College football has reached the middle portion of conference play, and the stakes are heating up. Here is what’s going on across Texas and the Big 12 during Week 8.
THURSDAY
Rice (3-3, 1-1 American Athletic Conference) at Tulsa (3-3, 1-1 American Athletic Conference), 6 p.m. CT, ESPN2
Rice’s season has been a mixed bag so far, with a win over Houston, two more close wins, and an inexplicable loss to a previously winless UConn team last week. The quarterback-wide receiver combo of JT Daniels and Luke McCaffrey has helped carry the offense, but the lack of a running game sometimes makes the Owls one-dimensional. Meanwhile, Tulsa has a more balanced offense, comes off its first conference loss, and has had a more challenging schedule, including games against No.6 Oklahoma and No.5 Washington.
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FRIDAY
SMU (4-2, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) at Temple (2-5, 0-3 American Athletic Conference), 6 p.m. CT, ESPN2
SMU’s defense helped it survive a slow game from its offense against East Carolina, and Temple has one of the worst defenses in the country. SMU should be able to do what it wants to win the game, but Temple will be hungry for its first win in conference play.
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SATURDAY
Central Florida (3-3, 0-3 Big 12) at No.6 Oklahoma (6-0, 3-0 Big 12), 11 a.m. CT, ABC
Oklahoma has looked great this season, and the defense has been a huge factor. While teams have been able to gain yardage, the Sooners continue to hold opponents to just 14 points per game and lead the nation with a +11 turnover margin. That’s not a good sign for a UCF team that has started its inaugural Big 12 campaign with three consecutive losses.
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Baylor (2-4, 1-2 Big 12) at Cincinnati (2-4,0-3 Big 12), 11 a.m. CT, Big 12 Network/ESPN+
Baylor has struggled this season, beating only UCF and Long Island. The Bears have only scored more than 20 points three times while allowing more than 30 points to opponents. Cincinnati has also struggled, losing four straight games after a 2-0 start. The Bearcats have a more balanced offense and a slightly better defense, but can that lead them to their first-ever Big 12 win?
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North Texas (3-3, 1-1 American Athletic Conference) at No.23 Tulane (5-1, 2-0 American Athletic Conference), 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2
North Texas has won three of its last four and got its first AAC win over Temple last week. As a reward, the Mean Green has to face defending conference and Cotton Bowl champion Tulane on the road. Both teams have plenty of offense, but Tulane’s experience and continuity could be a massive advantage, particularly against a subpar UNT defense.
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Oklahoma State (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) at West Virginia (4-2, 2-1 Big 12), 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
After a rough start to the season, Oklahoma State has won two in a row against quality Big 12 teams in Kansas and Kansas State. Alan Bowman has settled in as the team’s starting quarterback while running back Ollie Gordon II consistently reaches the 100-yard rushing mark. West Virginia has had more continuity this season and will be looking to make up for a surprising loss to Houston as it tries to keep pace in the Big 12.
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No.8 Texas (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) at Houston (3-3, 1-2 Big 12), 3 p.m. CT, Fox
Texas comes off the bye week eager to avenge its first loss of the season. The Longhorns almost completed a comeback against Oklahoma but allowed the Sooners to drive down the field and take the game. Meanwhile, Houston shocked West Virginia with a Hail Mary on the game’s final play last Thursday. The in-state battle has plenty of intrigue as the two face off for the first time since 2002. Can the Cougars pull off another upset, or will Texas prove to be too much as it fights toward the Big 12 Championship game?
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Texas-San Antonio (3-3, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) at Florida Atlantic (3-3, 2-0 American Athletic Conference), 5 p.m. CT, ESPN+
It’s been a tale of two seasons for UTSA, losing quarterback Frank Harris for two games and winning its last two since he returned. The Roadrunners are 3-1 in games he has played this season, with their only loss coming to Houston by three points. FAU has also had to turn to its backup quarterback and has won two in a row. Whose winning streak will continue?
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Texas Tech (3-4, 2-2 Big 12) at BYU (4-2, 1-2 Big 12), 6 p.m. CT, FS1
Texas Tech’s undefeated start to Big 12 play ended last week against Kansas State. The Red Raiders are now under .500 and continue to deal with injuries at quarterback. Meanwhile, BYU managed just 11 points in a blowout loss to TCU in which its offense could barely do anything. Both these teams are looking to stay within striking distance of the rest of the conference, while the loser will have to endure a third Big 12 loss.
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TCU (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) at Kansas State (4-2, 2-1 Big 12), 6 p.m. CT, ESPN2
Josh Hoover seemed to inject some life into the TCU offense with his near-record-setting performance against BYU last week. Now, he faces his first road challenge in defending Big 12 Champion Kansas State, the only team besides Georgia to beat the Horned Frogs last season. Both teams have had less significant seasons than a year ago, but the winner still has a chance to make a run.
