Big 12 Football Gains Momentum
The Big 12 Conference is drawing attention as Brigham Young University (BYU) celebrated a significant victory over Notre Dame at home, marking a rare occasion of triumph that shook Provo. The Cougars’ win boosted their ranking to No. 2 in The News-Gazette poll, while Texas Tech climbed to No. 8 and Utah entered the rankings at No. 10. Additionally, Houston and Arizona secured spots at No. 14 and No. 25, respectively. Oklahoma State is garnering attention among teams receiving votes, highlighting the conference’s depth following the departure of Oklahoma and Texas.
Meanwhile, former Big 12 teams Texas and Missouri, now in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), experienced setbacks after recent losses. Texas, having lost to Florida, fell 12 spots in the AP poll to a current ranking of No. 22, while Missouri dropped nine places after a defeat by Mississippi. The Tigers have an opportunity to rebound and could re-enter the rankings if they defeat Texas on November 7. Texas’s struggles raise concerns about their chances for the College Football Playoff (CFP) this season, as they face upcoming challenges against Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, and LSU.
Looking ahead, a critical matchup is set for Saturday night when No. 14 Houston visits No. 10 Utah at 9:15 p.m. on ESPN. This clash comes after an eventful October featuring six games between ranked teams. Utah’s ability to transition from former coach Kyle Whittingham to his successor Morgan Scalley has been noteworthy, with Scalley, a former player and long-time staff member, stepping into the role smoothly. A victory over Houston would significantly enhance Utah’s chances of making its first CFP appearance, while Houston is also vying for the same opportunity. If Utah secures a win, they could face BYU at home for the Big 12 title on November 7.
