College football predictions: Week 13 Big 12 and top 25 game picks.
By Brian Spaen
A Big 12 game kicks off the weekend once again as Kansas State tries to stay in the conference title race. That along with the rest of the Big 12 games and select top 25 game picks for Week 13 of the college football season.
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West Virginia 31, (12)Kansas State 24
It’s a battle between two of the best Big 12 wide receivers, KSU’s Tyler Lockett and WVU’s Kevin White. West Virginia’s receiver is first in the conference in receiving yards per game (120.7), which is also third in the nation. But Lockett has had over 300 yards and five touchdowns against the Mountaineers in his career.
West Virginia is actually favored, and for good reason. Their pass defense is pretty solid this year (34th) and Kansas State doesn’t have a strong running attack right now (75th nationally). On paper, KSU doesn’t match up well at all, and I like WVU for the upset in a close battle.
(21)Oklahoma 42, Kansas 17
The Jayhawks get hit with a bit of reality. They’ll suffer a hangover after nearly upsetting TCU while Samaje Perine will tear up the rush defense. Kansas could throw on them, but they won’t have enough possessions as OU should dominate the clock.
Texas Tech at Iowa State — Prediction will be inside the game preview on Friday.
(7)Baylor 56, Oklahoma State 21
I’m really down on the Cowboys, and the Bears have seemed to right the ship after blowing away Oklahoma a few weeks ago. Baylor’s mission is to continue showing why they belong in the College Football Playoff, and they have to keep the foot on the pedal while continuing to decimate OSU’s 117th-ranked pass defense.
Nov 15, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) rushes with the football during the third quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 59-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
(15)Wisconsin 31, Iowa 13
Generally I try to steer away from Hawkeye games, but this is the most important one now that Nebraska’s run to the CFP has come to a screeching halt. Melvin Gordon ran all over the Cornhuskers, and that’s all they’ll have to do again to beat Iowa at home. The Hawkeyes are simply not good enough on offense, even at home, and similar to how Oklahoma should limit their opponent’s possessions, so will the Badgers.
(19)USC 34, (9)UCLA 26
With the Trojans having the edge over Arizona in the Pac-12 South, they have full control in racing toward the Pac-12 title game to likely face Oregon. A must win game against bitter rivals? You got a must watch game. On paper, USC QB Cody Kessler should have the edge with a top-20 pass offense against a pass defense that ranks 95th nationally. I’ll take the Trojans by one possession.
(3)Florida State 48, Boston College 14
It appears that no one with true potential to topple the nation’s favorite football team is left on the schedule. Basically, it will have to come to Jameis Winston throwing one too many picks or FSU digging themselves in a hole that’s too deep to come out of. It won’t happen this week. Defensively, the Seminoles match up perfectly with the Eagles. Florida State shows us why they are in the CFP.