The Big 12 opens the season with a full slate of Week 1 matchups spread across Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and The Arizona Republic has laid out its score predictions for every game involving conference teams.
TCU is off in Week 1, but there’s still plenty on the board, from Colorado’s trip to Georgia Tech to Baylor’s showdown with Auburn and Houston’s home date with Oregon State. All times are MST.
UCF is expected to get things rolling Thursday afternoon against Bethune-Cookman. Scott Frost’s Knights finished 5-7 in 2025, and the prediction here is that they start 2026 with a comfortable win, 33-13.
Colorado’s opener against Georgia Tech could be tighter. Deion Sanders’ team isn’t projected to do much in 2026, but the Buffaloes are expected to hang around before falling 27-24.
Utah, meanwhile, is picked to handle Idaho with ease. The Utes return some key talent, and Devon Dampier and company are forecast to cruise to a 41-14 win.
Friday brings LIU at Kansas, and the expectation is a lopsided result for the Jayhawks. Lance Leipold’s team is projected to roll, 45-10.
Saturday’s early window features Houston and West Virginia both in line for convincing home wins. The Cougars, who are fourth in odds to win the Big 12, are predicted to beat Oregon State 38-17 behind Conner Weigman. West Virginia, under Rich Rodriguez, is forecast to take a step forward with a 35-13 rout of Coastal Carolina.
Iowa State’s new era under Jimmy Rogers starts with a win, though not an easy one. The Cyclones are picked to beat Southeast Missouri State 30-20.
The biggest Big 12 spotlight falls on Baylor vs Auburn. Auburn won last year’s meeting 38-24, and this time the Tigers are again projected to get the better of the Bears, 31-28.
Cincinnati, which has the longest odds to win the Big 12, is expected to take care of business against Boston College. The Bearcats’ Week 1 forecast is a 27-17 win.
Oklahoma State also gets a favorable read in its opener against Tulsa. Some around the league are high on the Cowboys in Year 1 under Eric Morris, and the prediction backs that up with a 38-20 win.
Texas Tech should open with a strong statement after an offseason filled with distractions and frustration. The Red Raiders are picked to beat Abilene Christian 41-10.
Kansas State’s game against Nicholls is one of the few entries without a final score prediction listed, but Avery Johnson is singled out as the key to the Wildcats’ season, with the expectation that his passing and running ability will show up early.
BYU is one of the teams drawing serious buzz entering the season, and the Cougars are projected to back that up against Utah Tech with a 49-10 win.
Arizona’s outlook also gets a positive start. Brent Brennan’s Wildcats went 9-4 overall in his second season, and they’re predicted to handle Northern Arizona 41-17 as the evaluation of Noah Fifita continues.
Arizona State closes the Big 12 slate against Morgan State. Kenny Dillingham’s team did not get much preseason love in odds or rankings, but the Sun Devils’ revamped roster is expected to stand out in a win over the Bears.
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