Sadly, the Bears are off this week, but there’s still some great Big 12 action to watch! It all starts tonight with...

Kansas @ Boston College

Friday, September 13th 6:30 PM CT, ACCN

Kansas (1-1)... Kansas, Kansas, Kansas...

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/oh-no-baby-what-is-you-doin

So we’re back to this point, aren’t we? After getting a close, but important win over Indiana State in week one, the Jayhawks followed that up by losing to FCS Coastal Carolina at home by an abysmal score of 12-7. Les Miles might still know how to coach defense, but it seems like his ability to coach offense (a criticism during his tenure at LSU as well) hasn’t improved. Now the Jayhawks travel to Boston College (2-0), who is off to a strong start to the season with wins over Virginia Tech and Richmond. Many are clamoring for Kansas to switch starting quarterbacks from Carter Stanley to Thomas MacVittie. Miles claims he won’t be doing that. While I think KU probably does have to make that change sooner or later, I don’t think it would make a difference against Boston College. Jayhawks get blown out.

48-6 Boston College

Kansas State @ Mississippi State

Saturday, September 14th 11:00 AM CT, ESPN

This will be an interesting battle between relatively untested, undefeated foes from the Big 12 and SEC. Kansas State (2-0) has looked impressive in its first two games, blowing out Nicholls and Bowling Green. Mississippi State (2-0) had a bit of a closer game with Louisiana Lafayette before soundly defeating Southern Mississippi. ESPN gives Kansas State only a 25.7% chance of winning this game on the road. I think Kansas State surprises people though and gets this win. They’ve looked sneaky good and this is a chance to prove that they’re for real.

28-24 Kansas State

West Virginia vs. NC State

Saturday, September 14th 11:00 AM CT, FS1

West Virginia (1-1)... West Virginia, West Virginia, West Virginia...

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/oh-no-baby-what-is-you-doin

After BARELY beating FCS James Madison, WVU went on the road to take on Missouri. The same Missouri that is currently in a questionable postseason ban AND lost to Wyoming. The Mountaineers got absolutely blasted by that Missouri team, losing 38-7. This is going to be a long first year for new coach Neal Brown and the ‘Neers. They take on an NC State (2-0) squad that has blown the doors off of East Carolina and Western Carolina (something, something fake Carolinas). This one is going to be ugly for West Virginia as well. I think WVU and KU have an interesting battle for the bottom of the Big 12 conference this year.

48-10 NC State

Oklahoma State @ Tulsa

Saturday, September 14th 2:30 PM CT, ESPN2

Oklahoma State (2-0) has looked legit in its first two games, dumping impressive offensive performances on both Oregon State and McNeese. They now travel to Tulsa (1-1) in what should be a nice, final tune up before Big 12 conference action starts. Tulsa lost on the road to Michigan State 28-7 with a decent defensive performance, but could never get the offense churning. They then handily beat San Jose State. This might actually be the toughest game Oklahoma State has yet to play (Oregon State is NOT good). But even so, this match-up shouldn’t be much of a game by at least the 4th quarter.

42-24 Oklahoma State

Iowa State vs. #19 Iowa

Saturday, September 14th 3:00 PM CT, FS1

College Gameday is heading to Ames for the first time ever! While Iowa State (1-0) just missed out on being in the top 25 again this week, this should be a fun addition to the ever interesting CyHawk series (or, as some call it, ¡El Assico!). #19 Iowa (2-0) has looked like a typical, defensive Hawkeye squad in their first two games, slowly beating Miami (OH) and shutting out a very bad Rutgers team. Iowa State looked very iffy in their first game, going into triple overtime against instate FCS foe Northern Iowa. While that might cause many to immediately pick the Hawkeyes to win, one needs only to look at the last decade or so of this rivalry to realize that either of these teams struggling against FCS foes means very little going forward. In fact, Iowa State lost to Northern Iowa in 2007 and beat the Hawkeyes. In 2016, Iowa lost to FCS North Dakota State and still beat Iowa State. It’s a rivalry game, throw out practically everything up to this point. We also know one other thing: the atmosphere at Jack Trice will be absolutely electric. Tickets to this CyHawk game are the highest priced of all games this weekend, and the highest ticket price of any event, sporting or not, in the history of the state of Iowa. Jack Trice will be completely sold out and Iowa State is a scary team when they are amped up (just ask #4 TCU or #6 West Virginia in recent years). All that to say, I think Iowa State finds a way to get this done. Quarterback Brock Purdy should look much better for Iowa State after a bye week to fix issues from week one. The Hawkeyes have won the last 4 match-ups. The Cyclones are due.

21-17 Iowa State

TCU @ Purdue

Saturday, September 14th 6:30 PM CT, BTN

This is a fun out of conference match-up between Big 12 TCU (1-0) and Big 10 Purdue (1-1). TCU got a slow, grinding, 39-7 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff before entering a bye this past week. Their defense looked strong but there are still lingering offensive questions with quarterback Alex Delton. Purdue took a heartbreaking season opening lose to Nevada, 34-31, before rebounding and beating Vanderbilt 42-24. The Boilermakers have one of the most talented play-makers in the country in wide receiver Rondale Moore. If Purdue can get him the ball in space, that might be enough to break the Gary Patterson defense. TCU comes up just short on the road.

31-28 Purdue

#5 Oklahoma @ UCLA

Saturday, September 14th 7:00 PM CT, FOX

#5 Oklahoma (2-0) is on a roll to start the season, beating Houston in week one before dismantling South Dakota 70-14. They now travel to UCLA (0-2) who is just not good this year. Chip Kelly hasn’t been able to get his offensive system to start clicking yet, and the Bruins have lost to Cincinnati and San Diego State. Barring some bizarre performances, Jalen Hurts and Oklahoma should easily handle UCLA.

49-17 Oklahoma

#12 Texas @ Rice

Saturday, September 14th 7:00 PM CT, CBSSN

#12 Texas (1-1) suffered a demoralizing loss in Austin to LSU after loads of hype coming into the season. They now have to turn around and travel to Rice (0-2) in the trappiest trap game that ever trapped. Do I think Rice is going to win? Absolutely not. But I think this game will be way closer than it has any right to be. Rice is going to be hyped up to get the Longhorns coming into their own stadium. Which speaking of, let me just drop one of the best hype videos I’ve ever seen right here:

So yeah, Rice is going to be pumped up. Texas is going to be down from the last week. I expect a potential defensive struggle into the 4th quarter before the Longhorns get some separation.

28-14 Texas

Texas Tech @ Arizona

Saturday, September 14th 9:30 PM CT, ESPN

Texas Tech (2-0) gets the nightcap, traveling to Arizona (1-1) for a late kickoff. The Red Raiders have taken care of business against easy foes in their first two weeks. Quarterback Alan Bowman has looked solid in both wins. They now face a bit of a stronger challenge in Arizona (key phrase: a bit). Arizona has looked pretty unimpressive in its first two games. They lost at Hawaii by a touchdown then beat FCS Northern Arizona 65-41. That’s a lot of points to give up to Northern Arizona. You know what team likes to put up a lot of points on opponents? Texas Tech. I think the Red Raiders have an offensive explosion against Arizona that the Wildcats just can’t keep up with.

63-35 Texas Tech