3 games to watch in the Big 12: Oklahoma's Mayfield gets his shot at Texas Tech
Heading into Week 8 of the college football season, there are still three unbeaten teams in the Big 12. That's 30 percent of the teams in the conference that are still perfect. No other conference can make that claim.
It is highly unlikely that status will change this week as Baylor hosts Iowa State and Oklahoma State plays last-place Kansas, which has lost 32 straight road games. TCU, the other remaining perfect team, will join West Virginia on the sidelines this week to mend some wounds.
Oh sure, there's not much drama expected from the Big 12 this week. Then again, with the offenses we've seen this year, an "upset Saturday" is never out of the question.
Texas Tech at No. 17 Oklahoma
Saturday, Oct. 24, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN2)
Call this the Baker Mayfield Bowl.
The current Sooner quarterback and former Texas Tech QB will be in the spotlight here as Oklahoma tries to stay in contention for the Big 12 title against a Texas Tech defense looking to put the hurt on their Benedict Arnold-esque former teammate. While the Sooners are coming off a remarkable 55-0 blasting at Kansas State, the Red Raiders had some "oh no" moments in their escape from last-place Kansas last week, getting a pick-6 in the latter stages of the fourth quarter to solidify the 30-20 win.
Whether quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Mayfield stay upright will be a huge indicator of who will win this game, as the Sooner defense is fourth in the nation with 21 sacks - but their offensive line has allowed 19 sacks, 116th in the country. Look for both defenses to go pell-mell for the other quarterback and hope to pressure the offenses into some turnovers.
Mayfield is fourth in the country with a passing efficiency rating of 180.1 and leads the Big 12 with a 67 percent completion rate. But as we saw versus Texas, if there's enough pressure on him, his game can become shaky.
Kansas State at Texas
Saturday, Oct. 24, 12:00 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 1)
Is this the battle for a bowl bid?
With Texas coming in 2-4 and the Wildcats sliding down to 3-3, having lost three straight, this matchup could conceivably be a keystone game in deciding which team heads to the postseason. This should be the Longhorns' toughest game in their next four. After this, Kansas State has Baylor and a trip to Texas Tech, which are nearly sure to be losses. A win here is vital for both.
The last time we saw these two, they were ships passing in opposite directions, as Texas stunned previously unbeaten Oklahoma and the Wildcats were pasted 55-0 by that same Sooner squad. Which way will these two trend? A lot depends on whether the clampdown on Jerrod Heard continues. He was hot early, but defenses have figured out how to contain him. If he gets unleashed, look for a Longhorn win here.
It may not be the Longhorns' year, but having signed a 15-year licensing and apparel deal with Nike this week, they still have all the factors necessary to be a major player in the sport for decades to come. Get your shots in on them while you can.
Iowa State at No. 3 Baylor
Saturday, Oct. 24, 12:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
This one may be over in the first five minutes. Even Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads knows the monstrous hill his team must climb, saying earlier this week, "It's absurd … 720 yards and 64 points per game. To beat those guys, you'll have to score in the 50s."
Baylor field general Seth Russell tops the FBS with an 88.9 total QBR and has seamlessly integrated himself into the high-powered offense, showing aplomb both passing and rushing. Of course, a weapon like Corey Coleman is a luxury. Coleman needs just one more TD catch to tie Rashard Higgins' FBS-best 17 touchdown catches from last year.
The only thing that makes this game somewhat intriguing is the chance that complacency could overtake the Bears and give hope to the Cyclones. But the odds of that happening are equivalent to getting struck by lightning. Sam B. Richardson must take care of the ball, as he has six picks in 200 attempts. It will also help if the Cyclone line makes some lanes for freshman running back Mike Warren (652 yards) so they can control the ball and keep the Bears' offense on the sidelines.