The Big 12 Conference will produce a trio of great league games in Week 4, along with several non-league options including the final Iron Skillet game between TCU and SMU.
Several members of the league are off as they prepare for the first full weekend of Big 12 action next week. Here are five notes for the fourth week of Big 12 football action.
Note 1: Perfection
The Big 12 was a perfect 8-0 on Saturday, posting its second undefeated day this season. It marks the first time the Conference has posted two undefeated Saturdays in non-conference play in the same season since 2012.
What it Means: Nothing. I mean, let’s look back at 2012. The season finished with three ranked teams, two teams with 10 or more victories Kansas State was the BCS representative after sharing the title with Oklahoma. Yep, no conference title game because there were only 10 teams that season.
Note 2: The 400-Yard Club
The Conference duo of Texas Tech’s Behren Morton and Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson have combined to tally the top three single game passing performances in college football this season. Morton threw for an FBS-leading 464 yards versus Oregon State on Saturday, while Robertson threw for 440 against SMU and 419 versus Auburn.
What it Means: In the case of Robertson, he’s on a heater going into the Arizona State game. Going back to last year’s bowl game loss to LSU, he’s thrown for 400 yards or more against his last three power conference opponents (yes, SMU is in a power conference now). It means ASU’s defense is going to have to be on high alert.
As for Morton, it should be seen as a sign that Utah will have its hands full on Saturday. He didn’t have to be at his best against UAPB or Kent State. He needed to be against Oregon State, and he delivered.
Note 3: The National Tripleheader
For the second time in three weeks, FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff will visit a Big 12 campus on Saturday for the Texas Tech-Utah match-up in Salt Lake City. The Red Raiders and Utes are part of a Big 12 tripleheader on FOX this Saturday that will also feature Arizona State at Baylor and North Carolina at UCF.
What it Means: This Saturday must be music to commissioner Brett Yormark’s ears. The Big 12 is going to be on Fox all day, even if the 10 a.m. mountain time start in Salt Lake City is inconvenient to the locals. The fact that it’s on Fox and not on ESPN is a boost, because it’s the same channel all day as opposed to hopping from one worldwide leader channel to another.
Note 4: The Big Plays
The Big 12 has 12 different touchdown runs of at least 50 yards this season. That is the most by any FBS conference through Week 3 of a season since the 2018 season.
What it Means: The Big 12 has some big play beasts and they’re taking advantage of defenses … so far. The fact that it’s long runs as opposed to long passes is intriguing for the long haul of this season. The season could hinge on one big, unexpected run.
Note 5: First-Half Dominance
Three FBS teams have not allowed a point in the first half of games this season and all three play in the Big 12 (BYU, Texas Tech & UCF).
What it Means: The combined record of their opponents is 5-17 entering this weekend. So, it probably doesn’t mean that much.
