Texas Tech at Oklahoma

Records: Texas Tech 3-1 (1-0 Big 12); Oklahoma 3-0

Last Week: Oklahoma had the week off. Texas Tech came from behind to beat Kansas 31-30. Taurean Henderson ran for 169 yards and two touchdowns while Sonny Cumbie threw for 356 yards and two more scores.

Outlook: Both teams have an explosive offense, but Oklahoma has too many weapons at its disposal. Jason White is arguably the best quarterback in all of college football, and if a team shuts him down, the Sooners have a running game that can take over.

Prediction: There is a reason Oklahoma is the No. 2 team in the nation. Texas Tech has the offense to stay close, but in the end Oklahoma will take its first step toward a conference title.

Iowa State at Oklahoma State

Records: Iowa State 2-1; Oklahoma State 3-0

Last Week: Both teams had the week off, joining the six other Big 12 teams that had an extra seven days to get ready for their conference schedule.

Outlook: Oklahoma State is an excellent team; it’s really too bad they are in the South Division where they will finish third. It’s rare to see a team as good as they are not really have a chance to win its conference title.

In a completely rush-dominated offense, they have one of the best backs in the country, Vernand Morency, who has 571 yards in just three games. Iowa State has to shut him down if it wants to stay in the game.

Prediction: I’m going to go out on a limb here. I pick Iowa State to win in a glorious come-from-behind thriller. A long bomb to Todd Blythe would be a perfect way to get that final score.

Baylor at Texas

Records: Baylor 2-1; Texas 3-0

Last Week: Texas took down Rice 35-13, with running back Cedric Benson rushing for a cool 189 yards, more than the entire Rice team. Baylor also won last week, beating a powerhouse North Texas squad 37-14.

Outlook: Hopefully the Baylor squad celebrated last weekend, as Texas will show no mercy to its intrastate foe. I predict Benson will top the 200-yard mark, turning the fearsome Bears into nothing more than little cubs.

Prediction: It’s Bear hunting season. Baylor doesn’t have a prayer. Benson is rushing up a storm and its offense is rolling. Texas wins going away.

Kansas at Nebraska

Records: Kansas 2-2 (0-1 Big 12); Nebraska (2-1)

Last Week: Nebraska had the week off. Kansas kicked off its 2004 conference schedule by blowing a 30-11 halftime lead against Texas Tech, losing by a 31-30 final.

Outlook: Kansas is on a two-game losing streak that very realistically could move to three. The key to the game will be Nebraska’s quarterback Joe Dailey. The sophomore has thrown seven touchdowns in the Huskers’ three games, but has also been intercepted eight times. His play could be the game’s determining factor.

Prediction: Nebraska is still working out the kinks in its new offense. Dailey is the key to everything. If he can keep his offense on the field and in Kansas’ end zone, the Huskers will win. If he continues to play like he has been, however, Nebraska’s season will be in trouble. That said, Nebraska beats Kansas because I hate Nebraska and God loves the teams I hate.

Colorado at Missouri

Records: Colorado (3-0); Missouri (2-1)

Last Week: Both teams had a bye week.

Outlook: Colorado may be the surprise team of the conference so far. The Buffaloes’ undefeated record is outweighed by its lack of competition in its first three games. Two games after a shocking loss to Troy State, the Tigers will look to get back on track against the Buffs. The Tigers’ 48-0 pounding of Ball State two weeks ago helped, and a win this weekend will get them on the right track before the meat of their schedule.

Prediction: Brad Smith is one of the best athletes in the conference, but a one-man team can’t win. They will have enough to knock off Colorado, a team that I still think isn’t that good.

Kansas State at Texas A&M

Records: Kansas State (2-1); Texas A&M (2-1)

Last Week: Both teams had a bye week.

Outlook: In a conference packed with quality running backs, Kansas State has one of the best. Darren Sproles has 550 yards already on the season, more than halfway to his third consecutive 1,000-yard campaign. If the Wildcats could find a passing game to complement his outstanding rushing abilities, they could find themselves traveling somewhere very nice during New Year’s.

Prediction: The name all A&M fans will hate this weekend is Sproles. You should get used to hearing about him too, because after this season he’ll get a lot of playing time in a little company called the National Football League. Sproles and friends will be way too much for a struggling A&M squad.