Predicting the Big 12 Season: Weeks 11 and 12
The preseason series predicting every single Big 12 game of the 2024 season continues today with week No. 11 and No. 12.
Previous Weeks: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10
Saturday, November 9th
BYU 24 at Utah 30
Steady performance by Utah in a game that expect to be very weird. I don’t think BYU is very good but they will play hard and play well in this one to give Utah a little bit of a scare. It is not enough though as Utah’s offense makes the plays needed late behind the legs and arm of Cam Rising plus the defense gets the stops needed late. Tricky game here but should be a Utah win.
Oklahoma State 19 at TCU 28
The Horned Frogs are going to play really well in this one as they hope to turn around an up-and-down season. The defense wreaks havoc as they sack Alan Bowman five times and force four turnovers. It was just a dominant day by Devean Deal and Paul Oyewale. Josh Hoover connected on enough explosive plays to get points on the board. Very disappointing effort by Gundy and company but a tricky game for the cowboys on the road here against a hungry football team.
Iowa State 27 at Kansas 24
The winner of this game keeps themselves in the hunt for a Big 12 Championship Game appearance. Both teams play well in a very physical game in cold weather. Both teams struggle to throw the football and rely on their respective rushing attacks as we get to see Abu Sama vs. Devin Neal. The Cyclone's defense makes more plays than Kansas’, which gives them a shot on the road, and Rocco Becht leads a late drive to give the Cyclones a win they absolutely need as they get set for a very tough finish to the schedule.
UCF 29 at Arizona State 26
It's a really close game, as UCF has started to look a little shaky late in the season. The Sun Devils do everything they can to stay in this game, as they play really well on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately, they finish one-for-four on fourth-down conversions and only score 16 points in six red zone trips. The Knights take advantage and are able to steal this game late behind a strong rushing performance, and KJ Jefferson makes enough explosive plays in the passing game.
West Virginia 23 at Cincinnati 27
The Bearcats need this game in order to become bowl-eligible, and they get the job done. Corey Kiner runs the ball 32 times in this game for 205 yards and three scores. Cincy rides him to a major time of possession advantage as they wear down the Mountaineers' defense. Garrett Greene plays well when he has the ball, but he doesn’t have it enough as Cincy’s game plan works, and the defense makes enough plays to keep West Virginia from being consistent. Greene’s inaccuracies on the short throws cost them a chance at a road win.
Colorado 39 at Texas Tech 37
Shootout in Lubbock, which has been consistent for Colorado all season long. They have put up points week after week and been in close games all season, this one is no different. Shedeur Sanders has another 350+ yard passing performance, and Dallas Hayden goes for over 100 yards again. All the wide receivers have big days. On the flip side, Texas Tech is very balanced with Tahj Brooks and the receivers in the passing game. A late turnover by Behren Morton costs the Red Raiders a key home victory as Deion Sanders and the Buffs secure bowl eligibility.
Friday, November 15
Houston 27 at Arizona 37
Too much Noah Fifita and the Arizona offense this week for the Cougars to keep up especially on the road. The Wildcats pile on 400 yards of offense and move the ball consistently the whole day. Houston scores points but never really threaten to win this game as the Cougars season is not going as planned in Willie Fritz’s first season.
Saturday November 16
Baylor 27 at West Virginia 32
The Mountaineers are ready for this game after losing last week, and they take it to Baylor with a strong showing. But the Bears are ready for it as they compete in a big way. Both teams are hungry for this win. Garrett Greene runs wild as he goes for over 100 yards on the ground and hits on some key explosive plays. Jaheim White and CJ Donaldson give Baylor problems in the run game and receiving game. The Bears attack the Mountaineers' secondary effectively as Dequan Finn totals over 300 yards in this road matchup. This one comes down to the fourth quarter, and I trust West Virginia more to finish this one out at home.
Utah 38 at Colorado 20
The Buffs are riding hot after a huge road win, but now they have to face a top-10 Utah squad in Boulder. Cam Rising slices apart the Colorado secondary for 300 yards, and the Utes run for over 200 yards on the ground. Utah controls this game from start to finish and Shedeur Sanders has one of his worst games of the season with three interceptions and under 300 yards passing.
Arizona State 14 at Kansas State 38
The Sun Devils are getting close to packing it in for the season, and this performance is just one more indication of that. They have a big chance next week to get a Big 12 win. Kansas State dominates this game from start to finish, behind a dominant defensive day and a four-touchdown performance by Avery Johnson. The Wildcats are making a major push to try to solidify themselves as College Football Playoff contenders.
Kansas 17 at BYU 24
Upset alert. BYU is going to beat someone good in Provo this season, like they do pretty much every year. This is the game. Kansas sits out Jalon Daniels in this game as they try to keep him healthy going forward after getting beaten up early in the season. Unfortunately, Cole Ballard isn't up for the challenge, as he completes less than 50% of his passes and turns it over twice. BYU takes advantage, turning those two turnovers into 14 points. LJ Martin has a strong day on the ground along with Gerry Bohanon as they milk the clock and take advantage of Kansas’ mistakes. It's a huge win for the Cougars as they keep their bowl hopes alive for one more week.
Cincinnati 23 at Iowa State 31
The Cyclones continue to build on the strong season they have put together with a big home win over a hungry Bearcats team. Cincy gives them everything they got in this one, but the Cyclone's defense holds up when it matters late, and the offense moves the ball methodically throughout. Cincy’s passing game gets exposed again late as they are unable to make enough plays down the field to win this game.
Big 12 Standings
1. Kansas State — 9-1 (6-1)
1. Utah — 9-1 (6-1)
1. Iowa State — 8-2 (6-1)
4. UCF — 7-3 (5-2)
4. Arizona — 7-3 (5-2)
4. Oklahoma State — 7-3 (4-3)
7. West Virginia — 6-4 (4-3)
8. Kansas — 6-4 (3-4)
8. Texas Tech — 6-4 (3-4)
8. Cincinnati — 6-4 (3-4)
8. Colorado — 6-4 (3-4)
8. TCU — 6-4 (3-4)
8. Baylor — 5-5 (3-4)
14. BYU — 4-6 (2-5)
15. Houston — 2-8 (0-7)
15. Arizona State — 1-9 (0-7)