ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

The "Backyard Brawl."

Bitter intrastate rivalries.

Even two schools with the same nickname squaring off.

Get used to Wildcats vs. Wildcats, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fans. Even if the Friday-night showdown between the UA and Kansas State is technically a nonconference game, it counts in a major way for two Top 25 teams with aspirations to make the expanded College Football Playoff.

As usual, sports staffers Brett Fera, Michael Lev and Justin Spears are here to make their picks on the eight most intriguing games on the Big 12 slate.

For more on our predictions — including a breakdown of the UA-KSU game — check out The Wildcast Podcast. It’s available on ,Ìý or wherever you get your podcasts.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 12

Matchup: ASU (-1.5) at Texas State

Time/TV: 4:30 p.m., ESPN

Fera’s prediction: ASU to win and cover

Lev’s prediction: Texas State to win outright

Spears’ prediction: Texas State to win outright 

FRIDAY, SEPT. 13

Matchup: UNLV (+6.5) at Kansas

Time/TV: 4 p.m., ESPN

Fera’s prediction: Kansas to win and cover

Lev’s prediction: Kansas to win and cover

Spears’ prediction: Kansas to win and cover

Matchup: No. 20 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (+7.5) at No. 14 Kansas State

Time/TV: 5 p.m., FOX/11

Fera’s prediction: Kansas State to win, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to cover

Lev’s prediction: Kansas State to win, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to cover

Spears’ prediction: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to win outright

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14

Matchup: West Virginia (-2) at Pittsburgh

Time/TV: 12:30 p.m., ESPN2

Fera’s prediction: West Virginia to win and cover

Lev’s prediction: West Virginia to win and cover

Spears’ prediction: West Virginia to win and cover

Matchup: No. 12 Utah (-20) at Utah State

Time/TV: 1:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Fera’s prediction: Utah to win, Utah State to cover

Lev’s prediction: Utah to win, Utah State to cover

Spears’ prediction: Utah to win and cover

Matchup: UCF (+2.5) at TCU

Time/TV: 4:30 p.m., FOX/11

Fera’s prediction: UCF to win outright

Lev’s prediction: TCU to win and cover

Spears’ prediction: UCF to win outright

Matchup: Colorado (-7) at Colorado State

Time/TV: 4:30 p.m., CBS/13

Fera’s prediction: Colorado to win and cover

Lev’s prediction: Colorado to win and cover

Spears’ prediction: Colorado to win and cover

Matchup: BYU (-11) at Wyoming

Time/TV: 6 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Fera’s prediction: BYU to win, Wyoming to cover

Lev’s prediction: BYU to win, Wyoming to cover

Spears’ prediction: BYU to win and cover

LAST WEEK'S RECORDS

Fera: 4-4 straight up, 3-5 against the spread

Lev: -6-2 SU, 4-4 ATS

Spears: 5-3 SU, 3-5 ATS

SEASON TO DATE

Fera: 12-4 SU, 7-9 ATS

Lev: 14-2 SU, 9-7 ATS

Spears: 13-3 SU, 8-8 ATS