Predicting the 2024 Big 12 Season: Week 2

My preseason series predicting every single Big 12 game of the 2024 season continues today with week No. 2 as the challenges ramp up across the conference.

Previous Weeks: Week 1

Friday, September 6th

BYU 16 at SMU 33

This is a matchup problem for the Cougars, AND it is on the road, which has been an issue for BYU in past seasons. BYU tries to establish the run early and often to slow the game down while keeping SMU’s offense off the field. Unfortunately for them, SMU’s defense is able to slow it down enough and force BYU to beat them through the air, which is a problem against the Mustang's secondary and pass rush. QB Gerry Bohanon shows the inaccuracies and poor decisions that have plagued him throughout his career as he completes just 55% of his passes in this one and turns it over twice. SMU scores 14 points off those turnovers and is able to pull away in the 2nd half.

Saturday, September 7th

Arkansas 27 at Oklahoma State 33

This is going to be a good one. Arkansas’ season might go off the rails in the 2nd half, but I expect them to be solid early on as they do have some talented individual players. The Hogs get off to a strong start as they ride the run game with Taylen Green, Ja’Quinden Jackson, and Rashad Dubinion. It takes the Cowboys some time to adjust, but in the 2nd half, the defense locks in and forces two interceptions by Kendal Daniels and Kyrie Black. The offense rides Ollie Gordon and the play-action game as the Hogs are very vulnerable on the back end. Bowman hits a couple of shots from Brennan Presley and Rashod Owens as OSU battles back in the 2nd half to come away with a big non-conference win.

Pitt 27 at Cincinnati 33

The Bearcats did not win an FBS home game last season, so you know the fans, players, and coaching staff are going to be ready to break through in this one. Corey Kiner dominates as he goes for over 200 yards on the ground. This is a mauling in the trenches for the veteran offensive line. Brendan Sorsby takes care of the ball and throws two red-zone touchdowns. The defense shows some cracks in the secondary that allow Pitt to stay in this one late, but it’s not enough to overcome the time of possession and turnover edge in favor of Cincy. This is a statement victory and signature win early in the season for Scott Satterfield and company.

Kansas State 38 at Tulane 17

If Avery Johnson plays well in this game, then it is going to be hard for Tulane to stop the Wildcats. He’s going to play well and expose this weak secondary. Johnson scores four touchdowns, including two 20-plus-yard scores to Dante Cephas and Jayce Brown. The defense gives up some movement, but not enough for KSU to ever really be scarred in this one. This is not the same Tulane team that beat Kansas State a couple of years ago.

Iowa State 9 at Iowa 10

This game is going to be ugly. Both these defenses are going to be very, very good and are returning a ton of talent. Ultimately I think Iowa’s defense is the best unit on the field and the Hawkeyes have home field advantage to go along with a strong tack record in this rivalry really stands out. The Cyclones settle for three field goals in the red zone, and they give up a special teams touchdown to Iowa. That’s enough for the Hawkeyes to get the better of Iowa State.

Baylor 27 at Utah 34

This game does not count toward the standings, but it is the first matchup between two Big 12 programs. Utah is going to be very good up front and defensively in general, but there are weaknesses at safety, which Baylor can exploit and do. Toledo transfer QB Dequan Finn totals 300 yards on the road in this one as he constantly moves the chains, especially in the first half, as he leads the Bears to 17 first-half points and a 17-13 lead. Wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins goes for over 100 yards and is a tough matchup for Utah. But things shift drastically in the 2nd half as Cam Rising converts 3rd down after 3rd down to Brant Kuithe and the run game goes for 100 yards just in the 2nd half. The defensive line wears down the Bears' offensive front, and they get after Dequan Finn while stifling the run game. Utah is up 27-24 late in the 3rd quarter when Dorian Singer breaks free for a 50-yard receiving touchdown which basically solidifies the win for the Utes as they run the ball and control the clock the rest of the way.

Albany 17 at West Virginia 59

This is one of those games that feels like it is going to go sideways in a hurry for Albany as WVU is coming off a loss and looking to make a statement. They do it. Jaheim White and CJ Donaldson combine for four touchdowns and 250 yards on the ground. Garrett Greene throws a couple of scores to Jaden Bray and moves the ball consistently. This game is a blowout.

