This might be the sharpest Big 12 weekend of the season so far, with a top-10 showdown at the center of it and a few other games that could shake up the league’s pecking order.
The biggest attraction is Notre Dame vs. BYU, a matchup between undefeated teams that are both sitting inside the AP top 10.
Notre Dame has rolled through every game on its schedule so far, but this is clearly the stiffest test yet. BYU has survived a couple of tense ones already, including close calls against TCU and Iowa State, and this will be its first crack at a ranked opponent this season.
Style-wise, this one looks like it could grind. Both defenses have been a major part of the story, and that points to a lower-scoring game.
The quarterbacks add another layer, though. Notre Dame’s CJ Carr has far more passing touchdowns than Bear Bachmeier, and BYU also appears to be leaning heavily on Bachmeier without a deep list of offensive answers behind him.
That gives the Fighting Irish the edge, though the matchup still shapes up as one worth watching even if Notre Dame comes out on top.
One game with upset potential is Oklahoma State vs. Houston.
The Cougars are favored even though Oklahoma State is ranked higher in the AP poll, and the Cowboys already own a ranked win this season. Houston, meanwhile, dropped its first ranked game of the year to Texas Tech in Week 2.
Still, the Cougars bring balance and enough quality to beat just about anyone. Oklahoma State, though, has the kind of quarterback who can turn a game on its head in Drew Mestemaker, who has already thrown for more than 1,500 yards in just five games.
Houston should win, but the Cowboys have the firepower to make this one uncomfortable and potentially hand the Cougars a second loss.
Elsewhere, Cincinnati’s trip to West Virginia stands out as the other notable Big 12 game. The Mountaineers are slightly favored at home even after dropping three straight, while the Bearcats come in rested off a bye week. With both teams built around the run, this one may simply come down to which side controls the ground game.
There’s more to keep an eye on beyond that. Utah meets Colorado as the Utes try to stay unbeaten and the Buffaloes chase their first Big 12 win.
Kansas and Kansas State meet in an in-state rivalry game. Texas Tech is heavily favored against Arizona State, and Baylor is favored over TCU.
Three Big 12 teams are off this week: Arizona, Iowa State, and UCF. Arizona enters the break at 2-1 in conference play, while Iowa State and UCF are both 1-2 in Big 12 action.
In Other News...
Buffs Let A Stronger Start Slip Away At Stanford
Colorado got the kind of opening round that leaves plenty of room to climb, but not much room for error, at the Stanford Intercollegiate. After day one at the Stanford Golf Course, the Buffaloes sat in 14th place at 15-over-par, a spot that reflected more missed chances than disaster in a field where Stanford surged to the top at 13-under.
Maya McVey provided the steadiest footing for Colorado, carding a 1-over 72 to lead the Buffaloes individually. With the tournament just getting started, the challenge now is whether the rest of the lineup can turn a shaky opener into something more competitive as the rounds continue. [Read more 🡒]
Buffs Are One Win From A Breakthrough With NCAA Stakes
Colorados womens tennis program has a chance to turn a strong regional run into something bigger at the ITA Mountain Regional Championships. Lera Alexin and Ema Bubalo have pushed all the way to the doubles final after moving through both the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, giving the Buffaloes a shot at a regional title and an automatic berth into the NCAA Individual Championships.
Heidi Crncans singles run ended in the round of 16 against Utahs Sara Akid, leaving the doubles pairing as Colorados last chance to leave the tournament with a major breakthrough. Alexin and Bubalo now wait for their Saturday opponent, with the championship match set to determine whether the Buffs can cap the event with an NCAA-clinching win. [Read more 🡒]
Former Big 12 Quarterback Just Added Intrigue To Colorados Utah Week
Diego Pavia brought an unexpected layer of attention to Colorados buildup for Utah week, showing up around the program to back Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. The former Vanderbilt quarterback, who finished as a Heisman finalist, spent time around the team and even gave viewers a peek behind the curtain through Twitch, adding another dose of buzz to a week already carrying Big 12 stakes.
Pavia also offered his take on Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson, a useful outside perspective as the Buffaloes try to sharpen themselves for one of their biggest conference tests. He sounded optimistic about Colorados path in the Big 12 championship race, and his presence around the team only heightened the sense that this week has a little extra meaning beyond the matchup itself. [Read more 🡒]