The Big 12 had a good week.
Oklahoma State’s victory over Oregon was a shocker, and the Conference avoided disaster when Texas Tech found a way to beat Oregon State. Utah did its part, too, with a blowout win over Arkansas.
At the same time, Kansas State crushed Washington State, Iowa State battled Iowa to the last play, and BYU kept its Playoff hopes alive with a win over Arizona.
Is it a sea change? No. But it’s a step in the right direction.
Week 3 features a massive showdown in the Conference when No. 13 Texas Tech hosts No. 22 Houston.
But my featured team is Kansas as the Jayhawks head to London to face Arizona State.
Here’s my Big 12 Column for the week.
Featured Team: Kansas
Arizona State vs Kansas
Saturday, September 19
9:00 AM PT, FS1
Wembley Stadium, London, England
It’s not easy to win at a place like Kansas.
With no football tradition and no big-time donor, the Jayhawks are treading water in the expanded Big 12. But the school pumped money into a stadium renovation, signaling a long-term commitment to the football program.
Lance Leipold has been the head coach since 2021. He’s compiled a record of 28-36 with bowl appearances in his second and third seasons. The nine wins in 2023 were the most KU had since 2007.
Yet, despite the initial success, the program has stalled.
Kansas won five games last year and five games the year before. There’s been no bowl appearances since that 2023 season.
And nobody ever talks about Kansas Football.
Recruiting is dead. There are no star players.
How many people reading this can even name a single guy on their roster?
Surely, a team like that has no chance against Arizona State. The Sun Devils have more money and, frankly, a better coach.
Kenny Dillingham has energized the Phoenix metro and is a talented recruiter. Arizona State had a Top 25 transfer class and brought in a quarterback with experience starting in the SEC.
In ASU’s first year in the Big 12, they won the league and made the Playoff. In other words, Arizona State accomplished more in a single year than Kansas has accomplished since helping found the Big 12 in 1996.
Anything can happen in London. But it should be a full-on display of the “haves” and “have-nots” in the Big 12.
Give me the Sun Devils by at least 21 points.
Matchup to Watch
No. 22 Houston at No. 13 Texas Tech
Friday, September 18
5:00 PM PT, FOX
The game of the week is a Friday night showdown between Houston and Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders have not looked great so far this year. This team is not even close to the Texas Tech team of last year. Quarterback Will Hammond plays hesitantly, and there’s no identity.
Last year, TTU’s defense was its calling card. This year, we are all still waiting for the signature characteristic to emerge.
Houston, on the other hand, returns its star quarterback and is led by a better coach. Willie Fritz has been successful everywhere he goes. He won nine games at Georgia Southern in his first year as an FBS coach.
Over the last four seasons, Fritz has posted win totals of 12, 11, and 10. The lone outlier was his inaugural season at Houston, where the Cougars won just four games.
Fritz knows what he is doing and is a significantly better coach than Joey McGuire.
But this game is in Lubbock. The home field advantage can’t be ignored. Getting a win in Corvallis was also noteworthy.
The victory at Oregon State is probably undervalued by the traditional Big 12 fans that never watched the Pac-12.
Yet, for those of us who have seen numerous ranked teams lose shockers to OSU, the win was respectable.
Everyone seems to think Houston is winning this game. Not here. Give me Texas Tech by more than seven.
Regional Matchups
No. 11 BYU at Colorado State
Saturday, September 19
4:30 PM PT, CBS
The march to the Playoff continues with a road game at Colorado State. Suffice it to say that this contest is of the “can’t lose” nature.
The Rams haven’t been tested, and BYU is coming off a significant win. It’s a trap game to a certain extent.
The spread is -17.5 in favor of the Cougars. This game could be tighter than anticipated.
Colorado at Northwestern
Saturday, September 19
4:30 PM PT, FOX
Nobody watched Colorado dominate Weber State last week. The only memory people have of CU is Julian Lewis struggling against Georgia Tech.
To change the narrative, Lewis must play better against Northwestern. In theory, the Wildcats present less of a challenge than the Yellow Jackets.
If Lewis looks comfortable, the expectations around Colorado will rise.
Utah State at No. 17 Utah
Saturday, September 19
12:30 PM PT, FOX
Utah hosts in-state rival Utah State for a day game at Rice-Eccles.
The matchup provides a direct comparison to Washington. The Huskies barely beat the Aggies and couldn’t score any points.
The exact opposite should be true here. Look for Utah to win easily and show why they are a Playoff contender.
Northern Illinois at Arizona
Saturday, September 19
7:30 PM PT, TNT
One game doesn’t define a year. The loss to BYU stings and could limit the ceiling of Arizona’s season. But, on the other hand, the defeat could act as a springboard to a 10-win season.
The Wildcats went through a similar experience in 2023 where they lost a triple-overtime game to USC. The Cats went on a tear after that game, ending the year with an Alamo Bowl victory over Oklahoma.
The storyline to watch against Northern Illinois is at the receiver position. Brent Brennan needs clear leaders to emerge after the injury to Gio Richardson.
Other Key Games
Tulane at Kansas State
Saturday, September 19
9:00 AM PT, ESPN2
The Wildcats are a dark horse in the Big 12.
The convincing margin of victory over Washington State generated respect. Tulane will not be a pushover.
Vegas may have the spread at 20 points, but K-State can’t overlook them.
West Virginia at No. 25 Virginia
Saturday, September 19
4:30 PM PT, ACC Network
Rich Rodriguez has an opportunity to secure a signature win. Virginia is ranked in the Top 25 and has been rolling over its opponents.
WVU is still an open question, although they appear to have taken a step forward in Year Two under Rich Rod.
The spread is 10 points in favor of UV. An upset win would be a feather in the cap for the Big 12.
Straight-Up Staff Picks for Selected Games
|
2026 Week 3 Games |
Dane Miller |
Stephen Vilardo |
Nick Bartlett |
Spencer McLaughlin |
Jack Follman |
| ASU @ Kansas |  ASU |
ASU |
ASU |
ASU |
ASU |
| Utah St at Utah |  Utah |
Utah |
Utah |
Utah |
Utah |
| USC @ Rugers |  USC |
USC |
USC |
USC |
USC |
| Stanford @ Duke |  Duke |
Duke |
Duke |
Duke |
Duke |
| UNM @ OU |  Oklahoma |
Oklahoma |
Oklahoma |
Oklahoma |
Oklahoma |
| BYU @ CSU |  BYU |
BYU |
BYU |
BYU |
BYU |
| CU @ NW |  Northwestern |
Northwestern |
 Colorado |
Northwestern |
Northwestern |
| SDSU @ BSU |  Boise St |
Boise St |
Boise St |
Boise St |
Boise St |
| NDSU @ Sac St |  NDSU |
NDSU |
NDSU |
NDSU |
NDSU |
| Montana @ OSU |  Ore St |
Ore St |
Ore St |
Ore St |
Ore St |
| FS @SDSU |  Fresno St |
Fresno St |
Fresno St |
Fresno St |
Fresno St |
| Purdue @ UCLA |  UCLA |
UCLA |
UCLA |
UCLA |
UCLA |
| Staff Records | 26-8 | 25-9 | 28-6 | 27-7 | 9-3 |
