Welcome to the new world.
The launch of the 2024 college football season also marks the debut of Arizona as a member of the Big 12 Conference.
Yeah, it's going to take some getting used to.
Our staff prognosticators are undaunted. Brett Fera, Michael Lev and Justin Spears are back with their weekly predictions. RIP, Pac-12 Pick 'ems. Hello, Big 12 Bonanza.
Our picks for eight Big 12 games — including the clash between Colorado and North Dakota State on Thursday night and the UA's opener vs. New Mexico on Saturday night — can be found below.
For more on our predictions — including a breakdown of the Arizona-New Mexico game — check out The Wildcast Podcast. It’s available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
THURSDAY, AUG. 29
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes speaks during Big 12 football Media Days in Las Vegas on July 9, 2024.
Matchup: North Dakota State (+10.5) at Colorado
Time/TV: 5 p.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: Colorado to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Colorado to win, NDSU to cover
Spears’ prediction: Colorado to win and cover
FRIDAY, AUG. 30
Matchup: TCU (-9.5) at Stanford
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: TCU to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: TCU to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: TCU to win and cover
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
Matchup: No. 8 Penn State (-8) at West Virginia
Time/TV: 9 a.m., FOX/11
Fera’s prediction: Penn State to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Penn State to win, West Virginia to cover
Spears’ prediction: Penn State to win, West Virginia to cover
Matchup: South Dakota State (+10) at No. 17 Oklahoma State
Time/TV: 11 a.m., ESPN+
Fera’s prediction: Oklahoma State to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Oklahoma State to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Oklahoma State to win and cover
Matchup: UNLV (+2.5) at Houston
Time/TV: 4 p.m., FS1
Kalani Sitake is entering his ninth season as head coach of BYU, which debuted in the Big 12 in fall 2023.
Fera’s prediction: UNLV to win outright
Lev’s prediction: UNLV to win outright
Spears’ prediction: UNLV to win outright
Matchup: Southern Illinois (+14) at BYU
Time/TV: 5 p.m., ESPN+
Fera’s prediction: BYU to win, SIU to cover
Lev’s prediction: BYU to win, SIU to cover
Spears’ prediction: BYU to win and cover
Matchup: Wyoming (+7) at Arizona State
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., FS1
Fera’s prediction: ASU to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: ASU to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: ASU to win and cover
Matchup: New Mexico (+31) at No. 21 Arizona
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: Arizona to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Arizona to win, New Mexico to cover
Spears’ prediction: Arizona to win, New Mexico to cover
LAST SEASON'S RECORDS
Fera: 68-19 straight up, 49-37-1 against the spread
Lev: 65-22 SU, 44-42-1 ATS
Spears: 60-27 SU, 47-39-1 ATS
A simulation of Arizona football's season opener against New Mexico at Arizona Stadium in EA Sports College Football 25. (Video by Justin Spears / Twitch)
