Kansas looks to end Sooners dominance; Cowboys and Toads battle for Big 12…Predictions, Upsets and Rankings

OU DEFENSE HAS TO GET IT TOGETHER OR IT WILL BE A LONG DAY

After three straight weeks of getting it handed to them, the Oklahoma Sooners host Kansas and hope to ride the play of quarterback Dillon Gabriel to get a victory.  As of this posting, Gabriel is still in concussion protocol but he is expected to play Saturday in Norman. With his leadership and overall play, the Sooners are a one touchdown favorite.  If he does not play, Kansas should do just what Kansas State, Texas, and TCU have done, beat the Big Red to submission.  With Gabriel, I still have Kansas winning, 48 to 34.  Without the quarterback, Kansas will get their 48 but can OU score ten?  Maybe, but probably not.

From the AP wire, “Oklahoma has won 17 straight against Kansas. The Jayhawks last beat the Sooners in 1997. … This will be the first time since 1992 that the teams have met when Kansas is ranked and Oklahoma is not. … Kansas is ranked heading into the matchup for the first time since 2009. … This will be just the sixth game since the start of the 2010 season that Oklahoma is unranked. … Oklahoma has scored at least 34 points in its past 13 games against Kansas.”

Prediction:  Kansas 48 and OU 34

Oklahoma State visits Fort Worth to play TCU as the two unbeaten teams go at it at Almond Carter.  Both teams continue to improve and this game will give the winner one game up on making the conference title game.  Should be a close with TCU nipping the Pokes 36 to 34.  The key to the game is which quarterback had the better day.  And with that, a re-match could be on order in December.

TCU 36 and OSU 34

Baylor heads to Morgantown tonight and in my estimation the Bears win in a 31 to 17 score.  The Bears defense will be a little much for the Mountaineers.

Baylor 31 at West Virginia 17

UPSET ALERT IN AUSTIN

Iowa State at DKR and this could be an upset. The Cyclones can play defense and Texas is going to be down after their big win in the Cotton Bowl last Saturday.  Mistakes could take the Horns down.  I have Iowa State 18 and UT 17.

Iowa State 18 at Texas 17

Big 12 rankings for the week

1.  TCU
2.  Oklahoma State
3.  Baylor
4.  Texas
5.  Kansas State
   
6. Kansas
   
7. Texas Tech
8. Iowa State
9. Oklahoma
10. West Virginia

National Rankings

1.  Georgia
2.  Alabama
3.  Ohio State
4.  Michigan
5.  Clemson
6.  Oklahoma State
7.  TCU
8.  Tennessee
9.  Ole Miss
10.  USC
11.  Mississippi State
12.  Penn State
13.  UCLA
14.  Oregon
15.  Kansas State
16.  Kansas
17.  North Carolina State
18.  Wake Forest
19.  Syracuse
20.  Texas
21.  Utah
22.  James Madison
23.  Kentucky
24.  Baylor
25.  North Carolina

Weekly Predictions

Tennessee 27 and Alabama 24

Ole Miss 38 and Auburn 21

Arkansas 34 at BYU 26

Florida 27 and LSU 21

Kentucky 28 and Mississippi State 21

Michigan 41 and Penn State 26

Illinois 31 and Minnesota 23

Wisconsin 17 at Michigan State 10

Purdue 53 and Nebraska 29

Maryland 51 at Indiana 16

Utah 43 and USC 32

Washington State 38 at Oregon State 32

Florida State 20 and Clemson 17

Syracuse 30 and N. C. State 28

Miami Fla 39 at Virginia 14

North Carolina 23 at Duke 12

Last Week:  13-7

Feature Photo:  Kansas quarterback Jason Bean looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against TCU Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Lawrence, Kan. TCU won 38-31. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Charlie Riedel AP