Week 3 in the Big 12 has it all.
The "Backyard Brawl."
Bitter intrastate rivalries.
Even two schools with the same nickname squaring off.
Get used to Wildcats vs. Wildcats, Arizona fans. Even if the Friday-night showdown between the UA and Kansas State is technically a nonconference game, it counts in a major way for two Top 25 teams with aspirations to make the expanded College Football Playoff.
As usual, sports staffers Brett Fera, Michael Lev and Justin Spears are here to make their picks on the eight most intriguing games on the Big 12 slate.
For more on our predictions — including a breakdown of the UA-KSU game — check out The Wildcast Podcast. It’s available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 12
Matchup: ASU (-1.5) at Texas State
Time/TV: 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: ASU to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Texas State to win outright
Spears’ prediction: Texas State to win outright
FRIDAY, SEPT. 13
Matchup: UNLV (+6.5) at Kansas
Time/TV: 4 p.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: Kansas to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Kansas to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Kansas to win and cover
Matchup: No. 20 Arizona (+7.5) at No. 14 Kansas State
Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards high-steps into the end zone for a touchdown past Tulane safety Jack Tchienchou, right, during the second half of their game in New Orleans on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.
Time/TV: 5 p.m., FOX/11
Fera’s prediction: Kansas State to win, Arizona to cover
Lev’s prediction: Kansas State to win, Arizona to cover
Spears’ prediction: Arizona to win outright
SATURDAY, SEPT. 14
Matchup: West Virginia (-2) at Pittsburgh
Time/TV: 12:30 p.m., ESPN2
Fera’s prediction: West Virginia to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: West Virginia to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: West Virginia to win and cover
Matchup: No. 12 Utah (-20) at Utah State
Time/TV: 1:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Central Florida cheerleaders perform on the field during the first half of the Knights' game against Sam Houston State on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Orlando, Fla.
Fera’s prediction: Utah to win, Utah State to cover
Lev’s prediction: Utah to win, Utah State to cover
Spears’ prediction: Utah to win and cover
Matchup: UCF (+2.5) at TCU
Time/TV: 4:30 p.m., FOX/11
Fera’s prediction: UCF to win outright
Lev’s prediction: TCU to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: UCF to win outright
Matchup: Colorado (-7) at Colorado State
Time/TV: 4:30 p.m., CBS/13
Fera’s prediction: Colorado to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Colorado to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Colorado to win and cover
Matchup: BYU (-11) at Wyoming
Time/TV: 6 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Fera’s prediction: BYU to win, Wyoming to cover
Lev’s prediction: BYU to win, Wyoming to cover
Spears’ prediction: BYU to win and cover
LAST WEEK'S RECORDS
Fera: 4-4 straight up, 3-5 against the spread
Lev: -6-2 SU, 4-4 ATS
Spears: 5-3 SU, 3-5 ATS
SEASON TO DATE
Fera: 12-4 SU, 7-9 ATS
Lev: 14-2 SU, 9-7 ATS
Spears: 13-3 SU, 8-8 ATS
