Around the Big 12: previews predictions

It's week five of the college football season there are only four games involving Big 12 teams. A conference game and a non-conference match-up of top 25 teams highlight the week in Big 12 football. Here's a preview.

Iowa State at Tulsa

Iowa State (0-2) is traveling to Tulsa (1-2) on Thursday, looking to pick up its first victory of the year. Iowa State lost to rival Iowa two weeks ago, 27-21, but the game was not a close as the score suggests. Iowa State ran for only 58 yards, and the rush defense has not improved, giving up 218 rushing yards.

Tulsa lost in its last game, losing to Oklahoma, giving up over 600 yards and 51 points. Tulsa's only success was in the passing game, as the Golden Hurricane failed to reach 100 yards rushing. This is a perfect matchup for Iowa State, Tulsa's defense in mediocre and it has had trouble rushing the ball while run defense is among Iowa State's biggest problems. Iowa State wins this game, and the offense will look better than ever this week.

Iowa State 27, Tulsa 17

Oklahoma at Notre Dame

#14 Oklahoma (3-0) will travel to South Bend to play #22 Notre Dame (3-1) in a top 25 showdown. Oklahoma has looked very good this year, hardly being challenged by anyone, and winning every game thus far. Notre Dame lost to two weeks ago and in that loss to Michigan it had trouble with pass defense, giving up 8.9 yards per pass.

Oklahoma won last week without trouble, hammering Tulsa and gaining 607 total yards in Blake Bell's first start at quarterback. He threw for 413 yards, four touchdowns, and had a QB rating over 200. Notre Dame won last week, beating Michigan State on the scoreboard, but it was outplayed. ND only ran for under 100 yards, and threw for 142 yards. Oklahoma will go into South Bend and win, improving to 4-0 and proving that it is a force to be reckoned with.

Oklahoma 31, Notre Dame 24

Oklahoma State at West Virginia

#11 Oklahoma State (3-0) will play in Mountaineer territory, facing off against West Virginia (2-2) in a conference battle. Oklahoma State has proved that it will be looking for a Big XII title this year, and in week five, it will be playing against a struggling West Virginia team. OSU won in its last game, beating Lamar without a problem, and the only game against a quality opponent, OSU won against Mississippi State. OSU gave up just 245 yards last week, as the OSU defense looked good, allowing only three points.

West Virginia was crushed last week against Maryland, getting beat up by the Terrapins. West Virginia's offense looked terrible, gaining just 175 total yards, and turning the ball over six times. WVU's defense didn't look a whole lot better, giving up 330 yards. Oklahoma State will not have a problem with WVU, and will win handily.

Oklahoma State 42, West Virginia 16

TCU vs SMU

TCU (1-2) will play host to the Mustangs of SMU (1-2) in week five. Both teams are 1-2, but TCU's 1-2 is much more impressive, losing to two quality teams in close games. Last week, TCU lost to Texas Tech, 20-10, after gaining more yards than the Red Raiders and holding TTU to just 43 rushing yards. SMU lost to Texas A&M last week, giving up 581 total yards, and losing to a good team. TCU will win this week because SMU is just not that good, and TCU has an above average team, and a very good Gary Patterson defense.

TCU 27, SMU 10

Record Last Week: 4-1

Season Record: 26-4