The staff predicts the week’s action in the Big 12 and the top games of the week
Big 12
Oklahoma State Cowboys at BYU Cougars – Fri. Oct. 18, 9:15 PM, ESPN
- Anthony: I’m not entirely sold on the Cougars and still don’t see them running away with the Big 12, but there’s enough evidence that this defense is too good, especially in Provo. BYU wins a close one
- Austin: The Cowboys have been such a disappointment this season, while the Cougars are one of College Football’s biggest surprises. I’m rolling with BYU at home.
- Drew: Provo at night is a buzzsaw and with Oklahoma State’s disappointing season so far, I’m taking BYU here.
- Russ: Cougars roll for a big win over the Cowboys.
- Wyatt: BYU will dominate the Cowboys in Provo.
- CFB 25: OK State escapes with a 17-14 win thanks to 158 rush yards from Ollie Gordon.
Arizona State Sun Devils at Cincinnati Bearcats – Sat. Oct. 19, 11:00 AM, ESPN+
- Anthony: Body Clock! ASU travels to the eastern time zone for an early kickoff, rolling Jeff Sims out at QB. Bearcats take it.
- Austin: Cincinnati knocks off Arizona State in a high-scoring affair.
- Drew: I think Cincinnati is probably the most underrated team in the conference and I do not have a lot of confidence in Jeff Sims who will start for ASU at quarterback. Give me the Bearcats.
- Russ: Bearcats enter as slight favorites and beat the short-handed Sun Devils.
- Wyatt: I think the Bearcats upset the Sun Devils at home. Arizona State will not be able to overcome the loss of their quarterback, Sam Leavitt.
- CFB 25: Cinci gives up a ton of pass yards, but ASU cannot score. Bearcats take the 23-10 win
Houston Cougars at Kansas Jayhawks – Sat. Oct. 19, 2:30 PM, ESPN+
- Anthony: Zeon Chriss taking over at QB for UH certainly changes the outlook for the Cougars, but I just can’t see this Kansas team fully rolling over. Jayhawks win.
- Austin: The Jayhawks have been finding ways to lose close games. Fortunately, Kansas has finally run into a team that won’t capitalize on the Jayhawks’ mistakes. I’m siding with Kansas.
- Drew: Houston’s defense is very solid and I think they force multiple turnovers from the Kansas offense to pick up a win on the road over the Jayhawks.
- Russ: Kansas is LONG overdue for a victory and I think that victory comes here.
- Wyatt: I think Houston strings together 2 Big 12 wins in a row and beat the Jayhawks on the road.
- CFB 25: Jayhawks dominates for a 31-17 win.
Colorado Buffaloes at Arizona Wildcats – Sat. Oct. 19, 3:00 PM, FOX
- Anthony: I’m jumping off the Arizona bandwagon. Fifita now has more interceptions than TDs and may just not be very good. Even if Travis Hunter is less than 100%, the Buffs win in Tucson.
- Austin: The Buffaloes are playing some pretty good football. Besides their abandoned run game, Colorado has looked improved in all facets. Go Buffs.
- Drew: The recipe for slowing down Arizona’s offense is to force anyone other than Tet McMillan to make plays. Luckily for Colorado, they have a cornerback in Travis Hunter capable of staying with McMillan. I think the Buffs take this one on the road.
- Russ: Travis Hunter vs. Tetairoa McMillan will be a fun matchup to watch. I think Colorado takes down the Wildcats in Arizona.
- Wyatt: The Deion and Colorado hype train keep on chugging. The Buffs win on the road.
- CFB 25: Shedeur Sanders tosses 5 TDs and the Buffs run away with it 42-28
Baylor Bears at Texas Tech Red Raiders – Sat. Oct. 19, 3:00 PM, ESPN2
- Anthony: The vibes discrepancy is off the charts in this one. Baylor is deep in despair, while the Lubbock cactus crew is riding high after early season struggles. The BU-TT Bowl goes to the Raiders.
- Austin: I won’t be picking Baylor until further notice. The Red Raiders win handily in Lubbock.
