Did you really think any Big 12 team was going to get through league play undefeated?
One more undefeated team fell on Saturday, as Texas Tech lost to Arizona State. Now, BYU is the only undefeated team overall (7-0, 4-0) and Cincinnati is the other undefeated team in league action (6-1, 4-0). Chances are both will absorb at least one loss. After all, the two teams play each other in November.
Week 9 brings us the Sunflower State Showdown, a BYU trip to Iowa State, Cincinnati hosting Baylor and Arizona State hosting pesky Houston. Â
Here are five things to watch in the eighth week of Big 12 football action.
Most Important Game
No. 11 BYU at Iowa State, 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, FOX
This game is of massive importance to Iowa State. The Cyclones already have two Big 12 losses and have lost their last two games after a 5-0 start. Iowa State has had an off week to get healthy, but the fact is they have depth issues at key positions, and it will stay that way the rest of the season. Iowa State home games can be deafening and because the Cyclones run the ball well, they can make things difficult for BYU.
The Cougars are coming off a huge win that not only kept them undefeated but helped them beat their arch-rival Utah. It’s the perfect recipe for a let-down game for BYU, which can absorb a loss and remain squarely in the hunt for the Big 12 championship game. If the Cyclones lose, realistically, their title game hopes are done.
Under-The-Radar Game
Kansas State at Kansas, 11 a.m. CT Saturday, TNT
Because both teams are unranked and have two conference losses, chances are most of the audience for this game will be Wildcats fans and Jayhawks fans. But, aside from the rivalry, there is the reality that the loser doesn’t have a realistic chance of getting to the Big 12 championship game entering November.
That alone should make for a compelling showdown. Throw in the fact that it’s the first Sunflower State Showdown game at refurbished David Booth Stadium, and you know the Wildcats would love nothing more than to hand the Jayhawks a loss this weekend.
Upset to Watch
TCU at West Virginia, 3 p.m. CT Saturday, ESPN2
Yes, West Virginia isn’t good this year. The Mountaineers will probably miss a bowl game. But playing in Morgantown is tough. It doesn’t matter if the Mountaineers have 10 wins or zero wins. Milan Puskar Stadium is a hard place to play. I’ve covered a couple of games there and those fans are hard on opposing teams.
TCU’s coming off a big win over rival Baylor and still has a chance to remain in this Big 12 Championship game race, especially if the Horned Frogs can win out. On paper this is a game TCU should win. In reality, the Mountaineers are going to give the Horned Frogs everything they can handle. It just might be enough if TCU isn’t ready to play.
Player to Watch
Houston QB Connor Weigman
Houston at No. 24 Arizona State, 7 p.m. CT Saturday, ESPN2
I’ll admit I haven’t been Weigman’s biggest fan this season. But you must give the fourth-year collegiate credit — he’s getting the job done for the Cougars in his first year in Houston. He’s thrown for 1,380 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions and has rushed for another 243 yards and six touchdowns. It appears Houston has figured out how to use him best and I saw someone spotlight it on X (formerly Twitter — sorry I can’t remember who posted that).
He spent three years at Texas A&M and ran the football 67 times. In seven games at Houston, he’s run the football 66 times. The reality is Weigman needs to use his legs as much as his arm and the Cougars have found a balance that works for him and the offense. He’s already helped mount a comeback on the road on the West Coast this season. He and the Cougars hope to be playing ahead of the Sun Devils on Saturday.
Big 12 After Dark
Colorado at Utah, 9:15 p.m. CT Saturday, ESPN
The Big 12 is back in the after dark slot after a one-week absence as Utah, which has two league losses and needs to win out to have a reasonable shot at a berth in the Big 12 championship game, hosts Colorado.
BYU showed off Utah quarterback Devon Dampier’s limitations last week, and the Buffaloes defense will work to take advantage. Colorado brings the momentum of last week’s win over Iowa State into the contest. Life won’t be easy for CU at Rice-Eccles Stadium, which has one of the best road environments in the Big 12.
