Big 12 football picks: Week three predictions

Sep 7, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Paul Millard (14) scrambles in the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The Oklahoma Sooners beat the West Virginia Mountaineers 16-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

This week marks the last of numerous Big 12 games. Many teams will see a bye next week (in Iowa State’s case, another bye week) before the bulk of the conference slate begins.

New this week: I predict final scores, giving more fuel to people to criticize predictions! Yay!! As always, the ISU game prediction won’t be until Saturday.

Here’s how and where to watch all the Big 12 games, plus more top 25 action across the country. Note that all top 25 rankings are reflecting the latest USA Today poll. Because that’s the poll that matters for one more year. Also, odds are as of Thursday afternoon.

(24)TCU at Texas Tech – Thursday, 6:30 PM CT

How impressive have the Red Raiders been in the opening weeks offensively? The air raid attack is the most potent it’s been in a few years with the team already gaining 907 passing yards in the first two games. Efficiency has been the key, completing over 70 percent of the 54 passing attempts they average per game. The Horned Frogs have been favored to have the best defense in the Big 12, but it will be put to work if Trevone Boykin doesn’t play well in his first start of the season. He takes over for an injured Casey Pachall that’s likely missing eight weeks. It’s probably a better scenario for TCU, but an underrated home advantage for TTU in Lubbock could give them the upset. TTU 38, TCU 31 (Odds: TTU +3, O62.5)

Georgia State at West Virginia – Saturday, 11:00 AM CT

The Big 12 can receive all the flack it wants on losing to a couple of solid FCS programs. But they don’t light a candle to the Georgia State Panthers, who enter their first season in FBS play and lost at home to Samford and Chattanooga by a combined 38 points. The Mountaineers’ lackluster offense will probably look the best it will all season. WVU 45, GSU 3 (Odds: WVU -40, U60.5)

Tulsa at Oklahoma – Saturday, 11:00 AM CT

Tulsa was able to rebound in a comeback victory against Colorado State, but the Conference USA favorite hasn’t played up to their expectations yet this season after. They’re incredibly lackluster in 3rd down conversions (11 of 35), missed three of their nine red zone attempts, and have missed two of five field goal attempts. That doesn’t bode well against the Sooners, and the last road game wasn’t pretty for the Golden Hurricane after getting blasted by Bowling Green. OU 31, TULSA 13 (Odds: TULSA +24, U49.5)

Iowa at Iowa State – Saturday, 5:00 PM CT

Preview coming Saturday morning.