- Drew: Baylor is not a very good team and Texas Tech has been quietly racking up Big 12 wins and currently sits at 3-0 in conference play. Give me the Red Raiders.
- Russ: The Red Raiders cruised for a win over the Bears in Lubbock.
- Wyatt: For some reason, I foresee Baylor keeping this one close. However, Tech will do just enough to take this one at home.
- CFB 25: Despite a furious 4th quarter comeback, Baylor falls in Lubbock 17-22
UCF Knights at Iowa State Cyclones – Sat. Oct. 19, 6:30 PM, FS1
- Anthony: So after its comeback win over the Frogs, UCF turned back into a pumpkin, falling way off the cliff. Knights lose a 4th straight as ISU continues to roll.
- Austin: The Knights are out of whack. UCF has yet to even name a starting quarterback. The undefeated Cyclones win handily at home.
- Drew: UCF has struggled the past few weeks and Iowa State looks like a favorite to end up in Arlington for the Big 12 Championship game. Ames will be bumping for this night game. I will take the Cyclones here.
- Russ: Iowa State continues its perfect season with a home win over the Knights.
- Wyatt: Roll Clones. Iowa State will be 7-0. They might even get their first 10 win season ever.
- CFB 25: With 265 combined rush yards between Jefferson & Harvey, UCF gets the win in Ames, 34-27
Kansas State Wildcats at West Virginia Mountaineers – Sat. Oct. 19, 6:30 PM, FOX
- Anthony: Trusting the Neal Brown climb. Now that WVU fans have turned on him again after he suggested fans should worry less about winning and just enjoy the game day experience. To be fair, the night game in Milan Puskar should indeed be fun and the Morgantown faithful rattle Avery Johnson. As he seems to always do, Coach Brown flips it and takes the win for the ‘Eers.
- Austin: Maybe it’s not time to hit the panic button on Kansas State’s Big 12 Championship hopes just yet. Although the loss to BYU was demoralizing, it’s now understood that the Cougars are pretty good. I have the Wildcats in a close one against the Mountaineers.
- Drew: Kansas State is a team that I think was written off too quickly after a loss on the road to a very good BYU team. Their rushing attack is very explosive and the win on the road over Colorado last week was impressive. I have the Wildcats winning this one as Neal Brown again fails to win a big home game.
- Russ: Kansas State dug deep for a road win against Colorado in an evening environment last weekend. I’ll roll with the Wildcats again here.
- Wyatt: I picked WVU to upset Iowa State last week, and they let me down. I think Kansas State wins by 2 scores.
- CFB 25: The Garrett Greene 2-point conversion fails in the final minute and KSU escapes 21-19
Top National Games
Miami Hurricanes at Louisville Cardinals – Sat. Oct. 19, 11:00 AM, ABC
- Anthony: They just continue to keep getting away with it. The Hurricanes might just be unstoppable. This is the last regular season game where Miami will have less than an 80% projected winning percentage and the last time it will be favored by less than two scores. The U wins this on in Louisville and will cruise into the ACC Championship unscathed.
- Austin: Miami wins yet another close contest to remain undefeated.
- Drew: Louisville has stumbled after a strong start to the season and Miami keeps finding ways to win. I’ll take the Hurricanes here.
- Russ: Miami could be the team of destiny. I’ll take the Hurricanes here.
- Wyatt: Cam Ward will have an amazing game, and the Hurricanes will defeat the Cardinals.
- CFB 25: Louisville gets the 4th down stop in the final seconds to take the 30-24 win
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Indiana Hoosiers – Sat. Oct. 19, 11:00 AM, FOX
- Anthony: Indiana computer trickers? The Hoosiers have put up tremendous numbers against a cupcake slate. Indiana has the second-easiest strength of schedule among Power 4 teams per FPI. The easiest? The Nebraska Cornhuskers. Despite the Big Brand of Big Red, Indiana is the better team and continues its undefeated run with the home win.
- Austin: This is one of the tougher games to predict. Although the Hoosiers are undefeated, they’re relatively untested. Nebraska will offer that first test, nevertheless, Indiana prevails.
