The eyes of the college football world are on No. 7 BYU and No. 8 Texas Tech as the two teams battle for a spot in the Playoff.
The contest has massive implications for the Postseason and personifies the status of the expanded conference.
With the potential for three teams to make it to the Promised Land this year, the winner of the game will be on the doorstep of locking in their spot.
I preview that showdown here, along with Colorado and Arizona’s game. And at the bottom, I give a “look in” at the other matchups in the Big 12 this week.
No. 7 BYU at No. 8 Texas Tech
Saturday, November 8
9:00 a.m. PT, ABC
An invitation to the Playoff is within reach, and it becomes much more likely if the Cougars beat Texas Tech on their home field.
But the Red Raiders are a force. Their defensive line is arguably the best in the Big 12, and they have weapons on offense. To secure the win, BYU must win the line of scrimmage.
Fortunately, the Cougars are built to win the battle up front and have the personnel to do it.
Star running back LJ Martin is expected to play, a critical factor after he left the Iowa State game early with an injury. Leading the team with 789 yards rushing, BYU needs him to alleviate the burden on Bear Bachmeier.
Any turnovers would be hard to overcome, and the environment promises to be hostile. But Bachmeier has proven himself on the road so far this season.
The game, then, might come down to the play of BYU’s defense. Behren Morton is not a mobile quarterback and might be susceptible to pressure.
Texas Tech’s rushing offense is probably its only relatively soft spot, too, potentially creating a schematic opportunity that defensive coordinator Jay Hill can take advantage of.
The one thing that can’t happen, though, is getting beaten over the top. If TTU converts throws downfield with any amount of consistency or connects on deep passes in critical situations, it’s going to be tough to outscore the Red Raiders on their home field.
Yet, if the shots downfield are prevented and the BYU front gets penetration into the backfield, the Cougars may leave with an upset victory.
Colorado at West Virginia
Saturday, November 8
9:00 a.m. PT, TNT
True freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. has changed the dynamic. He is the exact prototype of a quarterback that unlocks Rich Rodriguez’s offense.
Fox carried the ball 10 times for 65 yards rushing and two scores on the ground against Houston last week.
With the emergence of a leader on offense, the rest of the roster has rallied.
The Mountaineers battled TCU close and then posted the shocking upset win on the road over Houston.
West Virginia might be near the bottom of the Big 12 standings, but it’s guaranteed that they are better than their record indicates. In other words, Colorado is in trouble.
Add in the complicating factor of Julian Lewis making his first career start, on the road no less, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Still, Colorado has the receivers to take advantage of WVU’s defense. If Lewis, or whichever quarterback plays, is accurate with his throws and uses his legs to extend plays, it’s reasonable to expect a close game.
But CU has looked terrible their last few outings and might be embarrassed by a surging West Virginia team looking for something to prove.
Kansas at Arizona
Saturday, November 8
12:30 p.m. PT, ESPN2
Arizona crushed a horrible Colorado team in Boulder. So, what?
The win proved nothing in the grand scheme of things, other than further exposing the incompetence of Deion Sanders’ program.
Beating Kansas to reach bowl eligibility would be a different story, however. Especially if the win is convincing.
Kicking off at 1:30 pm local time in the glaring Tucson sun, the Wildcats should thrive. The UV intensity is a different animal out here, and Brent Brennan preaches violence.
Look for the UA defense to be very aggressive in getting pressure on Jalon Daniels, bringing multiple looks, and utilizing pre-snap movement to create confusion.
It’s a game where the Arizona defensive backs could have a field day.
Daniels has done a great job of taking care of the ball this season. But this is a day game in the desert. It’s not a normal Saturday where the usual stuff is going to work.
And on the other side of the ball, Arizona’s offense is humming.
Noah Fifita is playing out of his mind, the receivers are crushing it, and there’s depth at running back.
So long as the Wildcats prevent Daniels from gouging them with his legs, Arizona should defend home field. And if everything goes right, the game might not be particularly close.
The Rest of the Big 12
Houston heads to Orlando for a Friday night game against Central Florida. The Knights are 4-4, and it’s their Space Game.UCF rarely loses this matchup, plus the Cougars are reeling from a questionable loss. But the narrow spread in favor of Houston feels off, once again.
Last week, Vegas thought Baylor would struggle with the Knights, and the Bears ended up destroying them. It feels like a similar result is incoming.
The Space Game aspect of the matchup makes it more questionable. But Houston should win by at least a touchdown, if not more.
Rocco Becht has massively regressed, and the team is dealing with injuries all around.
On the other sideline, TCU is quietly 6-2 and on a two-game win streak. Josh Hoover remains one of the top quarterbacks in the Conference and the Horned Frogs are undefeated at home.
Perhaps ISU turns its season around. But it’s more likely that TCU gets the job done.
