Separation is starting to begin in the Big 12 standings as Week 7 of the slate closes in this weekend across the country.
Texas Tech looks like the best team in the league right now. But three others are undefeated in Big 12 action — BYU, Arizona State, and Cincinnati (yes, Cincinnati). Eight other teams have a loss. This weekend could go a long way toward making some teams desperate when it comes to the race.
There are seven Big 12 games across the league. There are no games pitting a pair of Top 25 teams. But there are a few games with real importance.
Two teams are off this week — Baylor and West Virginia.
Here are five things to watch in the seventh week of Big 12 football action.
Most Important Game
UCF at Cincinnati, 11 a.m. CT Saturday, FS1
Strange choice, right? I didn’t have a 4-1, 2-0 in Big 12 Cincinnati on my bingo card, but here we are. Maybe Houston wasn’t this year’s Arizona State after all?
Look, I’m not totally sold on Cincy yet. After all, this team started 5-2 last year and fell off a cliff. Remember that last win? It was against Arizona State at home in mid-October. Cincinnati lost its last five games, and the Sun Devils went to the College Football Playoff. The Bearcats are coming off that massive win over Iowa State at home. Two weeks ago, the Bearcats stole one in Lawrence. After UCF, Cincinnati gets Oklahoma State on the road. The tougher part of its schedule is ahead.
If the Bearcats want to contend come November, this is the type of game they can’t lose. This is exactly the type of game Cincinnati could lose because of the high of beating Iowa State and the acknowledgement that UCF isn’t that far away from being a problem.
Under-The-Radar Game
Iowa State at Colorado, 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, ESPN
The Cyclones must be ticked off over losing to Cincinnati. They’re banged up on the back end of their defense, and it’s starting to show. Still, Iowa State has plenty of talent, and it can go into Boulder and claim a win.
But here’s the thing — I covered the Colorado-TCU game on Saturday. The Buffs have one of the worst run defenses in the nation, yet they held the Horned Frogs under 100 yards rushing. I think there is a chance CU has figured some things out on defense. Quarterback Kaidon Salter is not going to throw three interceptions in the first half again. This could be a fun game and possibly Colorado’s first Big 12 win of the season.
Upset to Watch
Kansas at Texas Tech, 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday, FOX
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is having a great season. He’s completed 67.3% of his passes, has thrown for 1,497 yards, and tossed 16 touchdowns against two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 239 yards and a score. The Jayhawks are getting the best version of him after his long career in Lawrence. He is going to be a problem for Texas Tech’s defense.
Going into the season, I believed that Texas Tech would have a good defense. And when you have the Red Raiders’ offense, they only needed a good defense. While total defense doesn’t tell us everything, the unit is No. 9 in the nation, averaging 244 yards per game. This group looks elite. Daniels is the kind of talent that can befuddle a defense like Tech’s.
Player to Watch
Kansas State QB Avery Johnson
TCU at Kansas State, 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, FOX
The K-State–Baylor game was crazy. But Johnson brought it. He threw for 344 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also rushed for 72 yards and scored a touchdown. Those are the kinds of numbers that help win games (usually).
The Wildcats are desperate. They have two losses and can’t afford another to contend for the Big 12 Championship game. Manhattan has been a house of horrors for TCU of late. It adds up to another big game for Johnson. He needs to carry K-State as far as it can go.
Big 12 After Dark
Arizona State at Utah, 9:15 p.m. CT Saturday, ESPN
Both teams are coming in hot after a week off. Last year, they played in Tempe and the Sun Devils won, 27-19. That was part of a seven-game losing streak for the Utes. They look like a better team this year, and quarterback Devon Dampier has really lifted the offense. But, aside from the Texas Tech loss, it’s hard to say the Utes have been tested so far this season.
Arizona State needed the break. The loss at Mississippi State really doesn’t hurt the Sun Devils’ credentials. Buts wins over Baylor and TCU by a combined six points signal that ASU is not head and shoulders above the field. There is also the temptation to look ahead, as Arizona State’s match-up with Texas Tech is coming the following weekend. Two straight wins would put the Sun Devils in command of the race. But they need to win this one first.
