While the Big XII may only have 4 total games this week, one is a Top-5 matchup of the weekend, Oklahoma-Notre Dame. This game, as well as all the other matchups, promise to have plenty of offense.
Here are previews of all of the Big XII games this weekend.
Thursday Night
Iowa State
Tulsa
The Cyclones head into their Thursday night game with an 0-2 record, looking to record their first win of the season. However, they have a tough matchup against Conference-USA opponent, Tulsa.
Iowa State ranks 82nd in total defense this season, and they will match up against quarterback Cody Green and running back Trey Watts, who both have NFL potential. In order for Iowa State to have a chance, they will need to slow down Green and Watts, and capitalize on mistakes.
On offense, quarterback Sam Richardson is off to a fast start, passing for over 500 yards in the first two games and he matches up against Tulsa’s defense which currently ranks 44th in pass defense. Richardson will need help from his favorite target so far, Quenton Bundrage, to get open and from Justin Coleman, who has displayed his ability to stretch the defense, totaling over 100 yards this season on only four receptions.
Predicted Winner: Tulsa
Saturday
#11 Oklahoma State
West Virginia
Oklahoma State opens its Big XII season against West Virginia, who is limping into this game after being demolished by Maryland, 37-0.
West Virginia’s performance last week showed they have not solved their quarterback issues, so the most interesting storyline for the Mountaineers will be who will start, though it can be assumed Ford Childress will be the starter, and how quickly will Coach Holgorsen will look to a new option if the starter struggles.
Oklahoma State has answered every question that has faced them this season. First they did not have a starting quarterback, then J.W. Walsh earned the position. Most recently, they had to fight through Sports Illustrated’s article revealing many potential recruiting and academic violations. The Cowboys have met every challenge, and this game will be no different, as they go head to head with former offensive coordinator, West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen.
Predicted Winner: Oklahoma State
SMU
TCU
The Horned Frogs come back from a bye week after a poor offensive showing against Texas Tech. Their defense will slow down SMU’s “run-n-gun” offense as they did against Tech, however, if their offense does not perform, they will lose this game in similar fashion.
The offense will rely on quarterback Trevone Boykin, as Casey Pachall is out for the season, to keep it moving in the air and on the ground. Boykin did well against on the ground TCU, rushing for over 100 yards, but struggled in the passing game. Boykin only threw for 194 yards and two interceptions.
TCU comes in as the favorite, and deservedly so, but they need to get their offense back on track, especially before they get into the heart of the Big XII schedule.
Predicted Winner: TCU
#14 Oklahoma
#22 Notre Dame
This matchup between Top-25 teams will be one of the top-5 games to watch this weekend, and one thing's for sure: there will be no shortage of talent on the field.
Notre Dame enters the game 3-1, with their only loss coming against Michigan. Their offense is loaded, led by receivers DaVaris Daniels and T.J. Jones, and a trio of running backs, Cam McDaniel, Amir Carlisle and George Atkinson. However, to stand a chance, they will need Tommy Rees to step up, after a poor performance against Michigan State, where he only completed 14 of his 34 pass attempts. He’ll have plenty of help with all of the offensive weapons around him, but the Irish will need Rees to perform well. On defense, it is key that Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt control the line of scrimmage and get pressure on Blake Bell, as Notre Dame currently ranks 87th in pass defense.
For Oklahoma, they will continue to ride Blake Bell after a strong performance against Tulsa, where Bell threw for 413 yards and four touchdowns. He stepped in after an injury to original starter Trevor Knight, and has not looked back. The Sooner offense has its own arsenal of offensive players, including receivers Jalen Saunders and Sterling Shepard, and running backs Damian Williams and Roy Finch. As mentioned before, Notre Dame has the 87th ranked pass defense, so Bell will have plenty of opportunities to spread the ball around and attack the Irish secondary. For the Sooner defense, they will need cornerback Aaron Colvin to step up and shut down a portion of the field and limit Rees’ opportunities to get the ball to his playmakers, especially Daniels.
This will certainly be an exciting game to watch and will have a lot of offensive firepower.
Predicted Winner: Oklahoma