By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
It’s Week Nine in the Big 12, featuring several key matchups for teams out West.
No. 11 BYU has a tough game on road to Iowa State, No. 24 Arizona State hosts surging Houston, and Utah plays Colorado in Salt Lake City.
I preview those games here while giving a snapshot of the other contests in the Big 12.
No. 11 BYU at Iowa State
Saturday, October 25
12:30 pm PT, FOX
The Cougars face a tough environment in Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones have a legitimate home field advantage that will be difficult to overcome.
But Iowa State has been regressing. With significant injuries to the secondary, this is not the same team that took the field earlier in the season.
Even so, Rocco Brecht remains a threat. Similar in many ways to Bear Bachmeier, the ISU redshirt junior changes the game.
His willingness to run opens the defense up and his accuracy when throwing can gash opponents for deep throws.
Pressure can be brought to disrupt his rhythm. However, it’s risky because it forces the secondary into one-on-one situations.
How BYU chooses to handle him from a schematic point of view will loom large.
On the other side of the ball, the Cougars should be in good shape if they establish the run. It’s one of those games where BYU’s strength up front will shine.
A win would be respected nationally, even with ISU’s struggles as of late.
Houston at No. 24 Arizona State
Saturday, October 25
5:00 pm PT, ESPN2
Jordyn Tyson’s lack of availability for this game is arguably the main talking point in the matchup.
The star player’s injury may grab the headlines, but the key matchup to watch is Brian Ward’s defense against Houston’s rushing offense.
The Cougars dominated Arizona on the ground, taking advantage of the Wildcats’ scheme. But inappropriate formations and failing to adjust are not mistakes that Ward is going to make.
Conner Weigman is not an elite passer and UH doesn’t have the receivers to scare ASU into selling out to defend the pass. The potency of Willie Fritz’s offense is derived from Weigman’s threat to run.
As long as the Sun Devils keep him reasonably contained, it’s unlikely that he will beat them through the air. But if Weigman gets going on the ground, the rest of the offense becomes more effective.
On offense, Arizona State shouldn’t have much trouble moving the ball. The running backs figure to pick up the slack created by Tyson’s absence.
And Sam Leavitt should be effective both in the air and on the ground.
Houston is good, but not that good. ASU should win by more than a touchdown.
Colorado at Utah
Saturday, October 25
7:15 pm PT, ESPN
Colorado is catching Utah at an inopportune time.
Coming off a loss in a rivalry game, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Utes run up the score. Even if Devon Dampier is unable to play.
Kyle Whittingham has superior line play on both sides of the ball and a much better defense. Kaidon Salter can be a turnover machine, and you can bet Morgan Scalley has something cooking for him.
But CU has improved as the season has progressed. Deion Sanders fields dangerous wide receivers that can make plays. The run game may be questionable. But there’s no denying the strength at wideout.
The turnover battle will be key. If Utah forces more than one TO, it’s unlikely that the Buffaloes win at Rice-Eccles.
At the same time, Salter’s running ability is a real threat that can make a difference.
If he busts chunk run plays, Colorado may stick around long enough to make the game interesting.
The Rest of the Big 12
Texas Tech plays Oklahoma State in a get-right game.
The spread is massive and the talent discrepancy is enormous.
Mix in the fact that the Red Raiders are coming off a loss, and you get a recipe for a blowout.
It’s extra painful for the Ok State fanbase, which views TTU as a rival.
Cincinnati hosts Baylor in a game to keep an eye on.
The Bears are a reasonably good team that could pull off the upset.
Sawyer Robertson is comparable to Brendan Sorsby, brining a similar skill set to the table.
It would be terrible for the Big 12 if the Bearcats lose.
Kansas takes on rival Kansas State in Lawrence.
The series is known as the Sunflower Showdown, and K-State has won 16 straight matchups dating back to 2008.
But last year it was just a two-point game and the year before it was a four-point contest.
The Jayhawks are knocking on the door. This has to be the year they finally break through.
TCU travels to Morgantown to take on West Virginia.
The Horned Frogs should not be troubled. It’s a measuring stick game that provides a direct comparison to Utah.
But Sonny Dykes’ team has yet to win a conference game on the road.
If TCU struggles on any level and the final score is somewhat close, it will indicate the relative weakness of the team. Even if they advance to 6-2.
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.