Predicting the Big 12 Season: Weeks 9 and 10

The preseason series predicting every single Big 12 game of the 2024 season continues today with week No. 9 and No. 10.

Previous Weeks: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8

Saturday, October 26th 

Utah 31 at Houston 21

The Cougars put up a fight in this one, but they don’t have the offensive line or defensive line to deal with Utah at the point of contact. That is a problem as the Utes hold Houston to under 100 yards rushing and sack Donovan Smith five times. Houston hits on some explosive plays in the passing game to keep this one respectable, but Utah is just playing too well to lose this one.

Oklahoma State 28 at Baylor 26

This is a back-and-forth game with multiple lead changes, as both came in ready for this one. Dequan Finn puts together a strong performance as he totals over 300 yards of total offense, and Ashtyn Hawkins goes for 100 yards and a touchdown through the air. The Pokes rely on a more balanced approach with Ollie Gordon and Alan Bowman as they consistently churn out yards and first downs. Finn leads the Bears on a 90-yard drive to take the 26-21 lead with 10 minutes left. Neither team does much on the next two drives, but the veteran experience for the Cowboys pays off on the final drive of the game as they drive down inside the red zone, and Ollie Gordon finds paydirt for the win. 

Kansas 30 at Kansas State 37

Crazy things happen in rivalry games, so I expect this one to look like a toss-up based on the scoreboard, but I think the stats will bear out that the Wildcats dominate this game. Avery Johnson and DJ Giddens control the game on the ground, and Johnson leads KSU to an 8-for-11 day on 3rd down conversions. The efficiency is too much for Kansas. On the flip side, Jalon Daniels does everything he can to keep the Jayhawks in the game as he goes for 350 total yards of offense, but it is not enough.

West Virginia 20 at Arizona 33

There is an electric environment in Tucson for this one, as the Wildcats are trying to build a strong first season in the Big 12. The crowd, mixed with a strong performance by the secondary and Noah Fifita, led to a 14-0 start, and they never looked back. Garrett Greene struggles on the road here, as this is one of his weaker performances of the season.

Cincinnati 24 at Colorado 37

The Bearcats don’t have the secondary to keep up with the Buffs on the road. Shedeur Sanders adds yet another 350+ yard passing performance plus Dallas Hayden puts together a 100 yard rushing day. Colorado’s offense is on a roll. Cincy tries to control the clock and run the ball which they do for the most part but the passing game really lets them down as Brendan Sorsby completes just 50% of his passes.

Texas Tech 30 at TCU 36

A big-time Josh Hoover game is incoming as he throws for 325 yards and four touchdowns. He guides the Horned Frogs to a strong scoring day in one of his best performances of the season. The Red Raiders don’t go away quietly, though, as Tahj Brooks puts together a 150-yard and two-touchdown game while Josh Kelly goes for 130 yards in the passing game. The Frogs build a two-score lead in the fourth quarter following a Cam Cook touchdown, and Tech can’t quite fight all the way back.

BYU 20 at UCF 38

The Knights have too many weapons for the Cougars to deal with as they spread things out with Kobe Hudson and Xavier Townsend matched with a solid rushing day leads to lots of points. BYU moves the ball well but the red zone offense struggles and leads to multiple field goals instead of touchdowns. It’s not enough.

Saturday, November 2

Arizona State 17 at Oklahoma State 51

There are always a few absolute blowouts during a given season especially when a team has to go one the road well here it is for the Sun Devils. They go into Stillwater and watch Ollie Gordon run for 225 yards and four touchdowns while Alan Bowman strikes for 275 yards through the air. ASU can’t move the football at all in the first half and end the game with four turnovers as everything goes wrong.

Kansas State 32 at Houston 12

The hits keep coming for the Cougars as this schedule is very tough to deal with. The Wildcats continue to roll on the ground as they pile on over 300 yards rushing. Houston’s passing attack goes awry as Donovan Smith throws three interceptions while needing to throw the football 50+ times. It’s a recipe for disaster.

Arizona 30 at UCF 28

Another nice shootout opportunity in the Big 12, but it doesn’t quite turn into one. Both teams prepare well for the offenses they are about to see, as the Knights are up just 13-10 at the half. Things flip in the second half as the defenses start to give up explosive plays, and the offenses figure things out. Both get it done on the ground, then hit on explosive plays in the passing game. Noah Fifita hits Tetairoa McMillan for a touchdown with three minutes left to give the Wildcats a lead late. KJ Jefferson gets the Knights down the field and sets for a game-winning 41-yard field goal. Wide left, Zona wins.

TCU 27 at Baylor 38

The Bears have struggled mightily against the Frogs for a decade, so there is a possibility of history repeating itself, but I think this will be one of Baylor’s best performances of the season. Dequan Finn leads two touchdown drives to start the game as Baylor gets out to a 14-3 lead and never looks back. The defense forces two interceptions, including a pick-6 by Carl Williams, and they finish with five sacks on Josh Hoover. The Horned Frogs get down early, so they elect to start throwing the ball all over the field, which works at times and not at other times. Overall, Baylor comes in with a strong game plan and honors the 2014 Baylor team with a big performance to try to get the season back on track.

Texas Tech 14 at Iowa State 27

The Red Raiders had a great start to the season, but the schedule has flipped for them, and this one is one of the tougher games on the schedule. The Cyclones' defense is built to slow down this air raid attack, especially at home. The secondary confuses Behren Morton, which leads to two turnovers. On the flip side, the offense runs the ball effectively with Abu Sama, plus Rocco Becht takes care of the football as they dominate time of possession to grind out the relatively easy win.

Big 12 Standings

1. Kansas State — 8-1 (5-1)

2. Utah — 7-1 (4-1)

2. Iowa State — 6-2 (4-1)

4. UCF — 6-3 (4-2)

4. Oklahoma State — 7-2 (4-2)

4. Arizona — 6-3 (4-2)

7. Kansas — 6-2 (3-2)

7. West Virginia — 5-3 (3-2)

9. Texas Tech — 6-3 (3-3)

9. Baylor — 5-4 (3-3)

11. Cincinnati — 5-3 (2-3)

11. Colorado — 5-3 (2-3)

13. TCU — 5-4 (2-4)

14. BYU — 3-5 (1-4)

15. Arizona State — 1-7 (0-5)

16. Houston — 2-7 (0-6)