By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
The Big 12 is 2-1 against the ACC so far this season.
Colorado beat Georgia Tech, Cincinnati beat Boston College, and TCU lost to North Carolina in Week 0.
The wins over the ACC were negated, though, by Baylor’s loss to Auburn and Oklahoma State’s loss to Tulsa.
In other words, the status quo remains.
This week, the Big 12 has six nonconference games against Power 4 opponents. The league needs to win these types of showdowns to gain respect on the national level.
Another round of poor results will only deepen the hole the Conference finds itself in.
But the top matchup of the week is a Conference game when BYU hosts Arizona. And the featured team of this story is Kansas State after their lopsided win in the opener.
Here’s my Big 12 Column for Week 2.
Featured Team of the Week: Kansas State
Washington State at Kansas State
Saturday, September 12
9:00 AM PT, TNT
All eyes are on Manhattan as Kansas State hosts Washington State.
The Cougars exceeded expectations in the Apple Cup. The result was a loss, yet the team passed the eye test. That makes this matchup with K-State an attention-grabber.
The preseason expectations for the Wildcats were muted. They have a first-time head coach in Collin Klein, an unproven asset that may turn out to be a home-run hire.
But their quarterback is still Avery Johnson. Probably unfairly criticized and undervalued, Johnson is a walking threat. The senior QB is a very capable runner.
At the same time, Klein was hired specifically for his offensive system.
It sounds like a match made in heaven. Kansas State crushed their FCS opponent in the opener. A convincing win over WSU would make K-State a contender in the Big 12.
Matchups to Watch
Arizona at No. 15 BYU
Saturday, September 12
12:30 PM PT, FOX
The margin for Big 12 teams to make the Playoff is razor thin. A loss at home to Arizona could be fatal to BYU’s resume.
That’s what’s on the line in Provo this weekend. The matchup is considered to be one of the top games nationally for Week 2.
Last year, BYU won a double-overtime Instant Classic in Tucson. The Wildcats haven’t won in Provo since 1975, and the Cougars are 6-2 in the series since 2000.
Arizona has lost five straight games to BYU dating back to 2016. But four of those losses have come by a single possession.
Is this the year UA finally breaks through?
Arkansas at No. 20 Utah
Saturday, September 12
7:15 PM PT, FOX
This game matters. It matters for Utah’s reputation. And it matters for the Big 12 as a whole. It’s a must-win game.
An Arkansas win would be spun in a very damaging way. The national media, led by ESPN’s various employees, would use it as further proof that the Big 12 is a bad football conference.
These SEC schools don’t respect Utah. They are expecting to waltz in and get a victory.
On Saturday night, we are all Utah fans. Go stick it to the SEC.
Arizona State at No. 10 Texas A&M
Saturday, September 12
9:00 AM PT, ABC
The Sun Devils head to College Station for a matchup against the SEC.
Texas A&M is perpetually overrated, and Arizona State could pull off the upset. Cutter Boley has experience starting road games in the SEC, and ASU put up a lot of points in its opener.
The game could come down to the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Put out the Upset Alert now. Arizona State might be for real.
Other Noteworthy Games
No. 23 Missouri at Kansas
Friday, September 11
5:00 PM PT, FOX
Missouri should roll. Not sure why the spread is only 5.5 in favor of the Tigers.
Does Vegas know something we don’t?
Kansas is expected to be a bottom-tier team in the Big 12 this year.
My money is on Mizzou to cover.
No. 6 Oregon at Oklahoma State
Saturday, September 12
9:00 AM PT, ESPN
This is a real test for both programs.
Dan Lanning and the Ducks are coming off a disappointing performance against Boise State. And Oklahoma State is looking to bounce back after an embarrassing loss to Tulsa.
Is Oregon even good enough to run up the score?
The final result will shape the narrative around the Ducks.
UCF at Pitt
Saturday, September 12
12:30 PM PT, ESPN2
Central Florida has another opportunity to score a Big 12 win over the ACC.
If the Knights can beat Pitt on their home field, they will very likely make a bowl game.
Scott Frost led UCF to five wins last year.
This game could show the progress his program has made.
No. 13 Texas Tech at Oregon State
Saturday, September 12
4:30 PM PT, CBS
The Beavers looked better than expected against Houston. Oregon State is now viewed as one of the favorites to win the Pac-12.
That puts the pressure onto Texas Tech. It’s not easy to win in Corvallis.
Yet, nobody is expecting this game to be close.
Stranger upsets have happened in that stadium before. Just saying.
Iowa State at No. 21 Iowa
Saturday, September 12
4:30 PM PT, NBC
This matchup with Iowa is the definition of a regional rivalry.
The Big Ten is the better conference and Iowa has a more stable program.
That explains the 14-point spread in favor of the Hawkeyes.
Still, anything can happen in rivalry games and ISU coach Jimmy Rogers knows what he’s doing.
Weber State at Colorado
Saturday, September 12
12:30 PM PT, ESPN+
The Buffs host FCS opponent Weber State for a day game at Folsom Field.
The lower-tier matchup provides an opportunity to improve the offense’s efficiency.
Too many drives stalled out against Georgia Tech, most of which can be attributable to poor quarterback play.
Julian Lewis should feel more comfortable against Weber State. If not, a change at quarterback might need to be seriously considered.
Straight-Up Staff Picks for Selected Games
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.
