Big 12 Football: Week 12 Matchups and Predictions

It’s crunch time. With two games left, five teams still hope to be bowl eligible.

We’ve made it to Week 12. There are two weeks left in the regular season. And there’s still a lot to be worked out, making these next two weeks critical to postseason discussions.

In the last three weeks, Texas has let their opponent get back into the game in the 4th quarter. Will they do it again in Week 12 against Iowa State? :: Brian McLean, On Assignment Photo/KillerFrogs

No team has secured a spot in the Big 12 Championship game. Texas has the most straightforward path but needs a win this week to secure the spot. Oklahoma State still controls its destiny, as it holds the tiebreaker over Oklahoma and Kansas State. However, Iowa State has the tiebreaker over the Pokes, and if the Cyclones can beat Texas this week, it creates all sorts of intriguing bits of chaos.

2023 Big 12 Predictions Results

On the season, I am 57-34 (.626) in predicting Big 12 games. Last week, I went 5-2. I thought Kansas could beat Tech. And I certainly thought Cincinnati would remain winless in Big 12 play. I was wrong on both accounts.

Here are the previous predictions from earlier this season:

• Week 1 – 10-4
• Week 2 – 10-4
• Week 3 – 8-5
• Week 4 – 5-3
• Week 5 – 4-2
• Week 6 – 1-4
• Week 7 – 1-4
• Week 8 – 4-2
• Week 9 – 4-2
• Week 10 – 5-2
• Week 11 – 5-2

Big 12 Week 12 Matchups and Predictions

All times listed are Central Time.

BYU (5-5, 2-5) vs. #14 Oklahoma (8-2, 5-2)

Saturday, 11 a.m., ESPN

BYU needs to win one more game to go bowling. It’s either this week or next in Stillwater. They may not make it to six wins. Oklahoma, after losing two straight, steamrolled West Virginia last week. The 24.5-point line in OU’s favor is by far the largest line in any Big 12 game this weekend. Sooners win big and keep hopes alive for a rematch with Texas or OSU.

Pick: Oklahoma

West Virginia (6-4, 4-3) vs. Cincinnati (3-7, 1-6)

Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Big 12 Now on ESPN+

Remember when the Mountaineers were at the top of the standings and thought the only thing between them and a berth in the championship was the Oklahoma game? That game was last week and didn’t do the Mountaineers much good. Instead, the Sooners eliminated West Virginia from contention in the championship game. Cincinnati, on the other hand, got their first-ever conference win over Houston. This might be a close game, but it’s in Morgantown. West Virginia pulls out the win.

Pick: West Virginia

TCU (4-6, 2-5) vs. Baylor (3-7, 2-5)

Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Big 12 Now on ESPN+

Welcome to the inaugural Bluebonnet Battle. TCU is in a must-win situation. They need to beat Baylor and somehow beat Oklahoma in Norman to secure a postseason bowl. If they don’t, they will become the first team not in a COVID-19-shortened year to make the CFP one year and miss out on a bowl game the next. Baylor would like nothing more than to send the Frogs packing. These games always seem dramatic, no matter how good or bad these teams are. Both teams are having off years. TCU finally stops its skid and wins this one by only one possession.

Pick: TCU

Houston (4-6, 2-5) vs. #23 Oklahoma State (7-3, 5-2)

Saturday, 3 p.m., ESPN2

The Pokes got spanked last weekend in Fantasyland. However, despite two losses, they still own the tiebreaker over Kansas State and Oklahoma. Look for OSU to rebound after that loss and ensure Houston won’t go bowling this year.

Pick: Oklahoma State

Texas Tech (5-5, 4-3) vs. UCF (5-5, 2-5)

Saturday, 4 p.m., FS2

Tech was a pre-season favorite to be a spoiler in the league. Now, they must beat UCF or Texas (in Austin) to go bowling. The good news is they get the Knights in Lubbock. UCF had a big win last week over OSU but probably ran out of gas afterward. Look for Tech to take care of business and become bowl-eligible this week.

Pick: Texas Tech

#25 Kansas (7-3, 4-3) vs. #21 Kansas State (7-3, 5-2)

Saturday, 6 p.m., FS1

Now, the Big 12 has two in-state rivalry games named after a state flower. The Sundown Showdown was the original. After its loss to Tech last week, Kansas is no longer in contention for a trip to Arlington. But give Lance Leipold credit – it took until Week 11 to say Kansas would not be in the championship game. That’s impressive. Kansas State, though, still has a pathway to make a repeat appearance in Arlington. They need to win out, and OSU needs to lose one more. Both are quite possible. Look for the Cats to claim victory once again in the Sunflower Showdown.

Pick: Kansas State

Iowa State (6-4, 5-2) vs. #7 Texas (9-1, 6-1)

Saturday, 7 p.m., Fox

Iowa State became bowl-eligible last week. Texas is in the driver’s seat to be the home team in Arlington but needs to win out to do that. It’s a night game in Ames, and that can be tricky. The forecast shows it could be windy and chilly, both factors that could play into an upset. Iowa State has won three of the last four games against Texas in Ames, so there might be some hope for that upset. But with Quinn Ewers back, look for Texas to get a fast start. This time, unlike their last three games, the Longhorns don't let the other team get back into the game in the second half.

Pick: Texas

TCU Football Week 12 Opponent Preview: Baylor Bears

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