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Big 12 football TV schedule: Watch or pass on week five match-ups

By Joe Buettner

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No Oklahoma football on deck this weekend, however, eight of the ten Big 12 teams are in action this weekend. The Sooners and West Virginia Mountaineers will sit out this week, but there is still some intrigue with a few in-conference match-ups.

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Oklahoma took care of its first Big 12 opponent last weekend, and they’re 4-0 through four weeks. Not everything has been as smooth-sailing for the rest of the conference. However, we’ll let you know if you should watch or skip on the rest of the league’s games.

Thursday, September 25

Texas Tech Red Raiders at #24 Oklahoma State Cowboys

Time: 6:30 p.m.  TV: ESPN/WatchESPN  Line: Oklahoma State -14

There could be a Big 12 shootout Thursday night in Stillwater. Both offenses have put up the points. However, this Texas Tech team has yet to figure out how to play defense. They were gashed by Arkansas’ rushing attack, and Oklahoma State’s Tyreek Hill will look to do the same. An interesting stat listed by ESPN in its game preview:

"Oklahoma State, which hasn’t lost at home to the Red Raiders since 2001, has won 24 in a row in Stillwater against unranked opponents."

I figure this streak continues, though, it will be a throwback night for OSU with uniforms and cheaper admission prices. The Cowboys, for Gundy’s sake, hopefully won’t throwback to the days when the Pokes weren’t winning football games.

Verdict: WATCH. If this was an 11 am game on Saturday, I’d say hit the snooze button on your alarm. However, this will be a nice appetizer before UCLA and Arizona State on a nice Thursday night of football.

Saturday, September 27

UTEP Miners at #25 Kansas State Wildcats

Time: 11 a.m.  TV: FSN  Line: Kansas State -26

The Wildcats should be kicking themselves after letting an opportunity to beat Auburn slip away from them (though, kicking is what got them in to this mess). This game shouldn’t be much of a test for Kansas State, though. I wouldn’t expect a disciplined Snyder team to come out and sleepwalk through this game, especially at home.

Verdict: SKIP. Other than Tennessee/Georgia, not much going on at 11 am. But I’ll be sleeping in Saturday and I suggest you take advantage of this bye week.

TCU Horned Frogs at SMU Mustangs

Time: 11 a.m.  TV: CBS Sports Net  Line: TCU -33

SMU is really, really bad. TCU basically has its second bye week of September, though, they’ll have an organized scrimmage against a really bad Mustangs squad before they host Oklahoma.

Verdict: SKIP. There’s no justifying watching this game unless you’re a fan of TCU or a relative of one of the players.

Texas Longhorns at Kansas Jayhawks

Time: 3:10 p.m.  TV: Fox Sports 1  Line: Texas -14

I’m curious to see how Texas used its bye week after back-to-back losses to BYU and UCLA respectively. The Jayhawks didn’t look too hot against Central Michigan, but KU did beat West Virginia last season and maybe they have in upset in them. Also, KU linebacker Ben Heeney is one of my favorite non-Sooner football players. I’d like to see if Kansas can make this game competitive.

Verdict: WATCH. Looking at the week five lineup, there’s really not that much going on. Watch this game. Watch it and be proud.

#7 Baylor Bears at Iowa State Cyclones

Time: 7 p.m.  TV: FOX  Line: Baylor -22

The Bears are a three touchdown favorite. Should be a cakewalk, right? Well, I’m hoping it’s not so easy. Baylor hasn’t had any challenges, and I’m curious to see what this team does against adversity. Sure, the Bears faced a bit of last year, and last year’s team lost a few games. However, I want to know what the 2014 Bears are all about. Iowa State isn’t probably the team to test them like that, however, Ames is never a fun road trip.

Verdict: WATCH. Once again, week five has a weak lineup. Might as well flip it to this one.

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