CFP-chasing TCU in B12 title game, K-State could join Frogs

Updated Nov. 17, 2022 3:10 a.m. ET

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Some things to watch during Week 12 in the Big 12 Conference:

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 4 TCU (10-0, 7-0 Big 12, No. 4 CFP) at Baylor (6-4, 4-3)

While the Horned Frogs have already clinched a spot in the Big 12 championship game, they have to keep winning to be part of the four-team College Football Playoff. For defending league champion Baylor to get back in the title game, the Bears have to beat TCU and Texas, plus have both No. 19 Kansas State and No. 24 Oklahoma State lose their last two games. TCU upset Baylor last season, with linebacker Shadrach Banks' last-minute interception sealing a 30-28 win at home the week after coach Gary Patterson's abrupt departure from the Frogs. The last time TCU was this close to the playoff, in 2014, its only loss was 61-58 at Baylor.

Chandler Morris had 531 yards of total offense (461 passing, 70 rushing) against Baylor last November in his first start as TCU's quarterback, but got hurt in this year's opener. Max Duggan has since thrown a Big 12-best 25 touchdowns with only two interceptions, while Kendre Miller has five 100-yard rushing games in a row and a TD in 11 consecutive games.

BEST MATCHUP

No. 19 Kansas State (7-3, 5-2, No. 15 CFP) at West Virginia (4-6, 2-5)

The Wildcats can join TCU in the Big 12 title game with a win in Morgantown, combined with a loss by Texas at Kansas. The Mountaineers need to win their last two games to get bowl eligible for fourth-year coach Neal Brown, whose job status is still in question after West Virginia fired athletic director Shane Lyons this week. The series is tied 5-5 as Big 12 members, with K-State winning last season after losing five in a row to the Mountaineers.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Texas is 16-2 against Kansas in Big 12 games, though the bowl-eligible Jayhawks won 57-56 in overtime at Austin last season. The only other KU series win in that stretch was also in OT, at home in 2007. ... Oklahoma’s 90 wins against Oklahoma State are the most by the Sooners against any opponent. The Cowboys' win last season was their 19th in a series that also has seven ties. The only FBS team with more wins over a single team is Nebraska, with 91 over Kansas

IMPACT PLAYERS

Iowa State receiver Xavier Hutchinson and defensive end Will McDonald. Hutchinson, the national leader with 9.7 catches per game and Big 12 leader with 105.9 yards receiving per game, has school records for receptions in a single season (97) and career (244). McDonald's 33 career sacks are one shy of the Big 12 record set two decades ago by Texas Tech's Aaron Hunt. Iowa State hosts the Red Raiders, who have allowed a league-high 35 sacks, 12 more than any other team.

STRIKE (10) FOR BOWLS

The Big 12 could still get all 10 of its teams bowl eligible. For that to happen, there have to be some specific outcomes for Texas Tech (5-5), Oklahoma (5-5), Iowa State (4-6) and West Virginia (4-6) to all get the required six wins. Iowa State has to win against Texas Tech and TCU. That would then require the Red Raiders to win their regular-season finale against Oklahoma, which would have to win this week against Oklahoma State for its sixth win. West Virginia has to beat No. 19 Kansas State and No. 24 Oklahoma State.

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Max Duggan

Will McDonald

West Virginia Mountaineers

Iowa State Cyclones

Texas Tech Red Raiders