No. 9 TCU (4-0, 1-0) vs. No. 5 Baylor (5-0, 2-0), 2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2
(Line: Baylor -7.5)
In one of the best matchups of the week, the Horned Frogs travel to Waco, Texas to take on arguably the nation’s best offense in Baylor. TCU is coming off of one of the biggest victories of its recent history with its win over Oklahoma.
Thanks to their game against the Sooners last Saturday, the Horned Frogs have put themselves up against greater competition this season. The Bears have yet to play a team with over a .500 record and now they take on a team that has one of the best defenses in the country. Look for the experience and defensive prowess of the Horned Frogs to limit the Bears high octane offense.
Texas (2-3, 1-1) vs. No. 11 Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1), 11 a.m., ABC
(Line: Oklahoma -14.5)
This Red River Rivalry features a Longhorn squad that is in the midst of a rebuilding process. However, first-year coach Charlie Strong has the chance to make a statement and get a huge victory for his new program while in Dallas. The Sooners are 22-1 against unranked opponents in the last 23 games, with that one loss coming against Texas last season.
With a high-powered running attack, look for the Sooners to run all over the Texas defense that ranks eighth in the Big 12 in rushing defense, allowing an average of 199 rushing yards per game.
No. 16 Oklahoma State (4-1, 2-0) vs. Kansas (2-3, 0-2), 3 p.m., FOX Sports 1
(Line: Oklahoma State -21)
Kansas comes into the game as the biggest underdog in the Big 12. The lowly Jayhawks have the worst season outlook of all the Big 12 teams after firing head coach Charlie Weis. Since conference realignment in 2011, the Jayhawks have only one victory against a Big 12 team, which was against West Virginia last season.
The last time the Cowboys have dropped against the Jayhawks came back in 2007 and it doesn’t look like the Cowboys will let one slip in Lawrence this weekend.
West Virginia (3-2, 1-1) vs. Texas Tech (2-3, 0-2), 11 a.m.
(Line: West Virginia -5.5)
It’ll be a battle of powerhouse offenses in Lubbock on Saturday. The Mountaineers are ranked second in the conference in total offense, averaging 552.6 yards per game. The Red Raiders fall in third in the conference in passing offense, averaging 335.4 yards per game. The good news for Texas Tech is that the Mountaineers have the worst turnover margin in the conference. On the other hand, the Red Raiders are second to last in the category.
Around the country:
No. 2 Auburn (5-0, 2-0 SEC) vs. No. 3 Mississippi State (5-0, 2-0), 2:30 p.m., CBS
(Line: Auburn -2.5)
After a 48-31 whooping of Texas A&M;, Mississippi State faces yet another SEC powerhouse in Auburn, Texas. The Tigers are standing atop the league standings and are widely regarded as the favorite to hoist the conference trophy at season’s end. The Bulldogs have only beat the Tigers twice in the last 10 years, including two years ago in Starksville, Mississippi.
The Bulldogs rank 22nd in the nation in points allowed, allowing 19.4 points per game. They also have two victories over then top 10 opponents, including No. 8 LSU and the win over the Aggies last weekend.
No. 3 Ole Miss (5-0, 2-0) vs. No. 14 Texas A&M; (5-1, 2-1), 8 p.m., ESPN
(Line: Texas A&M; -2)
After its humiliating loss at the hands of Mississippi State, Texas A&M; returns home to face another huge opponent in the Rebels. Aggies sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill threw three interceptions against the Bulldogs, which is two more than he had leading into the game.
The Rebels come in ranked second in the nation in points allowed, averaging 10.2 points on the season. While the Rebels have a scoring offense like the Aggies, their defense is what makes them elite.
