Will the BYU Cougars win the Big 12?

On By Littum

Welcome to Fact or Fiction Friday. Every Friday I allow our Facebook and message board fans to ask the most intriguing questions in Big 12 and I’ll let you know if they come true or are set up for failure.

Now let’s open up this week’s list and see what we have in store.

All of the Big 12 teams that missed a bowl game last year are going to bowl games this year

Fiction: Last season there were a total of five teams that did not make a bowl game. The teams were TCU, BYU, Baylor, Houston and Cincinnati. BYU is already bowl eligible at 8-0, and TCU, Baylor and Cincinnati all have five wins. I think it’s safe to say those three will find a way to win at least one more game. Now that just leaves Houston, who is currently 4-5. The Cougars have Arizona, Baylor and BYU back on their schedule. While I think they will beat Arizona next weekend, I have a hard time seeing them beating Baylor or BYU. Still, four out of five isn’t bad at all.

Related: How many Big 12 football teams are still mathematically in the conference race with four weeks to go?

BYU doesn’t win the Big 12

Fiction: Before Iowa State lost to Texas Tech last week, I had the Cyclones as my top team in the Big 12. Well, that definitely changed, and it’s safe to say that BYU is clearly the best team in the conference. They are extremely balanced on both sides of the ball. The Cougars have the second-highest scoring offense in the Big 12 and the third-highest scoring defense. Their individual stats might not wow anyone, but they’re just solid across the board. This team doesn’t beat themselves with penalties and turnovers, instead they capitalize on mistakes from their opponents. Plus, I really like the way quarterback Jake Retzlaff is playing right now. If you’re looking for the best team in the Big 12, look no further.

Oklahoma State will not win another game this season

Fact: At this point, I’m just amazed that their offense can get a snap off and their defense can make a tackle. This team is a total mess right now. Alan Bowman turns the ball over and misses throws, and despite having arguably the best running back in college football, they can’t run because their offense is poor. As for the defense, do I really need to say anything? They have one of the worst run defenses not just in the Big 12, but in all of college football. On top of that, their effort when it comes to tackling is about as bad as it gets. I don’t see this team winning another game this season. I would also advise Oklahoma State fans not to complain because if you do, your head coach will call you broke and a total failure.

Related: Who will win each Big 12 football game in Week 11?

Arizona State will win and make the Big 12 title game

Fiction: Let me start by saying that Arizona State has arguably been the biggest surprise in the Big 12 outside of BYU, and the job Kenny Dillingham has done this season is one of the most underrated stories in all of college football . That said, this team still has to play UCF, Kansas State, BYU and Arizona. Best case scenario for them to go 3-1 down the stretch, but 2-2 is more likely. I know Kansas State just lost to Houston, but I’d still take the Wildcats over the Sun Devils right now. Plus, they don’t beat BYU. But hey, an eight win season would be HUGE for this program in their first season in the Big 12.

West Virginia will let Neal Brown go after this season

Fiction: Let me start by saying that Neal Brown should probably be let go at the end of the season. Right now, he is 35-33 overall and 23-26 in Big 12 play. I’ve seen many coaches get fired for records like that or even slightly better. And with this team sitting at 4-4 with four games remaining, I’d say the most likely outcome for West Virginia is to finish either 5-7 or 6-6 with the way they’ve looked this season . Even if Neal Brown somehow went 7-5, he probably should still be let go, but he won’t. Why? Because of the acquisition. Neal Brown was extended this offseason and his contract runs through the 2027 season. Over the next three seasons, he is set to make $12.7 million, but if they fire him, West Virginia will owe him 75% of his remaining salary . So even if West Virginia fires him after this season, they will still have to cough up over $9.5 million and I doubt they will.