Tag: BYU Cougars Football

Predicting the best games of Week 9 and Texas vs BYU

Expect another close game this week with BYU in town.

It’s prediction time. The No. 7 Texas Longhorns (6-1) have one of the more unpredictable matchups of the week against the BYU Cougars (5-2).

We expected the Longhorns to play an inspired four quarters of football coming out of the bye week against Houston. The last three quarters were uninspired.

Texas all but laid down after building a 21-0 lead. Getting off to a fast start seemed to be a focus for the team exiting the bye week. This week, they might have to play a strong four quarters to win.

We’re under no illusion that BYU is a national football powerhouse, but neither was Houston last week. And now more than ever it seems coaches can make close games out of lopsided matchups if they prioritize those games. You can expect the Cougars had this game circled.

Let’s predict that game and more.

Sooners head to familiar territory in USA TODAY Sports latest bowl projections

In the latest bowl projections from USA TODAY Sports, the Oklahoma Sooners are heading to familiar territory.

The Big 12 has provided some entertaining football through the first eight weeks of the season. At the moment, nine teams are at or above .500 in the conference. Baylor, UCF, and Houston are just one game under the bowl eligibility line.

There’s a long way to go, but it’s possible nine teams could end up bowl eligible.

The big question for the Big 12? Will Oklahoma or Texas be able to do enough in 2023 to make the College Football Playoff on their way out the door?

Here’s where the Big 12 landed in USA TODAY Sports latest bowl projections.

By the numbers: How No. 7 Texas compares to the BYU Cougars

Taking a look at the overall comparisons between No. 7 Texas and BYU to see who has the edge for Saturday’s game.

The No. 7 Texas Longhorns are set to face off against the BYU Cougars on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT. The Cougars hold a record of 5-2 with conference wins over Kansas and Houston.

Texas fans shouldn’t take this game lightly, even if BYU doesn’t seem as menacing as they have in previous years.

With quarterback Quinn Ewers considered week-to-week, the offense will likely be in the hands of Maalik Murphy, a redshirt freshman who has seen minimal playing time.

Without Texas’ starting quarterback, how should the Longhorns attack BYU’s defense?

The obvious answer is running the ball. Texas running back Jonathon Brooks has been on a tear, and with freshman CJ Baxter getting healthy, expect a solid one-two punch from the talented backs.

With Murphy getting his first career collegiate start, head coach Steve Sarkisian will have to formulate a game plan that suits the inexperienced signal-caller and can get the offense rolling early.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the overall numbers between No. 7 Texas and BYU to see who has the edge.

Texas play calling must reach next level with a backup quarterback

The Longhorns can ill afford mediocre game management the rest of the season.

The Texas Longhorns have become predictable this season offensively. They have become beatable on defense. Without starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, the team can no longer be complacent in how it calls plays.

The Longhorns’ offensive predictability became an issue against the Oklahoma Sooners as the team’s biggest rival sat on Texas’ staple plays, forced turnovers and stifled the offense. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian may not have been predictable to start the Houston game, but the Cougars caught on to what he tried fairly quickly.

Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s coverage-blitz combos appeared to be exposed on Saturday. Kwiatkowski’s defense surrendered underneath passes for significant chunks. And after a masterful start by the defense both in play calling and execution, the unit let the Cougars back into the game.

Sarkisian and Kwiatkowski need to be better on Saturday. They need to be better because they have proven capable. The high standard is one they have already set in their best games as play callers.

Every point matters for the Longhorns now. The team won by one score over the Houston Cougars who should finish in the bottom three of the Big 12 by season’s end. Texas is going to face close games. For the team to reach the conference title, the coaching staff will need to bring its A-game.

Texas begins its most trying stretch of the season against the BYU Cougars (5-2) on Oct. 28 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

Updated look at the ESPN matchup predictor after the Sooners win over UCF

How does the ESPN Matchup Predictor see the rest of the Oklahoma Sooners 2023 schedule playing out?

At 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big 12, the Oklahoma Sooners are in the driver’s seat for a Big 12 title game berth and possibly more. But as Saturday against UCF showed, each week is going to be a challenge.

We’ve seen in recent years that the Big 12 provides stumbling blocks along the way for any team attempting an undefeated run. This year is no different.

Heading into the 2023 season, many thought the Oklahoma Sooners’ schedule had few difficult matchups. Just over halfway through the season, games against Kansas, Oklahoma State, West Virginia and BYU look far more difficult than they once did. While TCU may not look like it has a lot going for them after a 41-3 loss to Kansas State, much could change for the Horned Frogs in the next five weeks to make them a serious challenger.

