Week 11 Predictions

Here we are on the verge of the last realistic chance to get a Big 12 win this year.  Luckily we won't have to deal with "Cleat-gate" again...

All times Jayhawk Time.

TV Listings courtesy of lsufootball.net

Iowa State (2-6, 0-5 Big 12) @ Kansas (2-6, 0-5 Big 12)  Saturday 2:30pm  TV: FSN

mikeville: I’m super torn on this one.  On the one hand, this game is literally, realistically, our last shot at a ‘W’ this fall.  Even at that, I’m not sure our chance of winning is very good.  What, maybe, 20-25%?  I think that our defense will put up a good show, and ISU will struggle to get in the end zone on us.  On the flip side, I haven’t seen much from our offense to think that we’ll put up a lot of points, either.  It’s totally a "pillow fight of the week" entry.  I’ll say that despite settling for more field goals than they’d like to, that ISU comes in and gets the victory, 26-17.

KU Grad 08: I know people keep saying this is a decent shot for us to get a win, but I don’t see it. ISU may be struggling but they’ve looked a lot better than we have all season long. They barely lost to KState, lost by 3 to Texas in Austin, beat a 6-2 Iowa team and put up a much better fight against Baylor. Cummings has played pretty solid football since we moved him to starter and our WRs can make a few plays, but our pathetic rushing attack over the past couple weeks is serious cause for concern. Also, you know Mangino is going to have a trick play or two up his sleeve, and a big play or two could cripple us. I think it’ll be ugly and we’ll be in it but I see Iowa State winning this one, 23-14.

Ivan Portillo: Coming into the season, this was the one game  we all thought was winnable. How bad of a season has it been that we can’t even count on the ISU game to fall back on? It’s kind of sad actually. While I want to to believe that KU will win it, I just don’t see it happening. The offense, especially the running game, will have to step it up. It’s a broken record week after week, but they haven’t shown any significant signs of fixing the problem.I’m going with Iowa State, 28-10.

Jim Hammen: Ugh.  At the start of the season, I circled Iowa St. as easily our best shot at a conference win (as did most everyone else).  I even thought we had a shot at TCU!  It was a simpler, more innocent time back in August.  How badly does Mangino want this win?  Look for Iowa St. to be pulling out all the stops on offense.  It should be close, but in the end, Mangino gets his revenge. Iowa St. 27, Kansas 21.

dnoll5: I going to be optimistic and say that KU pulls this off.  Will I be one of the 13,000 or so to say that I saw it in person?  Nope, I’m not that confident, but I still think that the Jayhawks pull this one out.  The coaches won’t say it, but this is the last hurrah in terms of games that KU even has a chance in, so my money is on the staff going all out to try to get this one.  The players know it too, so an inspired performance is what I think is going to happen. KU 27, ISU 24.

fetch: basketball season (but seriously Mangino is going to hang about 10 million on us)

penhawk: There just isn't any momentum for us heading into this game. Granted, ISU doesn't have much to hang their hat on either, but at least they've shown they can score a few points. I see another one of those games we hang around in, but never really threaten to win. Iowa State 30, Kansas 20

misterbrain: Seriously guys?  How can you not be positive about this game?  I mean, the defense just HAS to rebound from that drubbing last week.  Cummings is due for a 4+ touchdown game, and Pierson is going to add 2 more touchdowns.  Defense will add more scores as Iowa State is completely unprepared for the field conditions (how will they ever orient themselves without the track?) and we get one run back for a TD on special teams.  I mean come on, it just HAS to happen this way.  By my tally, that's 63-0, KU.

#12 Baylor (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) @ #15 Oklahoma (6-2, 3-2 Big 12)  Saturday 11:00pm  TV: FOX Sports 1

This is a must-win game for both of these teams.  Baylor is still fighting for a berth in the Playoffs, Oklahoma has extremely slim hopes for the conference championship.  Baylor has more to fight for, and is overall the better team, regardless of their prior record in Norman.  Baylor 35, Oklahoma 27.

#10 Notre Dame (7-1) @ #9 Arizona State (7-1)  Saturday 2:30pm  TV: ABC

Notre Dame would be sporting an undefeated record if they hadn't gotten jobbed at Florida State, but regardless this looks to be a marquee matchup.  ASU is very good at home, and Notre Dame has been too shaky against mediocre competition lately to feel confident in them for this game.  Arizona State 24, Notre Dame 13

#23 West Virginia (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) @ Texas (4-5, 3-3 Big 12)  Saturday 2:30pm  TV: FOX Sports 1

West Virginia needs this game to keep pace right behind the conference leaders.  Texas needs this game to get to a bowl.  While Texas is improving, West Virginia is just too good on defense.  West Virginia 31, Texas 20

#7 Kansas State (7-1, 5-0 Big 12) @ #6 TCU (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)  Saturday 6:30pm  TV: FOX

Battle of two good defenses, although surprisingly it has been K-State with the better defense this year.  TCU has home field, but I don't expect KSU to be intimidated in the least bit.  Kansas State 30, TCU 28.

#5 Alabama (7-1, 4-1 SEC) @ #16 LSU (7-2, 3-2 SEC)  Saturday 7:00pm  TV: CBS

Alabama has shown vulnerabilities, but has either had opponents that can't take advantage, or they do just enough to overcome the problem at the end of the game.  LSU looked to have many problems at the start of conference play, but have since come on strong.  LSU scores the upset here, increasing the likelihood of a 5-way tie in the SEC West. LSU 27, Alabama 24

#14 Ohio State (7-1, 4-0 Big 10) @ #8 Michigan State (7-1, 4-0 Big 10)  Saturday 7:00pm  TV: ABC

Battle for the Big Ten.  These two teams definitely look to be the class of the conference this year, but that isn't necessarily saying much.  The Spartans hold serve at home.  Michigan State 26, Ohio State 18

#4 Oregon (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) @ #17 Utah (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12)  Saturday 9:00pm  TV: ESPN

Oregon was the powerhouse coming into the year, and except for losing at home to Arizona, they have backed that up.  Utah has been the surprise of the year in the Pac-12 (at least to me anyway) and even though they haven't overpowered anyone, they have scrapped their way to quite a few upset wins.  I don't think they have enough to do that here though.  Oregon 52, Utah 35