Big 12 Football: Week 13 Matchups and Predictions

Here we are, folks. The last week of the regular season is here. And with each team having just one game left, no team has yet to secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship game in Arlington on December 2.

Even the Big 12 seems unsure what will happen if four teams tie for first place. Currently, Texas is in the driver’s seat with just one loss. But if Tech beats Texas on Friday night, and if Kansas State, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State all win this weekend, the conference will use tiebreaker rules to determine who makes the championship. In a press release earlier this week, the league could only say “multiple scenarios exist” if there’s a four-way tie.

2023 Big 12 Predictions Results

On the season, I am 64-34 (.653) in predicting Big 12 games. Last week, I went 7-0, my first perfect week of the entire season.

Here are the previous predictions from earlier this season:

Big 12 Week 13 Matchups and Predictions

All times listed are Central Time.

#14 Oklahoma (9-2, 6-2) vs. TCU (5-6, 3-5)

Friday, 11 a.m., ESPN

Josh Hoover looked the best he has all season for the Frogs as TCU hammered Baylor last week. Dillon Gabriel left last week’s game with an injury and is questionable for this week. The Sooners need a win to keep their hopes of one last Big 12 Championship game. TCU has shown too much erratic play this season and has yet to have back-to-back complete games. Even without Gabriel, the Sooners are too powerful. Sad to say, but the Frogs will become the first team in a non-Covid-shortened season to make the College Football Playoffs one year and fail to make a bowl game the next.

Pick: Oklahoma

#7 Texas (10-1, 7-1) vs. Texas Tech (6-5, 5-3)

Friday, 6:30 p.m., ABC

It’s the last home game for the Longhorns as members of the Big 12, and they get pesky Texas Tech to close out their tenure. Texas has never thought of Tech as a big rival. However, the same can’t be said in reverse. Tech would love nothing more than to play the role of spoiler and destroy Texas’ hopes of making the CFP. Just mention the 2008 “Crabtree Game” to any Longhorn fan, and they will instantly cringe. Can Texas beat Tech this year? If the game was in Lubbock, Tech might stand a chance. In Austin, Tech is more likely to get destroyed. However, I’m on the side of chaos. If Texas loses, and the other teams with two losses win, then we have chaos. And for that reason alone, I say, “Wreck ‘em! Guns up!”

Pick: Texas Tech

UCF (5-6, 2-6) vs. Houston (4-7, 2-6)

Saturday, 11 a.m., FS1

This is the first of three conference games that don’t immediately impact which teams make the championship game. Still, it could be indirectly with the “common opponent tiebreaker” scenarios. We’ll cross that bridge when and if it’s needed. In the meantime, UCF can still go bowling with a win. Look for the Bounce House to be loud. UCF rolls.

Pick: UCF

#23 Oklahoma State (8-3, 6-2) vs. BYU (5-6, 2-6)

Saturday, 2:30 p.m., ABC

Oklahoma State must win. A win almost assuredly gets them a return trip to Arlington, having been there two years ago. A loss doesn’t completely rule them out of a championship berth. And a win does not make the appearance automatic. At 17.5 points, the spread on this game is the largest of any Big 12 game this week. I’d like to see BYU play a spoiler role, but I think Ollie Gordon is just unstoppable right now. Pokes avoid the choke.

Pick: Oklahoma State

Baylor (3-8, 2-6) vs. West Virginia (7-4, 7-3)

Saturday, 6 p.m., FS1

What’s the best thing ever in college sports? Especially when witnessed in person? Well, Baylor Tears, of course. I got to watch those tears flow last week, and it was glorious. Baylor is done. We put a fork in them weeks ago. The Mountaineers, who were picked to finish dead last in the Big 12 this year, are on the verge of going 8-4 and getting a prominent bowl game. Instead of Neal Brown being on the hot seat, as projected, it may well now be Dave Aranda.

Pick: West Virginia

Cincinnati (3-8, 1-7) vs. #25 Kansas (7-4, 4-4)

Saturday, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2

We’ve said it before this season. Move over basketball! Lawrence, Kansas is not just a hoops town but also a football town. Lance Leipold is doing amazing things with the Jayhawks. And “amazing” is not a word used this year to describe Cincinnati. KU may have lost out on the championship game, but they are going bowling for the second straight year. Jayhawks go on the road and get the win.

Pick: Kansas

#21 Kansas State (8-3, 6-2) vs. Iowa State (6-5, 5-5)

Saturday, 7 p.m., Fox

Farmageddon! It is my favorite Big 12 rivalry name. And it’s a shame that the Big 12 wants to discontinue this game, as it’s one of the longest, uninterrupted rivalry games. And this year, everything is on the line. Imagine Friday giving us losses by Oklahoma, then Texas. Then imagine that BYU adds to the chaos and gets the win. All eyes will then be on the Little Apple Saturday night. The Cats want a chance to return to Arlington to defend last year’s title. They have been playing some of the best football as of late in the league. This game will be must-see TV, especially if Texas has already lost. Get your popcorn. This one will be epic.

Pick: Kansas State

TCU Football Week 13 Opponent Preview: Oklahoma Sooners

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