Big 12 Football Predictions: Our Insiders Predict Week Three Matchups

SALT LAKE CITY – Welcome to week three of Big 12 football in the 2025 season.

Here are our weekly insider picks from BYU Insider Mitch Harper and Utah Insider Steve Bartle.

Check out their daily podcasts, Cougar Tracks, and The Utah Blockcast, for the latest on the Cougs and the Utes.

Big 12 Standings Entering Week 3

• Iowa State – 1-0 in the Big 12 (2-0 overall)
• Arizona – 0-0 (2-0)
• BYU – 0-0 (2-0)
• UCF – 0-0 (2-0)
• Houston – 0-0 (2-0)
• Texas Tech – 0-0 (2-0)
• Utah – 0-0 (2-0)
• TCU – 0-0 (2-0)
• Kansas – 0-0 (2-1)
• Arizona State – 0-0 (1-1)
• Baylor – 0-0 (1-1)
• Cincinnati – 0-0 (1-1)
• Colorado – 0-0 (1-1)
• Oklahoma State – 0-0 (1-1)
• West Virginia – 0-0 (1-1)
• Kansas State – 0-1 (1-1 overall)

Season Totals

(Through Week 2)

• Steve Bartle: 28-5
• Mitch Harper: 26-7

Big 12 football teams ranked in the AP Top 25 poll entering Week 3

• 14. Iowa State
• 20. Utah
• 21. Texas Tech

Big 12 football predictions throughout the 2025 season

Week 0 | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14

Colorado at Houston

• Friday, September 12
• Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. (MDT)/6:30 p.m. (CDT)
• TV: ESPN

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: Houston
• Mitch Harper: Houston

I’m going with Houston in this one. The unsolidified quarterback situation in Boulder is not nothing. Connor Weigman and the Coogs have secured wins in unremarkable fashion, but I think they put together a great game plan and get the win over the Buffs. -Bartle

Friday marks only the second time that Houston is a favorite against a Big 12 opponent since joining the league. They capitalize and get a big league win. -Harper

Kansas State at Arizona

• Friday, September 12
• Kickoff: 7 p.m. (MDT)
• TV: FOX

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: K-State
• Mitch Harper: Arizona

The K-State Wildcats are off to an abysmal start to the season, while the Arizona Wildcats enter this one undefeated and looking sharp. This is make or break time for Avery Johnson, if they don’t get this win, there’s a chance this season spirals out of control. I believe Chris Kleiman is a good coach, so I’ll go with K-State in this one, but with little confidence. -Bartle

I’m fading Kansas State, even with Dylan Edwards reportedly being cleared to play. Arizona hasn’t played anyone yet, but its defense has been stingy. Also, the new offensive scheme appears to have Noah Fifita back to his 2023 form. Give me the Wildcats from Tucson. -Harper

Baylor vs. Samford

• Saturday, September 13
• Kickoff: 10 a.m. (MDT)/11 a.m. (CDT)
• TV: ESPN+

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: Baylor
• Mitch Harper: Baylor

Coming off a big win last week, the Bears take care of business in this one. -Bartle

What a win last week for Dave Aranda’s program. They should be in the Top 25 after being willing to schedule two power conference opponents out of the gate. -Harper

No. 21 Texas Tech vs. Oregon State

• Saturday, September 13
• Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. (MDT)/2:30 p.m. (CDT)
• TV: FOX

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: Texas Tech
• Mitch Harper: Texas Tech

This is an interesting one, the Red Raiders have cruised through their first two opponents. The Beavers aren’t off to a good start but should provide a tough test. Red Raiders take care of business. -Bartle

Texas Tech all day. It won’t even be close. -Harper

West Virginia vs. Pitt

• Saturday, September 13
• Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. (MDT)/3:30 p.m. (EDT)
• TV: ESPN

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: Pitt
• Mitch Harper: Pitt

I had a feeling the Mountaineers would be overlooking Ohio, and you should never overlook an opponent. Ever. Not even in week two. Or week three for that matter. Never overlook an opponent. Anyways, Pitt wins. -Bartle

West Virginia’s defense has been stout and opportunistic through the first two weeks. But the offense without Jaheim White leaves a lot to be desired for the Mountaineers. I’m going with Pitt in a low-scoring Backyard Brawl. -Harper

Cincinnati vs. Northwestern State

• Saturday, September 13
• Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. (MDT)/3:30 p.m. (EDT)
• TV: ESPN+

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: Cincinnati
• Mitch Harper: Cincinnati

The Bearcats win. -Bartle

What he said. -Harper

No. 14 Iowa State at Arkansas

• Saturday, September 13
• Kickoff: 2 p.m. (MDT)/3 p.m. (CDT)
• TV: ESPN2

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: Iowa State
• Mitch Harper: Iowa State

I expect the Cyclones will look a little lethargic in this one. Rivalry games are always taxing. Arkansas State is a threat here but I believe the Cyclones find a way to get it done in an ugly one. -Bartle

Iowa State cruises to an easy win. -Harper

No. 20 Utah at Wyoming

• Saturday, September 13
• Kickoff: 6 p.m. (MDT)
• TV: CBS Sports Network

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: Utah
• Mitch Harper: Utah

The Utes are on the road for this one, the Cowboys have completely regained the roster this offseason and are off to a solid start. So long as Utah plays to their level, they’ll get the win. The cowboys will be competitive but Utes get it done. -Bartle

There won’t be much to learn about Utah from this game. Utes win comfortably. -Harper

TCU vs. Abilene Christian

• Saturday, September 13
• Kickoff: 6 p.m. (MDT)/7 p.m. (CDT)
• TV: ESPN+

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: TCU
• Mitch Harper: TCU

The Horned Frogs win. -Bartle

Before TCU kicks off, K-State will have already played four games while TCU is preparing for its second game. -Harper

Arizona State vs. Texas State

• Saturday, September 13
• Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. (MDT)
• TV: TNT

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: Arizona State
• Mitch Harper: Arizona State

This should be an easy one for the Sun Devils, but the Bobcats have been pesky the last few years. I could see a letdown in Tempe after dropping a tough one in Starkville, but the Sun Devils get the win. -Bartle

Texas State averages close to 50 points per game, but I fully expect Arizona State to bounce back this week and put the hammer down on the Bobcats. -Harper

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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