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 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5
Iowa State 12 at BYU 38 (Friday)
This is a nightmare situation for the Cyclones as they go to Provo at 9:15 on a Friday night. This is going to get ugly. Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin combine to score four touchdowns in this one as the offense steadily moves the ball up and down the field all night long. The Cyclones help with three turnovers leading to 17 points for the Cougars. Quarterback Jaylen Raynor struggles in this environment with less than 150 total yards of offense. Cougars roll.
Hawaii 30 at Arizona State 37
This is a dangerous game for Arizona State, but they will get by thanks to their rushing attack and Hawaii's lack of one. The Sun Devils run for over 250 yards with Kyson Brown leading the way with two scores. Omarion Miller and Reed Harris continue to propel the passing game as they combine for 150 receiving yards. Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado lights up the Sun Devils for 300 total yards and three scores to keep the Rainbow Warriors close in this one.
Arizona 31 at West Virginia 30
A very close game in the Big 12 between the Mountaineers and the Wildcats as both offenses come to play in this one. Noah Fifita completes 80% of his passes while Kendrick Reescano goes for over 100 yards on the ground. The Wildcats have a balanced outing but turn the ball over twice. The Mountaineers aren’t as efficient, but they turn the two Wildcats turnovers into 14 points. Michael Hawkins is erratic for most of the day, but hits on a couple of smash plays to keep the offense alive. Cam Cook has another 100-yard rushing day. Fifita gets the ball down 30-28 with 3:30 left, following a Mountaineers field goal. He drives the Wildcats down the field with two big third-down conversions to Tre Spivey. The Wildcats line up for a 33-yard field goal and bury it as time expires.
UCF 27 at Oklahoma State 32
This is a battle of styles: I expect UCF to rely on its defense much of this year, while the Pokes will definitely rely on the offense. This game leans in favor of the Cowboys, as both teams are able to score in this one. Drew Mestemaker throws two interceptions early as he tries to force throws against a strong UCF secondary. He eventually starts taking what the defense gives him and feeding Caleb Hawkins, who dazzles for 180 yards and two scores. The Knights stay in this one thanks to Alonza Barnett totaling three touchdowns to keep things very close throughout. Mestemaker hits Wyatt Young with a 40-yard touchdown pass off an RPO to seal the deal for the Cowboys in a massive game for both of these teams.
Houston 33 at Kansas State 24
Conner Weigman leads the Cougars into a tough road environment early in the season, and the offense plays pretty well. Weigman only throws for 200 yards, but his 75 yards on the ground are key. Mekhi Hughes runs for 100 yards as well, and Amare Thomas scores twice. Avery Johnson and Joe Jackson run it, run it and run it some more to try to challenge the Cougars' front seven. It works for stretches, but eventually Johnson is forced to throw to keep up, and he throws two interceptions, finishing under 150 passing yards. That won’t be enough. Both teams show flashes early in the season, but I think one proves they are a level above the other. This feels like a bit of a prove-it game for Houston early in the season, and they pass the test.
Kansas 20 at Utah 40
Utah has a big day on the ground as the Utes go for over 300 yards rushing, headlined by two scores by Wayshawn Parker. The defense also gets after it with five sacks and forced turnovers by Cole Ballard. The Jayhawks find a little room to run and hit on a couple of big plays, scoring a little, but not nearly enough to keep this one interesting. Utes big in Salt Lake City.
Big 12 Standings
1. BYU — 5-0 (3-0)
2. Texas Tech — 5-0 (2-0)
2. Arizona State – 4-1 (2-0)
1. Utah – 4-0 (1-0)
4. Houston — 5-1 (2-1)
5. Arizona – 5-1 (2-1)
7. TCU — 4-1 (1-1)
7. Cincinnati — 4-1 (1-1)
7. Baylor — 3-2 (1-1)
7. Oklahoma State — 3-2 (1-1)
11. Iowa State — 3-3 (1-2)
11. West Virginia — 3-3 (1-2)
13. Kansas — 2-2 (0-1)
14. Kansas State — 3-2 (0-2)
15. Colorado – 2-3 (0-2)
16. UCF — 2-4 (0-3)
