Big 12 football bowl projections after Week 2 results

After the initial week of college football, including the Big 12 debut with BYU's victory over Arizona, it is time to review the updated bowl and playoff projections for all teams. ESPN analysts Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach have provided their latest projections, including an updated outlook for Oklahoma State after their surprising win over Oregon.

Prior to the Cowboys' defeat to Tulsa in Week 1, neither ESPN analyst believed they would secure a bowl berth, but that is no longer the situation. Currently, neither Bonagura nor Schlabach rank Texas Tech as the top-ranked Big 12 team in the playoffs. However, they concur that the Red Raiders and the Cougars will participate in the postseason.

Among the Big 12 teams, only Colorado, Kansas, and Iowa State are not projected to participate in a bowl game by either analyst. Colorado Buffaloes have no projection from Bonagura and none from Schlabach following their Week 1 win over Georgia Tech. They are now 2-0, and only six wins are required for them to become bowl eligible.

Their upcoming schedule features contests against Texas Tech, Utah, Houston, Oklahoma State, and more. Although their path to a bowl game appears challenging, Colorado has the potential to achieve it.

Texas Tech Red Raiders have both analysts agreeing on a No. 10 seed in the CFP matchup against No. 7 Ohio State. Their seed remains consistent with Schlabach's projection, while Bonagura shifted them to 10. They remain regarded as playoff contenders, with the gap between them and BYU narrowing.

UCF Knights received a Cactus Bowl vs. Wisconsin assignment from Bonagura and no projection from Schlabach after their loss to Pitt. Their postseason prospects have suffered due to this loss, but they still have the potential to make it based on their remaining games, including matchups against Houston and BYU. Baylor Bears' consensus is a bowl game against Missouri.

They secured their first victory of the season against Prairie View and will face Colorado in Week 4. A straightforward path to bowl eligibility appears on their schedule, which includes LA Tech, TCU, Kansas, and UCF.

Arizona State Sun Devils did not see any change in their projections. Bonagura did not think they would make a bowl game before their loss to Texas A&M, but they should still secure a bowl game this postseason. Houston Cougars continued to receive the same projection by Bonagura as last week but are now set to face Oregon in the Alamo Bowl. This matchup could be a possibility due to Oregon's recent loss to Oklahoma State, which eliminated their chances of making the playoffs.

BYU Cougars projected a No. 11 seed in the CFP against No. 6 LSU by Bonagura and a No. 8 seed against No. 9 Ole Miss by Schlabach. Despite losing to Arizona by fewer passing yards, penalties, and time-of-possession, BYU secured their first conference win and could find themselves in the playoffs as the Big 12 champions or an at-large team.

TCU Horned Frogs received a No. 11 seed in the CFP against No. 6 LSU by Bonagura and a No. 8 seed against No. 9 Auburn by Schlabach. After their first win against Grambling, they could continue their momentum and secure a bowl game. Kansas State Wildcats' projections show a No. 10 matchup against Oregon for Bonagura and a Pop-Tarts Bowl vs. Louisville for Schlabach.

Their second win against Washington State could carry them to the Pop-Tarts Bowl if quarterback Avery Johnson maintains his consistency. Utah Utes have a No. 10 projection against Virginia for Bonagura and a Sun Bowl vs. Clemson for Schlabach. Their strong offense dominated Arkansas in their second win, and their schedule is not too demanding, with games against Utah State, Iowa State, and Kansas. They could easily end up in a New Year's Eve bowl game like the Sun Bowl.