Week 10 has arrived in the Big 12, and with November underway, the conference championship race is heating up.
No. 3 Utah remains the league’s only undefeated team after dominating Cincinnati 49-25 last weekend. Now the Utes face their biggest test yet, hosting No. 7 BYU in a Holy War showdown with enormous Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff implications.
Meanwhile, No. 13 Texas Tech looks to stay in the conference title race against West Virginia, while No. 17 Houston hosts Cincinnati in another important matchup. Arizona also looks to bounce back from its loss to Texas Tech when the Wildcats host TCU on Friday night.
Here are our predictions and picks for every Big 12 football game in Week 10.
TCU at No. 24 Arizona
Kickoff: Friday, 9:15 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN
Arizona returns home looking to bounce back from a 34-26 loss to Texas Tech that dealt a major blow to its Big 12 Championship hopes.
TCU, meanwhile, rallied from a 13-0 halftime deficit to beat Kansas 22-16 last weekend. The Horned Frogs are back to .500 but face a difficult road test against Noah Fifita and the Wildcats.
Can TCU build some momentum, or will Arizona get back on track?
Full Preview and Prediction: TCU vs. Arizona
No. 7 BYU at No. 3 Utah
Kickoff: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT
TV: ABC
This is the biggest game of the Big 12 season so far.
Utah enters the Holy War at 8-0 overall and 5-0 in Big 12 play after dismantling Cincinnati last weekend. BYU bounced back from its first loss with a 27-20 victory over Arizona State, but the Cougars have little room for error in the conference championship race.
Adding to the intrigue is the status of BYU star running back LJ Martin, who is questionable to return from injury.
Can BYU hand Utah its first loss, or will the Utes take another massive step toward Arlington?
Full Preview and Prediction: BYU vs. Utah
Iowa State at Baylor
Kickoff: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT
TV: FS1
What a difference one week can make for both of these teams.
Baylor looked rejuvenated in its first game since firing Dave Aranda, crushing UCF 41-9 under interim head coach Joe Klanderman.
Iowa State also comes in riding high after stunning Oklahoma State 51-49 on a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Both teams have momentum, but only one can keep it rolling in Waco.
Full Preview and Prediction: Iowa State vs. Baylor
Oklahoma State at Kansas State
Kickoff: Saturday, 12:00 p.m. CT
TV: TNT/truTV
Oklahoma State and Kansas State enter Week 10 coming off very different kinds of heartbreak.
The Cowboys scored 49 points against Iowa State but couldn’t stop the Cyclones in a 51-49 loss. Kansas State, meanwhile, fell 27-24 in overtime against Colorado despite a strong performance from quarterback Blake Barnett.
The Wildcats have struggled without Avery Johnson, while Oklahoma State’s offense continues to put up impressive numbers.
Can Kansas State take advantage of Oklahoma State’s defensive struggles, or will the Cowboys get back in the win column?
Full Preview and Prediction: Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State
Cincinnati at No. 17 Houston
Kickoff: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT
TV: FOX
Cincinnati went from one of the biggest wins of its season against Texas Tech to getting absolutely hammered by Utah, 49-25.
Now the Bearcats face another difficult road test against No. 17 Houston.
The Cougars remain firmly in the Big 12 Championship conversation, but with Utah, BYU and Texas Tech all battling near the top of the standings, Houston can’t afford a slip-up.
Can Cincinnati bounce back, or will Houston continue its impressive season?
Full Preview and Prediction: Cincinnati vs. Houston
UCF at Kansas
Kickoff: Saturday, 2:45 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Two teams desperately need a win in Lawrence.
UCF followed up its stunning upset of BYU by getting embarrassed at home against Baylor, 41-9.
Kansas, meanwhile, blew a 13-0 halftime lead against TCU and fell 22-16, continuing a frustrating season for Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks.
Both teams have shown flashes this season, but consistency has been a major problem.
Something has to give on Saturday.
Full Preview and Prediction: UCF vs. Kansas
Colorado at Arizona State
Kickoff: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Colorado finally broke through last weekend, beating Kansas State 27-24 in overtime for its first Big 12 victory of the season.
Now Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes will try to build on that momentum against Arizona State.
The Sun Devils nearly pulled off a major upset at BYU last weekend before falling 27-20. Arizona State has been competitive against some of the conference’s better teams, but the Sun Devils need to start turning those close games into victories.
Can Colorado make it two straight, or will Arizona State get back on track at home?
Full Preview and Prediction: Colorado vs. Arizona State
West Virginia at No. 13 Texas Tech
Kickoff: Saturday, 8:30 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN
Texas Tech got exactly the response it needed last weekend.
After suffering its first loss of the season at Cincinnati, the Red Raiders bounced back with a 34-26 victory over Arizona to remain firmly in the Big 12 Championship race.
West Virginia has shown improvement in recent weeks, including an impressive road win over TCU, but a trip to Lubbock presents an entirely different challenge.
The Red Raiders have little margin for error remaining if they want to reach Arlington.
Can West Virginia pull off a major upset, or will Texas Tech keep rolling?
Full Preview and Prediction: West Virginia vs. Texas Tech
With the first College Football Playoff rankings now out and the Big 12 Championship race entering the home stretch, every game becomes increasingly important.
The Holy War will command the national spotlight, but Texas Tech and Houston also have plenty at stake, while several teams are fighting to reach bowl eligibility.
And if the last few weeks have taught us anything, it’s that nothing in the Big 12 should be taken for granted.
