Big 12 predictions for every Week 2 college football game

The Big 12 showed out during Week 1 of the college football season.

The conference's 16 teams posted a combined 14-2 record. And, with Week 2 of the season set to kick off on Friday, they'll look to continue their strong play.

Here are Week 2 score predictions for every Big 12 team.

More: Big 12 football tiebreaker rules: How will league determine championship teams for 2024?

Week 2 predictions for every Big 12 football team

All times are Central Standard Time. Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Sept. 6.

BYU at SMU

• Time and date: 6 p.m. Friday
• Spread: SMU by 11.5

BYU's offense came alive last week in a 41-13 home win over Southern Illinois, and Jake Retzlaff led the way. The junior quarterback threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns, although the strong performance did come against an FCS opponent.

It'll be much more difficult to keep up with SMU's offense, which ranked 10th in the nation in points per game last season (36.4) and boasts plenty of returning playmakers. Quarterback Preston Stone can let it fly downfield, while running back Brashard Smith provides balance on the ground.

The Mustangs can put points up on the board, and they'll defend their home field to advance to 3-0 on the season.

Prediction: SMU 34, BYU 21

No. 17 Oklahoma State vs Arkansas

• Time and date: 11 a.m. Saturday
• Spread: OSU by 10

Arkansas ranked 10th in the SEC in rushing yards allowed per game last season (154.4). And while the team's defensive line looks to be improved, it'll still struggle to contain OSU running back Ollie Gordon II .

The Cowboys also have to like their chances based off the Week 1 play of quarterback Alan Bowman . He threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in a 44-20 home win over two-time reigning FCS champion South Dakota State .

If Bowman can limit turnovers in the passing game again, Arkansas won't be able to keep up with OSU's well-balanced attack.

Prediction: OSU 31, Arkansas 24

More: Who has edge in Oklahoma State football vs Arkansas game? A breakdown of key matchups

No. 16 Kansas State at Tulane

• Time and date: 11 a.m. Saturday
• Spread: Kansas State by 8.5

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson showed that he still needs to develop as a passer during a 41-6 home win over UT Martin last week. But the Wildcats leaned on the running back duo of DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards, who combined for 167 rushing yards and one touchdown.

It'll be tough to put up those kinds of numbers against Tulane, though. The Green Wave only allowed 117 rushing yards per game last season, which ranked 21st in the nation, and it boasts a strong defensive line that's led by Patrick Jenkins.

Johnson must take pressure off of the run game with his passing, and I believe he'll do that against a Tulane secondary that has a lot of new pieces. Give me Kansas State in a game that'll be closer than you might expect.

Prediction: Kansas State 27, Tulane 21

Cincinnati vs Pittsburgh

• Time and date: 11 a.m. Saturday
• Spread: Cincinnati by 2.5

Cincinnati's offense looked good last week in a 38-20 home win over Towson. Indiana transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby threw for 383 yards and two touchdowns behind a strong offensive line, and Ohio State transfer running back Evan Pryor recorded 105 rushing yards and one touchdown.

But I wasn't nearly as impressed with Cincinnati's defense, which allowed 435 yards of offensive against an FCS foe. And while the Bearcats will surely benefit from the return of star defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, who has been cleared to play after being sidelined due to blood clots, they'll struggle to contain the Panthers .

Pittsburgh earned a 55-24 win over Kent State last week behind the strong play of Alabama transfer quarterback Eli Holstein, who threw for 333 yards and three touchdowns. The Panthers are much faster under newly-hired offensive coordinator Kade Bell, and they'll get the win in this one.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 34, Cincinnati 31

Baylor at No. 11 Utah

• Time and date: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
• Spread: Utah by 15

Baylor looked sharp on both sides of the ball last week in its 45-3 home win over Tarleton State. Toledo transfer quarterback Dequan Finn recorded 192 passing yards and three total touchdowns, and the defense only surrendered 186 yards.

Better days are ahead for the Bears , who went 3-9 last season, but Saturday won't be one of them. Utah's offense will do damage with the duo of quarterback Cameron Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe, and its wealth of linebackers will make it difficult for Finn to scramble.

This game is officially viewed as a non-conference matchup because it was scheduled prior to Utah's move to the Big 12. But the Utes will still make a statement and establish themselves as a conference title contender.

Prediction: Utah 38, Baylor 21

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Iowa State at No. 21 Iowa

• Time and date: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
• Spread: Iowa by 3

Iowa State is going to lean on its passing game, which had plenty of success last week in a 21-3 home win over North Dakota. Quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns, and the wide receiver duo of Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins combined for 13 catches, 210 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

But Iowa's defense is strong, per usual, and its improved offense is a game changer. The Hawkeyes recorded 492 yards of offense last week in a 40-0 win over Illinois State, which marked their highest total since 2019.

Iowa has picked up the pace under newly-hired offensive coordinator Tim Lester, and quarterback Cade McNamara seems to be thriving. That'll be the difference in this rivalry game, which has been decided by 10 points or less in each of the last six meetings.

Prediction: Iowa 20, Iowa State 17

West Virginia vs Albany

• Time and date: 5 p.m. Saturday
• Spread: N/A

West Virginia didn't play well last week in its 34-12 home loss to No. 8 Penn State. Quarterback Garrett Greene struggled in the passing game, while the running back duo of CJ Donaldson and Jahiem White recorded 20 carries for only 75 yards (3.8 yards per carry) and one touchdown.

But West Virginia won't have nearly as much trouble against Albany. The Great Danes reached the FCS semifinals last season but lost 11 of their 15 All-Conference players.

West Virginia is 5-0 against FCS opponents under head coach Neal Brown, and that streak will continue on Saturday.

