The picture in the Big 12 race is hazier than ever. Seven teams have two or fewer losses in conference play right now, and it will be a dogfight to reach Arlington.
Utah (5-0 in Big 12 play) has the most direct path to the title game. BYU (4-1) almost assuredly makes it if they win out. Texas Tech (4-1) probably needs to win out and get a little help. Six of the top seven teams have lost in the last 8 days, and six of them will go on the road twice in the last month. Only Arizona will play three home games.
The seven teams with two or fewer losses have a combined 15-1 record at home and 10-9 on the road in Big 12 games (Conference-wide, teams were 21-7 at home in October). Outside of Utah (3-0 on the road), Baylor has the only winning road record (2-1), but their hardest road games are yet to come.
| School | Record | Remaining | FOW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 5-0 | BYU, @UA, @TCU, WVU | 11 | |
| BYU | 4-1 | @Utah, Baylor, @KU, UC | 11 | |
| Texas Tech | 4-1 | WVU, @OSU, @Baylor, TCU | 10 | |
| Arizona | 3-2 | TCU, Utah, @KSU, ASU | 10 | |
| Houston | 3-2 | UC, @CU, @WVU, Baylor | 8 | |
| Baylor | 3-2 | ISU, @BYU, TTU, @UH | 13 | |
| Ok State | 3-2 | @KSU, TTU, @ASU, KU | 8 |
FOW means future opponent wins in Big 12 play.
Houston has the easiest schedule, judging by how many conference wins their remaining opponents have. But while Arizona has to play Utah (in Tucson), the rest of their schedule is relatively easy. Their only road game is at Kansas, which has been dreadful. The two teams UH will face on the road (CU and WVU) have just three conference wins between them.
Obviously, a lot has to happen for UH’s chances to get to Arlington to improve. They’ll need to go 4-0, both BYU and Tech have to lose, and then UH would have to come out on top of the league’s tiebreaker rules. The three that might apply (in order):
A – The tied teams will be compared based on their head-to-head record during the season.
B – The tied teams will be compared based on win percentage against all common conference opponents.
C – The tied teams will be compared based on win percentage against the next highest-placed common opponent in the standings (based on the record in all games played within the Conference), proceeding through the standings.
Liam Dougherty is on Talkin’ Bout Them Cougars tonight. Liam is the reigning Ray Guy punter of the week. He’s Aussie and pretty funny – you’ll enjoy the show. Join us tonight at 8.
In the last 50 years, since UH joined the Southwest Conference, the Cougars have played on November 1st just five times, including last year when they lost to WVU, 45-35.
In 2014, the Coogs went to Tampa and beat USF on a windy day, 27-3. It was Greg Ward’s third start (and third win). In 1997, Helton and Co. lost at Memphis, and in 86, UH lost to TCU in the Dome with 10,125 in attendance. In 1980, UH beat TCU 37-5, one of only two times UH has given up five points in a game. The other? At Baylor in 1976, UH’s first game in the SWC.
Yesterday was the third anniversary of Dana Holgorsen’s infamous “that ship has sailed” line. Last night, it appears the ship sailed out of Lincoln, too.
The boos that rained down in Memorial Stadium told the story on Saturday night. Nebraska fans have no more patience for this kind of performance. The Huskers are 8-0 with a remotely competent offense during this stretch. Changes have to be made and the first change should be saying thanks but no thanks to Dana Holgorsen calling another game.
HuskerCorner.com on Dana’s playcalling
That’s a shame.
