Mike Gundy may no longer be coaching Oklahoma State, but his connection to the Cowboys remains as strong as ever. Gundy appeared on TNT’s Big 12 pregame show on Saturday and reflected on his decades-long relationship with Oklahoma State, from arriving in Stillwater as a quarterback in 1986 to eventually becoming the program’s head coach.

“We had been very fortunate to be there a long time,” Gundy said. “I came there in 1986 as a player, and Oklahoma State was good enough to give me a scholarship, get a degree, nice enough to make me a coach and eventually as a head coach.”

Gundy then went on to talk about what Oklahoma State and Stillwater have meant to him.

“The fondest memories of my life,” Gundy said. “And just, great people, great organization. Stillwater, Oklahoma, is a beautiful place. And memories of a lifetime. And very, very thankful for Oklahoma State. And excited about what they’re doing now.”

It’s a notable reflection from a man whose name became synonymous with Oklahoma State football.

Here’s the full video:

Mike Gundy’s Career

Gundy played quarterback for the Cowboys from 1986-89 before eventually returning to the program as an assistant coach. He was promoted to head coach in 2005 and went on to lead Oklahoma State for more than two decades, overseeing one of the most successful stretches in program history.

Gundy’s tenure at Oklahoma State was easily the most successful sustained run in program history. After taking over as head coach in 2005, he finished with a 170-90 record, winning more games than any other coach in school history by a wide margin. Gundy led the Cowboys to the 2011 Big 12 Championship, eight 10-win seasons, five New Year’s Six bowl appearances and 18 consecutive winning seasons from 2006-23. He also won 12 bowl games and finished with 102 Big 12 victories, trailing only Bob Stoops and Bill Snyder in conference history when his tenure ended. Gundy was a three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year and earned National Coach of the Year honors during the Cowboys’ 12-1 season in 2011. His teams also produced 48 All-Americans and 42 NFL Draft picks, helping transform Oklahoma State into a consistent national contender during his two decades leading the program.

Now, Gundy is getting a chance to remain around the Big 12 from a different perspective as part of TNT’s college football coverage.

And judging by his comments Saturday, there doesn’t appear to be any bitterness about how his time in Stillwater ended. Instead, Gundy used his first Big 12 television appearance as an opportunity to express his gratitude for the school and community that shaped nearly his entire adult life.

Week 6 of the Big 12 football season has arrived, and the conference race is beginning to take shape. Several teams face pivotal matchups that could have major implications in the chase for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game, including a massive showdown between BYU and Iowa State in Provo and a critical matchup between Kansas State and Texas Tech in Manhattan. Elsewhere, Oklahoma State looks to remain among the league’s top contenders, Cincinnati aims to continue its surprising rise, and teams like Arizona, Baylor and Utah have opportunities to strengthen their position in the conference standings. Here are our predictions, picks and previews for every Big 12 game in Week 6.

Iowa State at BYU

One of the biggest games of the weekend takes place in Provo as Iowa State and BYU meet in a matchup with major Big 12 implications. The Cougars are looking to stay unbeaten in conference play, while the Cyclones have an opportunity to earn a statement road win against one of the league’s top defenses.

Iowa State vs. BYU Prediction, Pick and Odds for Week 6

UCF at Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State returns home after another impressive offensive performance, while UCF heads to Stillwater looking to knock off one of the conference’s most explosive teams. The Knights have shown flashes this season and will have a chance to prove themselves against a Cowboys team with Big 12 title aspirations.

UCF vs. Oklahoma State Prediction, Pick and Odds for Week 6

Arizona at West Virginia

Arizona travels to Morgantown for a matchup featuring two teams searching for momentum in conference play. The Wildcats continue to rely on one of the Big 12’s top quarterbacks, while West Virginia hopes to defend home field and keep pace in the conference race.

Arizona vs. West Virginia Prediction, Pick and Odds for Week 6

Houston at Kansas State

It doesn’t get much bigger than this in the Big 12. Both Texas Tech and Kansas State enter Week 6 with their eyes firmly set on Arlington, making this one of the most important conference games of the weekend. With talented quarterbacks on both sides and little room for error, the stakes are high in Manhattan.

