The Big 12 title race is heating up as Week 8 of the college football season brings several intriguing conference matchups, including a top-20 showdown with major implications for the standings and the College Football Playoff.
For the first time since conference play began, all 16 Big 12 teams are in action. No. 5 Texas Tech looks to remain undefeated on the road in Cincinnati, while No. 3 BYU hopes to avoid a letdown against UCF after its statement win over Notre Dame.
The biggest conference matchup comes Saturday night in Salt Lake City, where No. 9 Utah hosts No. 16 Houston. ESPN's 'College GameDay' will be on Utah's campus Saturday morning to kick things off ahead of Houston's CFP elimination game.
Elsewhere, Colorado travels to Oklahoma State to snap its four-game losing streak, and several other Big 12 teams hope to strengthen their bowl-eligibility chances.
Our Buffaloes Wire staff picked all the conference games straight up, plus a few other marquee matchups. Here are our expert picks for Week 8
All games are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, and all times are Mountain Time, unless noted. No Big 12 teams are on a bye this week.
No. 5 Texas Tech at Cincinnati
10 a.m., FS1
Ariana: Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are undefeated so far this season, powered by their elite defense. However, their offense finally showed up against a Power Four team, scoring 53 points against Arizona State last week. Meanwhile, Cincinnati has lost its last two games, including a loss to West Virginia, which gave West Virginia its first Big 12 win of the season. Texas Tech wins this game by at least two possessions.
James: Texas Tech
I'm taking Texas Tech because Will Hammond should find opportunities against a Cincinnati defense that has struggled against the pass. Hammond has completed 68.5% of his passes this season, and I expect the Red Raiders to let him establish a rhythm and keep rolling.
Charlie: Texas Tech
I expect Cincinnati to keep it within striking distance, but the Red Raiders are too talented, even if I don't think they are the best team in the Big 12.
TCU vs. West Virginia
10 a.m., ESPN2
Ariana: West Virginia
I do not trust TCU. They have been inconsistent, with losses to North Carolina and UCF and multiple turnovers, but they turned around to defeat Baylor and were competitive with BYU. West Virginia went on a three-game skid against Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Arizona. While I do not have confidence in the Mountaineers' defense, I do have confidence in their run game. West Virginia wins in an upset.
James: TCU
Charlie: TCU
Both these teams are very hot and cold. However, both are coming off impressive wins. Give me the Horned Frogs at home to get it done in a close one.
Kansas vs. Baylor
11 a.m., TNT
Ariana: Baylor
Baylor lost some trust after last week's loss to TCU. Nonetheless, they are still a better team than Kansas. Jayhawks quarterback Isaiah Marshall has struggled with turnovers, throwing five interceptions already this season. DJ Lagway had a bad game for the Bears last week, but he'll bounce back in this game, and he has a talented wide receiver in Gavin Freeman to help. Baylor wins, but this will still be a close game.
James: Baylor
Charlie: Baylor
Baylor needs a bounce-back win after a disappointing loss to TCU last week. The Bears need DJ Lagway to step up, and I think he'll make a late play to win it for his team.
No. 3 BYU at UCF
1:30 p.m., Fox
Ariana: BYU
BYU put the college football world on notice with their win against Notre Dame. They are the best team in the Big 12 right now and a true national championship contender. UCF has quietly had a good season despite their losses to Oklahoma State, Houston and Pittsburgh. While I expect the Knights to make it interesting, BYU will win this one and move to 7-0.
James: BYU
Charlie: BYU
I expect a slight layoff from the Cougars after their program-changing home win over No. 2 Notre Dame last week. A letdown doesn't mean a loss, but the Knights can stay within a touchdown.
Arizona State vs. Kansas State
1:45 p.m., ESPN2
Ariana: Kansas State
An early loss to Texas A&M seemed to derail the Sun Devils. They haven't looked the same since that game, even in their wins over Kansas and Hawaii. Kansas State hasn't lived up to its true potential this season, but it's 4-2 and coming off a win over the Jayhawks. Avery Johnson is the heart and soul of this offense and will lead the Wildcats to their fifth win.
James: Kansas State
Charlie: Kansas State
ASU has really tailed off the past few years and now has a major quarterback question mark. K-State is also dealing with a QB issue as starter Avery Johnson and backup Blake Barnett are both listed as questionable. If Johnson plays, the Wildcats will pose problems for the Sun Devils, but if he is out, I'd flip to ASU.
