Week 6 is where the Big 12 starts to separate a little. The league has already packed in enough drama to make the standings feel crowded, but this weekend brings a stretch of games that can push a few teams into the spotlight and knock others back into the middle of the pack.
The headliners are easy to spot. Iowa State goes to BYU in Provo in one of the weekend’s biggest games, with the Cougars trying to stay unbeaten in Big 12 play and the Cyclones chasing a road win that would say plenty about where they stand.
In Manhattan, Kansas State hosts Texas Tech in another heavyweight matchup with Arlington on everyone’s mind. Both teams enter Week 6 with their eyes firmly set on the Big 12 Championship Game, and the margin for mistakes is already getting thin.
Elsewhere, Oklahoma State is back home after another strong offensive showing and will try to keep its place among the conference’s top contenders against UCF. The Knights have flashed enough to make this one interesting, but they’ll need a clean performance to test a Cowboys team with title goals.
Arizona heads to West Virginia in a game that gives both teams a chance to grab some momentum in conference play. The Wildcats are leaning on one of the Big 12’s top quarterbacks, while the Mountaineers will try to protect home field and stay in the race.
Kansas also gets a difficult trip, heading west to face Utah in one of its toughest games of the season. The Utes have already established themselves as one of the league’s best teams, and the Jayhawks are looking for a road win that could give them some traction in Big 12 play.
And in another matchup with a very different feel, Arizona State stays home for what is hoped to be a get-right game against 1-4 Hawaii. The Sun Devils are coming off a 55-19 loss to Baylor last week and will be looking to steady themselves.
In Other News...
WVU Has One Lingering Concern In A Very Winnable Arizona Game
West Virginia gets a favorable setup against Arizona this weekend, and that is exactly why the matchup feels like one the Mountaineers should be able to manage if they play to their strengths. Phil Steele pointed to West Virginias offensive upside, while also noting Arizonas injury situation and the burden of a long road trip, both of which add to the sense that this is a game the Mountaineers can control from early on. The noon ET kickoff on TNT gives the meeting a little extra visibility, too, for a WVU team trying to turn a promising spot into a clean result.
Still, Steeles read comes with a catch, because West Virginia has not exactly erased concerns on the defensive side. Even in a game that looks winnable on paper, that remains the lingering issue, and it is the sort of thing that can keep a staff and fan base uneasy until the opening series and beyond. Steeles cautious lean toward the Mountaineers reflects the overall shape of the matchup, but it also underscores how much WVU may need its offense to carry the day if the defense does not firm up. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona Faces A Tough Road Test With Noah Fifita Rolling
West Virginia gets Arizona in a Week 6 matchup that arrives at a tricky moment for the Mountaineers, who have dropped their last two after opening 3-0. The home side still has plenty to play for, but the recent slide has made this one feel more like a measuring stick than a routine conference-style tune-up, especially with a Wildcats team coming in on a three-game surge.
Arizona has steadied itself after an early loss, and much of that turnaround has come with Noah Fifita running the offense confidently as a senior. He has paired strong passing production with enough threat on the ground to keep defenses honest, which makes him a difficult matchup on the road and a big reason this trip to Morgantown has real bite. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Secondary Suddenly Faces A Real Problem Before Arizona
West Virginias secondary took a hit heading into Arizona, with the latest availability report moving cornerback Nick Taylor from questionable to doubtful. Its a notable development for a defense that needs to be sharp on the back end, especially with Arizona coming in after dealing with its own issues up front in pass protection.
There is at least some encouraging news on the other side of the defensive coin, as pass rusher Harper Holloman is expected to play despite a shoulder injury. If Taylor cant go, Jason Chambers is likely to step into the starting role, while Keyshawn Robinson and Jaire Rawlison are expected to help fill out the rotation and keep the secondary from getting stretched thin. [Read more 🡒]