Big 12 Score Predictions - Week 2
Week 1 Picks: 10-4
Season Record: 10-4
Illinois at Kansas
This should be an electric atmosphere in Lawrence. They have expectations to win there for the first time in years. I'll rock chalk with the Jayhawks.
Prediction: Kansas 23, Illinois 17.
Utah at Baylor
I'm not ready to sound the alarm on Baylor just yet. Dave Aranda will get this thing turned around, but it won't be this week. The Utes are a tough, physical team and are extremely well-coached.
Prediction: Utah 38, Baylor 20.
Troy at Kansas State
Prediction: Kansas State 42, Troy 24.
The Trojans will hang around in this one a little longer than Chris Klieman would like. The big issue for Troy is their defense which gave up 30 points to Stephen F. Austin in the season opener.
Southern Utah at BYU
Southern Utah nearly knocked off Arizona State last week while BYU struggled against Sam Houston, winning just 14-0. This will be another low-scoring affair, but BYU survives a second straight week.
Prediction: BYU 24, Southern Utah 13.
Iowa at Iowa State
First to score wins? That's typically how this game goes. Iowa has won six of the last seven with the only loss coming last season, 10-7. The Hawkeyes have also won five straight in Ames, so I'll lean with the Big Ten team in Iowa.
Prediction: Iowa 17, Iowa State 6.
SMU at Oklahoma
Oklahoma's offense is going to put up some gaudy numbers in this one. They won't put up 73 like they did last week, but SMU isn't going to be able to keep pace.
Prediction: Oklahoma 59, SMU 21.
Duquesne at West Virginia
The Mountaineers have a great opportunity to bounce back from the loss to Penn State and clean some things up ahead of the Backyard Brawl. Should be an easy win for WVU.
Prediction: West Virginia (score prediction drops tomorrow).
Cincinnati at Pitt
The Panthers may be looking ahead at the Backyard Brawl and not take the young Bearcats seriously. Cincy hangs around and leads late, but Pitt finds a way to pull out the win.
Prediction: Pitt 28, Cincinnati 24.
Texas at Alabama
The Longhorns nearly took down the Tide in Austin last year. Although Bryce Young isn't on the other side to complete another last-second comeback, it's hard for me to see Bama going down at home. Saban's record against his former assistants improves once again.
Prediction: Alabama 41, Texas 30.
Oregon at Texas Tech
What? Am I crazy? Maybe a little bit. Look, I said from the jump that game in Laremy was going to be a problem for Tech. Just a weird game that they overlooked right out of the gate. Former Ducks QB Tyler Shough has a big day against his old school and Bo Nix looks like the Auburn road version of himself.
Prediction: Texas Tech 44, Oregon, 42.
UCF at Boise State
Intriguing game here on the Smurf Turf. Not sure the Knights would have scheduled this game had they known they would be in the Big 12 this year, but it is what it is. Entertaining game throughout that UCF wins.
Prediction: UCF 38, Boise State 28.
Houston at Rice
The Cougars offense only put up 17 points against UTSA, so there is a concern about that side of the ball. This is the best team Mike Bloomgren has had at Rice, so I could see this one being close. That said, Cougars hold on.
Prediction: Houston 28, Rice 17.
Nicholls at TCU
TCU's defense looked atrocious in Week 1 against Colorado, but fortunately for them, they face an incredibly weak offense in Week 2. Horned Frogs cruise.
Prediction: TCU 65, Nicholls 3.
Oklahoma State at Arizona State
Talk about two teams that disappointed against lesser competition...whew. Oklahoma State beat Arkansas State 27-13 while Arizona State held on to defeat Southern Utah 24-21. Flip a coin for this one. I'll lean on the more experienced coach, Mike Gundy.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 23, Arizona State 16.
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