By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
YoIt’s Week Nine in the Big 12, with several key matchups for Western teams.
No. 11 BYU has a tough game on the road to Iowa State, No. 24 Arizona State hosts surging Houston and Utah plays Colorado in Salt Lake City.
I offer a preview of 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 p.m. PT, FOX
tThe 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 major injuries in the secondary, this is not the same team that took the field earlier in the season.
Still, Rocco Becht remains a threat. Similar in many ways to Bear Bachmeier, the ISU redshirt junior is a game-changer.
His willingness to run opens up the defense and his accuracy when throwing can hurt opponents on deep throws.
Pressure can be applied to alter its rhythm. However, it is risky because it forces the secondary into one-on-one situations.
How BYU chooses to handle it from a schematic standpoint will be very important.
On the other side of the ball, the Cougars should be in good shape if they can establish the run. It’s one of those games where BYU’s strength up front will shine.
A victory would be respected nationally, even with the problems ISU has had lately.
Houston ranked 24th in the state of Arizona
Saturday October 25
5:00 pm Pacific Time, ESPN2
jOrdyn Tyson’s unavailability for this game is arguably the biggest 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 running offense.
The Cougars dominated Arizona on the ground, taking advantage of the Wildcats’ scheme. But inappropriate formations and lack of adjustment are not mistakes 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 power of Willie Fritz’s offense stems from Weigman’s threat to run.
As long as the Sun Devils keep him reasonably contained, he’s unlikely to beat them through the air. But if Weigman gets going on the field, the rest of the offense becomes more effective.
On offense, Arizona State shouldn’t have much trouble moving the ball. The riders hope 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 in Utah
Saturday October 25
7:15 p.m. Pacific Time, ESPN
doOlorado is catching up with Utah at an inopportune time.
After a loss in a rivalry game, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Utes run up the score. Even if Devon Dampier can’t play.
Kyle Whittingham has superior line play on both sides of the ball and much better defense. Kaidon Salter can be a sales machine and you can bet Morgan Scalley has something cooking for him.
But CU has improved as the season has progressed. Deion Sanders has dangerous wide receivers who can make plays. The running game can be questionable. But there is no denying the strength of the wide receiver.
The battle for losing the ball will be key. If Utah forces more than one TO, the Buffaloes are unlikely to win at Rice-Eccles.
At the same time, Salter’s running ability is a real threat that can make a difference.
If he fails on the run plays, Colorado can stick around long enough to make the game interesting.
The rest of the big 12
texas Tech plays Oklahoma State in a hit-or-miss game.
The dispersion is enormous and the talent discrepancy is enormous.
Add in the fact that the Red Raiders are coming off a loss and you have a recipe for an explosion.
It’s very painful for the Ok State fan base, who views TTU as a rival.
doincinnati hosts Baylor in a game to watch out for.
The Bears are a reasonably good team that could pull off an upset.
Sawyer Robertson is comparable to Brendan Sorsby and brings a similar skill set to the table.
It would be terrible for the Big 12 if the Bearcats lost.
kAnsas faces rival Kansas State in Lawrence.
The series is known as the Girasol Showdown and K-State has won 16 consecutive matchups since 2008.
But last year it was only a two-point game and the year before that it was a four-point game.
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.
Horned frogs should have no problems. It’s a measuring stick game that offers a direct comparison to Utah.
But Sonny Dykes’ team has yet to win a conference game on the road.
If TCU struggles at 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.
