Stormin' Around the Big XII: IT'S A TRAP! Edition

Last Week: 1-3

Overall: 29-9

EA Sports Last Week: 1-3

Overall: 26-12

Kansas State vs Iowa State - 11:00 AM CDT - FX

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Oklahoma vs Texas - 11:00 AM CDT - ABC

The Red River Shootout comes to the Texas State Fair and the Cotton Bowl this week and matches up an Oklahoma squad trying to re-establish themselves against a Texas squad trying to keep within a game of West Virginia for the top spot in the Big XII.

I'm not entirely sure how this happened but Oklahoma ranks 28th in the nation in total offense while Texas ranks 76th overall in total defense. As much as I like to use rankings to justify my predictions this is one where I just can't do it. Oklahoma lacks the big playmakers that they had in the past and Texas' defense has some of the best athletes in the conference. Say what you will about Manny Diaz's scheme but I think this is a situation where his aggressiveness overwhelms the Oklahoma offensive line and eventually Landry Jones. If the Longhorns can hold onto the ball against a Sooner team that has forced four turnovers all season then they pull away in the end.

Texas 27, Oklahoma 17

Oklahoma State vs Kansas - 2:30 PM CDT - FSN

This game is going to signal whether or not Charlie Weis can rally his troops or if they finally quit and let the season go down the drain. After last week's load blowing turned straight blowout at the hands of in-state rival Kansas State the Jayhawks are in desperate need of a win soon.

Oklahoma State is embroiled in a quarterback controversy of sorts between Wes Lunt and J.W. Walsh. Walsh has proven to be a more than capable quarterback but after the loss to Texas two weeks ago people have been clamoring for the return of Lunt. My bet is we see both this game after whoever starts has a bad series. In the end it won't matter. Kansas puts up a bit of a fight for awhile against an Oklahoma State defense lacking power but fails to finish just like the previous games.

Oklahoma State 41, Kansas 27

West Virginia vs Texas Tech - 2:30 PM CDT - ABC

The trappiest of all trap games that could ultimately spell doom for West Virginia's Big XII and national championship hopes. This is the second week in a row that West Virginia plays in Texas and that means four time zone changes in a little over a week. With Kansas State coming to Morgantown next week it could be very easy to overlook a Tech team that is still playing incredibly well on defense.

Seth Doege had a rough week against Oklahoma last week but West Virginia's defense is nowhere near the caliber of Oklahoma's and Doege should get settled into a grove if West Virginia's pass rush continues to be non-existent. This game is not going to be the barn burner that West Virginia and Baylor was but it's going to be entertaining to watch. What makes this game difficult to pick is West Virginia has looked outstanding (Texas) and pedestrian (Maryland) this season. Tech has yet to have a bad defensive game. In the end I think the two trips to the Central Time Zone in less than a week and an aggressive defensive line spell doom for Geno Smith and company.

Texas Tech 31, West Virginia 27

TCU vs Baylor - 6:00 PM CDT - FSN

This game is not nearly the trap game that Kansas State, West Virginia, and even Oklahoma State face but it is a game that will help legitimize one of these programs this season. Baylor is still looking to step out of RGIII's shadow and TCU is trying to rebound from being punched in the mouth by Iowa State. Trevone Boykin finally gets a week full of preparation and against this Baylor defense should have an outstanding game. The question will be if TCU can generate a pass rush to fluster Nick Florence and if their secondary can have a good came against the likes of Terrance Williams.

A shootout just like last year is in order but in the end I think Gary Patterson finds a way to fluster Nick Florence into a few bad decisions and comes away with a narrow victory.

TCU 45, Baylor 41

EA Sports NCAA Football 13 Predictions

Kansas State vs Iowa State: Jared Barnett gets the start but the Wildcats run out to a 23-7 4th quarter lead. Barnett and James White team up for two late scores and White's five yard run with 3:37 remaining puts the Cyclones up for the first time and they hang on for the win. Iowa State 24, Kansas State 23

Oklahoma vs Texas: Texas goes wild on the ground and piles up 268 yards rushing and two touchdowns while the defense holds Landry Jones to an 11 of 28 day through the air. The game remains tight but all the Sooners can do is muster a field goal in the 4th quarter and Texas hangs on. Texas 21, Oklahoma 17

Oklahoma State vs Kansas: In a game that should not even be close the Jayhawks actually carry a 13-7 lead into the 4th quarter. After that the Cowboys' rushing attack takes over and Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith both find the end zone in the final five minutes to put the Cowboys up for good. Oklahoma State 21, Kansas 13

West Virginia vs Texas Tech: West Virginia's second trip to the state of Texas in as many weeks turns into a shootout as the two teams combine for 27 points in the 4th quarter. The only problem is West Virginia scored 20 of those points after Tech had been leading 28-19 heading into the 4th quarter. Geno Smith out duels Seth Doege with a 21 of 33, 293 yard, and three touchdown performance through the air. West Virginia 39, Texas Tech 35

TCU vs Baylor: TCU has risen to #2 in the rankings and travels to Waco to face an upset minded Baylor team. Baylor takes a 13-7 lead in the 3rd quarter but it's all TCU from there as they rattle off 17 straight points, including 10 in the 4th quarter. TCU 24, Baylor 13