Big 12 football is BACK folks! Oklahoma State kicks off the Big 12 season tonight as they take on Missouri State and then the rest of the teams are in action this Saturday. Given the sheer number of games (many of which should be very one sided), the analysis here is going to be brief.

Oklahoma State vs. Missouri State

Thursday, August 30th 7:00 PM CT, FS1

Oklahoma State is HEAVILY favored in this game (ESPN gives them a 99.2% win probability). The most interesting aspect of this game, then, will likely be seeing how new starting quarterback Taylor Cornelius looks in the spotlight. He impress given the competition he’s facing. If he doesn’t, that could spell issues for Oklahoma State down the road against stronger defenses.

59-7 Oklahoma State

#7 Oklahoma vs. Florida Atlantic

Saturday, September 1st 11:00 AM CT, FOX

Other than the game featuring the good guys, this might be the game I’m looking most forward to in the opening weekend. Oklahoma will be out to prove it is still in a position to win the Big 12 after losing Heisman winner Baker Mayfield. All eyes will be on Kyler Murray as he makes his debut at quarterback. Coach Lane Kiffin has made immediate strides in his time at FAU, boosting the team into the upper ranks of the G5. Still, Oklahoma is a 21.5 point favorite. I actually think FAU will cover that and give Oklahoma a bit of a scare until the 4th quarter.

45-31 Oklahoma

#16 TCU vs. Southern

Thursday, September 1st 11:00 AM CT, FSN

Another cupcake and another quarterback debut... of sorts. Shawn Robinson takes over for the Horned Frogs after Kenny Hill’s departure. He started against Texas Tech last year and only threw 6-of-17 for 85 yards and a touchdown. So we’ll see if he does better this season, starting with what should be a smack down in favor of TCU.

48-3 TCU

#23 Texas vs. Maryland

Saturday, September 1st 11:00 AM CT, FS1

IS TEXAS BACK??? I don’t think so. I don’t know why we still go through starting them in the preseason top 25 every year only for them to fall out of it. But regardless, this will be interesting given Maryland’s... less than ideal offseason. I think Texas is probably the better team all intangibles aside. The question is are the Maryland players motivated or deflated after the recent controversy? I would guess deflated...

31-17 Texas

Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss

Saturday, September 1st 11:00 AM CT, ESPN

One of the premiere Big 12/SEC matchups of Week 1, Texas Tech takes on Ole Miss in Houston. Texas Tech has a lot of offensive weapons they’re replacing but a stable defense. Still, their offense will likely be the selling point. If they can win this game, it will be thanks to the offense clicking and the defense getting enough stops for the team to pull away. Texas Tech is favored by 2.5 but my gut is telling me to take Ole Miss.

24-20 Ole Miss

#17 West Virginia vs. Tennessee

Saturday, September 1st 2:30 PM CT, CBS

Another Big 12/SEC matchup pits #17 West Virginia against Tennessee. West Virginia is a dark-horse favorite to win the Big 12, thanks to returning stud Will Grier at quarterback. West Virginia is favored by 10 and I think that’s about spot on. Aside from the game... can you imagine what that tailgate is going to be like?

20-10 West Virginia

Kansas vs. Nicholls

Saturday, September 1st 6:00 PM CT, ESPN+

Alright Kansas. This is it. This is your game to win this year. You likely won’t get another good chance. Don’t blow it. Start the season out strong. Get some excitement. Before the inevitable 0-11 skid afterwards (I really don’t think they beat anyone else, including Central Michigan). Kansas wins this one... but it’s scary I have to think about that prediction.

24-7 Kansas

Kansas State vs. South Dakota

Saturday, September 1st 6:00 PM CT, ESPN3

Snyder is back for yet another season which means this Kansas State team is going to have more or less the same identity of the past however many seasons. South Dakota is one of the better FCS teams and Kansas State has lost to a Dakota squad (granted, it was the FBS killer North Dakota State). Still, I think the Wildcats handle this game just fine.

35-3 Kansas State

Baylor vs. Abilene Christian

Saturday, September 1st 7:00 PM CT, FSN

THE GOOD GUYS. You’ll have seen/will see a bunch of coverage for this game on ODB so I’ll quickly throw my two cents in. We all know after last season we can’t take FCS games for granted. But Liberty was one of the better FCS squads (they’re making the move to FBS). Abilene Christian is one of the worst. Given that this Baylor team looks to be significantly better than last year, this shouldn’t be a problematic match up.

48-14 Baylor.

Iowa State vs. South Dakota State

Saturday, September 1st 7:00 PM CT, Cyclones.tv

99.9% of you won’t watch this game because A) You’ll be watching the Baylor game and B) None of you get Cyclones.tv. Which is fine because, for once, I think Iowa State can breathe a little easier than usual in facing an FCS foe. This year, the Cyclones don’t play instate foe Northern Iowa, who has earned notoriety for playing Iowa State as tough as possible, winning a few in recent memory. South Dakota State doesn’t come into this game with that same attitude. And besides, Iowa State looks like it could have a really good team this year. They should be able to handle this one just fine.

38-10 Iowa State