College football predictions: Week 11 Big 12, top 25 game picks

Here’s our predictions for the best of Week 11 of the college football season. We pick all the Big 12 games, including the huge Kansas State-TCU tilt, and all of the other top 25 matchups.

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(12)Baylor 48, (15)Oklahoma 38

Strange things happen on the road for the Bears, and don’t expect a blowout in this game like last year. The Sooners could barely move the ball at all, but that will definitely be a different story if Trevor Knight and the offense runs at the same high level they did against Iowa State. However, Oklahoma won’t be running all over the place against Baylor’s eighth-ranked rush defense, and Bryce Petty has the ability to throw all over this 107th-ranked pass defense.

On paper, this is actually a mismatch. In Vegas, they give Oklahoma a near touchdown edge. Despite Baylor’s struggles on the road, I’ll give them a comfortable victory in Norman.

(23)West Virginia 37, Texas 21

The Mountaineers could be the best 6-3 team in the country. Only losing against Alabama, Oklahoma, and TCU this season? WVU has taken care of the bottom tier they’ve faced so far and picked up some upsets along the way. Texas is clearly in that tier, and unless WVU turns the ball over a ton and musters just a shade over 100 yards in the second half again, the Mountaineers should pull away.

Iowa State at Kansas — Prediction can be found in the game preview.

(7)Kansas State 34, (6)TCU 31

Winner gets the go-ahead position in the Big 12 to reach the College Football Playoff. I’ve had Kansas State at the top of the Big 12 for a long time, and there hasn’t been any wavering. As great as a team TCU is, the Wildcats have the most complete team on offense and defense. It’ll show here with Kansas State’s defense toning down the Horned Frogs for the first time in Fort Worth. This will be an instant classic with the Wildcats staying undefeated in Big 12 play when it’s over.

(9)Arizona State 37, (10)Notre Dame 30

Oct 25, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham signals to his players during the second quarter against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Unless the Irish get a more consistent running attack, they’ll be too one-sided in the desert against a defense that ranks 37th nationally in pass defense. A night game would have been deadlier, but I’ll give the Sun Devils the one possession edge.

(8)Michigan State 21, (14)Ohio State 17

No offense to Nebraska, who with a healthy Ameer Abdullah is still on the fringe of the CFP race, but the two best Big Ten teams will be squaring off on Saturday night. Michigan State’s defense is just too stingy and great to let the Buckeyes get out with a win.

(5)Alabama 27, (16)LSU 17

SEC country will still consider this the game of the century even though a much better game will be played at the same time over on Fox. Outside of putting Texas A&M in their place, Alabama has been rather disappointing in their performances. So they won’t kill LSU like they ultimately should, but this game still screams boredom.

(4)Oregon 45, (17)Utah 34

Marcus Mariota is incredible and the clear frontrunner in the Heisman race as long as he can guide the Ducks to victories. If he can, he’ll be the true MVP because Oregon’s defense is not good at all.

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