By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
College GameDay is in Salt Lake Metropolis for a essential matchup between No. 17 Cincinnati and No. 24 Utah.
The competition offers a possibility for the Utes to make a press release and emerge as a professional risk within the Large 12.
Elsewhere, Arizona State has a highway recreation towards Iowa State, and Arizona performs at Colorado.
I preview these three video games right here and supply a “look in” on the different matchups within the Large 12 for Week 10.
Arizona State at Iowa State
Saturday, November 1
10:00 a.m. PT, TNT
The season is on the road for Arizona State in Ames.
With solely two losses in convention play, the Solar Devils nonetheless have a shot at making the Large 12 Championship Sport and the Playoff. However a defeat to the Cyclones would reduce off any remaining probability.
The standing of Jordyn Tyson stays questionable-to-doubtful, whereas Sam Leavitt is reportedly out for the sport. Meaning Jeff Sims will take over because the starter, a situation that ASU followers know typically doesn’t finish properly.
To drag off the upset, the protection might want to have its greatest recreation of the yr. The Arizona State defensive position is robust and able to disrupting Rocco Becht. However the secondary might want to pressure a number of turnovers.
And the offense should convert these additional possessions into factors.
On offense, the working backs have to step as much as the plate. Sims is an affordable risk to run and will create hesitancy inside the ISU again seven.
If the ASU offensive line can get the required push to open up lanes, the run recreation might do sufficient injury to maintain the rating shut.
However any turnovers from Sims could possibly be devastating, and any particular groups errors could be expensive.
It’s not unimaginable, but Arizona State faces an uphill climb.
Arizona at Colorado
Saturday, November 1
4:00 p.m. PT, FS1
Bhire Brennan might very properly be teaching for his job in Boulder.
The fanbase is already rumbling for regime change, and the media in Tucson is teetering close to the sting.
A loss to Colorado would ship the loudest voices over the road, beginning the drumbeat of strain on Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois to make a change.
That’s simply the way it goes if you’ve solely gained three convention video games in almost two seasons regardless of having the expertise to win extra.
Colorado may not have an excellent dashing assault. However the Buffaloes have the receivers to burn Arizona’s protection.
The important thing battle to look at is the road of scrimmage. If the Wildcats’ entrance seven can get into the backfield and disrupt whichever CU quarterback performs, the probabilities of profitable are stronger.
But when the UA defensive position and linebackers don’t get constant strain and the Colorado quarterback is given time to throw, his receivers will take benefit.
On the identical time, turnovers and missed area objectives could possibly be devastating for the Arizona offense.
The Buffs are a succesful staff at Folsom Discipline, and the Cats will should be at their greatest in all three phases to safe the victory.
No. 17 Cincinnati at No. 24 Utah
Saturday, November 1
7:15 p.m. PT, ESPN
This is the kind of recreation that may alter the trajectory of a program.
Whether or not the fanbase is prepared to confess it or not, Utah soccer is on a downward development. Positive, the Utes beat up on the mid to decrease tier of the Large 12.
However they haven’t but proven they’ll deal with the elite groups within the Convention.
And this season, Cincinnati is elite. If Utah beats the Bearcats, the narrative across the program will change.
But, there’s a flip facet to this equation: UC is vying to develop into a perennial energy within the league.
Scott Satterfield’s program would skyrocket with a win at Rice-Eccles. Cincinnati made the Playoff in 2021, however has discovered restricted success since becoming a member of the Large 12.
This recreation means as a lot to the trajectory of UC soccer because it does to Utah.
However sufficient with the massive image. This recreation might be gained and misplaced within the trenches.
If the Utah strains set up themselves, then the Utes will win. It’s an excellent old school battle up entrance. The extra bodily staff can have the benefit.
The X-Issue, nevertheless, is Brendan Sorsby’s skill to run. Averaging 6.2 yards per rush with seven whole touchdowns on the bottom, he’s the last word neutralizer for any benefit the Utes may need on the road.
It’s the kind of recreation the place an interception generated by Utah’s secondary could possibly be the deciding issue.
And no matter you do, don’t learn into the unfold. This recreation goes to return right down to the final possession within the fourth quarter.
The Remainder of the Large 12
Texas Tech travels to Manhattan to play Kansas State. A Crimson Raider loss could be very damaging to the Large 12’s hope of getting a number of groups into the Playoff.
The Wildcats are taking part in higher than they’ve all season and their home-field benefit is elite. However TTU can ship a message to the remainder of the nation with a powerful win. Margins of victory matter.
Perceptions matter.
Everybody exterior of the Okay-State fanbase must be cheering for a convincing win by Texas Tech.
Houston hosts West Virginia within the definition of a lure recreation. The Cougars have been taking part in nice, and the Mountaineers are a foul soccer staff.
That mixture invariably results in underestimating and overlooking.
It’s a tradition take a look at for Willie Fritz’s staff. He seems to be a fantastic coach and a blowout Houston win would immediately underscore his expertise.
Let’s see simply how good of a coach Fritz actually is.
Baylor takes on UCF in an early morning recreation on ESPNU. The 9:00am PT begin is odd for a recreation in Texas, however that may be the value to pay to keep away from the ESPN+ remedy.
The unfold is simply over a area aim, which feels a bit off. The Bears have failed to fulfill some exterior expectations this yr and are on a two-game shedding streak.
But, Central Florida hasn’t gained a highway recreation this yr.
Search for Baylor to get the job finished by a minimum of a landing.
Okayansas performs Oklahoma State in Lawrence on ESPN+. The unfold is huge and no person is anticipating the Cowboys to make it aggressive.
It must be an computerized win for the Jayhawks, bringing them one win away from bowl eligibility.
Possibly within the not-so-distant future, OSU will get its program collectively.
From a nationwide narrative standpoint, the earlier that occurs the higher for the Large 12.
Miller covers Faculty Basketball and Faculty Soccer in addition to Method 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
