Week 7 of the Big 12 football season is here, and the conference has no shortage of storylines. No. 8 BYU gets a massive opportunity against No. 2 Notre Dame in Provo, Arizona continues to quietly emerge as a Big 12 contender, and Arizona State could be facing an uphill battle just to reach bowl eligibility.
Welcome to Tuesday Takes, where I share three observations from around the Big 12. It was another eventful week across the conference, but these are the three storylines that have my attention going into Week 7.
Arizona Is Underrated
Anytime I see people talking about some of the top teams in the Big 12, I never see or hear anyone talking about the Arizona Wildcats. Well, not today, because it’s time to show them a little love.
The Wildcats are sitting at 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 play, and their only loss came against BYU in Provo in a game that was closer than the final score suggests.
Noah Fifita is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country, and he’s been playing great football this season, leading the conference in both passing yards and touchdown passes. And keep in mind, Arizona has dealt with injuries at the wide receiver position.
Defensively, the Wildcats may not wow anyone quite like BYU, but they are statistically a top-five defense in the Big 12. Between that defense and Fifita, why isn’t Arizona getting more respect?
I don’t know, but I believe this team can compete with anyone in the conference. And I expect the Wildcats to be 6-1 when they head to Lubbock on Halloween.
Arizona State Will Struggle to Make a Bowl Game
Staying in the Grand Canyon State, what is going on with the Sun Devils?
Arizona State was blown out by Baylor a couple of weeks ago, and this past weekend, the Sun Devils weren’t particularly impressive against a bad Hawaii team.
I understand there was a lot of roster turnover this year for Kenny Dillingham, but I didn’t expect them to look this bad. Cutter Boley has regressed, they don’t run the ball particularly well, and the defense just isn’t very good.
While Arizona State is 3-2, the schedule gets much tougher down the stretch. The Sun Devils still have to play Texas Tech, Kansas State, BYU, Colorado, UCF, Oklahoma State and Arizona.
I have a tough time finding three more wins on that schedule. If things don’t improve quickly, Arizona State could find itself sitting at home during bowl season.
BYU Will Beat Notre Dame
I saved the best for last because this weekend we have the biggest Big 12 non-conference game in years.
Notre Dame comes to Provo to take on a BYU team that many believe is the best in the conference. Bear Bachmeier has been excellent this season, continuing to put the offense on his back with star running back LJ Martin out. And if you’re looking for the best defense in the Big 12, look no further than BYU.
Even though the Cougars are double-digit underdogs, they are a damn good football team.
Notre Dame is good, too, but I don’t think the Irish are as good as everyone says they are. They have yet to play anyone on BYU’s level, and now they’re walking into a hostile environment in Provo against an undefeated, Top-10 opponent. I think they’re going to be a bit rattled.
I’ve had this game circled on my calendar for months. For Big 12 fans, this game is massive — not just for BYU, but for the conference’s College Football Playoff hopes and national perception. Two national brands are going at it, College GameDay will be there, and it’s in prime time.
It doesn’t get much bigger than this.
Call me crazy, but I smell an upset brewing.
