The Big 12 is currently in a state of change. When Texas and Oklahoma announced they would leave the conference they helped create in 1996, the Big 12 immediately began considering expansion. In September of 2021, conference officials announced they would be extending invitations to BYU, UCF, Houston, and Cincinnati, four of the best football teams currently excluded from the power five.
When the Associated Press released its initial poll in August, three of these four universities ranked among the 25 best football teams in the nation. Although rankings can be misleading, especially at the beginning of the year, these universities are consistently underrated since they do not currently have the status power five teams receive. While this will change next fall, BYU, UCF, Houston, and Cincinnati are ascending programs that will compete on a national stage and strengthen the Big 12 in the long run.
No. 25 BYU: 50 at South Florida: 21
Although the Cougars had to wait 2 ½ hours to begin their 2022 campaign, when both teams took the field, BYU dominated this matchup. It only took Kalani Sitake and his team 11 seconds to find the endzone. By the end of the first quarter, BYU had outscored South Florida 28 to nothing and did not let up. Quarterback Jaren Hall spread the ball around, finding 12 different receivers in BYU’s dominant victory. Christopher Brooks, the starting running back for the Cougars, ran for 135 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. This contest was never in doubt as BYU put on a show in Tampa.
Week 2: No. 9 Baylor (1-0) at No. 21 BYU (1-0)
No. 23 Cincinnati: 24 at No. 19 Arkansas: 31
Although the nation tuned in to watch Georgia route Oregon during the 3:30 window Saturday, Cincinnati vs. Arkansas proved to be a more entertaining matchup. With Cincinnati coming off a trip to the College Football Playoff, many fans are interested to see if the Bearcats can live up to their lofty expectations of returning to the tournament. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, their path back to the playoffs became much more difficult. While the Razorbacks maintained control of the game in the first half, Cincinnati made a late push, scoring 17 points in the third quarter. However, down by just seven in the fourth quarter, Ben Bryant, quarterback for the Bearcats, was sacked and subsequently fumbled the football, which the Razorbacks recovered. The Bearcats possessed the talent to win this game, but Luke Fickell’s team made too many vital mistakes early in the contest.
Week 2: Kennesaw State (0-1) at Cincinnati (0-1)
No. 24 Houston: 37 at UTSA: 35
Possibly the most exciting game all weekend, these two Texas universities went into triple overtime to decide the winner. Although UTSA maintained a 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, Houston stormed back, kicking the go-ahead field goal with 23 seconds on the clock. The Roadrunners engineered a miraculous drive of their own, rushing down the field and kicking a game-tying field goal. While both teams scored in the first two overtimes, the third overtime decided the game. The Cougars were successful on their two-point conversion, while UTSA failed to score. Although Houston narrowly avoided an upset, UTSA proved they can compete with ranked opponents.
Week 2: No. 25 Houston (1-0) at Texas Tech (1-0)
South Carolina State: 10 at UCF: 56
Central Florida hosted the lone FCS opponent out of the incoming Big 12 schools and dominated every facet of the game. The Knights outscored the Bulldogs every quarter and held a 28 to three lead heading into halftime. The star of the game for the Knights was quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, a transfer from Ole Miss who also played baseball for the Rebels. The senior completed 20 of his 31 pass attempts and threw four touchdowns for 308 yards. The Knights also rushed for 292 yards and three touchdowns in their blowout victory over the Bulldogs.
Week 2: Louisville (0-1) at UCF (1-0)
Photo by Robert W. Grover / Deseret News
