By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
Saturday’s matchup in Salt Lake Metropolis is arguably Utah’s largest sport since becoming a member of the Massive 12.
The one comparable contest got here final yr versus Oklahoma State. However everyone knows how the yr ended for each of these colleges.
This yr feels totally different.
Fox’s Massive Midday Kickoff present is on the town for the sport, and the nation is paying consideration.
I preview that sport right here, together with the opposite three Massive 12 matchups that includes groups from the West. And on the backside, I give a “look in” on the different key video games across the league.
No. 17 Texas Tech at No. 16 Utah
Saturday, September 20
9:00 am PT, FOX
Texas Tech is an effective soccer workforce.
The Crimson Raiders crushed Oregon State final week and have been very energetic within the portal over the offseason. In some ways, TTU is the Oregon of the Massive 12. Besides as an alternative of Nike cash, they’ve oil cash.
Utah reloaded over the offseason, too, although, and ostensibly has the expertise to compete. However this isn’t the Wyoming protection. Or the UCLA protection.
The entrance seven that Texas Tech places on the sphere is exponentially higher than something the Utes have confronted this yr. To win the sport, the normal speeding assault have to be efficient.
The O-Line must get sufficient push in order that the preliminary contact is past the road of scrimmage. If the Crimson Raiders get constant penetration into the backfield, it’s going to be a protracted day.
The opposite facet of the ball is a modestly totally different story. Utah’s protection has appeared robust this yr and shouldn’t get pushed round within the trenches. Texas Tech likes to throw the ball, and its passing effectivity beneath strain could possibly be the deciding issue.
The entire nation shall be watching this one. It’s time to lock in.
Arizona State at Baylor
Saturday, September 20
4:30 pm PT, FOX
This matchup in Waco is arguably Arizona State’s most necessary sport of the yr up to now.
The Solar Devils didn’t play nice of their opener, misplaced to Mississippi State, after which appeared just like the workforce everybody anticipated towards Texas State.
Which model exhibits up towards Baylor?
The Bears don’t have an excellent protection, however the offense places up factors. Getting right into a shootout might be not the way in which to go. Sawyer Robertson is a major menace to run, and Dave Aranda is dangerously aggressive on fourth down.
Momentum shall be key.
Get a couple of stops, management the time of possession, and transfer the chains on the bottom. If ASU can do all three, it ought to depart with a victory.
BYU at East Carolina
Saturday, September 20
4:30 pm PT, ESPN2
The strain is on.
East Carolina is an effective program, and successful on the highway is rarely straightforward. The house crowd shall be hyped, and it’s assured to be a hostile setting.
However moments like these are when the most effective gamers thrive. Bear Bachmeier is younger and unproven. But, the teaching employees noticed sufficient in him to provide him the beginning position. The robust BYU protection seemingly helped with that call.
However the offense goes to wish to place up factors. And turnovers could possibly be a killer.
Happily, the Cougars have a terrific teaching employees that is aware of easy methods to deal with these eventualities. They are going to in all probability have a extra conservative sport plan on offense with a better concentrate on the run.
Younger quarterbacks can simply fall into the pitfall of attempting to do an excessive amount of and put the sport solely on their shoulders. If the employees will get Bachmeier into the correct positions, the true freshman ought to step up within the second.
The remainder of the league shall be watching. Carefully.
Wyoming at Colorado
Saturday, September 20
7:15 pm PT, ESPN
Well, the gamble final week didn’t repay.
Reviews point out Kaidon Salter will return because the beginning quarterback towards Wyoming. Credit score Deion Sanders and his teaching employees for giving Ryan Staub a attempt. However Salter might be the higher choice.
Wyoming performed a terrific first half towards Utah final week after which fell aside within the closing two quarters.
The Cowboys don’t do something significantly particular or run distinctive schemes. They’re stable on each side of the ball, although, and the road play within reason respectable.
They weren’t capable of deal with a operating quarterback, nevertheless. That opens the door for Salter to do harm. He arguably misplaced his beginning position as a result of he wasn’t a prepared or efficient sufficient runner.
CU has athletic receivers that ought to make the most of a hesitant protection. But when Salter doesn’t make himself a menace to run, the offensive effectivity received’t be at its highest.
The Remainder of the Massive 12
TCU hosts SMU in a rivalry often known as the “Battle for the Iron Skillet.” Each groups are situated within the Dallas metro space and the collection dates again to 1915.
It’s the 104th matchup between the colleges. And it’s the final one scheduled for the foreseeable future.
Outdoors of Dallas, the sport is necessary within the Playoff race between the Massive 12 and the ACC. The Massive 12 has dominated the ACC up to now this season, and one other win could be extra ammunition to make use of when deciding on this yr’s Playoff subject.
UCF hosts North Carolina in a matchup instantly following the Utah vs. Texas Tech sport.
Invoice Belichick referred to the Knights as “Central” this week and the UCF fanbase has ran with it. It doesn’t matter what occurs on the sphere, the brand new nickname for the Knights could possibly be essentially the most lasting impact of the sport.
However on the sphere, the Massive 12 wants Central to keep up the league’s dominance over the ACC.
Okansas hosts West Virginia in a important matchup for the trajectory of the Jayhawks’ season.
The Mountaineers are jovial after their upset win over rival Pitt.
Does that assist or damage Kansas? Who is aware of, however KU ought to win the sport. Kansas has a significantly better offense than WVU and the protection ought to discover a strategy to restrict Wealthy Rodriguez’s system.
Search for Kansas to cowl the unfold and look the half whereas doing it.
Miller covers School Basketball and School Soccer in addition to System 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
