Predicting the Big 12 Season: Weeks 13 and 14

The preseason series predicting every single Big 12 game of the 2024 season continues today with week No. 13 and No. 14.

Previous Weeks: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12

Saturday, November 23rd

Baylor 34 at Houston 17

The Bears come into this game with a lot to play for as a bowl appearance is on the line, and they show up in a big way. Dequan Finn totals over 300 yards on the road, and the Bears run for over 200 yards as a team. The defense wreaks havoc as it holds Houston to under 300 total yards for the day, and they keep them from scoring efficiently in the red zone. Baylor puts it all together in this one to get back to a bowl game after missing out a year ago.

Iowa State 17 at Utah 24

This is a huge test for both teams as they are each fighting to make it to the Big 12 Championship Game. This is a bit of a rock fight as they both struggle to move the ball consistently on offense, but the defenses play at a high level. The difference really comes down to explosive plays, and Cam Rising hits on two more of those than Rocco Becht does, which ends up being the main separator. This game comes down to the wire, but the Utes need to find a way to get the job done in front of the home fans.

Texas Tech 24 at Oklahoma State 34

It is the Ollie Gordon show in Stillwater as he runs for 200 yards and two scores while Alan Bowman connects on two touchdown passes of over 40 yards. The defense really takes it up a notch as they swarm Behren Morton all game and slow down Tahj Brooks. It is a very strong showing by the Pokes in front of the home fans.

Cincinnati 20 at Kansas State 40

The Wildcats are playing like a College Football Playoff team, whereas Cincy just needs this regular season to come to an end as they are struggling. Avery Johnson has a big day through the air with four touchdown passes, and the run game goes for over 200 yards as they put together a balanced offensive performance. The defense holds Cincy to 7 first-half points as this game is over early.

Arizona 21 at TCU 30

This game feels like the one TCU needs to win in order to call this a successful season, as they really have had to claw back after a slow start. The defense once again puts together a strong showing with four sacks and an interception while holding Arizona to under 100 yards rushing. They make the Wildcats one-dimensional. Fifita does his thing through the air with over 300 yards passing, but poor red zone and 3rd down efficiency cost them. The Horned Frogs grind out drives, and Josh Hoover makes enough throws to get them the key home win.

Colorado 27 at Kansas 44

The Jayhawks run the ball and then run the ball some more as they go for over 300 yards on the ground. The offense puts it all together at home as they have a massive day. The Buffs turn it over four times and do not run the ball consistently enough in this cold-weather game. 

BYU 13 at Arizona State 18

The Sun Devils avoid going winless as the defense steps up in a big way to shut down the Cougars. The offense does enough to get the job done. The home fans go crazy as they finally see a Big 12 win. This puts Kalani Sitake on a major hot seat at BYU.

UCF 37 at West Virginia 43

Absolute fireworks in Morgantown as these two high-powered offenses go back and forth all night long. KJ Jefferson and Garrett Greene both total over 300 yards and four scores, while both rushing attacks thrive as well. Ultimately, this game comes down to a couple of bad turnovers and penalties by UCF on the road. It allows the Mountaineers to gain a slight advantage late in the game, and Garrett Greene takes advantage of it.

Friday, November 29th

Oklahoma State 41 at Colorado 33

The more physical team usually wins, and I fully expect that team to be Oklahoma State on both sides of the ball in this one. The offensive line and defensive line really take over this game in the 2nd half as the Pokes score 17 unanswered in the 3rd quarter to grow a lead and never look back. Ollie Gordon runs for over 200 yards and three scores as he makes a late Heisman push.

Utah 30 at UCF 34

This is one of those games where I have a gut feeling that UCF matches up well enough with Utah to win this game, especially at home. The Utes offense is going to be able to run the football and score some points, but the Knights are going to be able to challenge Utah's defense through the air and on the ground. KJ Jefferson puts together a huge performance as he goes for over 325 yards of total offense while Peny Boone and RJ Harvey combine for 200 yards on the ground. Utah hasn’t given up numbers like this all year, but the Knights play one heck of a game in Orlando to close out the season.

Saturday, November 30th

Kansas 30 at Baylor 27

Another week and another close game in the Big 12. Jalon Daniels and Dequan Finn show a lot of flashes in this game as each can move their respective offenses well all day, but the difference comes in the trenches. Kansas’ offensive line is able to create far more success in the run game compared to Baylor’s. That ends up being significant. Devin Neal goes for over 125 yards to pair with the passing attack led by Daniels. The Bears battle but can’t come up with the plays down the stretch to come away with the win.

Kansas State 23 at Iowa State 20

The biggest game of the weekend and one of the biggest games of the Big 12 season is in Ames, the last week of the year. Both teams are vying for a trip to the Big 12 title game. This game is in all-out war in the cold weather with very limited passing games. It becomes a heavyweight slugfest, and Avery Johnson is the difference maker ultimately, as he runs for two scores and 80 yards on the ground. The Cyclones have had their chances to make it to the conference championship game, but ultimately, they come up short at home.

Arizona State 16 at Arizona 45

Arizona State won its first Big 12 Conference game last week, so they are good for the season. Arizona is still playing for a lot here as they are fighting for a good bowl game and don’t want to lose to their struggling rival. The defense shuts things down and forces three turnovers. Noah Fifita throws four touchdowns, and the balance on that side shines in the final regular season game of the year.

Houston 28 at BYU 27

BYU let one slip away last week against Arizona State, and now they have one more chance against one of the weaker teams in the league. But I think they are getting close to packing it in for the year, whereas Houston is doing everything they can to win its first conference game of the year. Donovan Smith and Willie Fritz get it done on a game-winning drive to give Houston the massive late-season win. 

TCU 36 at Cincinnati 24

Josh Hoover and this TCU passing attack feast on Cincy’s poor secondary to the tune of 375 yards, and TCU’s defense makes life very hard for Brendan Sorsby as he turns it over twice and is sacked six times. The Bearcats move the ball on the ground like they have all year but don’t have the firepower in this one to keep up.

West Virginia 27 at Texas Tech 35

The Red Raiders have floundered an amazing start to the season, but they are able to finish on a high note thanks to Tahj Brooks's 200-yard rushing performance. The defense plays well, too, forcing sacks and turnovers as they make Garrett Greene uncomfortable all day in Lubbock. 

Big 12 Standings

1. Kansas State — 11-1 (7-1)

2. Utah — 10-2 (7-2)

3. Iowa State — 8-4 (6-3)

3. UCF — 8-4 (6-3)

3. Arizona — 8-4 (6-3)

3. Oklahoma State — 9-3 (6-3)

7. West Virginia — 7-5 (5-4)

7. Kansas — 8-4 (5-4)

7. TCU — 8-4 (5-4)

10. Texas Tech — 7-5 (4-5)

10. Baylor — 6-6 (4-5)

12. Cincinnati — 6-6 (3-6)

12. Colorado — 6-6 (3-6)

14. BYU — 4-8 (2-7)

15. Houston — 3-9 (1-8)

15. Arizona State — 2-10 (1-8)