Big 12 football picks: Week eight

Every game in the Big 12 features a ranked opponent this week. Are any of them poised for an upset, or will it be a clean sweep?

Oct 5, 2013; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Shaun Lewis (11) runs for yardage during the fourth quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Rowe-USA TODAY Sports

TCU (3-3) at (17)Oklahoma State (4-1) – Saturday, 11:00 AM CT (FOX)

This is the moment where the Cowboys need to separate themselves in the Big 12. They’ve been sluggish after getting upset by West Virginia and following it up with a lucky victory against Kansas State despite the Wildcats doing everything to hand them the game. Both teams have two of the top three rushing defenses in the conference, holding opponents to under 120 yards per game. Cowboys QB J.W. Walsh should have the advantage at QB to make the difference in this game. OK ST 24, TCU 20 (Odds: TCU +7.5, U52)

(15)Texas Tech (6-0) at West Virginia (3-3) – Saturday, 11:00 AM CT (FOX Sports 1)

The Red Raiders finally looked vulnerable at times on defense against Iowa State, but they finally broke out their running game thanks to all the missed tackles. West Virginia’s isn’t any better, getting crushed by Baylor for 468 total yards and eight touchdowns two weeks ago. If Texas Tech can find success again on the ground, it won’t matter who starts at quarterback. TTU 41, WVU 27 (Odds: TTU +5, O57)

(18)Oklahoma (5-1) at Kansas (2-3) – Saturday, 2:30 PM CT (ESPN)

It’s been a rough go for the Sooners in the last two weeks, but the worst thing that could have happened for the Jayhawks is taking on a pissed-off OU team. This could have been an easy letdown game if OU blasted Texas for the third straight year. Instead, expect a return to normalcy as Blake Bell gets out of his funk and Brennan Clay outperforms Kansas’ only weapon, James Sims. OU 47, KU 13 (Odds: OU -22, O49.5)

Prediction for Iowa State at Baylor coming on Saturday.