On paper, four of the six Big 12 matchups today appear to be mismatches. The only competitive -- and meangingful -- encounters on today's docket appear to Kansas-Nebraska and Texas Tech-Oklahoma State. Because of the bizarre setup of the Big 12's television package, the KU-NU game is pay-per-view only while the Iowa State-Colorado game in being shown nationally on the Versus network. Simply put, all six Big 12 games should be on tv every week during conference season. Very annoying. Anyway, I went 6-0 again last week so I'm 12 for 12 since UFR launch in picking Big 12 games. Thoughts & picks on this week:

  • Kansas (6-3, 3-2) at Nebraska (2-3, 5-4), 1:30 p.m. (pay-per-view): The Jayhawks got back on track with their blowout of K-State last week and now must take the same level of intensity and execution out on the road, where they've lost two of three this season. With a win here, Nebraska could still go 8-4 which, in the big picture, would be a nice debut for Bo Pelini. This sounds old-timey but I really think the winner of this game will be the team that establishes a more credible running game. KU has been cranking up the rushing attack and, to me, the Jayhawks are on a different level than the Huskers right now. My pick: KU 41-24.
  • Kansas State (4-5, 1-4) at Missouri (7-2, 3-2), 6 p.m. (FSMW): K-State has the offensive talent to put up points on MU's mediocre defense. At the same time, the Wildcats also produce the sort of turnovers that the Tigers' 'D' lives for. Missouri will be looking to flex its muscle after a near-upset in Waco and K-State's defense has allowed 5.0 yards per rush on the season. If you can't make Mizzou one-dimensional, you can't stop them. My pick: MU 56-17.
  • Baylor (3-6, 1-4) at Texas (8-1, 4-1), 11 a.m. (FSMW): It wouldn't surprise me if Texas is a little sluggish coming off the brutal four-game minefield they just traversed. The young Bears have been competitive -- as Mizzou can attest. Let's face it, though. The talent chasm is just too wide. My pick: UT 52-14.
  • Iowa State (2-7, 0-5) at Colorado (4-5, 1-4), 12:30 p.m. (Versus): Yaaaaawwwwwwwwwwn. My pick: Colorado 17-13.
  • Oklahoma (8-1, 4-1) at Texas A&M (4-5, 2-3), 2:30 p.m. (ABC): On one hand, the Aggies are playing at home and coming off two straight wins. On the other hand, those wins came against Iowa State and Colorado. The Sooners have to guard against looking ahead to next week's game against Texas Tech. Plus the Aggies' offense has been improving through the season and will be going against a beat-up OU defense. But A&M is 105th nationally in total defense and is going against perhaps the most awesome offensive machine in college football. My pick: OU 66-20.
  • Oklahoma State (8-1, 4-1) at Texas Tech (9-0, 5-0), 7 p.m. (ABC): Tech gets no time to breath following arguably the biggest win in school history. The thing about a win that big: It only raises the stakes. Beating UT merely put the Red Raiders in position to make a national impact. Thrilling as it was, the victory was merely the first leg of the journey. Oklahoma State's pass defense ranks 96th nationally in raw yardage but Cowboys have allowed only 6.1 yards per pass. They've proven their worth on the defensive side against Chase Daniel and Colt McCoy. For OSU to have a shot, they have to get the ground game going against a Tech defensive front that has allowed only 3.2 yard per rush on the season while also piling up 24 sacks. My pick: Tech 31-27.