The Oklahoma Sooners simply have to take it one game at a time and show up for each matchup ready to roll. If they are locked in, they’re as good as any team in the conference and nearly every team in the nation.

Let’s take a look at how the win probabilities shifted via the ESPN matchup predictor after Week 8.

Big 12 Power Rankings: Kansas State blows out TCU, Oklahoma State is for real

The contenders in the Big 12 have begun to establish themselves after week 8 action. Here’s a look at the updated Big 12 Power Rankings.

Week 8 in the Big 12 began to reveal which teams will be contenders for the final five weeks of the regular season.

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns are the favorites to meet in the Big 12 title game, but several other teams are making their case.

Big 12 play has been wild through the first half of the schedule, but we’re beginning to see some separation from the contenders and the pretenders.

Here are this week’s Big 12 power rankings.

Game time and broadcast information announced for Texas’ matchup vs. BYU

Game information for next weeks matchup against BYU has been announced.

As the No. 8 Texas Longhorns prepare for their game in Houston versus the Cougars, the game time and broadcast information has been released for the Horns’ matchup when they play the BYU Cougars.

Texas will be back at home in Week 9 for the first time since their win against the Kansas Jayhawks, in which they won 40-14.

The Longhorns will play the Cougars in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 28 at 2:30 pm C.T. on either ESPN or ABC.

BYU has won four out of five games against Texas. Texas’ only win came in 2011, with a score of 17-16.

The last time these two teams played was in 2013, and it may give Texas fans some bad memories. BYU quarterback Taysom Hill rushed all over the Texas defense for 259 yards and three touchdowns. Texas was ranked No. 15 at the time.

Texas will look to get their first win over the Cougars in over a decade when they face off in Week 9.

Updated look at the ESPN Matchup Predictor after Sooners’ bye week

How did the ESPN Matchup Predictor shift Oklahoma’s win probabilities after week 7 action?

The bye week is behind us, and the second half of the season is underway. The Oklahoma Sooners are 6-0 and 3-0 in Big 12 play. It was a good time to have a bye, coming off an emotional win over the Texas Longhorns.

The remainder of the schedule has its challenges. Road trips to Lawrence, Stillwater and Provo will prove difficult regardless of how well the home teams are playing.

As we get deeper into the season, teams that seemed to struggle through the first six weeks are starting to figure some things out. It’s hard to know just how good each team the Sooners will face actually is, which isn’t a bad thing. The Sooners will go into each game expecting to get their opponent’s best shot and will be less likely to underestimate them.

After the Week 7 action, let’s take a look at how the ESPN Matchup Predictor has moved Oklahoma’s win probability for each of their remaining six games.

Big 12 Power Rankings: Oklahoma State, Iowa State make moves after Week 7 wins

The Oklahoma State Cowboys picked up their second big win in a row and saw a big bump in this week’s Big 12 Power Rankings.

One thing is certain about the 2023 college football season. Nothing is certain.

With the way the Big 12 season has played out to this point, it’s hard to get a read on which teams are, in fact, good this year.

A quick look at the standings shows the Oklahoma Sooners in first place with their undefeated record. Following OU are Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Texas, Kansas State and West Virginia with one conference loss each. It’s not really a surprise to see the Longhorns in contention for a Big 12 title berth. However, it is surprising to see Iowa State, Oklahoma State and West Virginia in the top six of the standings.

After another wild week of Big 12 play, let’s take a look at this week’s power rankings.

Sooners still outside of playoff in USA TODAY Sports latest Bowl Projections after Texas win

Where are the Oklahoma Sooners headed in USA TODAY Sports latest bowl projections after their Red River Rivalry win over the Texas Longhorns?

The Big 12 season has been wild to this point. It’s been filled with upsets galore and the Oklahoma Sooners have been the only team to avoid a letdown in the conference.

Their win over Texas was the most-watched game of the weekend and social media was buzzing after the win. The Sooners have seen their stock soar in the US LBM Coaches Poll, the AP Top 25, and Joel Klatt’s top 10. Additionally, they took over the top spot in our Big 12 power rankings after week six.

The team is playing good football and the coaching staff is hitting all the right notes as Oklahoma moved to 6-0 on the season.

But where did they land in USA TODAY Sports’ latest bowl projections? Let’s take a look.