Bowl season is in full swing, and the Big 12 Conference is somewhat participating.
Eight of the league's 10 bowl-eligible are set to hit the field. Some will have near-full complements of players and coaches. Some will not.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham shouts at the ref during the second half of an Oct. 11, 2025, game in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The latest opt-out, if you want to call it that, is Kyle Whittingham, . Our last big batch of Big 12 predictions was made before that news broke; since then, the spread in the Las Vegas Bowl between Utah and Nebraska — which was supposed to be Whittingham's last game with the Utes but now will be Morgan Scalley's first as head coach — has fallen from 16.5 to 14.5.
Staff prognosticators Michael Lev and Justin Spears are opting in, regardless, making picks for every bowl game involving a Big 12 team. Lev and Spears are joined this season by Jordan Hamm of .
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(Programming note: Our trio will pick Texas Tech's games for as long as the Red Raiders are alive in the College Football Playoff.)Â
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, center, runs the ball during the first half against UCF, Nov. 29, 2025, in Provo, Utah.
For more on our predictions — plus a complete breakdown of the Holiday Bowl between No. 17 Arizona and SMU — check out The Wildcast. It’s available on ,Ìý or wherever you get your podcasts.
SATURDAY, Dec. 27
Matchup:Â BYU (-4.5) vs. Georgia Tech (Pop-Tarts Bowl)
Time/TV: 1:30 p.m., ABC/9
Hamm's prediction: BYU to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: BYU to win, Georgia Tech to cover
Spears’ prediction: BYU to win and cover
Matchup:Â Houston (-2.5) vs. LSU (Texas Bowl)
Time/TV: 7:15 p.m., ESPN
Hamm's prediction: Houston to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Houston to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Houston to win and cover
TUESDAY, Dec. 30
Matchup:Â TCU (+6.5) vs. USC (Alamo Bowl)
Time/TV: 7 p.m., ESPN
Hamm's prediction: USC to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: USC to win, TCU to cover
Spears’ prediction: USC to win and cover
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 31
Matchup:Â ASU (+2.5) vs. Duke (Sun Bowl
Time/TV: 12 p.m., CBS/13
Hamm's prediction: ASU to win outright
Texas Tech linebacker Ben Roberts holds up a belt for being named the Most Outstanding Player during the Big 12 Championship Game against BYU, Dec. 6, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
Lev’s prediction: Duke to win and coverÂ
Spears’ prediction: Duke to win and coverÂ
Matchup:Â Utah (-16.5) vs. Nebraska (Las Vegas Bowl)
Time/TV: 1:30 p.m., ESPN
Hamm's prediction: Utah to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Utah to win, Nebraska to cover
Spears’ prediction: Utah to win and cover
THURSDAY, Jan. 1
Matchup:Â Texas Tech (+1.5) vs. Oregon (Orange Bowl; CFP quarterfinal)
Time/TV: 10 a.m., ESPN
Hamm's prediction: Oregon to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Texas Tech to win outright
The Arizona defense, including Genesis Smith (12), puts the pressure on ASU kicker Jesus Gomez (35), and he bounces his kick off the upright during the second quarter of the Territorial Cup, Nov. 28, 2025, in Tempe.
Spears’ prediction: Texas Tech to win outrightÂ
FRIDAY, Jan. 2
Matchup:Â Cincinnati (+7.5) vs. Navy (Liberty Bowl)
Time/TV: 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Hamm's prediction: Navy to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Navy to win, Cincinnati to cover
Spears’ prediction: Navy to win and cover
Matchup:Â Arizona (-2.5) vs. SMU (Holiday Bowl)
Time/TV: 6 p.m., FOX/11
Hamm's prediction: Arizona to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Arizona to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Arizona to win and cover
SEASON TO DATE
Hamm: 65-35 straight up, 47-53 against the spread
Lev: 69-31 SU, 44-56 ATS
Spears: 70-30 SU, 48-52 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
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