Our writers pick the entire Big 12 slate straight-up as well as the biggest games for Week 8 of the 2025 college football season.
The 2025 college football season is now seven weeks in, and the Big 12 seems to be establishing a four-team upper tier, with Texas Tech emerging as the team to beat. Those programs include BYU, Cincinnati and Utah. Arizona State, Houston, Iowa State and Baylor are just below that upper echelon. The Week 8 Big 12 slate features two marquee matchups that could decide who plays in the Big 12 title game.
Every week, our staff gathers to pick every Big 12 football game along with some of the biggest college football matchups. It is a challenging task, especially considering the conference's crowded nature. Texas Tech seems like the clear team to beat, but you can count out undefeated BYU, one-loss Cincinnati, and Utah.
So, how will Week 8 play out in the Big 12? We have only six games on the schedule, one of the conference's lighter weekends of the season. Our Buffaloes Wire staff picked all seven games in the conference straight up and five matchups from around college football.
Here are our expert picks for Week 8. But first, here are the standings so far from our writers through seven weeks.
All games are scheduled for Saturday, October 17, unless otherwise noted, and all times are Mountain Time.
Standings so far
Big 12 games only
Charlie Strella: 59-12
Jack Freeman: 53-19
Griffin Dreifaldt: 57-14
Houston vs. Arizona
10:00 a.m., FS1
Griffin: Arizona
It was somewhat surprising to see Arizona favored on the road in Houston, but the Cougars are dealing with a slew of injuries across their roster. I'm backing the Wildcats to go into Houston and come away with a big win.
Charlie: Houston
Man, this one was a tough one to pick. Arizona likely had its chances at appearing in the Big 12 title game dashed last weekend with an overtime loss to BYU, but Houston still has that hope alive, and I believe they will play like it.
TCU vs. Baylor
10:00 a.m., ESPN2
Griffin: TCU
Expect fireworks in this one, as defense likely won't be a factor. Both quarterbacks could easily top 300 passing yards. I lean toward the Horned Frogs here. They're coming off a tough loss to Kansas State and should be highly motivated. Baylor's secondary has been getting shredded all season, and I expect more of the same.
Charlie: TCU
A typical Big 12 shootout will be going down in Fort Worth. Both defenses have struggled all season, and that should not change against two of the top offenses in the conference. I like Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson better than TCU's Josh Hoover, but I do think the Horned Frogs are the better all-around team.
UCF vs. West Virginia
11:00 a.m., TNT/HBO Max
Griffin: UCF
Charlie: UCF
Arizona State vs. No. 8 Texas Tech
2:00 p.m., Fox
Griffin: Texas Tech
With ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt likely in the lineup, this game should be closer than people expect. Still, the Red Raiders are too strong in the trenches. Their dominance on both sides of the line is impressive, and it should be enough to push them past the Sun Devils.
Charlie: Texas Tech
I think many people are overreacting to Sam Leavitt's return and forgetting how dominant this Texas Tech team is. Leavitt should keep the Sun Devils in the game, but the Red Raiders have too much firepower even for a talented ASU squad.
No. 14 BYU vs. No. 22 Utah
6:00 p.m., Fox
Griffin: Utah
BYU has had some tight games recently against Colorado and Arizona, but I don't see them escaping this one. I'm taking Dampier and the Utes to end BYU's undefeated run.
Charlie: Utah
BYU still hasn't really faced a true quality opponent, and that changes this weekend against its bitter rival, Utah. I like the Utes' offense a lot better than the Cougars, and that makes a difference in Provo.
Oklahoma State vs. No. 24 Cincinnati
6:00 p.m., ESPN2
Griffin: Cincinnati
Charlie: Cincinnati
Next ... 5 biggest non-Big Ten games
No. 18 Vanderbilt vs. No. 10 LSU
10:00 a.m., ABC
Griffin: Vanderbilt
This LSU defense has been outstanding, but the offense just hasn't held up its end of the bargain. The Tigers have yet to score more than 20 points against a Power Four opponent. I'm taking Pavia and Vanderbilt at home for a statement SEC win. Fun fact: this is the first time Vanderbilt has been favored against a ranked team since October 11, 1947, when they played Ole Miss.
Charlie: LSU
LSU's defense saves the day once again, and the Tigers shut down the Commodores' rushing attack. The game will stay close throughout, but LSU's pass rush will come through when it matters most. A low-scoring affair, but the Tigers will come out on top.
No. 7 Georgia vs. No. 5 Ole Miss
1:30 p.m., ABC
Griffin: Georgia
This is a strange matchup, with both teams having obvious defensive issues that aren't getting enough national attention. Georgia's secondary has struggled, while Ole Miss can't stop the run. With both Kirby Smart and Lane Kiffin having served under Nick Saban at Alabama—Smart as DC, Kiffin as OC—there's plenty of familiarity here. I'll take Georgia in a tight one, but Ole Miss covers the 7.5-point spread comfortably.
Charlie: Georgia
I do believe the Georgia defense is better than what they have shown so far, and they show up against the Rebels. Ole Miss's offense will suffer when its up-tempo attack doesn't stay on the field, giving Georgia's offense ample opportunities to put points on the board. It will be tight, but I think the Bulldogs win by six.
No. 6 Alabama vs. No. 11 Tennessee
5:30 p.m., ABC
Griffin: Alabama
This will be Alabama's fourth straight game against a ranked opponent, which is a brutal stretch. Still, head coach Kalen DeBoer has stepped up since that Week 1 loss to Florida State. Expect him to don the "black hoodie of death," where he holds a 13-2 record with the Crimson Tide. Without it, he's just 1-3. Tennessee's offense can hang around, but its defense has been giving up close to 30 points per game. That's not going to cut it against Bama.
Charlie: Where did Tennessee's defense go? The Vols can't stop anything, and that will be a problem against an efficient Alabama offense. I see a relatively high-scoring game with the Crimson Tide pulling away late.
No. 15 Notre Dame vs. No. 21 USC
5:30 p.m., NBC/Peacock
Griffin: USC
This is a must-win for both teams if they want any shot at the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame started slow with losses to Miami and Texas A&M, but has improved since, particularly on defense. That said, they're nearly 10-point favorites, which feels off against a solid USC team. I'll take Lincoln Riley and Jayden Maiva to go into South Bend and pull off the upset.
Charlie: Notre Dame
This should be one of the best games of the weekend. No team will pull away, but everyone will know Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr after this one. He'll make several big-time plays, and the Irish's passing attack will make a difference in the second half. I think it could come down to whoever has the ball last.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Big 12 and top college football predictions, picks for Week 8
Category: General Sports