Houston vs. Kansas State Prediction, Pick and Odds for Week 6

Kansas at Utah

Kansas heads west for one of its toughest tests of the season against Utah. The Utes have established themselves as one of the conference’s top teams, while the Jayhawks are looking to pick up a quality road win and gain traction in Big 12 play.

Kansas vs. Utah Prediction, Pick and Odds for Week 6

Hawaii at Arizona State

Arizona State is home for what is hopefully a get-right game against 1-4 Hawaii. The Sun Devils lost last week to Baylor 55-19.

Hawaii vs. Arizona State Prediction, Pick and Odds for Week 6

Saturday’s Big 12 matchup between Kansas and No. 12 Utah is getting an earlier start because of potential inclement weather in Salt Lake City. The Big 12 announced Friday that the Kansas-Utah kickoff has been moved up to 6 p.m. MT (7 p.m. CT) at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game had originally been scheduled for 8:15 p.m. MT (9:15 p.m. CT).

According to the conference, the decision was made based on weather forecast models for the Salt Lake City area and was agreed upon by both Kansas and Utah. Utah is dealing with storms associated with Tropical Storm Rachel.

Kansas vs. Utah TV Information

The television situation is also changing as a result of the earlier kickoff.

The Big 12 announced that the game will be available in its entirety on the ESPN App, while the conference and ESPN are still determining which traditional ESPN network will carry the game. The exact broadcast designation is expected to be announced prior to kickoff.

The schedule change moves up one of the more intriguing Big 12 games of Week 6 by more than two hours.

Utah enters the weekend ranked No. 12 in the country and undefeated as it looks to remain near the top of the Big 12 standings. Kansas, meanwhile, heads to Salt Lake City looking to pull off a significant road upset and get its conference season moving in the right direction.

The weather will now become another storyline worth monitoring leading up to kickoff, particularly if conditions could have an impact on the game itself.

But for fans planning to watch Saturday night, the most important change is straightforward: Kansas and Utah will now kick off at 7 p.m. CT instead of 9:15 p.m. CT.

We’re in for another exciting week of Big 12 football, and I thought it would be fun to rank every Week 6 game based on how interested I am in watching each one, starting with Houston-Kansas State, and ending with Arizona State-Hawaii.

There may not be a ranked-versus-ranked matchup on the schedule, but conference play is in full swing, and there are still plenty of intriguing storylines. From critical Big 12 showdowns to fascinating road tests, and yes, a couple of duds, here are the Week 6 Big 12 football games ranked from most to least compelling.

#1: #22 Houston at Kansas State

If Kansas State hadn’t fallen to Cincinnati two weeks ago, this easily could have been a Top 25 matchup and the premier game in the conference this weekend. Even so, it’s still one of the most important games on the schedule.

Both teams already have one loss, and another setback could put a serious dent in their Big 12 title hopes before we even reach the middle of October. Houston has proven it’s a legitimate Top 25 team, but what exactly is Kansas State? The Wildcats showed plenty of promise during non-conference play, only to come up short in their Big 12 opener. Back at home, this feels like a must-win game if they’re going to re-establish themselves as conference title contenders.

#2: Arizona at West Virginia

With two conference losses already, West Virginia is likely out of the Big 12 championship race. Still, the Mountaineers remain one of the most entertaining teams in the league thanks to their dynamic rushing attack led by Cam Cook and Michael Hawkins Jr.

Can Arizona slow them down? The Wildcats have been competitive against quality opponents like BYU and are coming off a dominant win over Cincinnati. This feels like the weekend we’ll find out whether Arizona is a legitimate sleeper in the conference or simply a middle-of-the-pack team.

More: Arizona vs. West Virginia Prediction, Pick and Odds for Week 6

#3: Iowa State at #8 BYU

I know Saturdays belong to college football, but there’s something special about Big 12 football under the Friday night lights.