Oklahoma State vs. Colorado
5 p.m., FS1
We shared our Colorado-Oklahoma State predictions in a separate post, with each staff member providing a final-score prediction and thoughts on the game.
Arizona vs. Iowa State
5:30 p.m., ESPN2
Ariana: Arizona
Arizona has finally made the AP poll despite a bye last week. Noah Fifita is having a great season with 16 touchdowns to only four interceptions. His 81.8 quarterback rating ranks 18th in the FBS. Depending on how things shake out in the Big 12, they could reach the championship game. Meanwhile, Iowa State is happy at 3-3 and had an impressive win over West Virginia. Arizona is the better team and will win.
James: Arizona
Charlie: Arizona
No. 16 Houston at No. 9 Utah
8:15 p.m., ESPN
Ariana: Houston
Every week needs an upset. This game is the best on the Big 12 slate since both teams are top-15 in the AP poll. Utah was nearly upset last week, and that can signal roster weaknesses the next opponent can exploit. Also, Conner Weigman is having an incredible season with 20 passing touchdowns (the second-most in the FBS) and only two interceptions. His 87.7 quarterback rating is also the fourth-highest in the FBS. The Cougars finally get their statement win of the season, and Utah suffers their first conference loss.
James: Utah
I'm picking Utah at home, though Conner Weigman makes Houston a tough team to pick against right now. He threw for 343 yards and five touchdowns in the win over Oklahoma State, and the Cougars should arrive confident they can score against an undefeated team.
Charlie: Houston
Everyone says it is tough to win a late-night game in Utah, whether in Provo or Salt Lake City, but I think Houston could be that team. We need to talk more about what QB Conner Weigman is doing for the Cougars; he threw five touchdown passes last week against Oklahoma State. I think Houston at least covers the near-touchdown spread, but I am going all the way with the Cougars.
No. 6 Indiana at Michigan
10 a.m., Fox
Ariana: Indiana
Michigan isn't the power it was just a few years ago. Their quarterback situation is uncertain after benching Bryce Underwood, who has five touchdowns to six interceptions this season. Indiana, on the other hand, is about as good as they were last season, and they should have won against Ohio State last week. The Hoosiers are simply the better team, and they'll leave this game with the win.
Charlie: Indiana
I feel bad for Kyle Whittingham. He probably should have just hung it up after a tremendous run with Utah. But he was tasked with turning a flailing five-star QB into a star, and so far the Bryce Underwood experiment has been a failure. I think the Wolverines found something in backup QB Tommy Carr, but I don't think he is upsetting Indiana coming off a loss, even at the Big House.
No. 18 Texas vs. No. 7 Ole Miss
5:30 p.m., ABC
Ariana: Texas
Texas is favored because their quarterback has the last name "Manning." But Arch is not playing like a Manning. Neither of his uncles would have made the mistakes Arch made against Oklahoma and Florida. Meanwhile, Ole Miss has Trinidad Chambliss, who does everything he can to win every week. Chambliss is a far better quarterback than Arch Manning so that the Rebels will win this game.
Charlie: Ole Miss
I am completely out on Texas. What a miserable failure Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian have been together. They have the talent to turn it around, but if it doesn't start this week, it won't happen. If the Longhorns lose, the College Football Playoff is almost completely off the table, and tensions surrounding the program will skyrocket. Give me Trinidad Chambliss and the Rebels.
Wisconsin vs. No. 15 USC
5:30 p.m., NBC
Ariana: USC
Honestly, I would prefer if Wisconsin won this game. The Badgers are a great underdog story in the Big Ten, with wins over Penn State and Michigan State. They were also pretty competitive against UCLA. The Trojans will win this game because of Jayden Maiava, who was considered a long-shot Heisman candidate earlier in the season. He already has over 2,000 passing yards and 18 touchdown passes this season, and he'll certainly attack Wisconsin's secondary.
Charlie: Wisconsin
Camp Randall at night with "Jump Around" coming before the start of the fourth quarter? Come on, sign me up. The USC offense will struggle, and I think Wisconsin can move the ball against the Trojans. With USC possibly looking ahead to Ohio State and Indiana, I am taking the Badgers.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Big 12 football Week 8 picks, predictions for every Week 8 game