Week 7 is already here and the Big 12 has several storylines to follow as the race to Arlington starts to heat up.
The regular season is conference games only from here on out, and the margin of error is as thin as ever with more than a half dozen teams looking like they could make a run to the Big 12 Championship at some point or another this season.
This week, there are just five total games in Big 12 play, with one on Friday night and the four remaining games waiting in the afternoon and evening windows on Saturday.
Here are the top storylines from around the league that you’ll want to follow along with during the action.
Cam Rising’s Return
After suffering an injury to his throwing hand in a Week 2 win over Baylor, Cam Rising will return to the field for Utah on Friday night against Arizona State. With Rising sidelined for the last three games, the Utes’ offense has been virtually non-existent, averaging just 16.0 points per game against Big 12 opponents. Utah’s biggest issue during it’s time under freshman signal-caller Isaac Wilson was turnovers, as he had seven interceptions to go with six touchdown passes this season. Having a veteran presence like Rising back in the huddle could be a catalyst for the Utes, who are still a very dangerous team in the Big 12 race.
Can BYU Make It Back-to-Back Wins in the Sun?
Ahead of BYU’s game against Baylor two weeks ago, a stunning stat made its rounds via CFB Reddit, and it seemed like a bad omen for the Cougars. Since the 2019 season, BYU has been an astounding 28-3 in true night games but just 6-14 in day games against FBS opponents. Before their 34-28 over the Bears, BYU had lost 10 straight such games. Now, they’ll take on an Arizona team that handed Utah it’s only loss of the season and will be hoping to do the same for BYU. Can the crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium help the Cougars make it back-to-back wins in day games on Saturday afternoon?
Can the Iowa State Offense Travel?
Iowa State’s defense is — once again — among the best units in the Big 12 and will give the Cyclones a great shot at making it to Arlington at the end of the year. However, it’s offense will need to find more consistency, especially on the road. Against FBS opponents this season, Iowa State is scoring 47.5 points per game at home. On the road, the Cyclones have managed exactly 20 points on both tries. At some point this year, Iowa State will have to be able to answer some big scores on the road if it hopes to keep marching along. This week against West Virginia — in Morgantown — is probably going to be one of those times. Can Rocco Becht and the Cyclones get things going in a hostile environment?
A Showdown in Boulder, Colorado
Kansas State vs. Colorado was always going to be a big game on the schedule for 2024. In addition to the storyline of Dylan Edwards facing his old team, K-State has been one of the two favorites to win the Big 12. Meanwhile, anything involving Colorado football has been as good as gold on television. Now, add to that the fact that both of these teams come into the Week at 4-1 — and the Buffs are 2-0 in Big 12 play — and we’ve got ourselves the game of the week in the league. Shedeur Sanders vs. Avery Johnson feels like a matchup that has fireworks written all over it, and with the line sitting right around a field goal, we might be in for one heck of a matchup.
