By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
This week in the Big 12, four of the teams from the West have games.
Colorado and Arizona have toss-up matchups, while Utah and Arizona State both face opponents they are expected to beat.
BYU has a bye, and there aren’t many quality games in the rest of the Conference.
I preview the four games here and give a “look in” at the other key matchups around the league.
Colorado at Houston
Friday, September 12
4:30 pm PT, ESPN
The Buffaloes head to Houston for a potentially season-defining matchup.
A loss to the Cougars could indicate a bowl game is unlikely, while a win might re-energize the year.
In an unexpected twist, third-string quarterback Ryan Staub is reportedly expected to start. That’s either a sign of desperation or a genius coaching move.
On Saturday, we will learn the answer.
Houston is 2-0 after dominating inferior in-state opponents. Texas A&M quarterback transfer Conner Weigman has played well to start the year.
Weigman is a moderate threat to run, coming into the game with 17 rushes for 59 yards and a touchdown. If the CU defense eliminates the QB run game, the Buffs will have a better chance of winning.
On offense, Staub’s efficiency figures to be key. It’s a bit of a gamble to give him the starting nod. And if it doesn’t work, Deion Sanders and his staff can’t hesitate to put Kaidon Salter back in the game.
Kansas State at Arizona
Friday, September 12
6:00 pm PT, FOX
Brent Brennan and Arizona face their first test of the season.
Kansas State may be struggling so far this year, but the quality of the team they bring to Tucson is light years ahead of what UA has faced so far.
The performance of Arizona’s offensive line and the defense’s ability to contain Avery Johnson on the ground will be crucial.
If the Cats can’t establish a ground game and Noah Fifita doesn’t have the time to throw, a win at Arizona Stadium is unlikely.
Similarly, if Johnson gashes the defense for chunk run plays, Kansas State will probably score too many times to keep up.
The home crowd could make a difference. But the Tucson community doesn’t trust Brennan and there’s not much buzz around the game.
Even so, a fast start could be a difference-maker. And if the Cats are ahead at halftime, the momentum heading into the third quarter could carry the team to a win.
No. 20 Utah at Wyoming
Saturday, September 13
5:00 PT, CBS Sports Network
Honestly, Utah should crush Wyoming.
The Cowboys may be 2-0 with a road win under their belt. But the Utes have a dramatically better roster. Outside of Boise State and maybe UNLV, the Mountain West is not a good football conference.
This is the Big 12. And this is Utah Football.
Look for the Utes’ offense to get whatever it wants on the ground and in the air. Devon Dampier’s threat to run should open up the traditional ground game and give his receivers extra time and space to get open.
A quarterback who is willing to run and has the speed to get downfield is a game-changer. Mix in an elite offensive line, and it’s game over.
Utah should not have trouble putting up points.
The measuring stick and outside analysis will arguably focus on the performance of Utah’s defense. Holding Wyoming to 10 points or less is a realistic expectation.
Let’s see how the cards fall.
Texas State at Arizona State
Saturday, September 13
7:30 pm PT, TNT
Arizona State struggled against Texas State on the road last season.
The return matchup in Tempe is eyebrow-raising. The Sun Devils took too long to get going in Starkville, and Sam Leavitt played poorly.
But the tough environment arguably played a major role in the underperformance, and the return to Mountain America Stadium should be a different story.
The Bobcats are 2-0 after coming off a one-possession win over UTSA.
The future Pac-12 Conference member is led by quarterback Brad Jackson, who is completing 65.2 percent of his passes while averaging 41.0 yards rushing per game.
His dual-threat nature will need to be contained or neutralized.
On offense, Leavitt must play better. The team is still adjusting to losing Cam Skattebo and the expectation is to have week-by-week improvement.
The ceiling of this team is high. It’s just a matter of time. Let’s see what they can do on Saturday night.
The Rest of the Big 12
Texas Tech hosts Oregon State for a kickoff at 12:30 pm PT on FOX. Like many other teams this week, the matchup is the Red Raiders’ first challenge of the season.
Oregon State might be 0-2, but they are probably better than their record indicates. The Beavers’ losses came to reasonably respectable opponents, and Maalik Murphy is a baller.
The final score will shed fascinating light on TTU’s ceiling this year.
West Virginia faces Pitt in the Backyard Brawl.
Rich Rodriguez’s team lost to Ohio last week, an ugly result that hurt the Big 12’s reputation. But growing pains are typical for teams implementing his system in the first year.
Beating the Panthers would go far in covering up the embarrassing defeat last week. The oddsmakers are predicting a one-score game and the atmosphere in the stadium should be next-level.
It’s worth a watch.
Iowa State faces Arkansas State on the road. It’s an odd matchup for the Big 12’s premier program, but kudos to the ISU Athletic Department for agreeing to the game.
Rocco Becht and the Cyclones are on a roll to start the year. With victories over two rivals already, the stage is set for the Clones to run the Big 12.
Beating Arkansas State convincingly will only further boost the team’s image.
[Next read: Week 3 Big Ten Previews]
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.