Predicting the Big 12 Season: BYU and Notre Dame Clash and The Revivalry Take Center Stage
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 | Week 6
TCU 24 at Baylor 28
The Horned Frogs are leaning more into a run game this season, which should actually favor Baylor’s strengths this season. This will be a very close and contested one between two pretty desperate teams. Ultimately, I think this will be a complete toss-up, but I give Baylor the edge at quarterback, so I am going to call that DJ Lagway plays well and leads Baylor to a big rivalry win with a three-touchdown performance. I think this is the game that will determine Dave Aranda’s midseason fate. A loss could mean a midseason firing, while a win all but guarantees Aranda finishes the season. Now what happens beyond that is up in the air, but this feels like the one that could lead to an early firing. I think he survives barely.
Notre Dame 24 at BYU 23
Everything in this matchup is telling me to pick the Cougars. Provo is a very tough place for anyone to play; Notre Dame has to travel, BYU plays on a Friday the week before, Notre Dame will have played six games in a row with no bye week yet, and in some ways this game won’t mean too much to the Irish. These are all real things that matter a ton to me in this matchup. But I can’t help but think that Notre Dame is basically just a better version of BYU. The Cougars have an awesome offensive line and defensive line; both are top-20 units. Unfortunately, the Irish’s offensive line and defensive line are probably both top 10, maybe even top 5. Ultimately, I think the talent wins out in one of the best games of the season.
Arizona State 13 at Texas Tech 31
The Sun Devils get crushed up front in this game as they run for less than 100 yards, and Cutter Boley is sacked five times. This leads to a very sporadic offense and turnovers. Tech meanwhile just runs the football and controls the clock. They have trouble scoring but eventually break through in a dominant win. Cameron Dickey runs for two touchdowns and over 100 yards. The Red Raiders get some revenge from last year's upset loss in Tempe.
Cincinnati 23 at West Virginia 37
The Mountaineers are in a bit of a must-win situation as they have some very challenging games coming up. This is the perfect time for a home game in Morgantown against a former Big East foe. Michael Hawkins and Cam Cook go wild as they account for 400 total yards of offense. The Bearcats manage to score some but can’t keep up with the pace, and JC French has his first real clunker with three turnovers.
Kansas 33 at Kansas State 37
Points, points and more points. Both of these defenses struggle mightily in this rivalry matchup. This game is basically do-or-die for both teams, as the loser will have to fight very hard to make a bowl game. Ultimately, Avery Johnson and Joe Jackson are too much as they total over 400 yards of total offense and five touchdowns. The Jayhawks don’t go away, though, as Dylan Edwards gets some revenge with 175 yards and two scores on his former team. Kansas nails some big explosives in the passing game to Cam Pickett and Nik McMillan, but they aren’t consistent enough at quarterback in this one. The Wildcats survive a crazy game that features multiple turnovers and blocked kicks.
Oklahoma State 20 at Houston 36
The Cowboys come into Houston and get punched in the mouth immediately. The Cougars hit on a 70-yard pass to Amare Thomas on the opening drive, then Drew Mestemaker throws a pick-six to Jaden Yates as they get down 14-0 immediately. It is an uphill battle from there, and one they simply can’t battle back from. Houston runs the ball effectively and controls the game throughout.
Utah 41 at Colorado 21
I don’t think the Buffs can stop the run, and if you can’t stop the run against Utah, then you are going to give up 40+ points. The Utes run wild for over 300 yards, and Devon Dampier totals four touchdowns. Julian Lewis throws two touchdowns but also turns it over twice, as this game is a rout in Boulder.
Big 12 Standings
1. Texas Tech — 6-0 (3-0)
1. BYU — 5-1 (3-0)
3. Utah – 5-0 (2-0)
4. Houston — 6-1 (3-1)
5. Arizona – 5-1 (2-1)
5. Arizona State – 4-2 (2-1)
5. Baylor — 4-2 (2-1)
8. West Virginia — 4-3 (2-2)
9. TCU — 4-2 (1-2)
9. Cincinnati — 4-2 (1-2)
9. Kansas State — 4-2 (1-2)
9. Oklahoma State — 3-3 (1-2)
9. Iowa State — 3-3 (1-2)
14. Kansas — 2-3 (0-2)
15. Colorado – 2-4 (0-3)
15. UCF — 2-4 (0-3)
