Big 12 football: Predicting each team’s Week 1 game outcome

Dec 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the Big 12 conference championship logo as Kansas State Wildcats warms up before the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Kansas State Wildcats at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the Big 12 conference championship logo as Kansas State Wildcats warms up before the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Kansas State Wildcats at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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We predicted the outcome of each Big 12 football contest in Week 1.

Big 12 football should consist of the most exciting games this season. There are recruiting powerhouses like Texas and Oklahoma expected to surge in the rankings this year, while the conference’s top two teams record-wise (TCU and K-State) are closely in the mix with them.

There are up-and-coming teams like the Kansas Jayhawks who could make some noise in conference play. Additionally, another layer of competition has been added now that four newcomer schools have been added (BYU, Houston, UCF, and Cincinnati). They will play their first-ever games as members of the Big 12 as early as today.

Ahead of Week 1, we decided to predict the outcome of each Big 12 football game on the schedule.

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 28: Kobe Hudson #2 of the UCF Knights makes a catch in the fourth quarter against the Duke Blue Devils in the Military Bowl Presented by Peraton at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 28, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 28: Kobe Hudson #2 of the UCF Knights makes a catch in the fourth quarter against the Duke Blue Devils in the Military Bowl Presented by Peraton at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 28, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Kent State Golden Flashes at UCF Knights

Thursday, 6:00 p.m. CT, FS1

Kent State returns zero — yes, zero — starters from its offense last season. They were projected dead last in the MAC in the preseason coaches poll. Although the Golden Flashes gave Georgia a good fight last season, it will be a different story for them in 2023. Give me UCF by as many points as the game clock allows them to score.

Final Score Prediction: 52-7, UCF