By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
Saturday’s matchup in Salt Lake City is arguably Utah’s biggest game since joining the Big 12.
The only comparable contest came last year versus Oklahoma State. But we all know how the year ended for both of those schools.
This year feels different.
Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff show is in town for the game, and the country is paying attention.
I preview that game here, along with the other three Big 12 matchups featuring teams from the West. And at the bottom, I give a “look in” at the other key games around the league.
No. 17 Texas Tech at No. 16 Utah
Saturday, September 20
9:00 am PT, FOX
Texas Tech is a good football team.
The Red Raiders crushed Oregon State last week and were very active in the portal over the offseason. In many ways, TTU is the Oregon of the Big 12. Except instead of Nike money, they have oil money.
Utah reloaded over the offseason, too, though, and ostensibly has the talent to compete. But this isn’t the Wyoming defense. Or the UCLA defense.
The front seven that Texas Tech puts on the field is exponentially better than anything the Utes have faced this year. To win the game, the traditional rushing attack must be effective.
The O-Line needs to get enough push so that the initial contact is beyond the line of scrimmage. If the Red Raiders get consistent penetration into the backfield, it’s going to be a long day.
The other side of the ball is a modestly different story. Utah’s defense has looked strong this year and should not get pushed around in the trenches. Texas Tech loves to throw the ball, and its passing efficiency under pressure could be the deciding factor.
The whole nation will be watching this one. It’s time to lock in.
Arizona State at Baylor
Saturday, September 20
4:30 pm PT, FOX
This matchup in Waco is arguably Arizona State’s most important game of the year so far.
The Sun Devils didn’t play great in their opener, lost to Mississippi State, and then looked like the team everyone expected against Texas State.
Which version shows up against Baylor?
The Bears don’t have a very good defense, but the offense puts up points. Getting into a shootout is probably not the way to go. Sawyer Robertson is a significant threat to run, and Dave Aranda is dangerously aggressive on fourth down.
Momentum will be key.
Get a few stops, control the time of possession, and move the chains on the ground. If ASU can do all three, it should leave with a victory.
BYU at East Carolina
Saturday, September 20
4:30 pm PT, ESPN2
The pressure is on.
East Carolina is a good program, and winning on the road is never easy. The home crowd will be hyped, and it’s guaranteed to be a hostile environment.
But moments like these are when the best players thrive. Bear Bachmeier is young and unproven. Yet, the coaching staff saw enough in him to give him the starting role. The strong BYU defense likely helped with that decision.
But the offense is going to need to put up points. And turnovers could be a killer.
Fortunately, the Cougars have a great coaching staff that knows how to handle these scenarios. They will probably have a more conservative game plan on offense with a greater focus on the run.
Young quarterbacks can easily fall into the pitfall of trying to do too much and put the game solely on their shoulders. If the staff gets Bachmeier into the right positions, the true freshman should step up in the moment.
The rest of the league will be watching. Closely.
Wyoming at Colorado
Saturday, September 20
7:15 pm PT, ESPN
Well, the gamble last week didn’t pay off.
Reports indicate Kaidon Salter will return as the starting quarterback against Wyoming. Credit Deion Sanders and his coaching staff for giving Ryan Staub a try. But Salter is probably the better option.
Wyoming played a great first half against Utah last week and then fell apart in the final two quarters.
The Cowboys don’t do anything particularly special or run unique schemes. They are solid on both sides of the ball, though, and the line play is reasonably respectable.
They were not able to handle a running quarterback, however. That opens the door for Salter to do damage. He arguably lost his starting role because he wasn’t a willing or effective enough runner.
CU has athletic receivers that should take advantage of a hesitant defense. But if Salter doesn’t make himself a threat to run, the offensive efficiency won’t be at its highest.
The Rest of the Big 12
TCU hosts SMU in a rivalry known as the “Battle for the Iron Skillet.” Both teams are located in the Dallas metro area and the series dates back to 1915.
It’s the 104th matchup between the schools. And it’s the last one scheduled for the foreseeable future.
Outside of Dallas, the game is important in the Playoff race between the Big 12 and the ACC. The Big 12 has dominated the ACC so far this season, and another win would be more ammunition to use when selecting this year’s Playoff field.
UCF hosts North Carolina in a matchup immediately following the Utah vs. Texas Tech game.
Bill Belichick referred to the Knights as “Central” this week and the UCF fanbase has ran with it. No matter what happens on the field, the new nickname for the Knights could be the most lasting effect of the game.
But on the field, the Big 12 needs Central to maintain the league’s dominance over the ACC.
Kansas hosts West Virginia in a critical matchup for the trajectory of the Jayhawks’ season.
The Mountaineers are jovial after their upset win over rival Pitt.
Does that help or hurt Kansas? Who knows, but KU should win the game. Kansas has a much better offense than WVU and the defense should find a way to limit Rich Rodriguez’s system.
Look for Kansas to cover the spread and look the part while doing it.
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.