Provo should be electric as Iowa State comes to town. And how about Aiden Flora? The Cyclones’ star has been one of the conference’s most productive players. Can BYU’s defense contain him? On the other side, can the Cougars bounce back offensively after a sluggish performance in Fort Worth last weekend? These are two physical teams that love running the football, which should make for a highly competitive matchup.

#4: UCF at #18 Oklahoma State

This marks Oklahoma State’s first game as a ranked team in more than two years.

The Cowboys boast one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, thanks to quarterback Drew Mestemaker and the playmakers surrounding him. UCF’s offense may not generate the same headlines, but the Knights have shown they can play defense. The biggest question is whether they have enough to slow down Oklahoma State’s high-powered attack in Stillwater.

#5: Kansas at #12 Utah

Of all the games on this week’s slate, this one feels the most lopsided.

Kansas has done little to inspire confidence so far this season, while Utah looks every bit like a legitimate Big 12 championship contender. The Utes continue to field one of the league’s top defenses, and their offense appears even more dangerous than it was a year ago. Could Kansas pull off a surprise? On the road in Salt Lake City, it seems highly unlikely.

#6: Hawaii at Arizona State

Do I really need to explain why this one is last?

It’s the only non-conference game involving a Big 12 team this weekend, and Arizona State is coming off a blowout loss to Baylor. There simply isn’t much intrigue here compared to the rest of the schedule. Unless you’re an Arizona State fan looking for a bounce-back performance, this game is easy to pass on in favor of the conference matchups.

We’re entering the second weekend of October and we’re beginning to see a little bit of separation in the Big 12 Conference. If you’re undefeated in league play you want to stay that way. If you’re winless in league play you need a win bad. As we enter Week 6, here are four teams that to me have the most to prove going into the weekend.

Arizona

I don’t like doing the same team two weeks in a row, but the Wildcats have a tricky situation this weekend. They must get on a plane and fly to Morgantown and change three different time zones for Saturday’s game. Remember — Arizona doesn’t recognize daylight savings time, so the time there right now is the same time as it is in California.

Not just that, but it’s a noon game in Morgantown which means every Wildcats body is going to be telling them it’s 9 a.m. when they kick off.

Aside from that, the Mountaineers are reeling. They’ve lost two straight Big 12 games and they’re desperate. It’s pull-out-the-stops time.

Arizona must prove to me they can overcome body, mind, time zone and desperation to win this one. If so, then they can stay in this Big 12 race long-term.

More: Arizona vs. West Virginia Prediction, Pick and Odds for Week 6

Kansas State

Kansas State got two weeks to figure out what went wrong against Cincinnati. Hint — they did not stop the run (the Wildcats gave up 271 yards). That makes their matchup with Houston interesting. Quarterback Conner Weigman is one of the best running quarterbacks in the conference and Houston has a good two-headed monster at running back between Re’Shaun Sanford II and Makhi Hughes.

Weigman can sling it, but after watching the Wildcats surrender nearly 300 yards on the ground to Cincinnati, you can bet the Cougars are gonna run the ball.

The Wildcats must prove to me they can stop the run. If they can do that, they have a shot. Because K-State’s offense came to play in that game with the Bearcats.

More: Houston vs. Kansas State Prediction, Pick and Odds for Week 6

Oklahoma State

For the past two weeks the vibes have been Immaculate in Stillwater. The Cowboys beat West Virginia to open Big 12 play, snapped their 18-game losing streak, won their third straight game and got back in the AP Top 25 for the first time in two years. Head coach Eric Morris and his staff spent the weekend recruiting the heck out of the country. The timing couldn’t have been better.

What do the Cowboys have to prove this week? That they didn’t get the big head while they were off. Oklahoma State’s players have been hearing for the last two weeks how great they are. Morris not only must put together a great game plan but must manage to keep his team focused.

There’s a path for the Cowboys to legitimately contend in this conference. That path does not include losing to UCF on Saturday.

More: UCF vs. Oklahoma State Prediction, Pick and Odds for Week 6

Arizona State

The Sun Devils got shoulder rolled by Baylor on Saturday, to the point where I must question if Arizona State is the team I thought it was going into the season?

