The 2025 college football season is now a week in, and the Big 12 made several statements during the opening weekend, with a potential new title favorite emerging.
Every week, our staff gathers to pick the Big 12 football games. It is a challenging task, especially considering the conference’s crowded nature. Iowa State might be the new title favorite while Kansas, Arizona State, Texas Tech and Utah look like legitimate contenders as well.
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So, just how will the second week play out in the Big 12? Our Buffaloes Wire staff picked all the games in the conference straight up.
Here are our expert picks for Week 2 as we see if what teams’ opening week performances were real or not. First, here are the standings so far from our writers.
All games are scheduled for Saturday, September 6, and all times are Mountain Time.
Standings so far
Charlie Strella: 15-1
Jack Freeman: 13-3
Griffin Dreifaldt: 15-1
Xavier Michnewicz: 13-3
Iowa State vs. Iowa
Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) passes the ball for a touch down against Iowa during the third quarter in the Cy-Hawk series at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa.
10:00 a.m., Fox
Griffin: Iowa State
I anticipate ISU quarterback Rocco Becht to have another solid outing, but the Hawkeye defense gives him some trouble in this one. Can the Hawkeyes’ passing offense do anything this week after new Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski threw for just 44 yards last week? Unlikely, but this should be a fun defensive slugfest.
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Jack: Iowa State
The Cy-Hawk game is seemingly always a classic, but this year carries a lot more weight. Iowa looks to avenge its loss last year, but I don’t see that happening. Rocco Becht has the Cyclones rolling, and I see them taking the trophy for the second year in a row for the first time since 2011
Charlie: Iowa State
Iowa has dominated this rivalry the past decade, winning seven of the ten matchups. An even crazier note is that Iowa State has not won a home Cy-Hawk game since 2011. That was also the last time the Cyclones won back-to-back matchups. I like how Rocco Becht is playing, so give me Iowa State.
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Baylor at SMU
Aug 29, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Josh Cameron (34) carries the ball as Auburn Tigers cornerback Jay Crawford (23) defends during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
10:00 a.m., The CW Network
Griffin: Baylor
SMU is ranked No. 16 in the country, playing at home, but the Baylor Bears find a way to win this one. After Baylor got outplayed last week against Auburn, I believe the Bears will come out hungry in this one and stun Kevin Jennings and the Mustangs in Dallas.
Jack: SMU
Charlie: Baylor
I picked the Bears last week, and their defense let me down. Baylor plays a better game this week against SMU and notched a big-time win.
Texas Tech vs. Kent State
Aug 30, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Members of the Texas Tech Red Raiders sing the school song after the game against the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
10:00 a.m., TNT/truTV/HBO Max
Griffin: Texas Tech
Jack: Texas Tech
Charlie: Texas Tech
Oregon vs. Oklahoma State
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning looks on as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana State Bobcats on Aug. 30, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
1:30 p.m., CBS
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Griffin: Oregon
After Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy’s comments about Oregon’s NIL funds, “Oregon is paying a lot, a lot of money for their team. From a nonconference standpoint, there’s coaches saying they should play teams with similar budgets”. Dan Lanning responded with “we spend to win.” I expect a beatdown in Eugene on Saturday. The spread has now climbed to almost 30 points in favor of the Ducks, and honestly, I don’t know if that’s enough. Lanning gets his team fired up, and the Ducks roll by 35+ in this game.
Jack: Oregon
Charlie: Oregon
I wish Oklahoma State could give the Ducks a fight, but it just isn’t happening this year. Perhaps a few years ago, but the Cowboys are still on their way back to being an elite program.
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Kansas at Missouri
Aug 29, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) celebrates during a break in play during the second half against the Wagner Seahawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
1:30 p.m., ESPN2
Griffin: Kansas
Give me the Jayhawks in this one, as they win the border war. Mizzou is a 6.5-point favorite in this game, but Kansas has impressed early, and they surprise the country this week, knocking off a competent SEC team. Expect a shootout between the Penn State transfer QB, Beau Pribula, and Kansas’s Jalon Daniels.
Jack: Kansas
Another classic rivalry game in Week 2, which should reveal much about the two teams. Through three games, Kansas has looked excellent, but they haven’t really played anyone of note. Jalon Daniels has been mistake-free; if he can continue, the Jayhawks will walk away with their biggest win in years.
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Charlie: Missouri
Man, this is a tough one. My colleague’s points are all valid, and if this game were being played in Lawrence, I would probably pick the Jayhawks. But it isn’t. Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula will outduel Jalon Daniels in Columbia.
Cincinnati vs. Bowling Green
Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Brian Simms III (17) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Luke Lindenmeyer (44) in the first quarter of the Kansas City Classic season opening game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Nebraska Cornhuskers, Aug. 28, 2025, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
1:30 p.m., ESPN+
Griffin: Cincinnati
Jack: Bowling Green
Cincinnati put up an impressive fight against Nebraska in their opener, but I’ve got Bowling Green pulling off the upset for one reason: Pudge the locker room cat. The internet sensation guided the Falcons to win in Week 1, and it wouldn’t be right to pick against his motivational powers for the foreseeable future.
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Charlie: Cincinnati
Aug 29, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) before the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
1:30 p.m., Fox
We will share our Colorado-Delaware predictions in a separate post, with each staff member providing a final score prediction and some thoughts on the game. This game should not be close, but Colorado will need to show improvements from Week 1.
West Virginia at Ohio
Aug 30, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Cyncir Bowers (23) scores a touchdown and celebrates with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Robert Morris Colonials at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
2:00 p.m., ESPNU
Griffin: West Virginia
Jack: West Virginia
Charlie: Ohio
Ohio nearly, and perhaps should have, beaten Rutgers last week, and now the Bobcats get their Power 4 upset. The Mountaineers are just too new, and Ohio is the home team.
Utah vs. Cal Poly
Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) celebrates his touchdown scored against the UCLA Bruins with wide receiver Ryan Davis (9) and quarterback Devon Dampier (4) during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
4:00 p.m., ESPN+
Griffin: Utah
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Jack: Utah
Charlie: Utah
Kansas State Wildcats line up against North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the second half against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
5:00 p.m., ESPN
Griffin: Kansas State
Jack: Kansas State
Charlie: Kanasas State
The Wildcats need a big win. Army isn’t the easiest opponent in the world, but K-State is a tier above and gets back on the right track.
Houston at Rice
Aug 28, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman (1) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
5:00 p.m., ESPN+
Griffin: Houston
Jack: Houston
Charlie: Houston
The Cougars looked good in Week 1, and that should give them enough momentum to go on the road and beat Rice.
UCF vs. North Carolina A&T
Aug 28, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) looks to pass during the second half against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Acrisure Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
5:00 p.m., ESPN+
Griffin: UCF
Jack: UCF
Charlie: UCF
Arizona State at Mississippi State
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) scrambles for a first down against NAU during a game at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Aug. 30, 2025.
5:30 p.m., ESPN2
Griffin: Arizona State
Jack: Arizona State
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Charlie: Arizona State
Going on the road to any SEC environment is difficult, but the Sun Devils are up to the task. Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyyson will be too much for the Bulldogs’ defense to handle
Arizona vs. Weber State
Aug 30, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) points up to the sky after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
8:00 p.m., ESPN+
Griffin: Arizona
Jack: Arizona
Charlie: Arizona
BYU vs. Stanford
Nov 26, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back Christopher Brooks (right) runs the ball against Stanford Cardinal safety Jonathan McGill (left) during the second half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
8:15 p.m., ESPN
Griffin: BYU
Jack: BYU
Charlie: BYU
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Big 12 football expert predictions and picks for Week 2
