Welcome to Fact or Fiction Friday. Each Friday, I allow our Facebook and message board fans to ask the most intriguing questions in the Big 12 Conference, and I will tell you whether they come true or if they are set to fail.
Now, let’s crack open this week’s list and see what we have in store.
Oklahoma State Running Back Ollie Gordon III Will Have a Breakout Game
Fiction: As much as I respect Ollie Gordon III, I have a tough time seeing him have his first big game of the season against Kansas State. It’s not because of his lack of talent; it’s because of his offensive line in front of him. Oklahoma State has the most experienced offensive line in college football, yet they certainly have not played like it up to this point. I don’t see that changing all of a sudden against a good Kansas State defensive front on the road.
Is Texas Tech A Big 12 Title Contender?
Fact: I mentioned this in my three takeaways after the Texas Tech/Arizona State game. I really like the way the Red Raiders have been playing the last two weeks. Getting back a healthy Tahj Brook was crucial to this offense, and their defense looks much better than it was a few weeks ago. If you look at where they are now (3-1) and look at their remaining schedule (vs Cincy, at Arizona, vs Baylor, at TCU, at ISU, vs Colorado, at Oklahoma State, and vs West Virginia), I can see a path for them to win eight or maybe nine games which makes them an automatic Big 12 title contender.
Kansas Will Fire OC Jeff Grimes
Fact: For those who follow me, know my displeasure about Kansas hiring this man. In fact, I talked about it earlier this week in my Big 12 football mailbag. Grimes is a retread hire and one that didn’t make sense when you have a quarterback as talented as Jalon Daniels. I think we can all agree that the play calling hasn’t been great, and this offense has regressed so much to the point where I don’t even recognize it. Right now, Kansas is in shambles, and if Lance Leipold wants to keep building and taking that next step as a program, he will have to make some staff changes after the season, and Grimes will be one of those changes.
Will Cincinnati Make a Bowl Game?
Fiction: While the Bearcats are sitting at 3-1 on the young season, they will not make a bowl game this season. I know some people are looking at that 34-0 win over Houston and coming away impressed, but not me. Houston is not a good football team and I still have plenty of concerns about Cincinnati in general. Sure, quarterback Brendan Sorsby has played well so far this season, but their three wins are against Towson, Miami (OH), and Houston. Now, if they go and beat Texas Tech this weekend in Lubbock, then I might change my answer here, but until they prove it to me, I am not buying in just yet. Also, their schedule is pretty tough, too.
Will Baylor Fire Dave Aranda?
Fact: Let’s be honest here, if not for Dave Aranda being such a likable guy, he would have been gone after last season, where he went 3-9. Take a look at some of these stats on the Baylor head coach.
- In his last 13 Big 12 games, Dave Aranda is 2-11
- In his last 20 games overall, Dave Aranda is 5-15
- Baylor has not beaten a Power Four opponent at home since November 5th, 2022
That loss to Colorado pretty much summed up Baylor’s last couple of years. Instead of winning games, they find ways to lose them. I know this offseason he said that famous “We pay players” line, but to me, it reeked of desperation. It’s time to cut ties, and I have a feeling Baylor will finally do it after another ugly loss this season.
Neal Brown Will Be West Virginia’s Coach in 2025
Fact: It’s not going to be because of his mediocre record. It’s going to be because of his buyout. Earlier this year, West Virginia extended his contract to run through the 2027 season, which means that even after this year, he still has another three seasons. And with his salary over 4.3 million per year, he would be set to earn over 13 million over the next three years after 2024. Now, if West Virginia fires him after this season, they would have to pay him 75% of what is owed to him, which would be close to ten million. I am sorry, but I just don’t see West Virginia forking up that much money to get rid of him during a year where their schedule is brutal.
