With Mountaineer Football being only 100 days away now, we are going to take at the slate of games to come during week one in the Big 12 Conference.
Here is how we see things playing out in the Wild, Wild Midwest to begin the season.
*all games take place on September 4th*
- Baylor at Texas State
This is going to be one of the sneaky good games of opening weekend. The Bears bring a lot of experience on defense, but the offense will need to be more productive. Jake Spavital’s brand of football has been fun with Texas State, but their talent lacks majorly. This one has the potential to be a slugfest, and I honestly see the Bobcats sneaking out with a win here. Spavital picks up the biggest win of his young coaching tenure.
Texas State 38, Baylor 35 - Northern Iowa at Iowa State
Usually this is a game where I would put the Cyclones on upset alert, but not this year. Matt Campbell has the talent to blow out this FCS opponent, and I think that is exactly what will happen. Breece Hall sees his day finish early.
Iowa State 48, UNI 13 - South Dakota at Kansas
I don’t know much about the South Dakota program, but what I do know is Kansas is the worst in the Power Five. With Lance Leipold being fresh to the scene in Lawrence, the Jayhawks will likely struggle. It’s bad for the conference, but the Jayhawks drop a tough one here.
South Dakota 21, Kansas 20 - Stanford vs Kansas State (Arlington, Texas)
This is quite an interesting neutral site game to begin the year. The Wildcats will be looking to forget the misery that was their 2020 season with the return of experienced quarterback Skylar Thompson. I have Kansas State winning this, but it will be a fun one.
Kansas State 24, Stanford 20 - Oklahoma at Tulane
Sooners good. Green Wave not as good. All I have to say here.
Oklahoma 62, Tulane 17 - Missouri State at Oklahoma State
Nothing worth noting. Gundy and the Cowboys roll.
Oklahoma State 56, Missouri State 7 - Duquesne at TCU
The Horned Frogs shouldn’t have any trouble here. I expect to see Gary Patterson rotate his quarterbacks quite a lot.
TCU 49, Duquesne 10 - Louisiana at Texas
Louisiana knocked off Iowa State last season, so don’t count them out. However, I think there is excitement in Austin, and the atmosphere will be electric to begin the Steve Sarkisian era. Win for the Longhorns.
Texas 35, Louisiana 20 - Texas Tech at Houston (NRG Stadium)
Texas Tech has lost their last five games against Dana Holgorsen. The Red Raiders will be better this season, but I think Houston will be up and ready for this game. I’m taking the Cougars in a shootout.
Houston 45, Texas Tech 41 - West Virginia at Maryland
This is a game that the Mountaineers should, and probably will win. However, the Terrapins will put up a fight. Doege will struggle early but get his feet under him later on. WVU pulls away in the second half.
West Virginia 31, Maryland 20
