Though there weren’t many compelling contests, the Big 12 went 9-1 in the season’s opening week. After the Backyard Brawl, the conference largely played Group of Five or Football Championship Subdivision competition. Though the competition wasn’t great, we’ve seen the conference struggle at times against those Group of Five and FCS schools.

Last week, conference teams won by an average margin of 37.4 points in the nine victories.

The schedule should be a bit tighter this week as the conference has several marquee matchups and intriguing nonconference games on the schedule. The Big 12 conference schedule also gets underway with Kansas making the early season trip to Morgantown to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Week 2 is nearly here, and the Big 12 schedule is a ton of fun.

Last Week: 10-0

No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide at Texas Longhorns

Jan. 7, 2010; Pasadena, California; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram (22) against the Texas Longhorns during the 2010 BCS national championship game at the Rose Bowl. Alabama defeated Texas 37-21. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

All time, Texas is 7-1-1 against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The problem is its last win came in 1982 when Bear Bryant was still in charge of the Tide. The last time these two teams met was in the 2009 BCS championship at the Rose Bowl. Alabama won that matchup 37-21.

It was Nick Saban’s first national championship as the head coach of the Crimson Tide. He went on to win five more. On the other hand, Texas hasn’t appeared in a championship game or playoff game since and has just one 10-win season.

Texas might be improved this season, and Quinn Ewers may turn into a fantastic quarterback. However, Alabama will be too much on this day, led by Heisman contenders Bryce Young and Will Anderson.

Prediction: Alabama 48, Texas 20

Missouri Tigers at Kansas State

Oct. 08, 2011; Manhattan, Kansas; Missouri Tigers quarterback James Franklin (1) gets away from Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Adam Davis (97) during first-half action at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Kansas State led at the half 10-3. Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas State and Missouri haven’t met since the Tigers left for the SEC in 2012.

Word on the streets is Missouri may have a down year this year. Well, their performance in Week 1 against Louisiana Tech might beg to differ. The Tigers rushed for more than 300 yards as a team and scored 50 points.

Kansas State didn’t ask Adrian Martinez to do much in their Week 1 opener against South Dakota, and he didn’t. He was 11 of 15 for 53 yards and gained just 39 yards on the ground. He only averaged 3.5 yards per attempt passing the football and three yards per attempt running the ball.

Perhaps they were holding Martinez back for Week 2, but that wasn’t an inspiring performance.

Prediction: Missouri 27, Kansas State 21

No. 25 Houston at Texas Tech

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston has an opportunity to be this year’s Cincinnati, a team that could burst the College Football Playoff bubble. To do so, it will have to knock off an improving Texas Tech team.

This is another matchup pitting future Big 12 foes against one another and while Tech looked good in their Week 1 win, quarterback Clayton Tune has the experience to go into Lubbock and pick up the victory.

Prediction: Houston 38, Texas Tech 30

Iowa State Cyclones at Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Hunter Dekkers (12) runs the ball for a touchdown as Iowa State hosts Kansas at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

After a disappointing season to close the Brock Purdy era in 2021, the Cyclones turn to Hunter Dekkers. One week in, the results are promising. Dekkers completed 80.6% of his passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns. Head coach Matt Campbell has never beaten Iowa, but the Hawkeyes struggled to score last week against South Dakota State. The Hawkeyes’ defense outscored the offense in the 7-3 win.

With everyone counting out the Cyclones after losing so many pieces to the NFL, this is the perfect opportunity for Cambell’s crew to pull off the upset. Give me the Cyclones.

Prediction: Iowa State 20, Iowa 17

Kansas Jayhawks at West Virginia Mountaineers

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas Jayhawks have been building momentum since their closely contested game against OU and their win over Texas. Now they head to Morgantown for the Big 12’s first conference game of the season. Can they come away with an upset over a West Virginia team that lost a heartbreaker to Pitt a week ago?

Prediction: West Virginia 31, Kansas 30

Arizona State Sun Devils at No. 11 Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oklahoma State runs on to the field before the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Central Michigan Chippewa at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oka., Thursday, Sept., 1, 2022. OSU won 58-44. Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

It looks like the offensive explosion we witnessed from Oklahoma State against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl has carried over to the 2022 season. However, there are some questions about their defense after allowing 44 points to Central Michigan.

Now they welcome the Arizona State Sun Devils, who beat Northern Arizona 40-3 in Week 1.

The Sun Devils score and put the Cowboys on upset alert, but Spencer Sanders’ leadership takes over late and helps Oklahoma State get the win.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 34, Arizona State 31

Tarleton Texans at TCU Horned Frogs

Sept. 2, 2022; Boulder, Colorado; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) stiff arms Colorado Buffaloes safety Isaiah Lewis (23) in the second quarter at Folsom Field. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Chandler Morris threw more pass attempts than Max Duggan, but didn’t necessarily have a great game in Week 1 against Colorado. Of course, they didn’t need him to play lights-out football to beat the Buffaloes.

The same is true for Week 2, taking on Tarleton. The Horned Frogs will not need to unveil their full capabilities against the Texans to come away with the win and start the season 2-0.

Prediction: TCU 48, Tarleton 10

No. 9 Baylor Bears at No. 21 BYU Cougars

Oct. 16, 2021; Waco, Texas; Baylor Bears cornerback Al Walcott (13) breaks up a pass intended for Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Gunner Romney (18) during the second half at McLane Stadium. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

This could end up being one of the best games of the week as the Baylor Bears travel to Utah to face BYU in a rematch from a year ago.

Though it was just one week, and it was against Albany, the Baylor Bears may have an offense to go with their vaunted defense. Much like the Cougars.

This one will be closely contested, but the Bears offensive and defensive lines prove to be too much for BYU in the end, and Baylor comes away with the win.

Prediction: Baylor 27, BYU 23

Kent State Golden Flashes at No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables runs onto the field during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

It will be another fantastic week in Norman as the Sooners host the Kent State Golden Flashes. Our team here at Sooners Wire shared our prediction for the Saturday evening affair.

Check out our Sooners Wire Staff Predictions!

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Story originally appeared on Sooners Wire