- Drew: The Hoosiers’ offense has been humming this season, but Nebraska’s defense will be the best they have faced in 2024. I think this will be a close game with Indiana picking up the win to stay undefeated.
- Russ: This is Indiana’s first major test of the season. I think Nebraska sneaks by and sets the stage for a massive showdown against Ohio State next weekend.
- Wyatt: Nebraska wins in a close one.
- CFB 25: Hoosiers run away with it 31-13
Alabama Crimson Tide at Tennessee Volunteers – Sat. Oct. 19, 2:30 PM, ABC
- Anthony: Crimson Tide looking for revenge for the wild 2022 game in Knoxville with the insane finish and walkoff winner for Tennessee. Already victims this season of a Volunteer State field storming and goal post river march in Nashville, once again UT delivers a big blow to Bama’s CFP hopes with a win in Neyland Stadium.
- Austin: What to make of Alabama football? We know they’re good, but what’s to make of their combined negative point differential in games against Vanderbilt and South Carolina? Luckily, they’re up against the Volunteers who they’ve dominated for over a decade. I have to go with the Crimson Tide.
- Drew: These two teams have looked vulnerable the past two weeks after great starts to the season. I do not like picking against Tennessee in Neyland but I have to go with the more experienced quarterback in Jalen Milroe especially with how much the Volunteer offense has struggled recently. Roll Tide.
- Russ: This is a matchup where I have to roll with the quarterback I think will perform better. Jalen Milroe does just enough to push Alabama over the top here.
- Wyatt: Alabama is a confusing team. They looked so good during the first half of the Georgia game, and have struggled since. I think Tennessee beats the Crimson Tide in Knoxville.
- CFB 25: Jalen Milroe throws 4 TDs and Bama crushes the Vols 44-30
Michigan Wolverines at Illinois Illini – Sat. Oct. 19, 2:30 PM, CBS
- Anthony: Michigan’s Will Johnson shuts down Illinois WR Pat Bryant while Wolverines RBs run wild on a secretly terrible Illini rush defense. Wolverines win.
- Austin: Another toss-up here. I’m going with Illinois, despite the narrow victory over a 1-5 Purdue team a week ago.
- Drew: I do not feel confident picking either team in this game. On one hand, the Illinois defense has looked very vulnerable, letting up 49 points to Purdue last week. On the other hand, Michigan’s passing offense has been terrible this season. I’m taking Illinois because I think they start fast and force Michigan to throw the ball more than they would like to.
- Russ: I think Michigan has more talent and does enough to beat Illinois on the road.
- Wyatt: I think this game is a toss up. I’m going to roll with Illinois to beat the Wolverines at home.
- CFB 25: Cover star Donovan Edwards & the Wolverines demolish the Illini 48-3.
Georgia Bulldogs at Texas Longhorns – Sat. Oct. 19, 6:30 PM, ABC
- Anthony: Feels like Kirby Smart is losing his grip a bit on the elite of the elite stature he had reached. His players continue to get arrested, he is shoving opposing players on the sideline, and although winning can magically make all that disappear, UGA hasn’t looked particularly strong since its season-opener vs. Clemson. Texas is the captain now. Longhorns win.
- Austin: Conference realignment certainly has its drawbacks, but a newfound SEC battle between Georgia and Texas is a positive of the reinvented landscape. The Longhorns defeat the Bulldogs in one of the best games of the season.
- Drew: It is hard to imagine Georgia picking up a second loss this early in the season but they have not looked like a top-five team recently. I think Texas is the best team in the country and adds to the resume with a big win at home.
- Russ: I feel gross for this but I’m taking Texas here. Carson Beck has turned the ball over too many times in recent games.
- Wyatt: I think Texas wins by 2 scores in Austin against the Bulldogs. If this game was in Athens, I think it would be a different story.
- CFB 25: Cover star Quinn Ewers finds Isiah Bond for a 68-yard TD in the final minute for the 45-42 win
Frogs O’ War Pick ‘Em Leaderboard
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Staff Standings
Overall Season Win %
- Austin: 64%
- Russ: 64%
- Wyatt: 63%
- Drew: 60%
- Anthony: 58%
- CFB25: 54%