being taken seriously. And for good reason. Outside of the 30-24 win at Kansas State, Kansas hasn't played anyone with a pulse. Making matters more interesting is a KU schedule that doesn't exactly get nasty until the season ending date with Missouri. All of a sudden, beating Nebraska doesn't seem like a big deal. Anyone with dreams of winning the Big 12 title has to beat Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, and Iowa State might have one of the five worst teams in America. And then there's the date with Colorado. The Buffs are going to be good. Dan Hawkins appears to have turned things around enough to make the team competitive after last year's disaster, with a hard-hitting defense and improving offense that's had its moments, but has been inconsistent. Will KU get the Colorado that beat Oklahoma and ripped apart Miami University, or will it be the one that got ripped apart by Kansas State and couldn't move the ball against Florida State?
Why Kansas might win: Turnovers. Young, inconsistent teams give them up, while teams playing razor-sharp tend to find ways to take them away. Kansas doesn't need any breaks, but it'll probably get them, or force them, with a defense that has 18 takeaways and only nine turnovers, while Colorado is 104th in the nation in turnover margin. Last week, the Buffs didn't get enough pressure into the Kansas State backfield, turned it over four times, and got blown out. If they don't get to KU QB Todd Reesing, and if they lose the turnover battle, they'll lose big.
Why Colorado might win: Road trip. Colorado beat Oklahoma in Boulder, crushed Miami University 42-0, and got a good defensive game in a loss to Florida State. All teams are obviously better at home, but Colorado appears to be one of those teams that feeds off home momentum better than most. When things start to go well, like they did in the fourth quarter against OU, the Buffs pounce. KU only has one road trip all year, and that was the close call against Kansas State. For all the good things the Jayhawks have done, they haven't generated many sacks. Cody Hawkins could use all the time he can get.
Who to watch: Hugh Charles is starting to make a case for being the Big 12's best back. With the world keying on him to force Hawkins to win through the air, Charles has come through with four strong outings, highlighted by a 171-yard powerhouse of a performance in the loss to Kansas State. He's averaging a whopping 6.3 yards per carry, and needs to pound the ball to keep the Jayhawk offense off the field.
What will happen: Kansas is the real deal, and it'll show it against the Buffs. There will be a few moments early on when Colorado gets the upset juices flowing, and then KU will coldly and efficiently pull away.
CFN Prediction: Kansas 40 ... Colorado 27  ... Line: Kansas -4
Must See Rating: (5 Keeping Up with the Kardashians - 1 Ellen's dog plea) ... 3

Oklahoma (6-1) at Iowa State (1-6)
Why to watch: It's Big 8 old school time in what should be one of the biggest mismatches of the season. The spread might not say so, but if Iowa State pulls this off, it would have to be considered among the wildest upsets in a season full of upsets. First of all, there's the history. Going back to the Big 8 days, Oklahoma is 37-1-1 against the Cyclones since 1961 with the one loss coming in a 33-31 thriller in 1990. Iowa State hasn't beaten OU in Ames since 1960. Second, Iowa State hasn't even been close. This has been one of the worst teams in America, and it's coming off blowout losses to Texas Tech and Texas. How bad have things been? ISU lost to (Big Red cheap shot alert) Nebraska by 18. And then there's the try factor. It's all about style points right now, and OU, fifth in the initial BCS rankings, could use all it can get.
Why Oklahoma might win: The Cyclone firepower simply isn't there. With the lack of scoring punch from the ISU offense, OU should be able to put this away with a few good first quarter drives. The passing game has gone from woeful to non-existent, cranking out just 135 yards on a Texas defense that hasn't always been a rock. The Cyclone pass defense should get picked apart clean. It has major problems against efficient passers, and OU just so happens to lead the nation in passing efficiency.
Why Iowa State might win: The only possible hope ISU has is the sandwich factor. Everyone in the stadium, including Iowa State, knows Oklahoma should win the game by a bazillion. With the Missouri game last week, and the Texas A&M showdown next week, Oklahoma, not always the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to focus, could be letting down big time. The Cyclone defense hasn't been a problem, Texas blowouts aside. If it can force a few early mistakes, and somehow start hitting on the post patterns that haven't been there all season long, but the Sooners occasionally gives up, this might not be ugly.
Who to watch: Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton has quickly developed into one of the nation's best unknown defensive stars. While only 6-0 and 235 pounds, he flies to the ball and makes things happen when he gets there. He turned the Missouri game around with a fumble return for a touchdown, his second score of the year, and he came up with a whipping 18 tackles on the day. If you're waiting for Iowa State QB Bret Meyer to break out and start running, this isn't going to be the day mainly because of No. 40.
What will happen: Oklahoma can call its shot. Don't expect any let up with the BCS rankings on everyone's mind.
CFN Prediction: Oklahoma 52 ... Iowa State 17  ... Line: Oklahoma -29.5
Must See Rating: (5 Keeping Up with the Kardashians - 1 Ellen's dog plea) ... 1.5

Big 12 Week 8 Predictions, Part 2