After a wild Week 4, Week 5 brings another loaded slate for the Big 12, with several important conference matchups and just one nonconference game this weekend.
From Cincinnati heading west to face Arizona, to Iowa State hosting West Virginia, we’re about to learn a lot more about several teams across the conference. Some are trying to establish themselves as legitimate Big 12 contenders, while others are already looking to avoid falling behind in the conference race.
Here are my five biggest questions for the Big 12 heading into Week 5.
Who Can Control the Game in Ames?
When I look at the Iowa State-West Virginia game on paper, I see a game where the clock might never stop running.
Both teams love to run the rock, and both are pretty good at it, too. Michael Hawkins Jr. and Cam Cook are arguably one of the best rushing duos in the conference, while Jaylon Raynor and Aiden Floria have also been productive on the ground for Iowa State.
Neither offense is going to wow anyone with its passing game, which means whichever team can run the football more effectively will likely come away with the win.
Don’t be surprised if whoever scores first takes control of the game and never lets it go. If you’re looking for some old-school football, look no further than this one.
Will TCU Show Any Life Against BYU?
After getting beaten by UCF last weekend, there aren’t many positives to take away if you’re TCU.
The offense is the worst I have seen under Sonny Dykes, and the lack of playmakers compared to years past is concerning. What makes matters worse is that TCU is also one of the most penalized teams in the conference.
All of that adds up to a recipe for disaster, which perfectly describes the Horned Frogs at the moment.
Now they get an enormous opportunity as they host a Top 10 BYU team this weekend.
I’d like to see this offense take a significant step forward, which is a big ask against a great BYU defense. Can TCU pull off the upset, or will things get ugly in Fort Worth?
Can Texas Tech Avoid Another Slow Start?
It seems like every week the Red Raiders have gotten off to a slow start this season.
Whether it was against Abilene Christian, Oregon State, Houston or even Sam Houston, Texas Tech has struggled out of the gate.
The good news is that the Red Raiders have overcome those slow starts and, in most cases, ended up winning comfortably. But three of their first four games have been in Lubbock.
This weekend, Texas Tech heads to Boulder to take on Colorado in a primetime road game.
Joey McGuire has acknowledged that his team needs to start faster. Now we’ll see whether the Red Raiders can finally do it in a difficult road environment.
Is Baylor or Arizona State a Legitimate Mid-Tier Big 12 Team?
When it comes to the Big 12 pecking order, it’s safe to say nobody would put Baylor or Arizona State near the top right now.
Even though both teams are 1-0 in conference play, both clearly have flaws.
That’s also what makes this game fascinating.
Dave Aranda remains on the hot seat, and new quarterback DJ Lagway has been lackluster outside of a few flashes. Arizona State’s offense has had its own issues.
While I believe Arizona State’s offense with Cutter Boley is better than Baylor’s, there are still plenty of questions surrounding both teams.
So which one can establish itself as a respectable mid-tier Big 12 team, and which one starts sliding toward the bottom of the conference?
We’re about to find out.
Is Cincinnati Ready for the Big Time?
Prior to Cincinnati’s win over Kansas State, the Bearcats had my curiosity.
After their physically dominant win over the Wildcats, they now have my full attention.
And as I learned last weekend, Nip at Night is real. Cincinnati has one of the best home atmospheres in the Big 12.
But now the Bearcats have to prove they can do it away from home.
Cincinnati heads west across a pair of time zones to take on an intriguing Arizona team. We know the Bearcats love to run the football and have been one of the conference’s best teams at doing it.
Arizona, however, has one of the Big 12’s better run defenses.
Can Cincinnati go on the road and pick up a primetime win? If the Bearcats can, then it’s time to have a serious conversation about Cincinnati’s place in the Big 12 race.
