Big 12 Football: Week 3 Matchups and Predictions

Houston hosts TCU for the first conference game of the season.

In Week 2, Texas traveled to Tuscaloosa and came away with the big win over Alabama. Week 3, though, doesn’t offer us a marquee game like that. Most Big 12 teams wrap up the nonconference part of their season in Week. 3.

The first conference matchup of the season takes place Saturday night as TCU travels to Houston. It will be Houston’s first-ever conference game as a member of the Big 12. This will be the 26th time the two teams have met. They played as Southwest Conference foes from 1976-95 and then again as Conference USA foes from 2001-04. Houston leads the series 13-12, but TCU has won the last eight.

The biggest game of the week probably is the return of the Backyard Brawl to Morgantown. The rivalry between West Virginia and Pittsburgh returned last year as the two met in Pittsburgh. This time, the rivalry comes back to Morgantown. It’s the first time the game has been in Morgantown since 2011, the last year before West Virginia joined the Big 12.

Kansas State traveling to Missouri and BYU traveling to Arkansas are the only other matchups against Power 5 opponents. Many Big 12 teams take on a Group of 5 team – Oklahoma at Tulsa, Iowa State at Ohio, South Alabama at Oklahoma State, Miami (OH) at Cincinnati, Wyoming at Texas, and Kansas at Nevada. Games against FCS opponents include Long Island University/Brooklyn at Baylor, Villanova at UCF, and Tarleton State at Texas Tech.

2023 Big 12 Predictions Results

On the season, I am 20-8 in predicting Big 12 games. I’ve been consistent – going 10-4 in both Week One and Week Two. Last week, I had Pittsburgh beating Cincy, Bama beating Texas, Houston over Rice, and Tech winning over a ranked Oregon team. None of those came true.

Here are the previous predictions from earlier this season:

• Week 1 – 10-4
• Week 2 – 10-4

Big 12 Week 3 Matchups and Predictions

All times listed are Central Time.

#15 Kansas St. (2-0) at Missouri (2-0)

Saturday, 11 a.m., SEC Network

It’s the best competition the Wildcats have seen all season, but until I see anything different, I’m staying on the EMAW train. K-State finishes the nonconference season 3-0 and looks to begin conference play next week, hosting UCF.

Pick: Kansas State

Iowa State (1-1) at Ohio (2-1)

Saturday, 11 a.m., ESPNU

The Cyclones didn’t look too bad against a now-ranked Iowa team. Look for Iowa State to hold on and get the win on the road.

Pick: Iowa State

Baylor (0-2) vs. Long Island University/Brooklyn (0-2)

Saturday, 11 a.m., Big 12 Now on ESPN+

The year has started roughly for the Bears. Look for the Bears to get their first win of the season easily.

Pick: Baylor

#19 Oklahoma (2-0) at Tulsa (1-1)

Saturday, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2

The Sooners hit the road for the first time and bring back an easy blowout win over the Hurricanes.

Pick: Oklahoma

UCF (2-0) vs. Villanova (2-0)

Saturday, 5;30 p.m., Big 12 Now on ESPN+

UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee is injured. The Knights will have to figure out how to play without their star, but they shouldn’t have to worry this week. Not having Rhys Plumlee next week when they play at Kansas State will be an issue.

Pick: UCF

Oklahoma State (2-0) vs. South Alabama (1-1)

Saturday, 6 p.m., Big 12 Now on ESPN+

The Pokes got a good win last week on the road against a soon-to-be conference foe, Arizona State. They shouldn’t have any problem at home this week. Once again, Gundy gets his team off to a 3-0 start.

Pick: Oklahoma State

Texas Tech (0-2) vs. Tarleton State (2-0)

Saturday, 6 p.m., Big 12 Now on ESPN+

Just like with Baylor, the year hasn’t started on the right foot for Tech. Look for them to take care of Tarleton State easily. Toss Tarleton some cash and tortillas, and all will be right this week.

Pick: Texas Tech

Cincinnati (2-0) vs. Miami (OH) (1-1)

Saturday, 6 p.m., Big 12 Now on ESPN+

The Bearcats have looked impressive to start the season. I’ll give them this win. Then the fun begins next week when they host Oklahoma for their first-ever Big 12 conference game.

Pick: Cincinnati

West Virginia (1-1) vs. Pittsburgh (1-1)

Saturday, 6:30 p.m., ABC

Backyard Brawl! This should be fun, just to watch the antics. These two teams don’t like each other. And weird things happen in Morgantown. Let’s see what you’ve got, Neal Brown. I think the Mountaineers get this win. It will be close, but a win is a win.

Pick: West Virginia

BYU (2-0) at Arkansas (2-0)

Saturday, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2

The Cougars got two good wins to start. Now, they play in the hostile environment of Fayetteville. Road wins are hard in SEC country. Give this one to the Hogs.

Pick: Arkansas

#4 Texas (2-0) vs. Wyoming (2-0)

Saturday, 7 p.m., Longhorn Network

Wyoming got a season-opening win over one team from Texas. But that was in two overtimes and in Laramie over Tech. This one is in Austin. Longhorns easily take care of business.

Pick: Texas

Houston (1-1) vs. TCU (1-1)

Saturday, 7 p.m., Fox

This is the season's first Big 12 conference game and Houston’s first-ever conference game as a Big 12 member. Neither team has shown us much defense. But look for the Frogs to get their act together and get the win.

Pick: TCU

Kansas 2-0) at Nevada (0-2

Saturday, 9:30 p.m., CBS Sports

Last year, Kansas got the college football world excited with an unexpected 5-0 start. Can they do it again? Perhaps. They certainly can at least get off to a 3-0 start. Jayhawks for the win

Pick: Kansas

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