The Big 12 football schedule delivers another loaded slate in Week 9, with several games carrying major conference championship implications.
The biggest matchup comes in Lubbock, where No. 13 Texas Tech hosts No. 22 Arizona in the conference’s only ranked-vs.-ranked game of the weekend. Elsewhere, No. 6 Utah faces a difficult road test at Cincinnati, while No. 8 BYU looks to bounce back against Arizona State.
With November right around the corner, the margin for error is shrinking. Here’s how I rank every Big 12 game in Week 9.
1. No. 22 Arizona at No. 13 Texas Tech
This is the only ranked matchup of the weekend in the Big 12, which is why it takes the top spot on my list.
Arizona is quietly 6-1 on the year, with its only loss coming against BYU in Provo. It feels like the Wildcats are flying under the radar despite being one of the best teams in the conference.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech needs to rebound after getting its butt kicked by Cincinnati. Both teams need a win to stay near the top of the Big 12 standings, as the loser could find itself on the outside looking in heading into November.
2. No. 6 Utah at Cincinnati
Even though the Bearcats aren’t ranked, they are a very dangerous team. Don’t believe me? Ask Texas Tech.
If there is one thing I know about Cincinnati, it’s that the Bearcats are a completely different team at home. Nippert Stadium is a tough place to play, and when it’s rocking, there may not be a tougher atmosphere in the Big 12.
Well, we’re going to find out on Saturday as the Big 12’s only remaining undefeated team rolls into town.
More: Utah vs. Cincinnati Prediction and Pick
3. Arizona State at No. 8 BYU
Make no mistake about it: BYU is clearly the better team here, and that’s why the Cougars are favored by more than two touchdowns.
However, I am interested to see how BYU responds after back-to-back emotional weeks. The Cougars went from the highest of highs against Notre Dame to the lowest of lows against UCF in a span of seven days.
Can they get back on track against a team they are clearly better than?
4. Baylor at UCF
With Baylor firing head coach Dave Aranda, its season is all but wrapped up as the focus shifts toward who will replace him.
But this game isn’t really about Baylor. It’s about UCF, which is fresh off its biggest win since joining the Big 12.
While the Knights are just 4-3 on the year, their schedule gets considerably easier from here. If UCF can get past Baylor, it has Kansas, Arizona State, Iowa State and Colorado left on the schedule.
It’s not crazy to think this team could win out, but that starts on Saturday.
5. No. 24 Oklahoma State at Iowa State
This game is this high on the list simply because of all the upsets we have seen recently.
Oklahoma State arguably has the best offense in the Big 12, as the Cowboys can light up the scoreboard and drop 50-plus points on any given Saturday. But playing in Ames is never easy, especially at night.
The Cowboys are the clear-cut better team, but given the way things have gone this year in college football, it’s always tricky when a ranked team goes on the road, especially in a tough environment.
6. Kansas at TCU
This is where things start to go downhill quickly in the rankings.
Neither team is in the mix for a conference crown. In fact, both are simply trying to make a bowl game at this point, because the loser of this one will likely be sitting at home during bowl season.
On top of that, Sonny Dykes is already on the hot seat, and a loss here could further jeopardize his future in Fort Worth.
7. Kansas State at Colorado
Much like the game above, there isn’t much at stake here in terms of the Big 12 championship race.
Collin Klein is a first-year head coach, and we will see whether Avery Johnson is able to play this weekend. It’s certainly a rebuilding year at Kansas State.
As for Colorado, the Buffaloes are on their last legs when it comes to potentially reaching six wins. Time is running out, and they certainly don’t want to fall to 2-6.
