By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
It’s getting all the way down to it.
With simply three weeks left within the common season, Playoff hopes are on the road all through the league.
Any additional missteps by BYU or Utah can be eliminators.
Each packages face checks this week with video games in opposition to TCU and Baylor, respectively.
I preview these matchups right here together with Arizona’s contest at Cincinnati and Arizona State’s recreation in opposition to West Virginia.
And on the backside, I give a “look in” on the different matchups within the Huge 12 this week.
Arizona at No. 25 Cincinnati
Saturday, November 15
9:00 a.m. PT, FS1
The Wildcats journey throughout the nation to play a day recreation at Cincinnati.
Brendan Sorsby has been crushing it this season, getting into the sport with a 21-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 453 yards dashing.
His menace to run is an issue for Arizona’s protection. Sorsby has scored eight instances on the bottom and UA hasn’t fared nicely in opposition to that sort of quarterback.
The Bearcats had a bye week to arrange for Noah Fifita, too, additional complicating Arizona’s possibilities of successful.
However Brent Brennan’s staff is enjoying with confidence. And the Vegas oddsmakers expect a detailed recreation.
The important thing to the upset is perhaps forcing turnovers.
In Cincinnati’s two losses, Sorsby has thrown an interception. In each different recreation the place the quarterback has taken care of the ball, UC ended up with the win.
On offense, explosive performs and third down conversions determine to be vital. Controlling the road of scrimmage to offer Fifita sufficient time to throw is a should.
And protecting the protection sincere with a mix of Fifita runs and the standard floor recreation can even play a key function.
Cincinnati is perhaps on upset alert. Don’t sleep on Arizona.
West Virginia at Arizona State
Saturday, November 15
10:00 a.m. PT, TNT
The path to the Huge 12 Championship Sport is extraordinarily slender for the Solar Devils. However the one focus for the staff is successful their last three video games and seeing the way it all performs out.
West Virginia is driving momentum after upsetting Houston and beating Colorado. Wealthy Rodriguez’s offense has discovered life in freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr., unlocking a way of perception at each different place group on the staff.
But, it is a Jeff Sims recreation.
The senior set the Arizona State report for many dashing yards by a quarterback in a single recreation and faces an opposing quarterback that considerably mirrors his fashion. In different phrases, it’s a toe-to-toe tilt in opposition to a real freshman on the opposite sideline.
Sims will not be going to get beat. Even when it takes his single-handed willpower to get the job carried out.
The X-Elements are turnovers and particular groups. If Sims fumbles or throws interceptions, the door swings open. And if it’s a detailed recreation, the Solar Satan punting and kicking points might chew them.
However it is a day recreation within the desert. Search for an Arizona State victory.
No. 13 Utah at Baylor
Saturday, November 15
4:00 p.m. PT, ESPN2
Every contest for the Utes via the tip of the common season is a de facto Playoff recreation.
Lose and Utah is out. Win and the hopes keep alive.
Baylor is a fairly proficient opponent with a powerful quarterback. Sawyer Robertson may not get a lot consideration throughout the Huge 12, however he is without doubt one of the high QBs within the league. Cellular and correct, Robertson can put up factors.
However pretty much as good as Baylor’s offense is, the protection is contrastingly poor. The Bears are No. 13 within the Huge 12 in yards allowed per recreation and thirteenth in factors allowed per recreation.
That’s not a great signal when matched up in opposition to a Utah staff that has been blowing out mediocre opponents all 12 months. And coming off a powerful win in opposition to a revered Cincinnati staff, it’s not unreasonable to count on a transparent Ute victory.
Why? Baylor’s strains on each side of the ball are suspect.
The 7.5 unfold appears low and presents a chance to make an announcement. Search for Utah to dominate the road of scrimmage, successfully run the ball, and rating loads of factors.
TCU at No. 12 BYU
Saturday, November 15
7:15 p.m. PT, ESPN
How does BYU reply?
That’s what the Playoff Committee needs to know after getting outclassed by Texas Tech. Presently on the surface of the bracket, the Cougars have to ship a message.
An in depth win in opposition to TCU received’t be sufficient. The Committee must see a transparent victory.
To do this, the BYU protection should pressure Josh Hoover to throw interceptions. Utilizing strain ought to assist, and massive hits from the secondary would set up the tone.
But, protecting Hoover contained is a key as a result of he might be an efficient runner.
On the opposite aspect of the ball, getting the bottom recreation going is a should. The Cougars couldn’t set up their regular rhythm in opposition to TTU and it threw off your entire offense.
The Horned Frogs have nowhere close to the identical caliber of defensive position, however the necessity to set up the run will stay simply as vital.
However it’s an evening recreation at LaVell Edwards Stadium. On nationwide tv. With Playoff hopes on the road.
The house crowd ought to play an essential function and make a distinction. As a fanbase, these are the varieties of video games you reside for.
Now, it’s on the staff to go on the market and carry out.
The Remainder of the Huge 12
Texas Tech hosts UCF in a recreation the place the Purple Raiders are 24-point favorites.
The Knights haven’t received a highway recreation this season and have been blown out by Baylor the final time they travelled to Texas.
Sitting at a cushty spot within the CFP Rankings, the margin of victory is much less essential. S
taying wholesome and getting the dub matter most. It’s time to care for enterprise.
Okansas State travels to Stillwater to face the 1-8 Cowboys.
It’s been a horrible season for Ok-State, but a bowl recreation is inside attain.
The Wildcats want two extra wins to get there, and so they play Colorado to complete the 12 months. That makes this recreation in opposition to Oklahoma State a should win.
Luckily, Okay State will not be a aggressive staff and it’s extremely unlikely that an upset happens.
Miller covers School Basketball and School Soccer in addition to Components 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