Sam Houston 13 at UCF 41

The Knights are scoring and scoring and scoring again to start the season. The run game continues to churn out yards with KJ Jefferson, RJ Harvey, and Penny Boone, who combine for five touchdowns. The defense gives up some yards but keeps Sam Houston from doing much damage on the scoreboard. It's an easy win for UCF as they get set for the first challenge of the season next week at TCU.

Kansas 37 at Illinois 21

Illinois might be the worst team in the Big Ten while Kansas is coming off a very strong 2023 season. This is also an early season game, so I think Jalon Daniels will still be good to go, which is a major problem for the Illini. KU posted 539 yards in last season's matchup, and while I don’t think it will be close to that this year, I do think it will be more than enough to win the game. Jalon Daniels throws for over 200 yards, and the Jayhawks run for nearly 200 yards as they control the pace of the game. The defense gives up some points, but the Jayhawks notch a nice road win in the non-conference.

Colorado 24 at Nebraska 21

This game was a blowout last year, but both these teams are different than a season ago, and the game is a home game for Nebraska. The Cornhuskers defense is going to be an absolute problem for Colorado at times thanks to a strong defensive front, but the secondary is the area that can still be exposed. The Buffs run for less than 100 yards and give up four sacks, but Shedeur Sanders still finds ways to be effective in throwing the ball, as he totals 300 yards through the air. The Colorado defense forces freshman QB Dylan Raiola into a couple of interceptions and a largely inefficient day. This one comes down to the wire, but Sanders leads Colorado down the field and into field goal range in the final seconds. Alejandro Mata hits the 37-yard field goal for the win.

Houston 21 at Oklahoma 52

The Cougars are not ready for this kind of offensive attack this season as they are adjusting to an entirely new defensive scheme and tons of new players. That is not going to be fun to work through in Norman against a high-powered offense led by Jackson Arnold and Deion Bruks. Donovan Smith scores some points when throwing the football, but the lack of stops on defense overwhelms the Cougars on the road in this blowout.

Long Island 9 at TCU 41

The Horned Frogs open up this game with three-straight touchdown drives as Josh Hoover gets into a rhythm with his wide receivers and the run game is efficient. This game is over after that and TCU goes into cruise control as the defense shuts things down holding LIU to less than 200 yards of total offense. This one is not close.

Northern Arizona 14 at Arizona 48

Another blowout in the Big 12. Noah Fifita throws for 350 yards and five scores as he dominates before being pulled after the 3rd quarter. Tetairoa McMillian goes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats defense gets the job done forcing a couple turnovers and not giving up explosive plays.

Texas Tech 36 at Washington State 27

This feels like the sneaky trap game in which Texas Tech finds a way to lose early in the season, but I think they will stop that trend this year. Behren Morton has a solid showing as he throws for 250 yards and a couple of touchdowns to Caleb Douglas and Jalin Conyers, while Tahj Brooks dominates on the ground to the tune of 140 yards. The Red Raiders balance shines on the road and makes up for a few defensive mistakes in the secondary. Another good non-conference win for the league.

Mississippi State 30 at Arizona State 21

The Sun Devils come out and play hard against a very game Bulldog squad. They keep the game close through the first half behind a strong defensive effort and strong running by Cam Skattebo as it tied at 14 at half. In the second half Sam Leavitt gets careless with the football as he turns it over twice and shows some accuracy problems. Miss State takes advantage as Blake Shapen is able to hit on some explosive pass plays to Kelly Akharaiyi and come away with the win. Tough home loss for ASU.

Big 12 Standings

1. Kansas — 2-0 (0-0)

1. Kansas State — 2-0 (0-0)

1. Arizona — 2-0 (0-0)

1. Oklahoma State — 2-0 (0-0)

1. TCU — 2-0 (0-0)

1. Colorado — 2-0 (0-0)

1. Texas Tech — 2-0 (0-0)

1. UCF — 2-0 (0-0)

1. Cincinnati — 2-0 (0-0)

1. Utah — 2-0 (0-0)

11. Baylor — 1-1 (0-0)

11. Iowa State — 1-1 (0-0)

11. BYU — 1-1 (0-0)

11. Houston — 1-1 (0-0)

11. West Virginia — 1-1 (0-0)

11. Arizona State — 1-1 (0-0)