I thought the Sun Devils could content and maybe they can. Maybe Baylor is just THAT good.  But that ASU defense can’t give up 55 points again.

I need to see Arizona State snap back. Yes, it’s one-win Hawai’i. But if they look anything less than dominant, my concern level goes up.

More: Hawaii vs. Arizona State Prediction, Pick and Odds for Week 6

After a wild Week 5, Week 6 brings another loaded slate for the Big 12, with several important conference matchups and only one nonconference game on the schedule. From Iowa State heading to Provo to Kansas State hosting Houston, we’re about to learn a lot more about several teams across the conference. Some programs are trying to establish themselves as legitimate Big 12 contenders, while others are already fighting to avoid falling behind in the conference race.

Can BYU’s Offense Get Back on Track?

While escaping Fort Worth with a win was all that mattered, it was still surprising to see BYU’s offense struggle the way it did. Prior to last weekend, the Cougars had been moving the ball effectively, although the weather certainly played a role in the offensive shortcomings.

We already know BYU has one of the conference’s top defenses, but when the offense is clicking, the Cougars become one of the toughest teams in the country to beat. Even with LJ Martin not available, getting the ground game rolling again will be critical. Iowa State has had issues tackling this season, and BYU loves to establish the run. Can the Cougars take advantage and get their offense back on schedule?

How Explosive Can Oklahoma State Be?

I have little doubt Oklahoma State takes care of business against UCF on Saturday. The bigger question is just how many points the Cowboys can put on the board.

Drew Mestemaker has been outstanding throwing the football, while Caleb Hawkins continues to provide balance in the running game. Oklahoma State’s offense has proven it can score against just about anybody.

That said, UCF’s defense presents a much different challenge than what the Cowboys saw against West Virginia a few weeks ago. The Knights will try to throw different looks at Oklahoma State, but will it be enough to slow down one of the most productive offenses in the conference?

Will West Virginia Show Any Defensive Improvement?

As impressive as West Virginia’s rushing attack has been, it’s impossible to ignore the struggles on the other side of the ball.

The Mountaineers currently rank near the bottom of the conference in nearly every major defensive category, including rushing defense, pass defense and total defense. Statistically, they have been one of the worst defensive teams in both the Big 12 and the country.

What’s especially surprising is seeing a Rich Rodriguez-coached team struggle so badly with discipline and execution on defense. Defensive coordinator Zac Alley said changes were coming and that the scheme would be simplified.

This weekend brings a major test against Noah Fifita and Arizona. If the Mountaineers are truly making progress, this is the kind of game where it should start to show.

Which Team Stays in the Big 12 Title Race?

I’ve had this game circled for weeks, although I envisioned it looking a little different by the time it arrived.

A few weeks ago, I thought both Kansas State and Texas Tech would still be undefeated. I certainly didn’t expect Kansas State’s loss to Cincinnati, and while Texas Tech was favored against Houston, I picked the Cougars to pull off the upset.

Now both teams enter this matchup with an early conference loss and little room for error.

Connor Weigman and Avery Johnson are two of the most talented and athletic quarterbacks in the conference, and both defenses have proven capable of making key plays.

The question is simple: who stays in the hunt and who falls behind? A second conference loss this early in the season could be devastating to either team’s championship hopes. The winner remains firmly in the mix. The loser faces an uphill climb.

Can Kansas Keep This Competitive?

There’s really no need to sugarcoat this one.

Utah is the better team from top to bottom, and there’s a reason the Utes are more than a two-touchdown favorite at home. The biggest question isn’t who wins. It’s whether Kansas can make a game of it.

The Jayhawks’ defense has struggled all season, and outside of games against overmatched opponents, the offense has been inconsistent as well. Utah has the talent, depth and physicality advantage across the board.

If Kansas wants to have a chance, it must avoid early mistakes and find a way to stay within striking distance entering the fourth quarter. Otherwise, this could get out of hand quickly.

