Texas Tech, Big 12 Previews & Predictions: Week 13

The Red Raiders had their bye week this week, so no big on the field developments for them. However, the 2016 schedule was announced. It does not look as daunting as this year’s schedule. Tech only plays 9 straight games without a bye week, this year it was 11…

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

Congrats to Shanefinity, he won the week last week! Lucky guy. This week @kchantx21 picks, again.

Conner Last Week: 3-1, Conner Overall: 49-10 (.831)

Guest Picker Shanefinity: 4-0, Guest Pickers Overall: 37-7 (.841)

Thursday, November 26

Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-5 Overall, 3-5 Big 12) at Texas Longhorns (4-6 Overall, 3-4 Big 12)

Royal Texas Memorial Stadium; Austin, TX; 6:30PM; Fox Sports 1

So Texas has not been that great for going on 6 years now. Yet, Texas Tech has yet to beat them once in that stretch. For whatever reasons, Tech has been a punching bag for UT since Michael Crabtree made his catch. UT has to their last two games to become bowl eligible. If Texas does not win this game, odds are that they will lose to Baylor next week, which would equal a 4-8 record. What worries me most about this game is that huge offensive line that UT has. When the Tech defense goes up against big O-lines, they have really really really struggled. However, I do think that the team that is in less disarray will make Texas Tech fans happy for the third time that day (the first two being Thanksgiving lunch and a Dallas Cowboys win)… Red Raiders 35, Longhorns 31

Kchantx21's Pick: Texas Tech

Friday, November 27

#7 Baylor Bears (9-1 Overall, 6-1 Big 12) at #19 TCU Horned Frogs (9-2 Overall, 6-2 Big 12)

Amon G. Carter Stadium; Fort Worth, TX; 6:30PM; ESPN and WatchESPN app

Isn’t it weird that this game will not be the one that decides the Big 12 champion, as everyone thought? Or that there’s a chance that both Baylor’s top two QB choices won’t play? The importance of this game has taken a beating, but it will still be a very entertaining game to watch. So pile up your plate with leftovers and eat yourself into a food coma on the couch… Bears 56, Horned Frogs 42

Kchantx21's Pick: Baylor

Saturday, November 28

Iowa State Cyclones (3-8 Overall, 2-6 Big 12) at West Virginia Mountaineers (6-4 Overall, 3-4 Big 12)

Milan Puskar Stadium; Morgantown, WV; 11:00AM; Fox Sports 1

Make this your travel game. Unless you’re a fan of one of these teams, there really is not much to see here. If you will be tuned into this game, watch to see how the ISU players react to playing their first game since Paul Rhoads’ long overdue firing. WVU is just looking to fatten up their record. Dana Holgerson has his team doing a great job overcoming a tough start in conference play… Cyclones 21, Mountaineers 38

Kchantx21's Pick: West Virginia

Kansas State Wildcats (4-6 overall, 1-6 Big 12) at Kansas Jayhawks (0-11 Overall, 0-8 Big 12)

Memorial Stadium; Lawrence, KS; 3:00PM; Fox Sports 1

This game actually does have significant Big 12 meaning. The College Football Playoff committee has repeatedly said that strength of schedule is a key factor in helping determine who’s in. If KSU can will this game, and beat West Virginia next week, that will give the Big 12 another team that is bowl-eligible. In turn, that obviously, helps the winner of this week’s Game of the Week case for a spot in the CFP. Plus, Kansas State is the better team and last week it looked like Kansas had finally given up on the year… Wildcats 35, Jayhawks 7

Kchantx21's Pick: Kansas State

#3 Oklahoma Sooners (10-1 Overall, 7-1 Big 12) at #11 Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-1 Overall, 7-1 Big 12) Game of the Week

Boone Pickens Stadium; Stillwater, OK; 7:00PM; ABC and WatchESPN app

For the Big 12, it all comes down to OU winning this game. If they do, the Sooners should be a lock to be invited to the CFP. IF Baker Mayfield plays, I like the Sooners. If any other QB lines up under center for OU, they will lose. Just like the Dallas Cowboys sans Tony Romo, the Sooners are a much worse team without Mayfield. On the flip side, you know that the Cowboys of Oklahoma State would love to ruin the season for their in-state rivals. Tech fans, I know it might be hard, but for the good of the Big 12, we should root for Mayfield and the Sooners in this game to boost the conference’s image. I know it’s tough, but we still got the better end of that deal in Patrick Mahomes. I’m keeping that in mind as I pick… Sooners 45, Cowboys 42

Kchantx21's Pick: Oklahoma

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

I hope all VTM readers have a very Happy Thanksgiving! The most wonderful time of the year is the four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I hope that you kick off your holiday season with fun times with family, great food, and a TEXAS TECH WIN!