Prediction: West Virginia 45, Albany 14

UCF vs Sam Houston

• Time and date: 5:30 p.m. Saturday
• Spread: UCF by 21.5

UCF racked up 639 yards of offense during its 57-3 home win over New Hampshire last week.

Arkansas transfer quarterback KJ Jefferson recorded 203 yards of offense and three total touchdowns. Running backs RJ Harvey and Toledo transfer Peny Boone also combined for 223 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Sam Houston has won four of its last five games dating back to last season, and it looked impressive in its 34-14 win over Rice last week. But it won't be able to contain UCF, which has one of the best offenses in the Big 12.

Prediction: UCF 38, Sam Houston 14

More: Big 12 football offensive player rankings: Where does Ollie Gordon, Shedeur Sanders rank?

No. 20 Kansas at Illinois

• Time and date: 6 p.m. Saturday
• Spread: Kansas by 4.5

Illinois allowed 150.2 rushing yards per game last season, which ranked 10th in the Big Ten, and it lost numerous key defensive linemen such as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Jer'Zhan Newton.

Illinois only allowed 49 rushing yards during its 45-0 home win over Eastern Illinois last week, but it won't be nearly as easy to contain Kansas. Running back Devin Neal has recorded over 1,000 rushing yards in each of the last two seasons, and Jalon Daniels is a dual-threat quarterback who's now healthy.

Kansas will do damage on the ground, and its preseason All-Big 12 secondary duo of Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson will slow down a revived Illinois passing game.

Prediction: Kansas 38, Illinois 35

Colorado at Nebraska

• Time and date: 6:30 p.m. Saturday
• Spread: Nebraska by 6.5

Colorado's offense was electric during a 31-26 home win over North Dakota State last week. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns, and the wide receiver duo of Jimmy Horn Jr. and Travis Hunter combined for 14 catches, 330 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

But there's plenty of room for improvement in other areas. The Buffaloes' revamped offensive line struggled to buy time for Sanders, and the defensive line was disappointing despite the addition of players such as Arizona State transfer BJ Green II.

All of these flaws will be exposed against Nebraska, which saw quarterback Dylan Raiola throw for 238 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in a 40-7 home win over UTEP last week. If Raiola can limit his turnovers again on Saturday, the Cornhuskers will dominate the time of possession and keep the ball out of Sanders' hands.

Prediction: Nebraska 27, Colorado 24

Houston at No. 13 Oklahoma

• Time and date: 6:45 p.m. Saturday
• Spread: OU by 27.5

Houston's offense was abysmal in its 27-7 home loss to UNLV last week. Quarterback Donovan Smith threw two interceptions and got sacked six times, and the Cougars ran the ball 26 times for just 38 yards (1.5 yards per carry).

That doesn't bode well for this matchup against Oklahoma, which has an elite defense. The group recorded six takeaways and six sacks in a 51-3 home win over Temple last week.

Linebacker Danny Stutsman and OU's defense will dominate. And while quarterback Jackson Arnold didn't throw a ton of passes downfield against Temple, the sophomore can afford to play it safe again in this one.

Prediction: OU 42, Houston 7

More: Who has edge in OU football vs Houston game? Breaking down key matchups in Sooners-Cougars

TCU vs Long Island

• Time and date: 7 p.m. Saturday
• Spread: N/A

After reaching the College Football Playoff's title game in 2022, TCU went just 5-7 last season. But it played well last week as it earned a 34-27 road win over Stanford.

Quarterback Josh Hoover threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Cam Cook carried the ball 20 times for 81 yards and one touchdown. TCU's defense surrendered just 10 points in the second half and got some key stops.

It was a good start to the season for the Horned Frogs, and they'll improve to 2-0 with a comfortable win over Long Island. The FCS team hasn't posted a winning season since it moved from Division II football in 2019.

Prediction: TCU 55, Long Island 7

No. 18 Arizona vs Northern Arizona

• Time and date: 9 p.m. Saturday
• Spread: N/A

Arizona torched New Mexico through the air in its 61-39 home win last week. Quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 422 yards and four touchdowns, and it's no secret who his favorite target will be all season.

Tetairoa McMillan caught 10 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns. It marked the first 300-yard receiving game by an FBS player since Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2022.

Arizona's defense did surrender 471 yards and 39 points to New Mexico, which is a concern for when Big 12 play starts. But it won't matter this week against Northern Arizona, an FCS team that'll have no answer for the duo of Fifita and McMillan.

Prediction: Arizona 56, Northern Arizona 14

Texas Tech at Washington State

• Time and date: 9 p.m. Saturday
• Spread: Washington State by 1

Texas Tech narrowly escaped with a 52-51 overtime win at home against Abilene Christian last week. And while the Red Raiders scored at will, their defense gave up 615 yards to an FCS team.

Washington State's defense wasn't great either in a 70-30 home win over Portland State last week. The Cougars also scored at will but gave up 449 yards to an FCS team.

There won't be a ton of defense in this one. But I have more trust in Washington State, which boasts a strong linebacker room that's led by Kyle Thornton, to get a late stop when it needs one.

Prediction: Washington State 45, Texas Tech 42

Arizona State vs Mississippi State

• Time and date: 9:30 p.m. Saturday
• Spread: Arizona State by 5.5

After going 3-9 in each of the last two seasons, Arizona State showed significant improvement on both sides of the ball during a 48-7 home win over Wyoming last week.

Michigan State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns. The defense also recorded three takeaways and held Wyoming to just 118 yards of offense.

But Arizona State's defense will be tested against Mississippi State, which has an offensive-minded head coach in Jeff Lebby and a veteran quarterback in Baylor transfer Blake Shapen. And while Leavitt is a promising redshirt freshman, beating an SEC team on the road in his second career start is a tall order.

Prediction: Mississippi State 23, Arizona State 21

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 predictions for every Week 2 college football game