Now that we’re closing in on the halfway point of the 2026 college football season, the hot seat is going to be more about keeping the job and less about winning or losing from week to week. Not that winning and losing doesn’t matter — and we’ll highlight coaches that are on the hot seat just for that week’s game. But the seat is starting to cook for some coaches.

Each week here at Heartland College Sports I’ll point out three hot seat coaches going into the next slate of games. I’ll explain why for each.

No Deion Sanders this week. Colorado is off. You must play to be on this list. Which means so Sonny Dykes from TCU either.

Lance Leipold, Kansas

The Jayhawks are heading to Utah to take on the No. 12 Utes. I don’t like their changes. I’m also getting worried about Lance Leipold’s job.

Kansas is 2-2 and 0-1 in the Big 12 in four games. The offense has dominated lesser opponents and struggled with everyone else. KU beat Long Island and Middle Tennessee by a combined score of 106-06. The Jayhawks have lost to Missouri and Arizona State by a combined score of 62-38.

I don’t think Kansas is going to hang in there with Utah. I could be completely wrong, but the Utes are rolling and there aren’t many flaws to exploit. Leipold hasn’t had a winning season since 2023 when he won nine games. He set a high bar from a Kansas perspective and he’s not meeting it.

He’s coaching on a $7 million per year deal through 2029 with a buyout that could approach $22 million. Rough.

Collin Klein, Kansas

Remember — the hot seat is not always about job security. It’s about what is happening that week. The Wildcats are returning to the field after their first piece of adversity under Klein, their Week 4 loss to Cincinnati. They’ve had two weeks to think about the nearly 300 rushing yards they allowed.

Kansas State is hosting No. 22 Houston on Saturday. This is one of those games where, traditionally, K-State plays a team tough. I think there is enough talent there to challenge Houston, and the Cougars really can’t afford a second league loss.

This is about seeing whether Klein can rally his team and get them prepared to play a ranked team at home two weeks after suffering their first real adversity of the season. I’m really interested to see how he handles that.

Scott Frost, UCF

The bloom isn’t off the rose in Orlando, but Frost and his Knights are experiencing some turbulence. Notably, quarterback Alonza Barnett III is out with a hamstring injury and his backup, Keyone Jenkins, has played well. But he dealt with cramps and minor injuries against Houston last Saturday. But what really ended up hurting UCF the most was defensive breakdowns late in the game.

The Knights are entering a tricky game against Oklahoma State, which is now ranked and starting to look like a team that could contend in the Big 12. The heat is on Frost to steal one in Stillwater and get the Knights back on a path where they could get to a bowl game, something they missed by one win a year ago. But his job is safe.

Five Big 12 quarterbacks are among the top 15 nominees for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the foundation announced on Thursday.

Devon Dampier (Utah), Noah Fifita (Arizona), Avery Johnson (Kansas State), Drew Mestemaker (Oklahoma State), and Conner Weigman (Houston) are among 15 Power Four quarterbacks considered for the honor, historically awarded in December.

All five quarterbacks will be in action this weekend, including a crucial Big 12 matchup as No. 22 Houston travels to Kansas State. Both, Weigman and Johnson, enter the contest – with the Wildcats favored by 2.5 points – as two of the league’s top arms; Johnson is chasing the 1,000-yard season passing marker this weekend.

Big 12 QBs to Watch in Week 6

Avery Johnson, Kansas State: Johnson goes toe-to-toe with Weigman on Saturday in search of not only a season milestone of 1,000 passing yards, but also what would be a major win for Kansas State against a top-25 opponent following a 31-26 loss at Cincinnati.

Noah Fifita, Arizona: Fifita and the Wildcats travel to Morgantown this week to battle West Virginia in another must-see Big 12 matchup. The Mountaineers have more than their fair share of defensive woes as of late, but the Michael Hawkins-led offense is more than capable of running up the numbers, especially in front of a home crowd.

Devon Dampier, Utah: Dampier and Utah return home under the lights for a late kick with Kansas in hopes of a 5-0 start to the regular season. Dampier, up to 896 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and 1 interception on his senior campaign, is the veteran counter to young KU quarterback Zeke Marshall on Saturday, as Dampier chases four straight games throwing for 200 yards or more.

