Big 12 Saturday Preview: Texas vs Oklahoma State and Baylor vs Texas Tech

There may be a handful of teams vying for a spot in the Big 12 Championship race.  However, there are only two games that are going to have major national implication coming out of the Big 12 this week.  Here is a preview of the two most important Big 12 games of the week.

Texas Longhorns versus Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m. CT (FOX)

The Texas Longhorns are 7-2 overall and still have a shot at showing up in a BCS bowl game if their record remains unblemished for the rest of the season.  Perhaps more important to Texas is the Big 12 championship implications.  They are still undefeated in their division and will look to keep it that way as the end of the season approaches.

Oklahoma State has only one loss on it record in the division, which means they are also realistically chasing a Big 12 title as well. They have a better overall record (8-1) than Texas.  The last two times the Cowboys came to Austin they walked away victorious.  They will attempt to do it again

A key play for Oklahoma State will be the read option.  Both Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh have shown that they can run the ball. Walsh in particular is known for his efficient running of the read option.  They are playing against a Texas defense that has been holding running backs to around three yards a run. If Walsh can throw them off with the read option, they will have a two-dimensional attack that the Texas defense may not be able to contend with.

On the other end, Texas cannot let their offense become one-dimensional. Johnathan Gray may be injured but that does not mean the abandon the run.  They will have a hard time beating Oklahoma State only through the air.  Even if they have to put in a freshmen like Jalen Overstreet, that is what they will need to do to establish the run.

Oklahoma State is favored by 3 points.

Baylor Bears versus Texas Tech Red Raiders, 6 p.m. CT (FOX)

Baylor has become the team to beat in the Big 12. They have clawed their way into the top ten and there is no doubt that this team has a BCS National Championship game on its mind. They have four Big 12 conference game left on their schedule and none of them will be easy. The first of which is this game against Texas Tech.

For Texas Tech this game will have major Big 12 Championship implications. Another loss for them and a Big 12 title run is nearly out of the question. A lot of eyes will also be on this game (including NFL scouts) so the Red Raider are going to bring it.

Texas Tech defensive tackle Kerry Hyder will find himself clashing with Baylor guard Cyril Richardson quite a bit while running back Lache Seastrunk runs to the inside.  This may be the most important match up of the game for both teams. If the Red Raiders can shut down or even limit Seastrunk it may force Baylor into a one-dimensional game plan. However, Bryce Petty, potential Heisman candidate, can also move his feet. Texas Tech defense is going to have a hard time with Baylor’s offense.

Baylor are the huge 28 point favorites to win this game.