By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
This week within the Massive 12, 4 of the groups from the West have video games.
Colorado and Arizona have toss-up matchups, whereas Utah and Arizona State each face opponents they’re anticipated to beat.
BYU has a bye, and there aren’t many high quality video games in the remainder of the Convention.
I preview the 4 video games right here and provides a “look in” on the different key matchups across the league.
Colorado at Houston
Friday, September 12
4:30 pm PT, ESPN
The Buffaloes head to Houston for a probably season-defining matchup.
A loss to the Cougars may point out a bowl sport is unlikely, whereas a win would possibly re-energize the 12 months.
In an sudden twist, third-string quarterback Ryan Staub is reportedly anticipated to start out. That’s both an indication of desperation or a genius teaching transfer.
On Saturday, we are going to be taught the reply.
Houston is 2-0 after dominating inferior in-state opponents. Texas A&M quarterback switch Conner Weigman has performed nicely to start out the 12 months.
Weigman is a average risk to run, coming into the sport with 17 rushes for 59 yards and a landing. If the CU protection eliminates the QB run sport, the Buffs can have a greater probability of profitable.
On offense, Staub’s effectivity figures to be key. It’s a little bit of a big gamble to provide him the beginning nod. And if it doesn’t work, Deion Sanders and his employees can’t hesitate to place Kaidon Salter again within the sport.
Kansas State at Arizona
Friday, September 12
6:00 pm PT, FOX
Blease Brennan and Arizona face their first check of the season.
Kansas State could also be struggling to date this 12 months, however the high quality of the workforce they create to Tucson is gentle years forward of what UA has confronted to date.
The efficiency of Arizona’s offensive line and the protection’s skill to include Avery Johnson on the bottom can be essential.
If the Cats can’t set up a floor sport and Noah Fifita doesn’t have the time to throw, a win at Arizona Stadium is unlikely.
Equally, if Johnson gashes the protection for chunk run performs, Kansas State will most likely rating too many occasions to maintain up.
The house crowd may make a distinction. However the Tucson neighborhood doesn’t belief Brennan and there’s not a lot buzz across the sport.
Even so, a quick begin may very well be a difference-maker. And if the Cats are forward at halftime, the momentum heading into the third quarter may carry the workforce to a win.
No. 20 Utah at Wyoming
Saturday, September 13
5:00 PT, CBS Sports activities Community
Honestly, Utah ought to crush Wyoming.
The Cowboys could also be 2-0 with a highway win below their belt. However the Utes have a dramatically higher roster. Outdoors of Boise State and perhaps UNLV, the Mountain West shouldn’t be a great soccer convention.
That is the Massive 12. And that is Utah Soccer.
Search for the Utes’ offense to get no matter it needs on the bottom and within the air. Devon Dampier’s risk to run ought to open up the standard floor sport and provides his receivers further time and house to get open.
A quarterback who’s keen to run and has the pace to get downfield is a game-changer. Combine in an elite offensive line, and it’s sport over.
Utah shouldn’t have hassle placing up factors.
The measuring stick and out of doors evaluation will arguably deal with the efficiency of Utah’s protection. Holding Wyoming to 10 factors or much less is a sensible expectation.
Let’s see how the playing cards fall.
Texas State at Arizona State
Saturday, September 13
7:30 pm PT, TNT
Arizona State struggled towards Texas State on the highway final season.
The return matchup in Tempe is eyebrow-raising. The Solar Devils took too lengthy to get moving into Starkville, and Sam Leavitt performed poorly.
However the robust atmosphere arguably performed a serious position within the underperformance, and the return to Mountain America Stadium ought to be a special story.
The Bobcats are 2-0 after coming off a one-possession win over UTSA.
The longer term Pac-12 Convention member is led by quarterback Brad Jackson, who’s finishing 65.2 % of his passes whereas averaging 41.0 yards speeding per sport.
His dual-threat nature will have to be contained or neutralized.
On offense, Leavitt should play higher. The workforce continues to be adjusting to dropping Cam Skattebo and the expectation is to have week-by-week enchancment.
The ceiling of this workforce is excessive. It’s only a matter of time. Let’s see what they’ll do on Saturday evening.
The Remainder of the Massive 12
Texas Tech hosts Oregon State for a kickoff at 12:30 pm PT on FOX. Like many different groups this week, the matchup is the Purple Raiders’ first problem of the season.
Oregon State is likely to be 0-2, however they’re most likely higher than their file signifies. The Beavers’ losses got here to moderately respectable opponents, and Maalik Murphy is a baller.
The ultimate rating will shed fascinating gentle on TTU’s ceiling this 12 months.
West Virginia faces Pitt within the Yard Brawl.
Wealthy Rodriguez’s workforce misplaced to Ohio final week, an unsightly consequence that damage the Massive 12’s popularity. However rising pains are typical for groups implementing his system within the first 12 months.
Beating the Panthers would go far in masking up the embarrassing defeat final week. The oddsmakers are predicting a one-score sport and the environment within the stadium ought to be next-level.
It’s value a watch.
Iowa State faces Arkansas State on the highway. It’s an odd matchup for the Massive 12’s premier program, however kudos to the ISU Athletic Division for agreeing to the sport.
Rocco Becht and the Cyclones are on a roll to start out the 12 months. With victories over two rivals already, the stage is about for the Clones to run the Massive 12.
Beating Arkansas State convincingly will solely additional increase the workforce’s picture.
[Next read: Week 3 Big Ten Previews]
Miller covers School Basketball and School Soccer in addition to System 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