West Virginia Mountaineers coordinator Zac Alley labeled his unit “the worst defense in the country” while speaking with reporters on Wednesday.

Struggling to begin the season, West Virginia, last among Big 12 defenses with 456.6 yards allowed per game through Week 5, has a big test with Noah Fifita and Arizona in town on Saturday. Alley had a unique way of motivating his guys following consecutive losses allowing 40-plus points.

Asked about his assorted packages and alignments, Alley, now one week removed from a 45-42 loss at Iowa State, kept his message simple when it comes to ironing out the defense’s deficiencies ahead of an Arizona matchup that’ll certainly test his group’s limits again this week.

“I think we’re the worst defense in college football,” Alley said. “It’s pretty simple to say that it ain’t worked, so I don’t plan to – you know, keep doing the same thing over and over again seems like insanity… We’ll cut it down and make sure they can execute.”

Trying to do too much can be a pitfall for any college football team, but it’s gotten ahold of West Virginia through a 3-2 start. Rich Rodriguez noted earlier this week that his staff is planning to simplify and straighten out the defensive game plan to account for more in the weeks ahead.

The Mountaineers are last in the Big 12 in pass and run defense, which saw the Cyclones fly around the field last week with Jaylen Raynor throwing for 312 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, and Aiden Flora (212 yards, 3 touchdowns), leading a backfield that managed 265 total rushing yards.

Conversely, the offense has been a highlight of this Mountaineer team. Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. is only a 56% passer, but is rushing for 100-plus yards per game in addition to 7 touchdown passes to just 1 interception thrown in his first season at West Virginia. Cam Cook, too, is a weekly scouting report target with 652 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground through his first five games.

The Danny Gonzales Arizona defense allows just 79 rushing yards through Week 5, and they’ll be put to the test this week against West Virginia’s dynamic run game. Whether the Wildcats can meet West Virginia on the ground is arguably the biggest question entering this matchup on Saturday.

Back home this week, West Virginia is only a 3-point underdog against the Wildcats, with an over/under of 61.5 points. Unless the Mountaineers can carve out a place for themselves in the run game, it’s hard to see a world where they can keep up with Fifita and Arizona this week.

The Arizona State Sun Devils are without starting safety Lyrik Rawls “for the near future,” head coach Kenny Dillingham told reporters on Wednesday.

Hosting Hawaii on Saturday, the Sun Devils (2-2) must look to junior Kyan McDonald, a third-year returner at the position, and freshman Zeth Thues to fill the void left by Rawls in the secondary. Rawls (11 tackles, 1 interception, 0.5 tackles-for-loss) went down with a knee injury during a 55-19 defeat against Baylor last week in Tempe.

Following the Baylor loss, the ASU defense, in its fourth season under coordinator Brian Ward, is allowing 24.9 points and 360 yards per game through four outings. Dillingham said it’s up to the next men in waiting to take over the small safety spot in the weeks ahead.

“The guys are stepping up to replace him, they have a really good mindset,” Dillingham said.

Rawls, beginning his career at Oklahoma State, transferred to ASU from Kansas this offseason after distinguishing himself with 73 combined tackles (57 solo) during his time as a Jayhawk.

This week, the Sun Devils have a non-conference opponent in Hawaii, now two losses deep following a 20-16 home loss to San Jose State and a 27-10 road loss at Wyoming. Hawaii sophomore quarterback Micah Alejado flirted with his season-high passing mark with 341 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions last week vs. San Jose State.

Hawaii’s pass-heavy attack hasn’t exactly resulted in wins, though. Alejado has three interceptions through his five starts; His best start (73% passing for 346 yards in a 29-19 win vs. New Mexico State) didn’t feature a single touchdown pass. Despite a 1-4 start, Hawaii’s managed to force itself into fourth-quarter contests where it simply hasn’t persevered with its bevy of talented receivers.

ASU is a 20.5-point favorite entering Saturday’s matchup with an over/under of 50.5 points.