Big 12 Football Predictions: West Virginia-Pittsburgh, Texas Tech-Oregon St. Headline Week 3

Here's to another great week of Big 12 football predictions!

Week 3 is light when it comes to must-watch games, with only two notable non-conference matchups in West Virginia-Pittsburgh, and Texas Tech-Oregon State. The following week the fun starts to begin with TCU-SMU, Utah-Texas Tech, Arizona State-Baylor, and UCF-North Carolina.

With regards to my Big 12 picks, so far I'm 26-6 on the year. I went 10-4 last week, with the teams that tripped me up being: Kansas, West Virginia, Kansas State, and Baylor's come-from-behind win over then-No. 17 SMU. I'm still chasing that perfect week, but I’m hoping this week will be the one.

With regards to poll implications, the Big 12 is now down to three ranked teams: No. 14 Iowa State, No. 20 Utah, and No. 21 Texas Tech. Arizona State and BYU are right behind at No. 26 and 27. TCU and Baylor are also receiving votes.

Meanwhile, the SEC has 11 teams ranked this week and the Big Ten has six. For the Big 12, it’s imperative that its top teams keep piling up victories to elevate the conference’s profile and get more teams in the Top 25 to improve the perception of the league, as well as to improve its strength of schedule. The Big 12 needs and deserves more than one spot in the College Football Playoff, and its starts by having the top teams continue to win games and be consistent.

Without further ado, here's a look at the predictions this week.

Houston vs. Colorado

Date: Friday, September 12
Time: 5:00 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN
Odds: Houston -5.5

These early season games are tough to pick as both teams look very evenly matched. Colorado seems to have found their quarterback in Ryan Staub who came in as the third string quarterback before winning the job last week. Meanwhile, Houston quarterback Conner Weigman -- a transfer from Texas A&M -- has looked sharp for the Cougars. In the end, I'm giving the edge to Houston since they are playing at home.

Prediction: Houston 27, Colorado 24

Arizona vs. Kansas State

Date: Friday, September 12
Time: 7:00 p.m. (MT)
TV: FOX
Odds: Kansas State -1.5

This is tough one to pick. Kansas State has struggled mightily this year and hasn't looked great, while Arizona is coming off a horrible season and hasn't really played anyone this year. It's anyone's guess if Arizona is the same team from last year, or if they are much improved. I think Kansas State will come away with the win just because their backs are against the wall. They'll be desperate for a win and I think they'll do just enough to come out with a win.

Prediction: Kansas State 28, Arizona 27

Baylor vs. Samford

Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 10:00 a.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN+

After back-to-back P4 games against Auburn and then-No. 17 SMU, Baylor will get a break as they host Samford at McLane Stadium. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson has already thrown for 859 yards and seven touchdowns and I fully expect him to throw a bunch more on Saturday as he continues to put himself in the Heisman conversation.

Prediction: Baylor 63, Samford 6

No. 21 Texas Tech vs. Oregon State

Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: FOX
Odds: Texas Tech -23.5

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

It's hard to say just how good Texas Tech is since they haven't played anyone. Thankfully, we'll get a better glimpse of how good or bad the team is as they host Oregon State. The Beavers are 0-2 on the year, however, the talent level is a step up from what the Red Raiders have been playing. Texas Tech is favored by 22 points, and they should cover it.

Prediction: No. 21 Texas Tech 40, Oregon State 17

Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia

Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN
Odds: Pittsburgh -6.5

If West Virginia didn't crap the bed against Ohio last week, the Mountaineers would have had a great shot to land ESPN College Gameday as West Virginia hosts Pittsburgh in one of the greatest rivalries in all of college football.

Instead, the Mountaineers are coming off a loss to a MAC team that it had no business losing to. Frankly, I'm surprised Pittsburgh is only favored by a touchdown. Perhaps that's the nature of the rivalry combined with West Virginia playing at home. While I hope the Mountaineers can pull it off, I don't believe they will. Here's hoping they prove me wrong.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 30, West Virginia 23

Cincinnati vs. Northwestern State

Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN+

Cincinnati looks to put together its first winning streak of the season as the Bearcats host Northwestern State in what should be a big blowout, and an easy win for the program. The game should help to get their confidence back before heading into Big 12 play next week against Kansas.

Prediction: Cincinnati 37, Northwestern State 10

No. 14 Iowa State @ Arkansas State

Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 2:00 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN2
Odds: Iowa State -20.5

Iowa State is the Big 12's highest ranked team at the moment, and the Cyclones catch a scheduling break with a game against Arkansas State after Saturday's thrilling rivalry finish in which Iowa State defeated Iowa on a game-winning field goal. The Cyclones are more than 20-point favorites and should have no problem taking down the Red Wolves.

Prediction: No. 14 Iowa State 40, Arkansas State 17

No. 20 Utah @ Wyoming

Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 6:00 p.m. (MT)
TV: CBSSN
Odds: Utah -23.5

The Utes will go up against a familiar foe as they head to Laramie, Wyoming to take on the Cowboys — with whom they've shared a conference with during the Mountain West and WAC days. The Cowboys will be fired up as it could be the last time the Utes make the road trip to Laramie to take on Wyoming.

I expect a close game in the early going, but Utah will break the game open in the second half and roll to victory. This of course, will set up a huge game between Utah and Texas Tech -- assuming both programs win this weekend. The Top 25 showdown between the Utes and Red Raiders will be a nationally televised game on FOX.

Prediction: No. 20 Utah 37, Wyoming 14

TCU vs. Abilene Christian

Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 6:00 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN+

After a big statement win in primetime against North Carolina, TCU had its first bye week of the season this past week and looks to get back to another dominating performance this week against Abilene Christian. I expect this to be another blowout for the Horned Frogs who appear to be one of the top teams in the Big 12 at the moment. We will know more over the following two games with TCU taking on SMU and Arizona State.

Prediction: TCU 54, Abilene Christian 6

Arizona State vs. Texas State

Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 8:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: TNT/TruTV
Odds: Arizona State -15.5

Arizona State won last year's game 31-28, and that was even with Cam Skattebo who is now in the NFL. After last week's loss, I'm somewhat surprised the Sun Devils are 15-point favorites as the team hasn't looked as nearly as good as they did last year. I think it will be close again and the Sun Devils will pull away late.

Prediction: Arizona State 30, Texas State 17

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