Texas Tech, Big 12 Preview & Predictions: Week 6

That could have gone better, but it also could have gone wayyyyy worse. At the game, I was with my friend and at half-time we were wondering if the Tech defense was going to give up more than the 82 given up last year at TCU. Two weeks into Big 12 play, it is apparent that the Red Raiders are a MUCH improved squad. That said, they still are not top tier in the Big 12, but rather returning to second tier. That is good, especially considering that Tech has missed a bowl game in two of the past four seasons. From now until the end of the season, I only see one game where Tech should have an incredibly tough time with. This is a squad that has an opportunity to get 9 or 10 wins. Who would have thought that at the beginning of the year?

We have our first repeat winner. @kchantx21, Kyle, was the first guest picker and is again this week.

If you want to be the guest picker for next week comment below or tweet @ConnerCrisp your score prediction for Tech-Iowa State. Whoever is closest to choosing the winning margin wins. Ties are decided by me. Check back to this article Sunday night and I will have announced the winner by 10 PM.

Last week’s guest picker, alfergus, and I agreed on all games except one. Tech-Baylor. I picked a Baylor win, I have never felt worse about winning…

Conner Last Week: 5-0, Conner Overall: 32-5 (.866)

Guest Picker alfergus: 4-1, VTM Readers Overall: 24-3 (.889)

Saturday, October 10

#3 Baylor Bears (4-0 overall, 1-0 Big 12) at Kansas Jayhawks (0-4 overall, 0-1 Big 12)

Memorial Stadium; Lawrence, KS; 11:00 AM; Fox Sports 1

This. Will. Be. Ugly. I would not be shocked to see Baylor hang 80 on Kansas. Whatever the over/under is for this game, I’d take the over. From here on out, any game that showcases the Kansas Jayhawks is the "Do Your Chores Game Of The Week". Kansas fans, just 28 more days until basketball season… Bears 77, Jayhawks 17

Kyle's Pick: Baylor

#10 Oklahoma Sooners (4-0 overall, 1-0 Big 12) vs. Texas Longhorns (1-4 overall, 0-2 Big 12)

Cotton Bowl; Dallas, TX; 11:00 AM; ABC

The Red River Rivalry is once again upon us. Unless you are a fan of one of these teams, not many people care this year. Oklahoma is rolling right now and they should continue to do so this week. Texas is a mess. I’m enjoying their mess, but wow. A lot of this mess is transpiring over social media; players calling out teammates, player’s retweeting fans of other teams, and the Texas Rangers accidental "fire Charlie" tweet. Now the Longhorns have no control over the Rangers’ Twitter account (a person in charge of the Rangers social media meant to tweet it on his personal account. Said person has been fired). However, they do have control over whether or not to let their players use social media during the season. With Charlie Strong as much of a hard-butt as he is, I’m surprised that he still lets his players use social media during the season… Sooners 48, Longhorns 17

Kyle's Pick: Oklahoma

Iowa State Cyclones (2-2 overall, 1-0 Big 12) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-2 overall, 0-2 Big 12)

Jones AT&T Stadium; Lubbock, TX; 2:30 PM; Fox Sports Net/Fox Sports Go

This Texas Tech defense is vastly improved over last year’s unit. That said, they still can be easily overwhelmed, as we have seen in the past two weeks. Something I have noticed is that compared to other teams, the Tech defense seems so small. Maybe, start recruiting bigger players for the defense? (Speaking of recruits, Tech just landed consensus number 1 center in the 2017 class.) Offensively, Patrick Mahomes is a player that I am so glad to have for the next 2-3 years. He’s a tough dude, good leader, and has the arm to make the throws. He is able to put the ball right where the receiver needs it to make a catch. However, this Tech receiving corps has a massive case of the drops this year. For the Air Raid to work, those drops have got to be eliminated. This week they have an Iowa State team that is not very good. It is a prime opportunity to get back to basics ( AKA making tackles, and not dropping balls)… Red Raiders 45, Cyclones 24

Kyle's Pick: Texas Tech

#21 Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0 overall, 2-0 Big 12) at West Virginia Mountaineers (3-1 overall, 1-0 Big 12) GAME OF THE WEEK

Milan Puskar Stadium; Morgantown, WV; 6:00 PM; ESPN2

Oklahoma State has been able to pull off some impressive 4^th quarter comeback wins in Big 12 play. Of the four Big 12 teams in the Top 25, OSU seems to be the shakiest. The offense, while still scoring lots, just does not seem to have found its groove yet. Heading to West Virginia is going to be a tough game for them. West Virginia is coming off a butt-kicking in Norman and will be glad to be back for some home-cookin’. Both of these teams are teams that are good enough to be top 25 teams, but I think only one of them will be after this week. The Cowboys have already survived one close away game, I don’t think they will this week… Mountaineers 35, Cowboys 31

Kyle's Pick: West Virginia

#2 TCU Horned Frogs (5-0 overall, 2-0 Big 12) at Kansas State Wildcats (3-1 overall, 0-1 Big 12)

Bill Snyder Family Stadium; Manhattan, KS; 6:30 PM; Fox

Well, I think TCU realized that they will have to play better after surviving Lubbock. The Horned Frogs looked like a top 5 team in their complete dismantling of Texas this past week. At the end of the first quarter alone, the score was 30-0. After being burned for 52 points by Tech, Gary Patterson coached up his defense and they only gave up 7 against Texas. There hasn’t been a complete mismatch like that since Mike Tyson vs. that guy in The Hangover! Kansas State lost a close road game that they needed to be considered a Top 25 contender. They still might pick up some of those wins. Just not this weekend… Horned Frogs 42, Wildcats 20

Kyle's Pick: TCU

It’s homecoming weekend for Tech! I hope many of you are heading up to Lubbock to enjoy homecoming and revisit your old stomping grounds. Spanky’s famous Fried Cheese, Chimy’s margaritas, taking a look at the campus improvements, and cheering loudly for the Red Raiders are some of the things I recommend! If you want to be the guest picker for next week comment below or tweet @ConnerCrisp your score prediction for Tech-Iowa State. Whoever is closest to choosing the winning margin wins. Ties are decided by me. Check back to this article Sunday night and I will have announced the winner by 10 PM.