Big 12 football picks: Week four predictions

Sep 7, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen on the sidelines during the second half 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

Weekly schedules will finally be slimmed down as most teams will be hitting a bye week (for Iowa State’s case, a second) before finishing up their non-conference play and heading into the brutal nine-game Big 12 schedule.

Iowa State, TCU, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State all have bye weeks.

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 night.

Louisiana Tech at Kansas – Saturday, 11:00 AM CT

The Jayhawks will try to avoid another season of winning the first game and going 0-11 the rest of the way. They may have a good chance against LA Tech, who could only pull out a 13-point victory over Lamar and lost to Tulane at home. A key for the Bulldogs is to stop the run, and they didn’t do that last year with an 85th national ranking. KU 27, LA TECH 15 (Odds: KU -10.5, U50)

West Virginia vs Maryland (at Baltimore, MD) – Saturday, 2:30 PM CT

At first glance, this looks like the first team the Terps are playing with a pulse, but the Mountaineers could be on the same level as Connecticut this season. Expect a lower scoring slugfest in an NFL stadium that won’t have near the atmosphere if one of these two just played in their home stadium. WVU has dominated the series, winning the last seven matchups dating back to 2004. WVU 24, MARY 20 (Odds: WVU +4.5, U53)

Louisiana-Monroe at (19)Baylor – Saturday, 3:00 PM CT

What a fun shoot-out this was a season ago. Baylor’s offense has only been shadowed by Oregon this season, but their quality of opponents are in serious question. Now they’ll be facing teams that will actually challenge their defense. Even though I was burned picking the points with Buffalo two weeks ago, I can’t not pick them up after witnessing this same game last year. BAY 52, LAMO33 (Odds LAMO +29, O75.5)

Texas State at Texas Tech – Saturday, 6:00 PM CT

This is the third straight season the Red Raiders have taken on the Bobcats, and they’ve both been decided by 40 points or more. TTU was able to hold on after missing opportunities to make it an early 21-0 blowout against TCU. Expect the impressive start to continue for Kliff Kingsbury. TTU 48, Texas State 10 (Odds:  TTU -27.5, O58.5)

Kansas State at Texas – Saturday, 7:00 PM CT

The panic button has been fully pushed in Austin, and perhaps Mike Brown’s days are numbered. Is David Ash finally healthy? As brutal as the first three weeks are, the Longhorns have the ability to push the reset button and make a good run in Big 12 play. The Wildcats will be playing away from home for the first time this season, but I still like them over the debacle with Texas right now. KSU 38, TEX 28 (Odds: KSU +5.5, O58)