Welcome to the Heartland College Sports Big 12 football mailbag. This mailbag is for all you football junkies out there who root for a Big 12 school and not only have questions about your team but other teams in the conference as well.
So, join me, grab a can, bottle, or glass of your favorite beverage, and relax as I answer all your Big 12 questions. I want to thank each one of you who submitted a question this week on Twitter and our message boards! As for tonight’s drink of choice, take a look for yourself. Cheers!
@THEEIowaStateU asks: Will Iowa State overcome injuries and make a late-season surge to go 10-2 or lose out and go 7-5?
Duke: Right now, Iowa State is sitting with a 7-2 record with three games remaining. The Cyclones will host Cincinnati this weekend before traveling to Utah next week and then they end the year by hosting Kansas State. Obviously, this team has some issues to work out after back-to-back losses, but I still think they have a chance to win out.
Injuries have been a concern, and I am afraid they are catching up with this team. The offensive line is having issues with pass protection and getting a push in the run game, while the defense had their biggest meltdown of the season against Kansas last weekend. Still, I believe they are better than Cincinnati and Utah, but I am not sure about that Kansas State game. The most likely scenario for me is Iowa State finishing with a 9-3 record, which means they won’t be playing for a Big 12 title. While it is a great season on paper, it’s a disappointment after a 7-0 start.
@lyclones420 asks: Of the three games remaining on BYU’s schedule, which game will be the toughest for them to win?
Duke: Let’s take a look at the schedule here. BYU hosts Kansas this weekend before traveling to Tempe to take on Arizona State next week. Then they host Houston to end the year. Arizona State may have the best record out of all those teams I just mentioned, but the one that I would worry about is Kansas. The Jayhawks are a dangerous team right now despite what their record shows. Jalon Daniels is playing better, and they have the second-best rushing attack in the Big 12, led by Devin Neal. Their defense has also been improving. If not for multiple fourth-quarter blown leads, we would be talking about this team as a title contender instead of trying to get to a bowl game. I don’t care what anyone says; Kansas is the best 3-6 team in college football.
@Vectoze_ asks: Who should be West Virginia’s quarterback for the rest of the season?
Duke: Garrett Greene may be the most athletic quarterback on West Virginia’s roster, and I know he has been there for a while, but I liked Neal Brown going with Nicco Marchiol. He is more athletic than people think, and he doesn’t turn the ball over as much as Greene did. Plus, his completion percentage is way higher at 67.3%. It’s nice to have two quarterbacks they feel comfortable with but as of right now, they should stick with Nicco.
@RPTexan asks: Derek, we know the Big 12 officials are trying their best, but week after week, they make incredibly bad calls. What can be done to make them better at their job or how does the Big 12 get better officials?
Duke: The only way for refs to get better is a lot like the players. They need reps and proper training. We can only hope that they get better, but I have been covering this conference since 2016, and officiating has never been the greatest. One thing I will say that I say to everyone, at some point, the refs will screw your team over. It happens to every single team. It may not happen today or tomorrow, but it’s coming. I think Utah got a little taste of that last weekend.
@wart222 asks: It seems the only way the Big 12 will get respect is to play and beat SEC and Big Ten teams. Is it time for Yormark to encourage Big 12 schools to stop scheduling group of five and get them to play these “elite” conferences to home-and-home series?
Duke: I am all for Big 12 schools playing teams from the almighty SEC and Big Ten. We all know the value they hold in the eyes of the committee and often times their flaws are overlooked due to the logo on their helmet and what conference they are in. So yes, I think it would be great to play as many schools from those two conferences as possible. It gives the Big 12 a chance to get quality wins.
In fact, I would love to do a crossover weekend like they do in basketball. Maybe to a Big 12 vs. SEC showdown or a Big 12 vs. Big Ten showdown. The problem that the Big 12 could run into is scheduling with those two conferences. I fear that one day, the Big Ten and SEC will avoid playing teams from the ACC or Big 12; what exactly do they stand to gain from it? The committee already kisses both of their asses anyways.
