Conference games kick off today for the Big 12 Conference, which means we no longer have to judge the race based on common games against St. Mary’s State Technical College University. Here’s a brief rundown of the games headed your way. (All times are central.)

Oklahoma (8-4) at Texas Tech (11-4), 12:30 PM
This game is the most compelling in today’s B12 slate, although in the grand scheme of things it really just amounts to which of the “south division” teams is fourth-best. I haven’t had a chance to see either team yet this year, but neither has been especially spectacular. Tech has been playing better lately, though, winning against both Arkansas and a scrappy Bucknell team.
The pick: Tech wins by single digits

Iowa State (9-5) at Missouri (11-2), 5 PM
Mizzou should win this one going away, especially in front of their hardcore fans. Sophomore Matt Lawrence is my favorite Tiger to watch. He’s an absolute three-point machine, as he’s hit 54% of his trey attempts. No word yet on if he could nail a 30-footer over Kevin Durant for a lead with 11 seconds left.
The pick: Missouri cruises

Baylor (10-3) at Oklahoma State (14-1), 5 PM
Poor, poor Baylor. They get to play a non-conference schedule after last year’s ridiculous sanction and get to open their Big 12 sked with the hottest team in the conference. Oy vey. Sure, the Bears have a great record heading into it, but they’ve been beaten by the three real teams they’ve played and earned the wins against a schedule that even Dennis Franchione would call soft.
The pick: Scott Drew’s eyes go glassy by halftime. OSU rolls

Nebraska plays an out-of-conference game today with Western Kentucky. Kansas is idle today, but faces a good road test in South Carolina against the Gamecocks tomorrow.

As for today’s Colorado-Texas tilt…
The pick: Texas makes it closer than it should be, but starts conference play with a win