Big 12 Football Predictions: Loaded Week 7 Schedule

SALT LAKE CITY – It’s time for another week of Big 12 football predictions.

This week's Week 7 schedule revolves around the Big 12. It's the kind of week that could give us a clear picture of who the contenders and contenders are for the Big 12 championship race.

Each week throughout the 2024 Big 12 season, our insiders here at KSL Sports, Mitch Harper and Steve Bartle, will share their weekly Big 12 football predictions. Follow their coverage throughout the season on their personal X accounts: @Mitch_Harper & @BartleKSLsports.

The Big 12 standings begin in week seven

• Texas Tech – 3-0 (5-1 overall)
• BYU – 2-0 (5-0)
• Iowa State – 2-0 (5-0)
• Colorado – 2:0 (4:1)
• West Virginia – 2-0 (3-2)
• Arizona State – 1-1 (4-1)
• Kansas State – 1-1 (4-1)
• Utah – 1:1 (4:1)
• Arizona – 1-1 (3-2)
• UCF – 1-1 (3-2)
• Cincinnati – 1-1 (3-2)
• TCU – 1-2 (3-3)
• Houston – 1-2 (2-4)
• Oklahoma State – 0-3 (3-3)
• Baylor – 0-3 (2-4)
• Kansas – 0-2 (1-5)

Big 12 football predictions: Week 7 of the 2024 season

Here's the five-game slate to kick off our Week 7 edition of Big 12 football predictions.

Season totals

(Until week 6)

• Steve Bartle: 50-15
• Mitch Harper: 49-16

No. 16 Utah at Arizona State

• Friday, October 11th
• Kick-off: 8:30 p.m. (MT)
• TV: ESPN

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: Utah
• Mitch Harper: Utah

RELATED: Crucial matchup at ASU will reveal a lot about Utah football

Usually when Utah has a bye week, it's a good thing. They have a 13-6 record in 19 games under Kyle Whittingham after a bye week. Clearly something is going on in Utah, with quarterback Cam Rising at the center. He is the ultimate X-factor for the Utes. If he plays, it will greatly improve Utah's ability to pull out a win in Tempe. Regardless, Utah is capable of a hard-fought win with or without him. -Bartle

In the desert, Utah's Big 12 title hopes are at stake. I like that Utah missed a bye week and that their defensive line, especially Van Fillinger, led Utah to a hard-fought win. -Harper

Cincinnati at UCF

• Saturday, October 12th
• Kick-off: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
• TV: ESPN2

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: Cincinnati
• Mitch Harper: Cincinnati

More than a handful of UCF players who entered the transfer portal midseason turned heads. This Knights season feels like it's on a rapid downward trend. Cincinnati is coming off a big road win, led by QB Brendan Sorsby, who has quietly had a solid season so far. -Harper

UCF is the better team in this match. They have a strong running game and a lot of talent. However, many things are currently not working in their favor. Given the loss to Flordia and the unfortunate situation at state, I believe the Bearcats will win comfortably. -Bartle

Arizona at No. 14 BYU

• Saturday, October 12th
• Kick-off: 2:00 p.m. (MT)
• TV: FOX
• Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: BYU
• Mitch Harper: BYU

RELATED: Jay Hill sees areas for growth at next level from BYU's stout defense

BYU's retooled offensive line without Connor Pay under center will be an area to watch in this matchup. Either Bruce Mitchell or Sonny Makasini will start. Both defenses are strong in this matchup; I could see this being a low scoring game. But BYU wins by a touchdown. -Harper

This game will be surprisingly close, but somehow the Cougars will find a way to get the win to stay spotless on the season. Arizona is a good team that has a true star in Tetairoa McMillan. He has been kept out of the end zone since his four touchdowns in week one. The Wildcats will find a way to get him back to paydirt. -Bartle

No. 11 Iowa State at West Virginia

• Saturday, October 12th
• Kick-off: 6:00 p.m. (MT)
• TV: FOX

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: West Virginia
• Mitch Harper: Iowa State

This should be Iowa State and it should be a comfortable margin. How much of last week's win over Oklahoma State was because the Cowboys were just bad? However, there just seems to be a strong feeling for the Mountaineers in this film. -Bartle

Iowa State's No. 1 defense in the Big 12 shuts down the Mountaineer's potent ground attack featuring Jaheim White and CJ Donaldson. Cyclones remain undefeated and earn an impressive road win in prime time. -Harper

No. 18 Kansas State at Colorado

• Saturday, October 12th
• Kick-off: 8:15 p.m. (MT)
• TV: ESPN

Insider Predictions

• Steve Bartle: Kansas State
• Mitch Harper: Kansas State

I'm torn. This has the makings of a wild Big 12 contest. I believe Kansas State is still one of the best teams in this league, so I'll give them the edge. But the Buffs have the best individual talent in the league in Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. This could be a monster late night TV ratings for the league – K-State is close. -Harper

It appears the Wildcats have found their rhythm again after an embarrassing performance against BYU. The Wildcats have a week off to prepare and head to Boulder looking to secure a big win in the conference race. Avery Johnson comes up big for the Wildcats in this game. Colorado is an opportunistic defense but ranks 13th in the conference in total defense. Johnson takes advantage of that here. -Bartle

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts the Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to beat the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12-3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch's coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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