The staff predicts the week’s action in the Big 12 and the top games of the week
Big 12
BYU Cougars at Arizona State Sun Devils – Sat. Nov. 23, 2:30 PM, ESPN
- Anthony: BYU had been playing with fire all season, stepping up to the edge of the cliff repeatedly before finally being pushed over. However the Cougars’ season isn’t done and they still have everything to play for. BYU takes another step towards the CFP with this road win.
- Austin: Give me the Sun Devils! Arizona State has surpassed expectations this year and continues its tremendous run. This is not to say that BYU has underperformed; it’s quite the opposite, but BYU has barely been scraping by in recent weeks.
- Drew: These two teams seem to be trending in opposite directions as BYU suffered a loss that felt overdue and Arizona State has won three straight. Even with these developments, I think BYU’s defense will travel and carry them to a win over ASU on the road.
- Russ: The cracks in the armor are starting to show for BYU and the Cougars now have to face a surging Arizona State team on the road. Give me the Sun Devils.
- Wyatt: I think the magic has ended for BYU. Arizona State beats the Cougars at home.
- CFB 25: Cougars have no problem bouncing back, smashing ASU 45-20
Colorado Buffaloes at Kansas Jayhawks – Sat. Nov. 23, 2:30 PM, FOX
- Anthony: There is no sense denying it, Colorado is a runaway train right now as Shedeur and Travis simply out talent the rest of their schedule. I don’t see the Jayhawks as spoiler in consecutive weeks. Buffs roll.
- Austin: The Colorado Buffaloes are on fire. The Buffaloes have now won four straight contests by double-digits. The Jayhawks have been playing heartbreaker lately, but a third time isn’t the charm here.
- Drew: Kansas is playing very well right now and is arguably the hottest team in the Big 12 with two straight upset wins but Colorado is just too talented to lose this one. Give me the Buffs.
- Russ: Everything is swinging Colorado’s way right now and even a win over BYU last week won’t be enough for Kansas. I’ll take the Buffaloes to win here.
- Wyatt: This game will be a close one. KU is trending the right way, and is coming off of 2 straight ranked wins. However, I think Colorado is clicking right now, and the Buffs kill the Jayhawk’s dream of bowl eligibility.
- CFB 25: Oh no, what a disaster. With the game tied at 59 with a minute to play Shedeur Sanders is sacked, fumbles, and Kansas returns it for a game-winning TD.
Texas Tech Red Raiders at Oklahoma State Cowboys – Sat. Nov. 23, 2:30 PM, ESPN+
- Anthony: Am I really going to suggest OK State’s only Big 12 win comes vs. the Red Raiders despite appearing to have quit weeks ago? Why yes, yes I am. Go Pokes.
- Austin: The Pokes go winless in Big 12 play. Texas Tech secures its seventh victory for the fourth season in a row.
- Drew: Texas Tech has turned in another solid, yet unspectacular season and Oklahoma State is by far the worst team in the conference. I’ll take the Red Raiders.
- Russ: It’s hard to imagine Oklahoma State not winning a conference game, but the Cowboys are simply not a good football team right now. I’ll pick the Red Raiders.
- Wyatt: No way I would ever think Oklahoma State would go winless during conference play. However, at this point, I cannot pick them to win a game. Texas Tech wins handedly in Stillwater
- CFB 25: The TTU comeback falls short, falling 28-35 after Ollie Gordon runs for 3 TDs.
UCF Knights at West Virginia Mountaineers – Sat. Nov. 23, 2:30 PM, ESPNU
- Anthony: I have no faith in either of these teams, but I’ll take RJ Harvey to control the game for a Knights victory.
- Austin: Both of these teams have flown under the radar this season in the Big 12. While UCF appeared to be a potential contender, things got ugly quickly. As for West Virginia, they ranked ahead of UCF in the preseason rankings but began the season slow, winning one of its first three games. At this juncture of the season, the Mountaineers fight off the Knights to win in Morgantown.
- Drew: The West Virginia defense looked bad a week ago but luckily for the Mountaineers, the UCF defense has been terrible all season. I’ll take WVU at home.
