As the Big 12 season enters November, just two teams are undefeated in Big 12 play. Are they the two teams you thought they would be? Probably not.
The BYU Cougars and the Cincinnati Bearcats are nationally ranked and on a collision course for a meeting in late November that could determine which of them goes to the Big 12 Championship in Arlington, Texas. The Bearcats will get a showcase on ESPN College Gameday on Saturday morning. Granted, it’s in Salt Lake City. But Cincinnati will be there.
For teams that are still in the hunt for the Big 12 Championship game, there are no weeks off. Every game is a must-win.
Here are five things to watch in the 10th week of Big 12 football action.
Most Important Game
No. 13 Texas Tech at Kansas State, 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, FOX
Yes, I fully acknowledge that there is a bigger game this weekend, and we’ll get to that. But the Red Raiders are a game down of both BYU and Cincinnati and will host the Cougars next weekend in Lubbock. So, as noted, teams that are still in the mix don’t get an off week.
With backup quarterback Will Hammond out for the season, the health of Behren Morton is a must. Perhaps all those unused tortillas could be fashioned into bubble wrap to keep the guy safe? It’s an option.
Kansas State is on the fringe of contention. The Wildcats have two league losses, and they could do a lot of damage to Tech’s title game hopes with a win. Whether Kansas State is a great team, a good team, or a bad team, Manhattan is a tough place to play. Bank on this game being close. K-State found its groove last weekend.
Under-The-Radar Game
Arizona State at Iowa State, noon CT Saturday, TNT
Iowa State is realistically out of the Big 12 title game race with three league losses. Iowa State also needs one more win to get to bowl eligibility. Arizona State has two league losses, is coming off a demoralizing loss to Houston, and cannot afford to lose another game if it hopes to sneak into the title game. But the Sun Devils need so much help that it may not matter. But you put two teams that never give up in a great locale like Ames, Iowa, and you’re going to get a really good game.
Upset to Watch
West Virginia at Houston, 11 a.m. CT Saturday, FS1
It’s a classic let-down scenario. Houston has one league loss to Texas Tech and is coming off the biggest win of the Willie Fritz era against Arizona State last weekend. The Mountaineers are, well, not good. WVU hasn’t won a league game and has lost five games in a row. On paper, the Cougars should cruise. In reality, the Mountaineers have been known to road trip to Texas and screw things up for its Big 12 brethren.
Player to Watch
Kansas State WR Jayce Brown
No. 13 Texas Tech at Kansas State, 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, FOX
Brown is fourth in the Big 12 in receiving with 36 catches for 577 yards and four touchdowns. He’s averaging more than 70 yards receiving per game. All he did against Kansas was catch four passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. So, Texas Tech’s secondary better be on watch.
Big 12 After Dark
No. 17 Cincinnati at No. 24 Utah, 9:15 p.m. CT Saturday, ESPN
Here we go. Cincinnati’s biggest game of the year to this point is a night game in Salt Lake City after a long day waiting to play and getting their deserved recognition on ESPN College Gameday. The Bearcats have a big problem this week. Their top running back, Evan Pryor, is out due to an injury.
The Utes will present another problem. QB Devon Dampier is coming back after an injury kept him out of Saturday’s game. The Utes gained more than 500 yards of total offense without him as they blew out Colorado. Cincinnati will be a much tougher test for the Utes.
This will be Utah’s fourth game against a ranked team, all in Big 12 action. The Utes are 1-2 with a 1-1 record at home. Cincinnati is 1-0 against ranked teams this season, beating Iowa State at home.
