This Saturday marks the first day that the entire league is playing, so let’s take a look around the conference before things get tipped off. As always, games are listed in Central time.

Kansas (14-2 overall, 1-0 Big 12) at Iowa State (11-5, 2-0), 1 PM on ESPN
The two games I’ve predicted incorrectly have both been Cyclone victories, but I don’t think they stand much of a chance at home in this one. The Jayhawks are firing on all cylinders, as displayed in an absolute beatdown of Oklahoma State on Wednesday night. Don’t expect this one to be a miracle upset.
The pick: Iowa State’s perfect conference season only lasts a week. Kansas thumps them soundly.

Oklahoma (9-5, 1-1) at Texas (12-3, 2-0), 2:30 PM on ABC
My OU-Texas breakdown can be found in the preceding post.
The pick: Texas wins going away, while somewhere in Indiana….Kelvin Sampson flings a denim sports coat in disgust.

Kansas State (10-6, 0-2) at Missouri (11-4, 0-2), 3 PM
Both teams have failed to live up to expectations early in Big 12 play. Mizzou desperately needs a win with Kansas looming next on their schedule. An 0-4 start could be absolutely deadly for Mike Anderson and the Tigers.
The pick: Stefhon Hannah and Mizzou right the ship on their home court…just in time to get pounded by the Jayhawks.

Texas Tech (13-4, 2-0) at Baylor (10-5, 0-2), 3 PM
Baylor played both Oklahoma State and Texas A&M tough, while Texas Tech comes in as winners in seven of their last eight. Everybody knows that Aaron Bruce can play, but not many people know of Baylor freshman Tweety Carter. The man’s name is Tweety for Christ’s sake! Where’s the media attention?!?
The pick: My “upset” special of the week — Baylor pulls off their first conference win in front of a lackluster crowd more interested in the free pizza giveaway.

Texas A&M (14-2, 2-0) at Colorado (4-8, 0-2), 6 PM
Billy Gillispie takes his defensive-minded Aggies on the road to Boulder for a high-altitude meeting with scoring machine Richard Roby. Unfortunately for the Buffs, there’s not much more going on for them offensively. This could be quite the snooze-fest in front of less than 3,000 bored Colorad….ians?
The pick: Texas A&M wins with a score good enough for the PGA tour.

Oklahoma State (15-2, 1-1) at Nebraska (11-4, 0-1), 7 PM
This has the potential to be a letdown game for the Cowpokes after getting manhandled by KU just a few nights ago. Then again, they are playing a middle-of-the-road Nebraska team in a state where basketball gets the apathetic treatment. Mario Boggan is looking to get back on track after scoring eight points in that Kansas game, and he shouldn’t have a problem doing so in Lincoln. Of course, the game is a question mark at this point, as Oklahoma State is having issues getting out of Stillwater and the game has already been pushed back six hours already.
The pick: Oklahoma State gets back on track with a win….if they actually play.