Week 7: vs. Iowa State (TBD) – Iowa State struggled last year in their first season post-Brock Purdy and Breece Hall, but they have been a consistently tough team in the Big 12 under eighth-year head coach Matt Campbell. Despite a 4-8 record in 2022, Iowa State finished first in every major defensive statistical category. And their defense gave the Cyclones a chance to win every game on their schedule.
The Cyclones will return 15 starters this season, but could a gambling scandal ruin their season before it even begins? Regardless, the Cyclones went 1-4 on the road last year. The Bearcats will also be coming off a bye week while Iowa State will have just played TCU the week prior. That’s why I’m picking the Bearcats to win this game.
Game pick: Bearcats 31 Iowa State 21 (Record: 4-2)
Week 8: vs. Baylor (TBD) – Here’s how much parity there is in the Big 12. Baylor went 6-7 last year, losing their last four games in the process. The year prior, they won the Big 12 by the narrowest of margins in the championship game.
This is a game the Bearcats should win at home, even though Baylor will be coming off a bye. As October nears November, this is a take care of business game.
Game pick: Bearcats 35 Baylor 24 (Record: 5-2)
Week 9: @ Oklahoma State (TBD) – This could be a really important game. And Stillwater is no easy place to play.
Oklahoma State is led by the veteran, 19th-year head coach Mike Gundy who’s now a man and 56 years old. The Cowboys clearly have an identity, and they have six projected starters returning on offense. This is an opponent that the Bearcats could be competing with for several years. I see these two teams being equals in the Big 12 football hierarchy for years to come. But I think the Bearcats Big 12 inexperience this year will show in this game.
Game pick: Oklahoma State 41 Bearcats 24 (Record: 5-3)