- Russ: I think the Mountaineers will squeak out a close one over the Knights here. West Virginia’s offense has fared much better over the last few weeks.
- Wyatt: West Virginia beats UCF and becomes bowl eligible.
- CFB 25: A dominant performance from the Knights, winning 41-7 with three 2nd quarter TDs from RJ Harvey.
Baylor Bears at Houston Cougars – Sat. Nov. 23, 6:00 PM, FS1
- Anthony: Uh oh, Baylor has found itself a QB. Not sure why Sawyer Robertson wasn’t the guy earlier for the Bears, but he has been a beast, saving Dave Aranda’s job and the Baylor season. He continues the hot streak with the win in H-Town.
- Austin: Baylor. The Bears are suddenly good, and well, we know who the Cougars are at this point. Houston has scored a conference-low 88 points in Big 12 play. Baylor wins by multiple scores.
- Drew: Baylor is rolling on offense behind a lethal rushing attack and solid play from Sawyer Robertson. I do not see the Cougars scoring enough to keep up. Give me the Bears.
- Russ: Baylor’s offense has been scorching hot over the last month and I don’t think the Cougars will be able to slow the Bears down. Baylor wins on the road.
- Wyatt: I think Houston will keep this one close. They are fighting for a bowl game. Despite this, I think the Bears’ offense will be too much for Houston to handle. Baylor wins it on the road.
- CFB 25: Baylor’s game-winning drive falls short inside the redzone as Sawyer Robertson throws three straight incompletions, giving the Cougars a 21-17 win
Iowa State Cyclones at Utah Utes – Sat. Nov. 23, 6:30 PM, FOX
- Anthony: Cyclones got back in the win column and back into the Top 25, they keep it rolling in SLC to ensure the Utes miss a bowl in its first Big 12 season.
- Austin: The preseason Big 12 favorite Utah Utes continue their downfall. Iowa State wins, but it’s closer than expected.
- Drew: I have the Cyclones keeping their Big 12 Championship hopes alive in a rock fight win over the Utes.
- Russ: Iowa State has slipped a bit in recent weeks, but Utah has had a forgettable season without Cam Rising. Cyclones take this one.
- Wyatt: Iowa State wins in a close one in Salt Lake.
- CFB 25: Utes sneak out with a 27-24 win with 221 yards and 2 scores from Micah Bernard
Cincinnati Bearcats at Kansas State Wildcats – Sat. Nov. 23, 7:00 PM, ESPN2
- Anthony: I have no idea how KSU has ended up so bad over the last few weeks, but think they’ll have it figured out in this one to take down the Bearcats at home
- Austin: Kansas State has lost two straight, while Cincinnati hasn’t won a game in over a month. In one of the more difficult games to predict, I’ll side with the Wildcats.
- Drew: Cinci and K-State have both fallen apart down the stretch but I have more faith in the Wildcats and that running game to bounce back, especially in Manhattan.
- Russ: Both teams are desperate for a win and I think Kansas State is the more talented team here. Wildcats defeat the Bearcats at home.
- Wyatt: I could see this game going either way. I think Kansas State does just enough to beat the Bearcats in a close one.
- CFB 25: Bearcats are uncompetitive as KSU strolls to a 31-7 win.
Top National Games
Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio State Buckeyes – Sat. Nov. 23, 11:00 AM, FOX
- Anthony: It strikes midnight on the Hoosiers’ Cinderella story. Bucks by a billion.
- Austin: Indiana. I’m not 100 percent sure the Hoosiers can pull it off, but I sure want to see the upset. Indiana winning in Columbus would be one of the best stories of the season regardless of their current ranking.
- Drew: I think this will be a much closer game that what Vegas is predicting but I can’t see Indiana pulling off the upset on the road. Give me the Buckeyes.
- Russ: I would love to see an upset here, but Ohio State at home is too safe of a pick not to take. Buckeyes over the Hoosiers.
- Wyatt: As much as I want to pick Indiana, I can’t. I think the Hoosiers keep it close in the first half, but Ohio State runs away with it in the second half.
- CFB 25: Ohio State wins with ease 41-17 behind 5 Will Howard TD passes.
