Big 12's first Top 10 matchup could end title chase
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 8 Oklahoma (8-2, 7-0 Big 12) at No. 10 West Virginia (8-1, 5-1). The first matchup of Top 10 teams in the league this season, and a game that could end the Big 12 title chase. If No. 13 Oklahoma State loses at TCU earlier in the day, coach Bob Stoops and the Sooners could be playing in prime time to clinch their 10th Big 12 championship . West Virginia is eliminated from contention with a loss. The Sooners have a 14-game conference winning streak, though their last three road games have been decided by 10 points or less. Since joining the Big 12 in 2012, the Mountaineers have beaten every conference team — except Oklahoma.
BEST MATCHUP
Mason Rudolph vs. Kenny Hill, two quarterbacks with different styles. Rudolph, a passing QB, leads No. 13 Oklahoma State (8-2, 6-1) against dual-threat Hill and the Horned Frogs (5-4, 3-3). Rudolph is second in the Big 12 with 338.7 total yards per game — 338.4 yards per game passing (He has only 3 yards rushing this season). Hill is third in the Big 12 with 336 total yards per game — 299 passing and 37 rushing — and the Frogs could be looking for more designed runs for him. The Cowboys have a six-game winning streak since losing at Baylor to open conference play. TCU is coming off an open date after a 40-point win at Baylor.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Baylor has lost three games in a row for the first time since a four-game losing streak in 2012. The Bears (6-3, 3-3) play their home finale against Kansas State. ... Texas Tech (4-6, 2-5), which has to win its last two games to get bowl eligible, has allowed at least 44 points in seven games this season. ... Gary Patterson marks his 200th game as TCU's coach, only Dutch Meyer has coached more games for the Horned Frogs (201). ... Iowa State has averaged 420 total yards per game the last seven games, a 102-yard increase over its first three games.
LONG SHOT
Unfortunately for Kansas (1-9, 0-7), it seems like the Jayhawks are always longshots. They have lost 19 consecutive Big 12 games and are more than three-TD underdogs at home against Texas and national rushing leader D'Onta Foreman (179 yards per game), who has tied 1977 Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell's school record with 11 consecutive 100-yard games. Kansas is 110th nationally, allowing 226 yards rushing per game. The Longhorns (5-5, 3-4) get bowl eligible with a victory.
IMPACT PERFORMERS
Kansas State defenders Elijah Lee and Jordan Willis. Willis, a senior defensive end, leads the league with nine sacks and second with 13 1/2 tackles for losses. Lee, a junior linebacker, is tied for second in the Big 12 with 8.6 tackles per game.
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Compiled by AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins in Fort Worth, Texas.
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