Week 8 has arrived in the Big 12, and for the first time this season, all 16 teams will be playing conference games on the same Saturday. The weekend features eight Big 12 games stretching from the morning window all the way into late Saturday night, with several matchups that could have a major impact on the Big 12 Championship race.
No. 2 BYU hits the road for the first time since its massive win over Notre Dame, while No. 8 Texas Tech will try to remain undefeated at Cincinnati. No. 25 Arizona returns from its bye to host Iowa State, while Oklahoma State looks to bounce back against Colorado.
But the biggest game comes late Saturday night when No. 14 Houston travels to No. 10 Utah with ESPN College GameDay in Salt Lake City.
Here are our predictions and picks for every Big 12 football game in Week 8.
No. 8 Texas Tech at Cincinnati
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. CT
TV: FS1
Texas Tech finally put together the complete performance we had been waiting for last weekend, crushing Arizona State 53-25 to improve to 6-0. Now comes a road trip to Cincinnati as the Red Raiders try to avoid looking ahead to some bigger games later in the season.
Can Cincinnati find a way to slow down a Texas Tech team that appears to be hitting its stride, or will the Red Raiders keep their undefeated season rolling?
Full Preview and Prediction: Texas Tech vs. Cincinnati
West Virginia at TCU
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Both West Virginia and TCU picked up much-needed victories last weekend.
The Mountaineers finally broke through in Big 12 play with a wild 45-42 win over Cincinnati, while TCU’s defense dominated Baylor in a 17-6 victory.
Now they meet in Fort Worth with both teams trying to turn one win into some legitimate momentum in the second half of the season.
Full Preview and Prediction: West Virginia vs. TCU
Baylor at Kansas
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. CT
TV: TNT/truTV
This might not be the biggest game in the Big 12 standings, but the pressure surrounding it makes it fascinating.
Baylor is coming off an ugly 17-6 loss to TCU that has once again turned up the heat around Dave Aranda. Meanwhile, Kansas has dropped three straight conference games and just lost its 18th consecutive Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State.
Something has to give in Lawrence.
Full Preview and Prediction: Baylor vs. Kansas
No. 2 BYU at UCF
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. CT
TV: FOX
How does BYU respond?
The Cougars are coming off an emotional 28-24 victory over Notre Dame that vaulted them all the way to No. 2 in the AP Poll. Now they have to travel across the country to Orlando and immediately refocus on Big 12 play.
This has all the makings of a potential letdown spot, but BYU has bigger goals now than simply competing for a Big 12 Championship. The College Football Playoff is firmly within reach.
Full Preview and Prediction: BYU vs. UCF
Kansas State at Arizona State
Kickoff: 2:45 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Kansas State appears to have found some life after beating Kansas for the 18th consecutive time last weekend, while Arizona State is heading in the opposite direction after getting embarrassed by Texas Tech.
The Wildcats ran for nearly 360 yards against Kansas, and that formula could travel well to Tempe.
For Arizona State, this feels like an important opportunity to prove that last weekend’s blowout was just one bad Saturday and not a sign of bigger problems.
Full Preview and Prediction: Kansas State vs. Arizona State
Colorado at Oklahoma State
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: FS1
Colorado played one of its better games of the season last weekend but still came up short against Utah, 27-24.
Oklahoma State also enters Week 8 coming off a loss after its furious comeback attempt fell short against Houston, 35-32.
The Cowboys remain one of the most explosive offensive teams in the Big 12, but can their defense get enough stops to prevent Colorado from hanging around?
Full Preview and Prediction: Colorado vs. Oklahoma State
Iowa State at No. 25 Arizona
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Don’t sleep on Arizona.
The Wildcats enter Week 8 at 5-1 and have cracked the AP Top 25 after getting a week off. Their only loss came on the road against BYU, and now they have an opportunity to keep themselves right in the middle of the Big 12 race.
Iowa State heads to Tucson looking to play spoiler and pick up a significant road victory.
Full Preview and Prediction: Iowa State vs. Arizona
No. 14 Houston at No. 10 Utah
Kickoff: 9:15 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN
Save the best for last.
Houston heads to Salt Lake City after beating Oklahoma State 35-32 behind five touchdown passes from Conner Weigman. The Cougars have become one of the biggest surprises in the Big 12 and now get an opportunity to prove they belong among the conference’s elite.
Utah remains undefeated, but the Utes are coming off a shaky 27-24 win over Colorado and will need a much better performance on Saturday night.
Add ESPN College GameDay to the mix, and Rice-Eccles Stadium should be rocking.
This isn’t just the game of the week in the Big 12. It’s one of the biggest games of the entire college football weekend.
Full Preview and Prediction: Houston vs. Utah
With BYU, Texas Tech and Utah all still undefeated in Big 12 play and Houston right behind them, Week 8 could go a long way toward shaping the conference championship race heading into November.
And with eight conference games on the schedule, there’s almost certainly going to be at least one result nobody sees coming.
