Big 12 football picks: Week 14 predictions

The Iowa State Cyclones and West Virginia Mountaineers will conclude a set of rivalry games in the Big 12, and it all starts Thanksgiving night with the tradition of Texas playing in a game – this time it will be against Texas Tech.

Nov 23, 2012; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Sam Richardson (12) rushes up field against West Virginia Mountaineers safety Darwin Cook (25) during the second half at Jack Trice Stadium. West Virginia defeated Iowa State 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Also this Saturday, Kansas State-Kansas will battle it out for the Governor’s Cup and thre’s the Big 12’s new “bible war” between Baylor and TCU.

Texas Tech (7-4) at Texas (7-3) – Thursday, 6:30 PM CT (TV: FOX Sports 1)

Thanks to FOX Sports 1, Texas will continue their Thanksgiving tradition, and it will have a third consecutive different opponent. Texas Tech comes in free-falling, losing their last four games and hoping they can close out the regular season with a victory. Texas will finish the season without David Ash, who hopes to have a medical redshirt and become eligible for two more seasons. They could do worse with Case McCoy, but the focus will be on riding Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron to a victory. Stopping the run has become a weakness for the Red Raiders; even without Johnathan Gray, the Longhorns should be able to pull out a high-scoring affair. TEX 39, TTU 35 (Odds: TTU +4.5, O67.5)

Kansas State (6-5) at Kansas (3-8) – Saturday, 11:00 AM CT (TV: FOX Sports 1)

No bowl game will be on the line for the Wildcats, who wrapped things up two weeks ago on their incredible winning streak. They had a setback against Oklahoma, but that will make playing Kansas feel like a breeze. Iowa State was able to do anything offensively, and quarterback Grant Rohach, who had trouble throwing the ball, threw for 300 yards against the Jayhawks on a frozen field in the cold. The Wildcats present not only better offense with dangerous running ability, but their defense should keep Kansas at bay all day. This is an in-state rivalry that will continue to be one-sided. KSST 41, KAN 6 (Odds: KSU -16.5, U51.5)

(9)Baylor (9-1) at TCU (4-7) – Saturday, 2:30 PM CT (TV: ESPN2)

There’s still something to play for if you’re Baylor. While they can’t control their destiny anymore, a Big 12 title is still at reach. Outside of Texas, everyone struggled and lost at TCU’s home. The Bears can’t let the blowout carry on into a letdown game at Fort Worth, and it won’t if Lache Seastrunk can return from injury and be as productive as he was in the first two months of the season. Baylor will eventually blow them out and they’ll reach the double-digit win total. BAY 41, TCU 16 (Odds: BAY -11.5, U64.5)

Iowa State (2-9) at West Virginia (4-7) – Saturday, 3:00 PM CT (TV: FOX Sports 1)

Finally, the Cyclones have some momentum heading into Morgantown. The Mountaineers will try to recreate what Iowa State did at Jack Trice Stadium on senior night and pummel a bad opponent for their senior’s last game at home. Despite West Virginia having some ugly games this season, they’ve been great at home, and haven’t lost a game by more than 10 points (Texas Tech). A game against Iowa State at home is far easier than the other opponents that have been in Morgantown – who were the Red Raiders, Texas, and Oklahoma State – and the Cowboys suffered their only loss of the season there. Prediction coming Friday night.