TCU may still be waiting for Big 12 play to get going, but Week 2 already has a few games that can tell us plenty about the league picture. Utah, BYU and Kansas all step into tougher spots this weekend, and each one gives Horned Frogs fans a reason to tune in.
Start with Utah, which wasted no time making noise in its opener. The No.
21 Utes rolled past Idaho 66-14 on Sept. 3 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, piling up 633 total yards and scoring on five of their six first-half possessions. More than half of that damage came on the ground, with Utah rushing for 346 yards.
Wayshawn Parker scored three times, and quarterback Devon Dampier added three more touchdowns through the air.
Dampier was efficient in his first game, going 13 of 18 for 176 yards and three touchdowns. He looked in control of an offense that kept finding chunk plays, and Utah now gets a much more serious test against Arkansas.
That matchup should say a lot more than the Idaho game did. During Big 12 media days, Baileigh Sheffield of Killer Frogs pointed to player confidence and camaraderie, and that kind of chemistry could matter as Utah settles deeper into conference play.
BYU turned in an even louder opening statement. The No.
14 Cougars blasted Utah Tech 63-7, finishing with 521 total yards, 7.7 yards per play and four forced turnovers. Bear Bachmeier was sharp in his second start at BYU, completing 16 of 20 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns while also running for a score.
The offense looked balanced, too, with 308 rushing yards.
Glasker delivered a huge debut of his own, scoring three touchdowns - two as a receiver and one on the ground. He finished with 65 receiving yards and 16 rushing yards and immediately looked like one of BYU’s most interesting young weapons.
LJ Martin is back as a major part of the attack, and the Cougars also added Oregon transfer tight end Roger Saleapaga II and Cal transfer linebacker Cade Uluave to bring more experience into the mix. The real exam comes Saturday, when BYU opens Big 12 play against Arizona in Provo.
Arizona also won comfortably, beating Northern Arizona 35-7 behind Noah Fifita’s 262 passing yards and two touchdowns.
For TCU, that BYU-Arizona matchup is one of the most important games on the Week 2 slate. It could offer an early read on whether the Cougars are ready to push into the conference race.
Kansas has a smaller spotlight this week, but the Jayhawks still matter. They opened with a 51-6 win over Long Island, though it took a little time for things to settle in.
Isaiah Marshall threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns, while Yasin Willis made an immediate impact in his Kansas debut with 72 rushing yards and two scores. Buffalo transfer Nik McMillan also stood out, catching six passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Alexander got the first snap after winning a starting job heading into the season, but he played only 19 snaps, so there’s not much to pull from that opener. Butler is another name to watch because of what he could become as a receiver. He came over from Old Dominion known more for blocking than production in the passing game, and a bigger role there could turn him into a real problem for defenses.
Kansas gets a major test on Friday, Sept. 11, against No. 25 Missouri in the Border War.
Week 2 isn’t about locking in the Big 12 standings just yet. It’s about spotting which teams are starting to separate.
Utah has already shown it can light up the scoreboard, BYU has the look of a balanced team with young playmakers, and Kansas is about to find out a lot more about itself against Missouri. For TCU, those are the teams worth tracking before the conference schedule really kicks in.
In Other News...
TCU Left UNC Fans With One Roster Question Worth Watching
Even in a loss to North Carolina, TCU found a few individual performances worth circling. John Schobel got to the quarterback for a sack, KaMorreun Pimpton stretched the field with a long reception, and Kaden McFadden made his presence felt with tackles and a forced fumble. Those moments offered a glimpse of what the Horned Frogs might be able to build on, especially as the staff keeps sorting through who can help in meaningful spots.
The bigger issue now is less about the splash plays than what comes next for TCUs rotation. Coaches still want to see consistency, reliable assignments and whether those flashes can hold up over a full game before they make any real decisions about playing time or starting roles. For a roster still being evaluated on the fly, that leaves one question worth watching as the season moves ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Drew Mestemaker's Debut Left Oklahoma State With A Worrying Offensive Question
Week 1 offered plenty of first looks around the Big 12, and TCU had reason to pay attention as quarterbacks across the league settled in with new teams. Drew Mestemakers debut for Oklahoma State fit into that uneasy category, part of a broader opening weekend trend that also included rough outings from Byrum Brown at Auburn, DJ Lagway at Baylor and Jaden Craig for the Horned Frogs.
For TCU, the concern is less about one bad night than the larger offensive picture taking shape around the league. With Jaden Craig also struggling, the Horned Frogs are left weighing how quickly their own passing game can steady itself while rivals sort through the same early-season growing pains. The first week did not offer many easy answers, and for TCU the uncertainty around quarterback play could linger a while. [Read more 🡒]