The college football season is officially underway, and the excitement surrounding Labor Day weekend is palpable among fans and players alike. This year, while the Southeastern Conference (SEC) garners headlines with a notable matchup between No. 13 LSU and Clemson in Lane Kiffin's debut, the Big 12 has its share of intriguing games to watch as well.
Week 1 of the college football season features 15 of the 16 teams from the Big 12, setting the stage for a competitive opening weekend. Although there may not be a standout marquee game within the conference, several matchups promise to deliver excitement and showcase emerging talent. Below is a breakdown of the key games and expert predictions for each contest scheduled for Saturday, September 5, along with a few games taking place earlier in the week.
Starting with UCF facing Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, September 3, at 5 p.m. on ESPN+, the experts unanimously predict a straightforward victory for UCF. Despite finishing last season with a disappointing 5-7 record, the Knights are expected to dominate against a struggling SWAC opponent. Their history against FCS teams has been strong, and Bethune-Cookman is not anticipated to change that trend.
Another Thursday matchup features Colorado traveling to Georgia Tech at 6 p.m. on ESPN. This game serves as a significant test for both teams as they kick off their seasons. Following that, Utah will host Idaho at 7 p.m. on ESPNU, with the Utes coming in ranked No. 21 nationally. The experts are confident in Utah's ability to secure a win against an FCS opponent, given their strong roster and historical performance against lower-tier teams.
On Friday, September 4, Kansas will take on Long Island at 6 p.m. on ESPNU. While Kansas is not viewed as a major threat in the Big 12 this season, they are expected to handle the FCS team comfortably, maintaining their record of not losing to an FCS opponent since 2018.
As the weekend progresses, Houston will host Oregon State at 10 a.m. on ESPN/Disney+. The Cougars, ranked No. 23, are anticipated to perform well against a rebuilding Oregon State team that struggled last season. Houston's experienced squad is expected to capitalize on their home-field advantage.
West Virginia will face Coastal Carolina at 10 a.m. on TNT. Historically, the Mountaineers have excelled against teams from the Sun Belt Conference, and experts are backing them to continue that trend despite a challenging previous season.
In another notable matchup, Iowa State will take on Southeast Missouri State at 11 a.m. on ESPN+. Although Iowa State has undergone significant changes with a new head coach and player departures, they are still favored to win against a team that has just secured a victory in their first game of the season.
Later on Saturday, Baylor will face Auburn in a neutral-site game in Atlanta at 1:30 p.m. on ABC/Disney+. This matchup is expected to be closely contested, with experts divided on their predictions. Baylor is looking to rebound from a lackluster season, while Auburn, despite its own struggles, is anticipated to have strong fan support in Atlanta.
As the day continues, Cincinnati will host Boston College at 1:30 p.m. on Fox. The Bearcats are projected to leverage their home-field advantage against an underperforming Eagles team. Following that, Oklahoma State will visit Tulsa at 1:45 p.m. on ESPNU, with the Cowboys hoping to showcase their new quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who had an impressive season last year.
The final games of the day include Texas Tech against Abilene Christian at 5 p.m. on FS1, Kansas State facing Nicholls at 5 p.m. on ESPN+, and BYU taking on Utah Tech at 6 p.m. on ESPN+. Each of these games features teams that are expected to dominate their FCS opponents, with Texas Tech and Kansas State both having strong historical performances against lower-tier teams.
As the Big 12 embarks on its season, fans are eager to see how these matchups unfold and what implications they may have for the teams' trajectories moving forward. The excitement of college football is back, and Week 1 promises to be filled with thrilling moments and potential surprises.
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