The 2025 college football season is now two weeks in, and the Big 12 might already have its title favorite figured out. That is a conversation for another day, because we have a solid Week 3 slate to break down.
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, Baylor, Texas Tech and Utah look like legitimate contenders as well.
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So, how will Week 3 play out in the Big 12? We only have ten games on the schedule, with two taking place on Friday evening, so it is a relatively lighter weekend for the conference. Our Buffaloes Wire staff picked all ten games in the conference straight up.
Here are our expert picks for Week 3. First, here are the standings so far from our writers through two weeks.
All games are scheduled for Saturday, September 13, unless otherwise noted, and all times are Mountain Time.
Standings so far
Charlie Strella: 28-3
Jack Freeman: 22-9
Griffin Dreifaldt: 26-5
Xavier Michnewicz: 13-3
Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Houston head coach Willie Fritz shakes the hand of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders on stage while Arizona head coach Brent Brennan looks on during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
5:30 p.m., ESPN (Friday)
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We have already shared our Colorado-Delaware predictions in a separate post, with the staff split in picking a winner. The game should be a tight one to open up Big 12 play for both teams.
Arizona players pile on Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) during the first quarter of the game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium Friday, September 13, 2024.
7:00 p.m., Fox (Friday)
Griffin: Arizona
Arizona comes out on top in this matchup, continuing the curious trend tied to the Week 0 game in Ireland. Last year, Florida State lost to Georgia Tech in Dublin and went on to endure a brutal 2-10 season. Now, it’s Kansas State’s turn to face that same ominous pattern. While the Wildcats will be determined to reverse the curse, history isn’t on their side. I believe Arizona seizes the moment and secures a statement win at home on Friday evening.
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Jack: Arizona
Less than a month ago, if you asked me about this matchup, I’d have Kansas State winning in a blowout, but now? It appears that the Wildcats left something behind in Ireland, as the team is struggling with back-to-back poor performances against North Dakota and Army. Conversely, I’ve been impressed with Arizona, especially their offensive output with the loss of Tetairoa McMillan. Give me Arizona in the battle of the Big 12 Wildcats.
Charlie: Kansas State
I love what I have seen from Arizona to start the year, and being at home should give me an even better reason to pick them. However, I really don’t believe K-State is that far off from a 3-0 start to the season and star running back Dylan Edwards is back this weekend. It won’t be easy, and it will be close, so give me the Kansas State version of the Wildcats to bounce back on the road.
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Baylor vs. Samford
Sep 6, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears punter Palmer Williams (94) celebrates after place kicker Connor Hawkins (96) makes a game winning field goal to defeat the SMU Mustangs during the second overtime at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
10:00 a.m. ESPN+
Griffin: Baylor
Jack: Baylor
Charlie: Baylor
If Samford were a slightly more formidable opponent, then this might turn into a trap game for the Bears, who are coming off an exhilarating overtime win over SMU. But Baylor should cruise here.
Texas Tech vs. Oregon State
Texas Tech’s Behren Morton prepares to throw against Arkansas-Pine Bluff during a non-conference football game, Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
1:30 p.m., Fox
Griffin: Texas Tech
Jack: Texas Tech
Charlie: Texas Tech
West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh
Sep 16, 2023; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers center Jake Kradel (53) pauses over the ball before a snap during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
1:30 p.m., ESPN
Griffin: Pitt
The Backyard Brawl returns, bringing with it a rivalry that dates all the way back to 1895. With just 75 miles of interstate separating these two programs, this matchup always delivers in one way or another. This year, the game takes place in Morgantown, West Virginia, but Pittsburgh enters as a 6.5-point favorite and will be aiming for its 64th win in the all-time series. Give me the Panthers, who I deem as one of the most underrated teams not only in the ACC but in the entire country.
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Jack: Pitt
There’s something special about the Backyard Brawl. I mean, these are two fan bases who truly despise each other, and that hate truly warms my heart. This will be a close game with West Virginia rebounding from the sloppy play that saw them fall victim to Ohio last week, but I don’t think the Mountaineers have enough firepower without star running back Jaheim White to keep up with Pitt. While home field advantage will help WVU, Pitt just looks like the more complete team on paper to me.
Charlie: Pitt
Morgantown will be rocking, but the Mountaineers are not up to Pitt’s caliber this season. Rich Rodriguez will have his team ready to play, but as my colleagues said, the Panthers are the real deal and will want to spoil the day for all the WVY fans.
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Cincinnati vs. Northwestern State
Cincinnati Bearcats safety Christian Harrison (5) reacts after a stop on fourth down in the third quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Bowling Green Falcons at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Sept. 6, 2025.
1:30 p.m., ESPN+
Griffin: Cincinnati
Jack: Cincinnati
Charlie: Cincinnati
Iowa State Cyclones’ defensive line Vontroy Malone (8), linebacker Cael Brezina (9), and defensive back Drew Surges (29) celebrates after a stop South Dakota during the second quarter in the home game opening at Jack Trice Stadium on August 30, 2025, in Ames, Iowa
2:00 p.m., ESPN2
Griffin: Iowa State
Jack: Iowa State
Charlie: Iowa State
Iowa State will have to be careful not to let the Red Wolves hang around, but the Cyclones are well coached, and this one, even on the road, should not be a problem.
Utah at Wyoming
Sep 6, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on during the second half against the Cal Poly Mustangs at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
6:00 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Griffin: Utah
Devon Dampier and the Utes dominate in this one, as Dampier takes another big step in his Heisman campaign with a huge performance both through the air and on the ground.
Jack: Utah
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Heading into Laramie is as tough an environment as any in college football, and we just saw a Big 12 team head into a Group of 6 stadium and lay an egg. So, Wyoming should be my upset pick, and they would be, if it weren’t for Utah’s quarterback Devon Dampier. The New Mexico transfer is playing like a legitimate Heisman contender behind a stout Ute offensive line. Until I see his play slow down, it’ll be hard to pick against Utah moving forward.
Charlie: Utah
TCU vs. Abilene Christian
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; TCU Horned Frogs edge Devean Deal (11) recovers a fumble and returns it for a touchdown in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
6:00 p.m., ESPN+
Griffin: TCU
Jack: TCU
Charlie: TCU
I forgot about the Horned Frogs after their Week 1 demolition of Bill Belichick’s North Carolina Tar Heels. But fear not, TCU is back in action this week against Abilene Christian, which should be a walk in the park.
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Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham looks up at the scoreboard during a game against NAU at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Aug. 30, 2025.
8:30 p.m., TNT/truTV/HBO Max
Griffin: Arizona State
After a heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss in Starkville last weekend against Mississippi State, the Sun Devils look to bounce back at home. Expect a sharper defensive effort from Arizona State and a more composed performance from quarterback Sam Leavitt, who should easily surpass last week’s 82 passing yards.
Jack: Arizona State
Charlie: Arizona State
The Sun Devils need a bounce-back win after taking one on the chin against Mississippi State last weekend. Texas State may be a Pac-12 school soon, but they are still well below ASU in terms of talent.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Big 12 football expert picks, predictions for Week 3 of the season
