Predicting the Big 12 Season: Major SEC Matchups and a Key Big 12 Showdown

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Another year of "Predicting the Big 12 Season" is here! SicEm365's Grayson Grundhoefer predicts each game in the Big 12 season week by week in this yearly feature.

Previous: Week 1

Headliners

Big 12

Arizona 24 at BYU 27

This is a very anticipated matchup in Big 12 play. Both of these teams are Big 12 contenders in the preseason and will be heading into November this year. Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin run the football well to control the pace early on while building a 10-point lead. Noah Fifita settles in with two touchdown strikes in the second half to tie the game up going into the 4th quarter. Both teams trade field goals, which leads to a tie game with five minutes left. Bachmeier eats time off the clock as the Cougars hit a field goal with 1:30 left. Fifita gets his chance and drives down to the one-yard line with three seconds left with no timeouts. Arizona goes for the win, and BYU’s defensive line gets the stop they need!

Non-Conference

Missouri 41 at Kansas 24 (Friday, September 11)

Can Kansas stop the run? That is the only question that will matter in this game. The Jayhawks gave up 261 yards to Missouri last year in the 42-31 loss on the road. Both Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts are back, plus a really strong offensive line. I think Missouri hits 250 yards on the ground again. The Jayhawks should be able to score some points, as I expect Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall to play in this one. They have moments but not enough to keep up wth the Tigers' potent offense.

Arizona State 20 at Texas A&M 26

I expect this game to be closer than people think coming into this one as long as Cutter Boley doesn’t completely implode. Kenny Dillingham will have his guys ready to go into College Station to play spoiler on a playoff team from a season ago. The Sun Devils defense goes toe to toe with the Aggies early on while both offenses struggle. Unfortunately, in the second half Boley can’t make enough throws to continue moving the chains; meanwhile, the Aggies’ run game takes the air out of the football. A&M is able to capitalize on good field position and keep Arizona State at arm's length. This will be a contest in the 4th quarter, but Texas A&M is just a level up.

Washington State 22 at Kansas State 38

There is a lot of change for both of these teams coming into the season, specifically at head coach. Both the rosters experienced a ton of turnover as well. I trust Kansas State’s offense way more than any other side of the ball for these two teams. I expect Avery Johnson to have a 300-yard, three-touchdown performance at home. He controls the game. The defense gives up some chunk plays, but it isn’t enough for Washington State to win this one.

Oregon 48 at Oklahoma State 19

This is a tough draw for the Pokes after losing to Oregon 69-3 in Autzen last season. Now the Ducks come to Stillwater with a team that may even be better than last year. Drew Mestemaker is going to score a little more in this one than last year, but it is not going to matter. Oregon’s defensive line is going to have five sacks and hold the Cowboys to under 100 yards rushing. The Ducks pile up tons of yards, and Dante Moore throws three scores. The Cowboys score a little in the second half after a beatdown in the first half.

UCF 23 at Pitt 32

This is a very under-the-radar game for the league in Week 2. Both teams are hoping to take a leap forward but to different levels. Pitt is trying to be a contender in the ACC while UCF just wants to take the step to being a bowl team in Scott Frost’s second year. I think Pitt is more ready to win as the far more consistent program. Alonza Barnett plays well in this one on the road with two touchdown passes, and he takes care of the ball, but the lack of a running game makes the offense inconsistent. The Knights defense is not as good up front as it was a year ago, and Pitt takes advantage with a strong day on the ground. That ends up being the difference. 

Texas Tech 34 at Oregon State 14

Different caliber of teams here. Oregon State’s biggest issue is going to be the offensive line, and that is a major issue against the Red Raiders. The big boys up front shut down the Beavers' rushing attack and force two fumbles. Trey White has a big day on the edge. Cameron Dickey scores two touchdowns, and Will Hammond has a solid day on the road. Tech blasted Oregon State last year, and they do it again this season on the road.

Iowa State 9 at Iowa 30

Iowa is still Iowa and Iowa State is likely in a rebuild this season. Even with this being a rivalry game, I think this is one of those where Iowa gets a little revenge from the nice run the Cyclones were on with Matt Campbell. This will be a defensive struggle in the first half, but Jaylen Raynor turns it over a couple times and Iowa running back Kamari Moulton scores two touchdowns in the second half. The Cyclones can’t get anything going on offense, and the defense finally succumbs to the pressure. Hawkeyes win with ease.

Arkansas 17 at Utah 37

The Utes draw a good non-conference this year against a rebuilding Arkansas team. The Razorbacks are replacing a ton in Ryan Silverfield’s first season, and they have to go on the road to Salt Lake City; good luck. The Utes win at the line of scrimmage in this one, which is an absolute problem with Devon Dampier, Byrd Ficklin and Wayshawn Parker running the ball. Those three combine for four touchdowns while the defense keeps a decent Arkansas offense from doing too much damage. Utah is basically going to be in control the entire day.

Prairie View A&M 6 at Baylor 50

This will be a beatdown. The Bears run for over 350 yards with three touchdowns as Dawson Pendergrass, Caden Knighten and Michael Turner all score. DJ Lagway throws three touchdowns as well, with two going to Louis Brown. The defense forces two turnovers, and the game is over by halftime.

Rest of the Slate

UT Martin 13 at West Virginia 30

Weber State 12 at Colorado 41

Western Carolina 17 at Cincy 40

Southern 8 at Houston 48

Grambling 10 at TCU 52

Big 12 Standings

1. BYU — 2-0 (1-0)

2. Kansas State — 2-0 (0-0)

2. Utah – 2-0 (0-0)

2. TCU — 2-0 (0-0)

2. Texas Tech — 2-0 (0-0)

2. Houston — 2-0 (0-0)

2. West Virginia — 2-0 (0-0)

2. Cincinnati — 2-0 (0-0)

2. Baylor — 1-1 (0-0)

2. Kansas — 1-1 (0-0)

2. UCF — 1-1 (0-0)

2. Iowa State — 1-1 (0-0)

2. Arizona State – 1-1 (0-0)

2. Oklahoma State — 1-1 (0-0)

2. Colorado – 1-1 (0-0)

16. Arizona – 1-1 (0-1)