Graham HarrellMissouri tries to bounce back. Kansas tries to win back some respect for the North. Kansas State faces a tough task at home. A great day of Big 12 football is at hand.Texas Tech at Kansas (KU favored by 1)
* Tech is holding opponents to a 29.4 percent conversion rate on third down; KU has converted 49.5 percent in those situations. It's imperative that the Jayhawks keep the chains moving to keep the Tech offense off the field.
* To do that, it would help if KU could keep it's improving running game churning this week. For the season, Kansas is still at only 3.6 yards per carry. The Red Raiders allow only 3.0 yards per attempt.
* One of the more amazing stats you'll see: Tech QBs have dropped back to pass 344 times this season. They have been sacked one time.
My pick: Tech has been ripe for an upset for two weeks running. Playing at home will certainly help KU's cause and Todd Reesing and company should be able to put up some points. But I can't see KU being able to control the ball in the methodical manner in which it needs to in order to keep Tech's offense off the field. And I don't see KU's defense getting enough stops. Texas Tech 41-30.
Oklahoma at Kansas State (OU by 18 1/2)
* The Sooners are averaging 46.9 points and 544.1 yards per game
* K-State is allowing 4.6 yards per rush
* OU's defensive front is allowing 3.3 yards per carry and has 26 sacks
* K-State has allowed only four sacks this season
My pick: Too much of a talent disparity. As the Wildcats generally do a good job of protecting Freeman, they could do some damage against a Sooner secondary that has been leaky at times. But to do that, they need to play from ahead or even -- KSU hasn't seen a defensive front like Oklahoma's. Oklahoma 55-17.
Colorado at Missouri (MU by 23 1/2)
* We know the Tigers' pass defense has been terrible, but the rush defense hasn't: 3.3 yards per carry on the season
* MU has 16 sacks; CU has allowed 16
* The Buffs' defense has allowed a 64.5 completion percentage but only 6.1 yards per pass attempt. They like to take away the big play.
My pick: Mizzou will either be angry or shaken on the heels of what has happened the last two weeks. If Colorado doesn't run the ball successfully, they have no chance. Missouri 48-24.
Other Big 12 picks:
Texas A&M 20, Iowa State 17
Nebraska 33, Baylor 20
Texas 49, Oklahoma State 24