Welcome to our newest feature, which we’re calling “What-If Wednesday.” In this column, I’ll propose a handful of questions that, at this point, have not come to fruition. But IF they do, what will come out of it? What’s the end game?
Join us for this one, and let’s have some fun and talk some Big 12 football.
What If… Colorado Beats Kansas State?
Then the Colorado Buffaloes are a legitimate Big 12 contender. Kansas State is the favorite in this game on the road for an old Big 12 North match up. But if its the Buffaloes who come out on top, then this team is for real and will only get better. Deion Sanders has relied heavily on the transfer portal to build this team, and the part that makes that tricky for any coach is getting his guys to gel as quickly as possible. But if the Buffaloes get through the first half of their season at 5-1, which solid back-to-back wins vs. UCF and then Kansas State, watch out.
The Colorado Football schedule isn’t an easy one by any stretch, with road trips to Arizona and Texas Tech in the next couple of weeks, but getting past Kansas State will be one of their toughest tests the rest of the way and would be a massive confidence boost for the Buffaloes as they hit the back half of their schedule.
Related: Kansas State vs. Colorado Prediction and Preview
What If… KJ Jefferson Can’t Keep Defenses Honest?
Then UCF football will be out of the Big 12 race, and soon.
The Knights have a great ground attack, but teams are realizing they don’t think quarterback KJ Jefferson can beat them with his arm. So they’re looking at the Knights offense and saying, “We dare you”. And thus far, UCF is not proving defenses wrong.
This team has trailed by 21 points at some point in each of their last three games vs. TCU, Colorado and Florida. The Knights came back to win the TCU game, but got blown out in their last two. For a UCF team that has recruited, and mined the transfer portal, as well as any team in the Big 12, it’s not a lack of talent.
But if KJ Jefferson can’t become a more accurate and competent passer this season, plus getting better defensive play under DC Ted Roof, UCF will be out of the Big 12 title race by November.
Related: UCF vs. Cincinnati Prediction and Preview
What If… Texas Tech is Being Hurt By Too Many Late-Night Games?
The good news is, it ultimately should not matter come College Football Playoff time.
There have been some discussions on our Big 12 forums that Texas Tech may not be getting the respect it deserves in the AP Poll due to many late-night games. It’s a fair question to ask, given their most recent game at Arizona finished well after 2:00 a.m. EST, and they’ve had most of their games played in the evenings.
But, with the 12-team playoff format, if the Red Raiders get to a Big 12 Championship Game, and then win, they’re in. And depending on how many losses they have going into the game, they still may have a shot at the Playoff.
But if this team goes into November with just one loss, then they will get more premier TV time slots for games at Iowa State and vs. Colorado. Those two games could end up playing a huge role in the Big 12 race. So don’t worry, Tech fans. Beat Baylor and TCU to close out October, and the opportunities to show off in front of a larger, national audience will come.
