Big 12 Round Table for Week 1

Credit: Johntex via Wikimedia

Welcome to the Big 12, where everyone wins and the points don't matter!

Okay, so they do matter. And Week 1 in the Big 12 is poised for some big point totals according to our contributors. I asked Dylan - a Texas fan, Alex - a Kansas fan, and Nick - a Kansas State fan, what they thought of the upcoming games in the Big 12.

Kent State vs. UCF

Dylan - “Kent State was last in voting in the MAC in the coaches’ preseason poll. Going up against a newly-motivated P5 UCF team, there’s no need for explanation. UCF takes it 3-35.”

Alex - "UCF's high-powered offense will show they belong in the Big 12 with a strong performance against the new regime in Kent. UCF 49-Kent St. 14."

Nick - "Kent State will not have enough to compete with UCF behind first-year Head Coach Kenni Burns. UCF wins 48-10."

Missouri State vs. Kansas

Dylan - “Kansas should have this game under control early, then they can rest players for their first test in Week 2 against the Illini. 7-42 Kansas"

Alex - "The ground game will be the main show with Kansas literally running away with it as Missouri State struggles to find its new identity against a strong FBS squad. KU 56-Missouri St. 7."

Nick - "Kansas' offense is just too strong, but can they stop the Bears? The defense will show enough in this game to pull away down the stretch. Kansas wins 42-24."

Colorado vs. #17 TCU

Dylan - “I don’t think Colorado has a ceiling past Bowl eligibility. But Week 1 on the road with that kind of energy around a program? Big Noon Saturday? Coach Prime’s first game? I’m all in on the CU hype in Week 1. Colorado 23-20 over TCU."

Alex - "Deion Sanders has his coming out party as an FBS head coach, upsetting TCU in a close matchup on the road. TCU 28-Colorado 31."

Nick - "TCU will not be as good as they were last year, but will be more than good enough to spoil Coach Prime's first game in Boulder. TCU wins 38-24."

Arkansas State vs. #20 Oklahoma

Dylan - “Even -35.5 might be too generous of a spread to the Red Wolves. The game ends 31-6 in favor of Oklahoma."

Alex - "OU has no problems dispatching this Arkansas State squad, but the Red Wolves won't go down easy: they had plenty of close games against solid opponents last year. OU 42-Ark. St. 21."

Nick - "Arkansas State is not any match for Oklahoma. OU rolls 56-16."

Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State

Dylan - “Iowa State might not be the best Big 12 team, but they’re sure not losing to an FCS team. Iowa State 28-0."

Alex - "The Cyclones are reeling from recent controversy, which could make this game interesting. For now, though, I think they prevail over the Panthers, albeit in a too-close-for-comfort matchup. ISU 35-UNI 21."

Nick - "This off-season has been a distracting one for Iowa State. Their offense will not be good after losing players in the betting scandal. Northern Iowa in an upset 27-21."

Rice vs. #11 Texas

Dylan - “‘Why does Rice play Texas?’ —John F. Kennedy. Texas wins 49-24."

Alex - "JT Daniels couldn't win against Texas while at West Virginia, and he will have an even harder time as the quarterback for Rice. This one could be rough. Texas 56-Rice 14."

Nick - "Rice will be cooked by Quinn Ewers and company. Texas easily wins 63-17."

Eastern Kentucky vs. Cincinnati

Dylan - “And here I thought Georgia over UT-Martin was a gimme…10-35 Cincinnati."

Alex - "Cincinnati will use this game to find themselves and could potentially start slow, but Eastern Kentucky simply doesn't have the horses to make this a game. Cincy 42-EKU 14."

Nick - "Cincinnati is without Luke Fickell, but that won't matter in this game. Cincinnati wins 38-17."

SE Missouri State vs. #16 Kansas State

Dylan - “K-State is carrying all the hype from their Big 12 championship still. But they’ll be starting 1-0, at least. Kansas St. wins it 48-17."

Alex - "Kansas State will start their Big 12 Title defense year with a clinic against FCS fodder. No surprises here. KSU 62-3."

Nick - "SE Missouri returns a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but the defending Big 12 champs are just too strong. Kansas State wins 45-13."

Texas State vs. Baylor

Dylan - “The most underrated team in America isn’t losing this one. Baylor 45-13."

Alex - "A new coach for the Bobcats won't stop the Bears from mauling a team that went 2-6 in the Sun Belt last year. Baylor 45-Texas St. 7."

Nick - "Baylor is looking to get back to the success they had in 2021 and Texas State will be the first step in getting back to that. Baylor wins 41-21."

UTSA vs. Houston

Dylan - “If you like offense, turn the channel to FS1 Saturday night. These are two powerhouse offenses, but Frank Harris will prevail. UTSA over Houston 59-48."

Alex - "In a sneakily exciting matchup, Houston may have its hands full with a Roadrunner team that is looking to build off last year's success. UTSA will show they're a team to be reckoned with this year. Houston 31-UTSA 42."

Nick - "UTSA is looking to solidify its spot as one of the best non-Power 5 teams in America. Meanwhile, Dana Holgerson's seat is warming up in Houston. UTSA wins this one 38-31."

Central Arkansas vs. Oklahoma State

Dylan - “Oklahoma State is perhaps the most unpredictable team there is entering this season. Regardless, nobody’s unpredictable enough to lose to Central Arkansas. Oklahoma St. easily 55-6."

Alex - "Oklahoma State will have little to no problems handling a middle-of-the-pack FCS program. Don't expect this one to be a shocker. Ok State 56-UCA 3."

Nick - "Central Arkansas keeps this game close early, but Oklahoma State pulls away late. Oklahoma State wins 42-20."

West Virginia vs. #7 Penn State

Dylan - “This will be a close, great rivalry game, but no matter how bad Drew Allar could be, the Nittany Lions defense should have a field day. Penn St. wins 24-16."

Alex - "One of the two Big 12 schools that will not be favored in Week 1. Don't expect a rebuilding Mountaineer program to compete with the established might of the Nittany Lions. Penn State wins 38-14."

Nick - "Happy Valley will be rocking! West Virginia does not have the team to hang with a very solid Penn State squad. Penn State wins 37-18."

Texas Tech vs. Wyoming

Dylan - “This will be a domination that nobody will see coming. Watch out for the Red Raiders this year. And why are they traveling to Laramie? That’s almost as bad as Alabama @ USF. Texas Tech wins 45-13."

Alex - "Texas Tech may start slow and this Wyoming team certainly isn't bad, but that's about the only chance Wyoming could potentially get against a dark horse Big 12 contender this year. Texas Tech 42-Wyoming 24."

Nick - "Wyoming will come out early and will play well for the home crowd. The second half will be a different story, and Texas Tech will come back. Tech wins 30-27."

Sam Houston vs. BYU

Dylan - “Let’s just say that Jacksonville St. had a better introduction game to the FBS than Sam Houston will. 3-38 in favor of BYU."

Alex - "Sam Houston's introduction to the FBS probably won't be a pleasant welcome. BYU shouldn't struggle too much in this one. BYU 38-Sam Houston 7."

Nick - "Sam Houston will be outmatched in Provo, Utah. BYU wins 42-17."