We’re in for another exciting week of Big 12 football, and I thought it would be fun to rank every game based on how interested I am in watching each one.
There may not be a ranked-vs.-ranked matchup on the schedule, but there are still plenty of intriguing games as conference play ramps up. From important Big 12 matchups to interesting road tests — and, yes, a couple of total duds — here are my Big 12 football games ranked from best to worst for Week 5.
1. Cincinnati at Arizona
As crazy as it sounds, Cincinnati is one of just four undefeated teams remaining in the Big 12. And after dominating Kansas State last weekend at Nippert Stadium, plenty of people are starting to wonder just how good the Bearcats can be.
Arizona, on the other hand, remains dangerous with Noah Fifita running the show. Even though the Wildcats have a loss, it came in a hard-fought game against BYU in Provo.
Both teams still have plenty to prove, and I think we’re going to learn a lot from this matchup when it comes to separating the Big 12 contenders from the pretenders.
2. Baylor at Arizona State
While both teams are 1-0 in conference play, I still feel like there’s a lot we don’t know about either one.
Arizona State took down Kansas in London two weeks ago, while Baylor beat a bad Colorado team last weekend in Waco.
What I really want to see is the battle between the two quarterbacks. Cutter Boley and DJ Lagway have both shown flashes, but neither has quite put it all together yet.
Whichever quarterback steps up Saturday will likely walk away with a win — and remain unbeaten in Big 12 play.
3. West Virginia at Iowa State
There are plenty of similarities between these two teams, especially offensively.
Iowa State and West Virginia both have solid ground games and love to control the tempo. However, neither team has been particularly impressive throwing the football.
Both are also coming off tough losses and searching for their first Big 12 win.
While it’s still early to start talking seriously about the bowl picture, the winner of this game will have a much easier path toward getting to six wins.
Who wants it more?
More: West Virginia vs. Iowa State Prediction and Preview
4. No. 10 BYU at TCU
This is where the games start to drop off a bit for me.
Up to this point, BYU has looked like the team to beat in the Big 12, while TCU has looked like a team everyone else would love to see on the schedule.
I do find it interesting whenever a Top 10 team has to go on the road in conference play, especially at a place like TCU. But will Horned Frogs fans pack the house in Fort Worth with the team struggling?
I also find the spread interesting, with BYU favored by just 6.5 points.
Maybe Vegas knows something we don’t.
5. UCF at No. 20 Houston
Speaking of a drop-off, now we start getting into some of the bigger spreads.
UCF is still without starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III, yet the Knights managed to beat TCU last weekend anyway.
Meanwhile, Houston is rolling behind Conner Weigman and has started to look like a legitimate Big 12 title contender.
The biggest question here is simple: Can UCF find a way to slow Weigman and the Houston offense down?
6. No. 12 Texas Tech at Colorado
Colorado has looked awful over the last two weekends, but Texas Tech hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire from start to finish, either.
Despite having a ton of talent, the Red Raiders have developed a knack for playing down to their competition at times and getting off to slow starts.
Joey McGuire wants to see his team start faster, while Deion Sanders is looking for the kind of signature win that could completely change the mood around Colorado’s season.
Boulder should be rocking for a primetime game. I just hope the game itself doesn’t get out of hand.
7. Middle Tennessee at Kansas
For the first weekend of October, this feels all kinds of wrong, but I get it.
Kansas had to play a Big 12 game earlier than most teams, so the Jayhawks still have one more nonconference matchup before diving back into league play.
There isn’t a ton of intrigue here. Kansas should take care of business, get some work in and turn its attention back toward the Big 12 schedule.
Consider this a tune-up game for the Jayhawks.
