Oklahoma/Texas and Okla. State/Iowa State…..Big Twelve and Significant College Football Predictions

Sooners, Cowboys Picks for this week…Charlie Strong better win this Red River game!

Both Oklahoma and Texas have issues with their defenses and Saturday morning in the Cotton Bowl they will again display cause to think changes need to be make for either to become top winners again.  The rooster start will at least get the game over by middle afternoon, giving the winning teams fans the balance of the day to celebrate the victory.

Could be a really higher scoring game if the defensive lameness continues.  OU and Texas will both have success on the ground and in the air.  Turnovers and the kicking game could be the deciding factor. OU has to want it this year or we could have another Texas upset. Yes, Texas is the dog here, but can OU stop the basic smash mouth twelve-wheeler rushing attack and keep the Texas’s big play passing game in check.  Probably not so look for UT to get their points.

As for stopping the Sooners, the second worst defense the league with regard to tackling, Texas might is susceptible to Joe Mixon on the ground and in the passing lanes as he could have his most successful game.  The Horn’s defense is just that bad.

OU wins this one 54 to 38 but I would not be surprised in Texas pulling the upset again.  Difference will be the play of the interior defensive line (where OU has lost Charles Walker) Can they stop the Texas run and pressure the Horn quarterbacks on pass plays? Along with the more experienced Baker Mayfield and his two excellent back Samaje Perine ad Joe Mixon, OU should score enough to win.  A loss for Texas Head Coach Charlie Strong will be the end of his career in Austin.  His firing will happen sooner than later.

Oklahoma State will take Iowa State out with the passing game of Mason Rudolph to his receivers, including the best in the Big Twelve, James Washington.  The Pokes over the Cyclones in Stillwater 55 to 24.

Kansas hosts TCU and look for the Frogs to take name the score.  Frogs 38 and Jayhawks 14.

Kansas State has the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Manhattan Saturday for a 6PM kickoff.  This game will boil down to a ball control issue for Tech to overcome.  Can the Wildcats use clock and make enough stops to win?  I think so. Kansas State 38 and Tech 30.

Last week in Big Twelve predictions:  5-0  Year:  28-8

National games of importance

Friday, Oct 7

Clemson 45 at Boston College 7

Boise State 47 at New Mexico 10

Oct. 8

Navy 23 over Houston 20

Texas A&M  31 over Tennessee 24

Ohio State 42 over Indiana 10

Michigan State 29 over BYU 21

North Carolina 32 over Virginia Tech 30

Colorado 27 at USC 24

Alabama 23 at Arkansas 17

Michigan 28 at Rutgers 7

Washington 48 at Oregon 19

Miami Fla 24 and Florida State 20

Utah 27 and Arizona 21

Arizona State 57 and UCLA 52

Washington State 36 at Stanford 34

Feature Photo:  Texas coach Charlie Strong (left) and Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops

Jackson Laizure/Getty Images