By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
It’s Week Seven within the Huge 12, and a number of other groups from the West face one another.
No. 18 BYU heads to Tucson to play Arizona, whereas No. 21 Arizona State goes to Salt Lake Metropolis to battle Utah.
I preview each of these video games right here, together with Colorado’s matchup towards No. 22 Iowa State. And on the backside, I present a “look in” on the different video games within the Huge 12 this week.
No. 22 Iowa State at Colorado
Saturday, October 11
12:30 pm PT, ESPN
Colorado just isn’t that far off. And Iowa State is regressing.
Which may simply be the right mixture for an upset in Boulder.
However to get the win, the Buffs should deal with the soccer. Kaidon Salter threw three interceptions towards TCU and has thrown extra picks than touchdowns in his final two video games.
That’s simply not going to chop it. Particularly towards a Cyclone protection that’s lacking its prime two corners.
Colorado has the weapons at large receiver to take benefit. The questions revolve round its quarterback.
On protection, preserving Rocco Becht from changing on the bottom is essential. The junior chief is efficient in short-yardage run conditions and modifications the dynamic of the sport.
Becht has seven speeding touchdowns this season, regardless of having simply 55 yards speeding whereas averaging only one.1 yards per rush.
If the CU protection wins the trenches and stuffs him behind the road on key performs, the possibilities of successful are higher.
No. 18 BYU at Arizona
Saturday, October 11
5:00 pm PT, ESPN2
The staff that wins the road of scrimmage will depart Arizona Stadium with a victory.
BYU has stable line play on either side of the ball, however Arizona runs efficient schemes on protection. The Wildcats nonetheless haven’t allowed a passing landing this season, and a part of the reason being because of the strain they generate by bringing further defenders.
Using pre-snap motion and method after the snap, the UA protection is an issue.
At No. 4 nationally in tackles for loss per sport, No. 7 nationally in turnovers compelled, and No. 31 nationally in sacks per sport, that is arguably the hardest protection Bear Bachmeier has confronted this season.
Mix all that with a rowdy house crowd, and the potential for an Arizona win is actual.
However Bachmeier’s menace to run is the final word equalizer. If he can bust large runs, defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales’s play-calling may change. Then, Bachmeier could have extra time to wheel and deal within the passing sport.
Buckle up, this can be a very good one.
No. 21 Arizona State at Utah
Saturday, October 11
7:15 pm PT, ESPN
Games like this are why we love school soccer.
Kyle Whittingham versus Kenny Dillingham.
Devon Dampier versus Sam Leavitt.
Morgan Scalley versus Brian Ward.
How does Arizona State’s defensive coordinator deal with Utah’s quarterback? That’s in all probability the most important chess match of the sport.
Utah’s offense just isn’t as efficient when Dampier is contained on the bottom. And Ward is aware of it.
If ASU schemes it up appropriately and the entrance seven adequately offers with the Ute offensive line, then a Solar Satan victory appears affordable.
But when Dampier is getting first downs on the bottom, freely transferring within the pocket, and hitting his receivers in open house, then Utah in all probability has the sting.
Turnovers might be sport changers.
And Leavitt’s execution figures to be vital.
The X-Issue, arguably, is Arizona State’s speeding offense. The Solar Satan working backs have answered the preseason questions and mix to type a potent speeding assault (No. 20 nationally and No. 3 within the Huge 12).
Getting conversions in short-yardage conditions, nevertheless, might be essential. As a result of if Leavitt looks like he must shoulder extra of the burden to get the offense going, the Utah protection may power errors and take benefit.
The remainder of the league can be watching to see if the Utes lastly win a Huge 12 sport at house.
The Remainder of the Huge 12
Texas Tech hosts Kansas in a sport that shouldn’t be neglected.
The 14-point unfold feels a bit excessive. The Vegas oddsmakers won’t be giving Kansas sufficient credit score.
Jalon Daniels continues to play elite, coming into the sport with a 16-to-2 landing/interception ratio.
I’m not saying to look at for an upset. However I’m saying this is likely to be nearer than anticipated.
Cincinnati ought to be ranked. The AP Voters are incompetent and clearly don’t watch Huge 12 soccer.
Brendan Sorsby is likely one of the prime quarterbacks within the nation, and the Bearcats are oozing momentum.
Dealing with rival Central Florida in Cincy, the sport presents a chance to make an announcement.
The Convention wants assist combating the nationwide bias towards it, and a transparent UC win would assist.
TCU heads to Manhattan for a day sport towards Kansas State.
There’s a motive the unfold is so slim for this one. The Wildcats play a lot better at house and TCU isn’t within the prime tier of the Huge 12 hierarchy.
However the Horned Frogs have a greater offense and may have the ability to deal with Avery Johnson on protection.
If TCU wins, they might discover themselves again within the AP High 25.
Houston performs Oklahoma State in an attention-grabbing matchup.
You might need to be a school soccer sicko to get pleasure from this one, however there’s a minor likelihood that Okay State pulls off the upset.
The Cougars are an improved staff and may win. But the Cowboys have an okay protection.
If Oklahoma State’s offense has a very good day, a shocking win may occur.
Miller covers School Basketball and School Soccer in addition to Formulation 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
