Fansided

Predicting the conference championship games and winners of every Power 5 league

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Kedon Slovis (9)) gets off a throw as he is pressured by Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) in the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Kedon Slovis (9)) gets off a throw as he is pressured by Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) in the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brock Purdy, Iowa State Cyclones, Woodi Washington, Oklahoma Sooners
Brock Purdy, Iowa State Cyclones, Woodi Washington, Oklahoma Sooners. (Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports) /

Big 12: Oklahoma vs. Iowa State

Winner: Oklahoma

The Big 12 is the battle of shootouts. Quarterbacks throw 50-60 times per game for 400-600 yards against defenses that never receive much focus. It’s, kind of, the conference’s “unique” trait to set it apart from the others. If one team plays competent defense, though, it’s a game-changer.

That’s where Oklahoma steps in.

No, Lincoln Riley does not project to have a stellar defense, but it doesn’t matter. A steady linebacker group led by Nick Bonitto, a pass-rushing stud, is enough alone. The defensive backs are solid and should contain at least some of the Big 12’s offenses. Again, that is just fine, especially when the Sooner offense is going to score a lot behind Heisman candidate Spencer Rattler and a strong group around him.

There is the threat of losing a shootout along the way, or having an upset teased, because of the number of points the Big 12 will score, but Oklahoma has the talent at quarterback and the dynamic playcalling to put them atop the conference yet again, potentially for one of the final times before bolting for the SEC.

Second place could be a mini-race between Iowa State, Texas and Oklahoma State. Steve Sarkisian may need a year or two to implement his system with his guys in Austin, and the Cowboys tend to fizzle to the middle of the college football landscape once their schedule increases in difficulty. Either way, the Cyclones are the most talented squad and have quarterback Brock Purdy to back them up.

This team practically returns all their starters on both sides of the ball and expectations are high. For now, they will fulfill them.

Yet, like Ohio State’s situation, the Big 12 title game is Oklahoma’s. Entering this with one loss is realistic and likely, so the conference championship is a must-win situation to avoid falling out of the CFP to a second SEC team.