By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
The Big 12 enters Week Two with its reputation in limbo.
The Conference is 1-1 against the ACC, 1-1 against the Big Ten, and 0-1 against the SEC.
This week, the league has six matchups against Power Conference opponents. The opportunity is there for the taking.
Here, I preview the five games in the Big 12, featuring teams from the West and give a “look in” at the other crucial games in the rest the Conference.
Delaware at Colorado
Saturday, September 6
12:30 pm PT, FOX
The Buffs face first-year FBS program Delaware as they look to put the loss to Georgia Tech behind them.
There were too many instances in the opener where Kaidon Salter should have run the ball and instead opted to pass.
Salter running more consistently will unlock a part of the CU offense that is missing. The senior is dynamic enough to do it. But until he shows a willingness to run, Deion Sanders’ team will remain below its potential.
And in the background lurks true freshman Julian Lewis waiting his turn. With the freshman likely to see the field against the Blue Hens, a quarterback battle could be brewing.
Regardless, Colorado must convert its forced turnovers into touchdowns. That was the team’s downfall in the opener.
Delaware presents a “get right” opportunity. Upwards and onwards.
Cal Poly at No. 25 Utah
Saturday, September 6
3:00 pm PT, ESPN+
Kyle Whittingham’s Utes looked the part in their opener against UCLA. The wide margin of victory was a very positive sign for the trajectory of the season.
Matched up with Cal Poly this week, avoiding injury is the overriding goal. Utah has suffered far too many setbacks the last few seasons.
The game is on ESPN+, which is a clear signal that, frankly, nobody outside the state of Utah is interested in watching.
The last thing Whittingham and the program need is an injury to a key player. If the game is out of hand at halftime, the first and second-string players should be held out the rest of the game.
Devon Dampier knows how to run Jason Beck’s system, so there is no need to risk anything.
Cal Poly is not ranked in the FCS Coaches Poll and the margin of victory is not all that important after the beat down of UCLA in Week One.
Play it safe, Utes.
No. 12 Arizona State at Mississippi State
Saturday, September 6
4:30 pm PT, ESPN2
Arizona State faces a critical test on the road in SEC country.
The Sun Devils did not play great in the opener against Northern Arizona and there is tangible skepticism about the ceiling of this year’s team.
Those doubts can be answered in resounding fashion with a convincing win over Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs used a strong second half to beat Southern Miss by 17 in Week One. It was a reasonably respectable margin of victory, which may be why the Vegas oddsmakers have set the line at less than a touchdown.
Sam Leavitt ran all over the NAU defense in the opener and will likely need to use that mobility in Starkville.
Limiting turnovers when he throws on the move figures to be pivotal. If ASU loses the turnover margin, the chances of leaving with a win are narrowed.
But if the Arizona State running backs have efficient production, Kenny Dillingham’s team should shut up those cowbell-ringing fans.
Weber State at Arizona
Saturday, September 6
7:00 pm PT, ESPN+
The Arizona coaching staff passed their first test of the season. Seth Doege’s offensive system looked competent, and Danny Gonzales’s defense played great.
That’s an encouraging sign for the rest of the season. But the goodwill could evaporate if the Wildcats struggle against Weber State.
The FCS team is not ranked in the league’s Coaches Poll and they were crushed in the opener by James Madison. It’s fair to expect the UA defense to keep the Big Sky opponent out of the end zone.
The Arizona defense didn’t let Hawaii score a touchdown and Gonzales will be looking for ways to motivate his players.
Challenging them to keep Weber State from scoring a touchdown is fair game.
On offense, Arizona needs Noah Fifita to play better. Overthrowing receivers and throwing into coverage is not a good look.
Look for Fifita to run on occasion to open up the defense and make it easier for the offense to flow.
Stanford at BYU
Saturday, September 6
7:15 pm PT, ESPN
Bear Bachmeier faces his first test of the season.
What happened in the opener is meaningless. How he plays against Stanford will be much more scrutinized.
The Cardinal struggled in their Week Zero opener on the road to Hawaii.
But Ben Gulbranson is a moderately experienced upperclassman that must be taken seriously. He is not very mobile, though, and the BYU defense could employ a heavy amount of pressure.
The Tree’s primary weapons on offense are its running backs. The offensive line got enough push against the Warriors to allow the backs to do damage.
Yet, this isn’t the Hawaii defensive line.
Look for BYU to win the trenches on defense, forcing Stanford to beat them through the air. The results should be favorable for the Cougars.
One of the few areas of concern is how Bachmeier will respond under pressure. The Stanford defense forced four sacks in the Islands and looked respectable enough.
If Bachmeier forces throws or is not mobile enough under pressure, the game might be closer than expected.
The Rest of the Big 12
Baylor faces No. 17 SMU for an in-state rivalry that pits the Big 12 against the ACC.
The Bears need to save face after dropping a game to an Auburn program that was 1-5 against other Power Conference opponents since 2020.
The Mustangs made the Playoff last year and return star quarterback Kevin Jennings. A win would be highly beneficial for the Big 12’s reputation.
No. 16 Iowa State hosts rival Iowa for 9:00am PT kickoff on Fox.
It’s the second marquee matchup of the season for the Cyclones after they beat Kansas State in Ireland.
A loss would damage the league’s reputation and set back ISU’s playoff expectations. If there’s only one game this weekend that the Big 12 must win, it’s this one.
Oklahoma State travels to Eugene for a matchup with No. 6 Oregon.
From an Ok State standpoint, this game is a disaster waiting to happen. Mike Gundy made the unwise decision of talking about UO’s money during his midweek press conferences.
Dan Lanning is a master motivator and providing him extra ammunition is idiotic. Look for the Ducks to embarrass the Pokes on a national stage.
Kansas plays rival Missouri for the first time since 2011.
Known as the “Border War,” the game presents a golden opportunity for the Jayhawks and the Big 12 to take advantage of.
KU looked strong in their opener and the SEC is a respected league. A win would change the outlook of the season for Kansas.
In the last of the crucial matchups in the rest of the Big 12, Kansas State hosts Army.
The mood around the KSU fanbase is as toxic as I’ve ever seen. Granted, I’ve only been covering the league for one year.
But man, it’s ugly out there in Manhattan. The Wildcats need a convincing win to quell the angst amongst their rabid fanbase.
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.
