Big 12 Football Predictions: Iowa State-Iowa, TCU-SMU, Kansas-Missouri Headline Week 2

It's a big week in the Big 12 as several teams gear up for some marquee matchups that will swing the perception and the direction of the conference — for good or for bad.

While the Big 12 went 13-3 last week, just know that 10 of those games were against FCS opponents. When looking at the details, the Big 12 went just 2-3 against P4 competition. With records like that, the Big 12's perception will continue to take a hit unless the conference can stack up a bunch of impressive wins to help turn the perception around.

Last week I went 15-1, to put my overall record at 16-2 on the season. Without further ado, here's a look at the predictions this week.

No. 16 Iowa State vs. Iowa

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 10:00 a.m. (MT)
TV: FOX
Odds: Iowa State -3.5

Iowa State has been playing some really good football. Rocco Becht is a veteran quarterback who has played in the rivalry before and won. Iowa isn't the same Hawkeyes team they've been in years past so I think the Cyclones will win the Cy-Hawk rivalry and get the first win in Ames in the rivalry since 2011.

Prediction: No. 16 Iowa State 24, Iowa 17

Baylor @ No. 17 SMU

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 10:00 a.m. (MT)
TV: The CW Network
Odds: SMU -2.5

You can't fault Baylor for a tough non-conference schedule as the Bears look to make some noise and bounce back from last week's loss to Auburn with a showdown against No. 17 SMU on the road. This game feels like a toss up as we still don't know enough about each team, but I'm going with SMU just because they are playing at home and Baylor will still be without one of their top defensive players in Jackie Marshall who suffered an injury just minutes into the game against Auburn. That loss is significant as the Bears are thin at defensive line. Expect SMU to take advantage in the run game to not only move the ball, but to control the clock and try to keep Baylor's offense off the field and out of rhythm.

Prediction: SMU 34, Baylor 31

No. 24 Texas Tech vs. Kent State

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 10:00 a.m. (MT)
TV: TNT, truTV
Odds: Texas Tech -48.5

Texas Tech looked good against an FCS opponent last week, but it would be nice if the Red Raiders played some real teams so we could see just how good all that transfer talent is against top competition. Expect another big blowout this week as the Red Raiders are favored by nearly 50 points.

Prediction: Texas Tech 54, Kent State 6

Oklahoma State vs. No. 6 Oregon

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: CBSTNT, truTV
Odds: Oregon -27.5

Oklahoma State didn't have much of a chance to begin with, and now with starting quarterback Hauss Hejny out with an injury, Saturday's game against the Ducks looks like a blowout in the making. Oregon is favored by nearly 4 touchdowns and I think they'll do just that. Having said that, here's hoping Oklahoma State can pull off a miracle.

Prediction: No. 6 Oregon 40, Oklahoma State 10

Kansas @ Missouri

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN 2
Odds: Missouri -6.5

Perhaps I'm too much of a Big 12 homer, but I just have the feeling that Jalon Daniels and the Kansas offense can keep it going. The offense is rolling through two games and the team has looked solid on both sides of the ball too. I'll take a veteran quarterback in Daniels against an unproven quarterback for Missouri (Beau Pribula) who will be starting in his first big collegiate game.

Prediction: Kansas 30, Missouri 27

Cincinnati vs. Bowling Green

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN+
Odds: Cincinnati -23.5

Yes, last week's loss to Nebraska stung as the Bearcats were working on a game-winning drive right before the interception in the endzone. However, on the bright side, the talent on the team looks to be a lot better than last year which is good news for Bearcat fans.

Prediction: Cincinnati 37, Kent State 14

Colorado vs. Delaware

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: FOX
Odds: Colorado -24.5

Colorado had a chance to make a statement last week in a heartbreaking home loss to Georgia Tech, but the Buffs will bounce back with a big win over Delaware. The defense looks to be much improved from last year, however the offense has taken a major step back. Hopefully Coach Prime can figure it out or else it's going to be a long season.

Prediction: Colorado 34, Delaware 10

West Virginia @ Ohio

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 2:00 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPNU
Odds: West Virginia -3.5

Another week and another lowly opponent for West Virginia. The Mountaineers are surprisingly only slightly favored, but I think they'll win but at least a touchdown on the road.

Prediction: West Virginia 30, Ohio 23

No. 25 Utah vs. Cal Poly

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 4:00 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN+

If Utah can put up 43 points on UCLA on the road, I don't even want to know how many points they'll put on Cal Poly this weekend at Rice Eccles Stadium. The biggest thing for the Utes is making sure everyone stays healthy so we don't get a repeat of last season.

Prediction: Utah 54, Cal Poly 6

Kansas State vs. Army

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 5:00 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN
Odds: Kansas State -17.5

This almost feels like a must-win game for Kansas State as the Wildcats have failed to live up to hype so this season and needing to rally for a come-from-behind victory against an FCS team last week. Kansas State will need to play a lot better if they want to beat Army on Saturday. Morale is already near the lows and a loss Saturday would be devastating. I believe Kansas State will win, but 17-point favorites seems high from what we've seen from them over the past two games. I think Army keeps it closer, but the Wildcats will still win.

Prediction: Kansas State 30, Army 20

Houston @ Rice

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 5:00 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN+
Odds: Houston -13.5

Houston looks much improved from last year and I fully expect them to beat Rice by two touchdowns this weekend. The Cougars will look to continue to improve before next week's showdown against Colorado to open Big 12 play.

Prediction: Houston 27, Rice 13

UCF vs. North Carolina A&T

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 5:00 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN+

Let's hope UCF got everything out of its system after last week's close win. The Knights should blow out North Carolina A&T, and if the game is close again, UCF is going to be in for a long season this year. Here's to UCF finding its groove this week.

Prediction: UCF 30, North Carolina A&T 6

No. 12 Arizona State @ Mississippi State 

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 5:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN2
Odds: Arizona State -6.5

The 12th-ranked Sun Devils will go into SEC territory this weekend as they take on what many expect to be one of the worst teams in the SEC once again this year. Last year these two teams faced off and the Sun Devils escaped with a 30-23 win. They also needed 262 rushing yards from Cam Skattebo to do so. Here's hoping Arizona State easily takes care of business and helps the Big 12 make a statement against the SEC.

Prediction: Arizona State 34, Mississippi State 24

Arizona vs. Weber State

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 8:00 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN+

Saturday should be another cupcake win for Arizona which took down Hawaii 40-6 last week. Noah Fifita had a breakout season two years ago, and looks to get back to that level after a disappointing season last year. This is the final tune-up before the Wildcats host the Kansas State Wildcats to open Big 12 play next week.

Prediction: Arizona 40, Weber State 10

BYU vs. Stanford

Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 8:15 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN
Odds: BYU -20.5

BYU committed an honor code violation for scoring 69 points on Portland State last Saturday in what was a fabulous debut for freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. BYU is favored by more than 20 points over a P4 opponent for just the fifth time in the last 30 years. There's some great storylines in here as Bear committed to Stanford, before transferring to BYU in the spring. Base on how both teams have looked so far, I expect another BYU blowout at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Prediction: BYU 37, Stanford 16

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