It’s a tight race through seven weeks in the Big 12 Conference. There are three teams that remain undefeated: BYU, Texas Tech, and Houston. But those three aren’t the only teams in the mix. Four Big 12 teams have just one loss, and it’s going to be a wild ride to the finish.

There are implications on the line this weekend. Week 8 of the college football season will pit Houston and Utah up against one another. The result of that game will have a major impact on the Big 12 standings — along with the College Football Playoff.

Here’s how every Big 12 game might play out this weekend.

MORE: College Football Big 12 power rankings entering Week 8

No. 8 Texas Tech vs. Cincinnati

NCAA Football: Arizona State at Texas Tech
Oct 17, 2026; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Will Hammond (15) hands the ball to running back J’Koby Williams (20) in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Galaxy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Texas Tech had a slow start to begin the season, but the Red Raiders appear to be peeking at the right time. In back-to-back games, Texas Tech has dismantled both Colorado and Arizona State. That’s not a tough feat since neither program is doing much, but it’s proving the Red Raiders can do what’s asked of them.

A few weeks ago, this matchup looked like it could be an upset bid. While the Red Raiders are gaining traction, Cincinnati is reeling. The Bearcats started the season 4-0 but lost two in a row to Arizona and West Virginia.

Cincinnati has a terrible defense, which means the Red Raiders should be able to pick the Bearcats apart. The only hope for UC is that its run game gets rolling. The Bearcats do have one of the better rushing attacks in the Big 12. If Cincinnati can run downhill and control the clock, who knows what can happen.

Final score: Texas Tech 38, Cincinnati 24

No. 14 Houston vs. No. 10 Utah

NCAA Football: Utah at Colorado
Oct 17, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) carries the ball in the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

This is one of the bigger matchups of the week, but fans will have to stay up until 10:15 p.m. ET to see it. Both Houston and Utah appeared to be sleepwalking last weekend. The Cougars won by three against a good Oklahoma State team, but Utah needed a final stop to take down Colorado on the road.

Overall, Houston has played like a top-10 team this season. The Utes continue to run the football at will, and Devon Dampier makes enough plays through the air. This will be Utah’s biggest challenge, though. Conner Weigman is playing good football and has 20 passing touchdowns this season.

Houston has a team that can go into Utah and win, but home-field advantage is real.

Final score: Utah 31, Houston 28

The rest of the games will be quick-hitter style:

  • TCU 31, West Virginia 30
  • Baylor 31, Kansas 17
  • No. 2 BYU 28, UCF 20
  • Arizona State 34, Kansas State 31
  • Oklahoma State 38, Colorado 24
  • No. 25 Arizona 31, Iowa State 20

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Source: Yahoo Sports