By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
The Huge 12 is essentially the most entertaining league in school soccer. Say what you need in regards to the high quality of the league. However there’s no denying the parity.
And the eagerness of the fanbases simply exceeds the common Huge Ten workforce.
These video games matter.
The groups from the West enter the opening week dealing with opponents of various energy. Colorado and Utah face Energy Convention groups, whereas BYU and Arizona State play FCS packages.
I preview all 5 video games that includes Huge 12 groups from the West and supply a “look in” at a few of the key contests in the remainder of the league.
Georgia Tech at Colorado
Friday, August 29
5:00 pm PT, ESPN
The Buffaloes start the post-Shedeur Sanders period with a matchup towards a Energy Convention opponent.
Georgia Tech is coming into its third season below head coach Brent Key, who has led the Yellow Jackets to bowl video games in his first two years.
Georgia Tech Quarterback Haynes King is a prepared runner coming off an incredible season.
He threw simply two interceptions all of final yr whereas scampering for 587 yards dashing and 11 touchdowns on the bottom.
King is the definition of a dual-threat quarterback. The Colorado protection should comprise him within the pocket and never permit the senior to carve them up when he runs.
On offense, CU has named Liberty switch Kaidon Salter as its beginning quarterback.
His expertise in all probability gained him the job over true freshman Julian Lewis, and he has some gifted large receivers to focus on.
Search for the Buffs to get the ball into the palms of Omarion Miller and Dre’lon Miller.
If Colorado’s receivers get the ball in open area, they need to rating sufficient instances to beat the Yellow Jackets in Boulder.
Portland State at BYU
Saturday, August 30
5:00 pm PT, ESPN+
Portland State was blown out within the house opener in Week Zero. The Vikings misplaced 42 to 0 towards Tarleton State, making this matchup with BYU a sport with little or no nationwide curiosity.
The first storyline is the debut of true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. The straightforward opponent is the proper alternative for him to achieve expertise.
However, if something, the playbook could possibly be deliberately restricted to keep away from giving movie to future opponents. It’s a fragile steadiness.
On one hand, the teaching employees must see what Bachmeier can do. However, it’s unwise to provide future opponents a have a look at the performs and formations the Cougars need to run.
In that sense, the run sport could possibly be emphasised and the ultimate outcome gained’t transfer the needle on BYU’s outlook.
Northern Arizona at No. 11 Arizona State
Saturday, August 30
7:00 pm PT, ESPN+
Okenny Dillingham’s Solar Devils begin their 2025 season with a matchup towards Northern Arizona.
The Lumberjacks are ranked No. 18 within the FCS Preseason Coaches Ballot after coming off an 8-5 season final yr.
One of many few questions surrounding this system is how ASU will substitute Cameron Skattebo. The depth chart launched by Dillingham’s employees signifies Kyson Brown and Raleek Brown are the beginning working backs.
Kyson Brown was Skattebo’s backup final yr and will shine because the starter, whereas Raleek Brown is a former switch from USC with nice velocity.
However Military switch Kanye Udoh may be the important thing. Udoh is second-string behind Kyson Brown, but he’s the participant that almost all intently resembles Skattebo’s body.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 220 kilos, Udoh rushed for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns final season. If Udoh has a breakout yr, Arizona State will likely be harmful.
Regardless, all eyes will likely be on the working again room in opener towards NAU. How they carry out might point out ASU’s ceiling this yr.
Hawai’i at Arizona
Saturday, August 30
7:30 pm PT, TNT/HBO Max
Arizona enters its second yr below Brent Brennan with a brand new offensive and defensive coordinator.
Final yr’s offensive scheme was incompetent, and the effectiveness of the 2025 model will outline the season.
Seth Doege is the brand new offensive coordinator, and he involves Arizona after serving to lead Marshall to a 10-win season final yr.
On protection, Danny Gonzales was promoted internally and is tasked with enhancing a unit that was No. 108 nationally in factors allowed per sport.
Hawaii runs a shotgun-based offense with fast reads and simple throws. Getting stress on quarterback Micah Alejado will likely be key.
The Warriors carved up Stanford when their corners performed comfortable protection, giving Gonzales clear sport movie on what doesn’t work defensively.
It’s a check for the Arizona teaching employees. Any semblance an in depth sport might point out an extended season forward.
Utah at UCLA
Saturday, August 30
8:00 pm PT, FOX
The season begins with a bang when the 2 former Pac-12 members face off in Pasadena.
UCLA is trending up, and Utah is in a reset. Each packages have new beginning quarterbacks with heightened expectations for the season.
The drama is palpable. There’s a purpose why this sport is on FOX and within the prime late window.
The important thing battle is arguably the Utes’ offensive line towards the Bruins’ defensive entrance.
Devon Dampier will make the proper throw if given time, or in any other case has the athleticism to hurry for yards on the bottom.
But when he’s constantly pressured and sped up, the potential for turnovers is there.
Final season, Dampier threw 12 interceptions to only 12 touchdowns. The UCLA employees is aware of this and can seemingly devise advanced seems to confuse the junior.
But when Utah’s offensive line supplies the time, the Huge 12 might safe a important nonconference victory over the Huge Ten.
Better of The Relaxation within the Huge 12
Baylor hosts Auburn on Friday night time in a important sport for the league.
The Tigers have struggled towards Energy Convention opponents the previous few years and the SEC/ESPN propaganda machine has been set to the max this summer time.
A convincing win from the Bears is required for the Huge 12’s fame.
Elsewhere, Kansas State faces North Dakota, looking for a bounce-back win after the defeat in Eire.
The temper across the program is poisonous, and the house crowd must be a welcome atmosphere for the gamers.
Search for a powerful displaying out of KSU.
Texas Tech begins its season in Lubbock with a matchup towards Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Just like Arizona State, the Pink Raiders have questions at working again that should be answered. And similar to BYU, the TTU teaching employees will likely be cautious about placing an excessive amount of of their offense on tape.
Search for a vanilla sport plan and backups to get time within the second half.
Capping the Convention’s slate on Monday night time, TCU travels to North Carolina in a matchup that may have the nation’s consideration.
Invoice Belichick debuts for the Tar Heels with the Horned Frogs seeking to play spoiler. Each sport pitting two Energy Conferences opponents towards one another will likely be tracked and analyzed.
The Huge 12 wants as many wins as it might get, particularly towards a league just like the ACC, which stole an additional bid in final yr’s Playoff.
Miller covers Faculty Basketball and Faculty Soccer in addition to System 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
