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, and I will tell you whether they come true or are set to fail.
Now, let’s crack open this week’s list and see what we have in store.
All of The Big 12 Teams Who Missed A Bowl Game Last Year Will Go Bowling This Year
Fiction: Last season there were a total of five teams who didn’t make a bowl game. The teams were TCU, BYU, Baylor, Houston, and Cincinnati. BYU is already bowl eligible at 8-0 and TCU, Baylor, and Cincinnati are all sitting at five wins. I think it’s safe to say that those three will find a way to win at least one more game. Now that just leaves Houston who is currently 4-5. The Cougars have Arizona, Baylor, and BYU left on their schedule. While I do think they will beat Arizona next weekend, I have a tough time seeing them beat Baylor or BYU. Even still, four out of five isn’t bad at all.
Related: How Many Big 12 Football Teams are Still Mathematically in the Conference Race With Four Weeks Left?
BYU Will Not Win The Big 12
Fiction: Before Iowa State’s loss to Texas Tech last week, I had the Cyclones as my top team in the Big 12. Well, that certainly changed and it’s safe to say that BYU is clearly the best team in the conference. They are extremely balanced on both sides of the ball. The Cougars have the second-highest scoring offense in the Big 12 and the third best scoring defense. Their individual stats may not wow anyone, but they are just solid across the board. This team doesn’t beat themselves with penalties and turnovers, instead they take advantage of mistakes from their opponents. Plus, I really like the way quarterback Jake Retzlaff is playing right now. If you are looking for the best team in the Big 12, you don’t need to look any further.
Oklahoma State Will Not Win Another Game This Season
Fact: At this point, I am just surprised their offense can get a snap off and their defense can make a tackle. This team is a total mess right now. Alan Bowman is turning the ball over and missing throws, and despite having arguably the best running back in college football, they can’t run because their offense line play is poor. As for the defense, do I really need to say anything? They have one of the worst run defenses not just in the Big 12 but all of college football. On top of that, their effort when it comes to tackling is about as bad as it gets. I don’t see this team winning another game this season. I would also advise Oklahoma State fans not to complain because if you do your head coach will call you broke and a total failure.
Related: Who Will Win Each Big 12 Football Game In Week 11?
Arizona State Will Win Out And Make The Big 12 Title Game
Fiction: Let me start by saying that Arizona State has arguably been the biggest surprise in the Big 12 outside of BYU and the job that Kenny Dillingham has done this season is one of the most underrated stories in all of college football. With that said, this team still has to play UCF, Kansas State, BYU, and Arizona. The best-case scenario for them to go 3-1 down the stretch but 2-2 is more likely. I know Kansas State just lost to Houston, but I would still take the Wildcats over the Sun Devils right now. Plus, they aren’t beating BYU. But hey, an eight win season would be HUGE for this program in their first season in the Big 12.
West Virginia Will Let Neal Brown Go After This Season
Fiction: Let me start by saying Neal Brown should probably be let go at the end of the season. Right now, he is 35-33 overall and 23-26 in Big 12 play. I have seen a lot of coaches get fired for records like that or even a little better. And with this team sitting at 4-4 with four games left, I would say the most likely outcome for West Virginia is to finish either 5-7 or 6-6 with they way they have looked this season. Even if Neal Brown went 7-5 somehow, he should still likely be let go but he won’t. Why? Because of the buyout. Neal Brown got an extension this offseason and his contract runs through the 2027 season. Over the next three seasons he is set to make 12.7 million but if they fire him then West Virginia will owe him 75% of his remaining pay. So even if West Virginia fires him after this season, they will still have to cough up over 9.5 million dollars and I doubt they will do that.
