College football predictions: Week 10 Big 12 and top 25 game picks

Here’s our predictions for Week 10 of the college football season. What will happen in the Big 12’s biggest matchup between TCU and West Virginia? Will Florida State pass their second consecutive big challenge? And can Oregon get back into a spot in the playoffs as they take on an opponent they can’t seem to figure out?

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NOTE: Top 25 rankings are now based on the College Football Playoff committee’s poll.

(18)Oklahoma at Iowa State – Prediction coming Friday morning.

(7)TCU 44, (20)West Virginia 35

I don’t think anyone can slow down Trevone Boykin and the Horned Frogs. 82 points is astonishing, and don’t forget — they hit 75 points before the fourth quarter even started. A West Virginia team that doesn’t have a rock solid defense will get lit up, and Clint Trickett will fall just short at home in an electric shootout.

(13)Baylor 63, Kansas 16

It feels like Baylor hasn’t played in forever. This is the moment where the Bears get things back on track after a disappointing loss to WVU and Kansas returns to being Kansas. It’s been a great story for the Jayhawks in their last two games, but Kansas has been facing the easier teams in the Big 12 and it will really show.

Texas 38, Texas Tech 17

No idea what to make of this game. The Longhorns scored 48 points on Iowa State, then followed that up with a goose egg against Kansas. Considering the Red Raiders’ defense is 122nd nationally, you wouldn’t expect Texas to be held down offensively. Assuming that the defense is its normal self, the Longhorns should cruise even on the road.

Oct 25, 2014; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Jake Waters (15) looks for room to run during first-half action against the Texas Longhorns at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

(9)Kansas State 41, Oklahoma State 23

Despite TCU’s impressive offense, I still like the Wildcats overall as the best team in the Big 12. The Cowboys aren’t necessarily a bad team, but they’ve been helped by facing the easier part of the Big 12 schedule. They’ll keep things close, but they’ll make enough mistakes — just like every opponent does against a Bill Snyder led team — that Jake Waters and company will eventually pull away.

(2)Florida State 24, (25)Louisville 21

It’s part two of the Seminoles’ biggest test of the season. They slid past Notre Dame on a questionable ending, and they’ll probably do the same again at Louisville. By statistics, the Cardinals have the best defense in the nation. Expect Clemson-FSU all over again, except a little bit more watchable because Jameis Winston is in it.

Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cody Core (88) reaches for the end zone as he score a touchdown in front of LSU Tigers defensive back Rashard Robinson (21) in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

(3)Auburn 38, (4)Ole Miss 33

Do the Rebels belong in the top four? Probably not, and we won’t have to worry about it after the Tigers beat them in a game that’s higher scoring than the experts think. Both teams average around the amount of points I put up for both of them.

(5)Oregon 30, Stanford 21

Not to be confused with Louisville’s mascot, the Cardinal have been a major thorn in Oregon’s side as the Ducks want to get back into the playoff talk. Win, and they’re back in (unless the committee just wants to keep the loser of the Tigers-Rebels in it, which I wouldn’t be surprised). Stanford hasn’t looked as strong as they have been on either side of the ball, but they still have the nation’s second-best defense. There won’t be enough offensively to beat Marcus Mariota and the Ducks.

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