The Big 12 football schedule delivers another loaded slate in Week 8, featuring a top-15 showdown and major conference title implications. From a massive matchup between Houston and Utah to BYU’s trip to Orlando to face UCF, this weekend could have a significant impact on both the Big 12 championship race and the College Football Playoff picture.
#1: No. 14 Houston at No. 10 Utah
For the second straight week, College GameDay will be at a Big 12 venue. In fact, the crew only has to travel about 40 miles north from last week’s destination.
This is easily the biggest game on the conference slate. Houston and Utah are both viewed as legitimate Big 12 title contenders, and the stakes are enormous. The Cougars are already chasing teams ahead of them in the standings, so another conference loss would be a major blow to their championship hopes. Meanwhile, Utah is still pursuing a perfect season and a potential College Football Playoff berth.
Big 12 title implications. Playoff implications. It doesn’t get much bigger than this.
#2: No. 2 BYU at UCF
Call me crazy, but I’m fascinated by this game.
More than anything, I want to see how BYU responds after its emotional victory over Notre Dame. Despite being ranked No. 2 in the country, the Cougars enter the weekend as less than a touchdown favorite against a 3-3 UCF team.
The Knights are better than their record suggests, and playing at the Bounce House is never easy for a visiting team. If BYU isn’t fully locked in, UCF has enough talent to make things uncomfortable.
Full Preview and Prediction: BYU vs. UCF
#3: No. 8 Texas Tech at Cincinnati
There’s a sizable gap between the Houston-Utah showdown and the rest of the conference schedule, but this game still carries plenty of intrigue.
Texas Tech enters as a double-digit favorite and one of the Big 12’s top contenders. However, conference road games are never easy, especially at Nippert Stadium.
Can the Red Raiders build off last week’s dominant performance and start fast again? Or will Cincinnati make this a four-quarter battle at home?
Full Preview and Prediction: Texas Tech vs. Cincinnati
#4: West Virginia at TCU
There may not be major conference title stakes attached to this matchup, but the contrast in styles makes it one of the weekend’s most fascinating games.
West Virginia boasts one of the nation’s most explosive rushing attacks but also one of the conference’s most vulnerable defenses. TCU, meanwhile, wins with defense and has struggled to consistently generate offense.
Something has to give, and that’s what makes this matchup so compelling.
Read: West Virginia vs. TCU Prediction and Pick
#5: Colorado at Oklahoma State
A few weeks ago, this game wouldn’t have generated much attention.
That changed after Colorado showed signs of life against Utah last weekend.
We know Oklahoma State can score points, but the Cowboys have had issues getting stops. The biggest question is whether Colorado has enough offensive firepower to take advantage and turn this into a competitive game.
Full Preview and Prediction: Colorado vs. Oklahoma State
#6: Kansas State at Arizona State
Like several games in the middle of these rankings, this one lacks major championship implications.
Arizona State has struggled through a difficult stretch of Big 12 play, while Kansas State enters with momentum following its rivalry win over Kansas. This feels like one of the true toss-up games of the week and could be more competitive than many expect.
Full Preview and Prediction: Kansas State vs. Arizona State
#7: Baylor at Kansas
Call it hate-watching or simply keeping an eye on Dave Aranda’s future.
The biggest storyline here is whether Baylor can rebound from last week’s ugly loss to TCU. Kansas has endured a disappointing season and enters with four losses, but Baylor’s outlook isn’t much brighter.
With a brutal November looming, another defeat could increase pressure on Aranda and raise even more questions about the Bears’ direction.
Full Preview and Prediction: Baylor vs. Kansas
#8: Iowa State at Arizona
This is the least intriguing game of the weekend for me.
Iowa State has struggled to find consistency lately, while Arizona has looked like a solid upper-half Big 12 team throughout the year. Quarterback Noah Fifita has continued to play at a high level despite injuries around him, and Arizona appears well-positioned at home.
Unless the Cyclones show something we haven’t seen recently, it’s hard to view this as one of the week’s premier matchups.
Full Preview and Prediction: Iowa State vs. Arizona
