3 Bold Predictions for Big 12 Matchup Between Oklahoma and Baylor

In what is likely be a preview of the Big 12 Championship game in a few weeks, Matt Rhule, Charlie Brewer, and the unbeaten Baylor Bears will welcome Jalen Hurts, Lincoln Riley, and the Oklahoma Sooners to Waco. In this battle of contrasting styles, Rhule's efficient QB play and ferocious defense will take on the doomsday machine that is Lincoln Riley's OU offense. It's a ranked Big 12 game, so expect things to heat up in a hurry in back-and-forth fashion. With that in mind, it's time to issue three prognostications for this much-anticipated contest.

3. The Stingy Baylor Defense Forces 3 Turnovers

Baylor v Kansas State / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

It took the nation's leading rusher in Chuba Hubbard and arguably its top receiver in Tylan Wallace to even crack 27 points in regulation against this Bears defense. Texas Tech managed just 30 in double-overtime, and it took TCU three overtimes even to notch 23 against defensive coordinator Phil Snow's unit. These guys hit you in the mouth and make you uncomfortable, so while few defenses have been able to force Riley and Co. into playing sloppy football, Clay Johnston, Blake Lynch, and the Bears should make it hard for Hurts and force multiple takeaways.

2. Oklahoma Running Backs Total 150+ Yards On The Ground

Texas Tech v Oklahoma / Brett Deering/Getty Images

In their loss to Kansas State and early in their near-loss to Iowa State, Oklahoma has failed to get running backs Kennedy Brooks and Trey Sermon clicking, with Sermon becoming essentially invisible. The Sooners can't keep relying on Jalen Hurts and his wizardry to bail them out, especially on the road against an unbeaten team. Look for Riley to establish the run early and often, and watch specifically future NFL center Creed Humphrey calling things out and leading the way in the trenches.

1. Oklahoma Barely Wins By 3 In Classic Big 12 Shootout

Oklahoma v Kansas State / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Three straight nail-biters in conference play probably isn't what Riley imagined would go down at the beginning of the season, but that speaks to how well-rounded the Big 12 is this year. Charlie Brewer is going to make some plays, and the defense is as tough as they come in this conference, but you can't keep Hurts and CeeDee Lamb for too long. Expect a huge performance from both of them as Oklahoma prevails and announces that they can't be counted out in the College Football Playoff race just yet.