Around the Big 12: Week 2

Needless to say, Week 1 wasn’t a great one for the Big 12. Aside from any school that had anything close to a challenge losing, Baylor decided to sink lower and lose to Liberty, which might not even be a real school. Things don’t get any easier Week 2 with some big showdowns coming up this week against non-conference foes. When we look back at this season, this week will be the one circled as the one the makes or break the Big 12’s reputation. Let’s look into the games.

#11 Oklahoma State @ South Alabama (Friday) OSU -28.0

Holy shit, how did this happen? The poor Pokes REALLY needed to go down to their place? Glad to see they finally upped that brutal strength of schedule. All jokes aside, Mason Rudolph and Cale Gundy’s brother need to be ready for a fight Friday. South Alabama upset both Mississippi State and ranked San Diego State, so they have the ability to play with the big boys. The Cowboys will win, but I think they fail to cover the spread here. OSU 38-24

Charlotte @ #19 Kansas State KSU -36.0

This one will be a blowout. Bill Snyder’s squad rolls on to 2-0 relatively easily, gets the cover too. KSU 56-3

Iowa @ Iowa State IOWA -3.0

Ah the battle for the shittiest rivalry trophy! Okay, so they got rid of that disaster, but I’ll never object to throwing that into a post. Iowa State has always been knocking on the door of being not terrible, but is this the season they finally beat Iowa? I say yes. ISU 21-17

East Carolina @ West Virginia WVU -24.5

Fresh off a loss to Virginia Tech, West Virginia should be hyped for this one. East Carolina has a reputation for playing spoiler, but I think West Virginia pulls away late. WVU 42-20

#23 TCU @ Arkansas TCU -3.0

Hipster Bowl II heads to “Fayettechill” as these two preppy student bodies collide. Last season’s game was an OT classic and i’m sure West 7th street that night was just as fun. I expect more of the same here, with the same result. The only thing more competitive in this game will be the debate on Dickson Street that night of who wore the better Birkenstocks/Croakies. ARKY 31-24

Central Michigan @ Kansas KU -5.5

The end of the world is upon us. Adding on with recent natural oddities like hurricanes and fires, Kansas will begin a win streak. Get your disaster shelters ready. KU 28-17

UT-San Antonio @ Baylor BU -17

Oh man, I want to pick UTSA so badly. Not only are they better than Liberty, but wouldn’t it just be so funny if Baylor laid two eggs in a row? I think Matt Rhule rights this team for one game, but it’ll be closer than Bear fans want. BU 28-24

#5 Oklahoma @ #2 Ohio State tOSU -7.0

The game you read a full article just to hear about! The Big 12’s non-conference reputation lies heavily on this one. Lose and the Big 12 is viewed for another year as the limbo between Power 5 and Group of 5 conferences. Win and the conference has a real shot at a national title again. I predicted the Sooners to win this one in my predictions piece earlier this year, but this will be tough. The ‘Shoe is a noisy snakepit unlike many seen before and the offensive line has a massive task to try to protect Baker Mayfield. Last season, Baker lost his composure like it was a simple police stop, which cost OU dearly.  This season, the wiser Baker gets his revenge and OU becomes a verified contender with a Heisman moment touchdown to seal it. OU 45-38