Is Cincinnati for real?
Is Houston the CFP contender no one is talking about?
Is Texas Tech just not quite what it was last year?
Those are some of the questions that could be answered during Big 12 play this week.
Cincinnati takes a 4-0 record and a prolific running game to Tucson, where Arizona is 3-1 and feeling confident after a comeback win at Washington State.
No. 20 Houston’s lone blemish is a two-point loss at No 12 Texas Tech — which still hasn’t played a complete game after a dominant regular season in 2025. The Cougars host UCF in the battle for Space City supremacy, while the Red Raiders visit reeling Colorado.
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UCF running back Taevion Swint (4) scores during the first quarter against TCU at Acrisure Bounce House, Sept. 26, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.
Our staff prognosticators, Michael Lev and Justin Spears, are back to pick the top six games on this week's slate straight up and against the spread. Lev and Spears are joined again this season by Jordan Hamm of Sports360AZ.com.
For more on our predictions — plus a complete breakdown of Arizona-Cincinnati — check out The Wildcast. It’s available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
SATURDAY, Oct. 10
Matchup: UCF (+11.5) at Houston
Time/TV: 9 a.m., ESPN2
Hamm's prediction: Houston to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Houston to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Houston to win and cover
Matchup: West Virginia (+3.5) at Iowa State
Time/TV: 9 a.m., TNT
Hamm's prediction: West Virginia to win outright
Lev’s prediction: West Virginia to win outright
Spears’ prediction: West Virginia to win outright
Matchup: BYU (-6.5) at TCU
Time/TV: 4 p.m., ESPN
Hamm's prediction: BYU to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: BYU to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: BYU to win and cover
Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond (15) hands the ball to running back Cameron Dickey (8) in the first half against Sam Houston at Galaxy Stadium, Sept. 26, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas.
Matchup: Texas Tech (-12.5) at Colorado
Time/TV: 4:30 p.m., FOX
Hamm's prediction: Texas Tech to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Texas Tech to win, Colorado cover
Spears’ prediction: Texas Tech to win and cover
Matchup: Baylor (+3.5) at Arizona State
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Hamm's prediction: ASU to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: ASU to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Baylor to win outright
Matchup: Cincinnati (+6.5) at Arizona
Time/TV: 8 p.m., FOX
Hamm's prediction: Arizona to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Arizona to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Arizona to win, Cincinnati to cover
Arizona wide receiver Tre Spivey (12) celebrates a touchdown against Washington State during the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026, in Pullman, Washington.
LAST WEEK'S RECORDS
Hamm: 5-2 straight up, 3-4 against the spread
Lev: 5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS
Spears: 4-3 SU, 2-5 ATS
SEASON TO DATE
Hamm: 21-11 SU, 14-18 ATS
Lev: 24-8 SU, 15-17 ATS
Spears: 22-10 SU, 10-22 ATS
Contact sports reporter/columnist Michael Lev at mlev@tucson.com. On X (Twitter): @michaeljlev. On Bluesky: @michaeljlev.bsky.social
Michael Lev
Sports Reporter/Columnist
On Arizona needing to flip the script vs. Cincinnati, other Week 5 thoughts | Michael Lev