SMU Mustangs at Virginia Cavaliers – Sat. Nov. 23, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
- Anthony: Ponies doing a lot of lobbying the CFP committee when really all they have to do is win three more games and keep the committee opinion out of it. While that may take attention away from the on-field efforts, no distraction is big enough to give UVA the win here. Mustangs win with ease.
- Austin: SMU gets it done on the road to secure its 10th victory of the season. After winning 11 contests last season, the Mustangs will sport consecutive double-digit winning seasons for the first time since pre-Death Penalty.
- Drew: The Mustangs are the most complete team in the ACC and they will have no trouble with Virginia on the road.
- Russ: SMU’s tremendous season continues here. I think the Mustangs beat Virginia on the road and continue their push toward an ACC title and CFP bid.
- Wyatt: SMU wins in a dominant performance. The Ponies are looking to make a statement after being the first team left out of the CFP as of right now.
- CFB 25: UVA is intercepted on game-tying drive and SMU can kneel out a 28-21 win
Army Black Knights vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Sat. Nov. 23, 6:00 PM, NBC
- Anthony: The college football world needs Notre Dame punished for the NIU loss and for its insistence on not participating in the “13th data point” of a conference championship or in any meaningful game since the season opener. Unfortunately the Irish will be in the CFP and will overcome the troops Yankee Stadium
- Austin: Although it’d be fun to see Army upsetting the Fighting Irish, it’s much more difficult to envision than Indiana beating Ohio State. Give me Notre Dame by a couple of scores.
- Drew: As much as I would love the triple option to prevail over the Irish, I don’t think Army will be able to move the ball effectively against a very good Notre Dame defense. I have the Fighting Irish here.
- Russ: Notre Dame has won every game since its disastrous loss against NIU. The Irish are big favorites and I think they’ll slow the Army rushing attack down.
- Wyatt: Notre Dame. I don’t foresee Army being able to keep up with the Fighting Irish.
- CFB 25: Another blowout as the Irish ease to 58-13 win with five Riley Leonard TD passes
Texas A&M Aggies at Auburn Tigers – Sat. Nov. 23, 6:30 PM ESPN
- Anthony: Mike Elko’s Freudian slip about focus being solely on Texas will fuel message boards for generations after the Aggies fall on the Plains to upset-minded Tigers in the biggest look-ahead spot in college football history with the Longhorns up next week.
- Austin: Texas A&M gets it done and takes care of the Auburn Tigers. Despite the close spread, the Aggies win handily.
- Drew: This has the makings of a trap game with Texas looming on the schedule for the Aggies, but Auburn’s offense has been bad this season. I’ll take A&M.
- Russ: Auburn’s record is fairly deceiving, but I think the Aggies will do just enough to win on the road. Texas A&M holds off the Tigers.
- Wyatt: Texas A&M wins this game. It’ll be a lot closer than it should be.
- CFB 25: A 7-point game going into the 4th quarter, the Aggies control the final frame to take the 31-14 win
Vanderbilt Commodores at LSU Tigers – Sat. Nov. 23, 6:45 PM, SEC Network
- Anthony: Brian Kelly is a maniac, but he simply cannot allow Vandy to walk out of Baton Rouge with a win. Tigers find a way to escape , slowing Pavia and the ‘Dores enough.
- Austin: I’ll continue with the underdogs. Vandy plays spoiler once again and pushes Brian Kelly into the hottest of seats, following a fourth consecutive loss.
- Drew: Brian Kelly cannot afford to lose a fourth straight game, especially to Vandy at home. I’ll take the Tigers here.
- Russ: Brian Kelly could be coaching for his job at this point. In a must-win game, I think LSU will hang on and beat the Commodores at home.
- Wyatt: LSU wins this one in a close game. I don’t think the Tigers will lose 4 games in a row.
- CFB 25: Pavia is sacked 8 times and Caden Durham runs for 5 TDs as Tigers cruise to 48-30 win
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Staff Standings
Overall Season Win %
- Russ: 66%
- Wyatt: 64%
- Drew: 64%
- Austin: 64%
- Anthony: 58%
- CFB25: 52%