Oklahoma at Tulsa, (Line: Oklahoma -25)
11 a.m., ABC/ESPN2
All eyes were on the Sooners as they looked to prove their validity after last year’s dominant Allstate Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Oklahoma delivered in a big way that night, thanks to a new running game and an efficient performance from sophomore Trevor Knight.
The Sooner defense stood out after thwarting the Louisiana Tech rushing offense for 54 yards on 28 carries.
Following its 38-31 double-overtime win over Tulane, the Golden Hurricanes possess one of the nation’s top ranked quarterback/wide receiver duos in Dane Evans and Keevan Lucas, who leads the nation in receiving with 233 yards and three touchdowns.
Evans threw for 438 yards with four touchdowns in his season debut.
Oklahoma State vs. Missouri State
2:30 p.m.
A loss has arguably never meant as much as it did for the Cowboys in their 37-31 finish to No. 1 Florida State last Saturday.
Although the competition is dropping off this week, Oklahoma State will need to ride the shoulders of its backfield trio of quarterback J.W. Walsh and running backs Tyreek Hill and Desmond Roland.
The Bears’ carry a 50-50 offense that circles around the production of quarterback Kierra Harris, who completed 11 of 22 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns.
Kansas vs. SE Missouri State
6 p.m., ESPN3
Can Kansas change its course for the 2014-15 season? While a win appears likely on Saturday against the Redhawks, it’ll be at least another week before Kansas is put to a test when they travel to Duke.
Will Montel Cozart take greater ownership of the offense? Can Corey Avery offset the loss of experienced running backs Brandon Bourbon and Taylor Cox? Can Ben Heeney single-handedly lead a defensive unit? These are just three of the long list of questions surrounding Kansas football.
The Redhawks are just 1-18 all-time against teams from Football Bowl Subdivision Ranks.
Texas vs. BYU (Line: Texas -4)
6:30 p.m., FOX Sports 1
With last year’s 40-21 loss firmly placed in their memories, the Longhorns will be more than ready to welcome BYU to Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.
Charlie Strong’s defense got off to a roaring start on Saturday night by holding North Texas to just 79 rushing yards on 40 carries as well as 15 passing yards for the entire game.
BYU, led by Heisman candidate Taysom Hill, rides the shoulders of its quarterback for all 60 minutes. Simply put, the Cougars go where Hill takes them.
Will the Longhorns be able to stop this dynamic threat? It stands as one of the better questions of the weekend.
West Virginia vs. Towson
6:30 p.m.
West Virginia altered its national persona with a stronger than expected performance against Alabama in Atlanta, Georgia. Mountaineer personnel wasn’t much different than their 4-8 season last fall, but head coach Dana Holgorsen showed his team has a completely different mindset from a year ago.
Despite his struggle to stay healthy in 2013, Clint Trickett showed early that he was the most hopeful option at quarterback. After leading West Virginia past Oklahoma State last September, it became clear he was their best option. Trickett showed what he’s capable of against a No. 1 defense this past Saturday, but can he stretch it into a week-by-week schedule?
Towson brings an 0-1 record to Morgantown, West Virginia, but the Tigers are riding an 11-game winning streak that dates back to Oct. 6, 2012.
Baylor vs. Northwestern State
6:30 p.m.
If any questions remained over Baylor’s preparation for the 2014 season, Art Briles’ bunch quickly squashed the doubt to the tune of -24 rushing yards. Despite the defensive dominance, questions surround Bears’ quarterback Bryce Petty’s health after fracturing two vertebrae in Sunday’s 45-0 over SMU.
With Johnny Jefferson and Shock Linwood in the backfield and Levi Norwood, Antwan Goodley, KD Cannon and Davion Hall at wide receiver, the Bears’ are set up for a sensational year.
Texas Tech vs. UTEP (Line: Texas Tech -21)
10 p.m., FOX Sports 1
After providing one of the biggest head scratchers on opening weekend with a close 42-35 win over Central Arkansas, Kliff Kingsbury and company are in need of a serious change. The Bears torched the Red Raider defense with 406 yards and gave sophomore quarterback Davis Webb plenty of headaches.
Texas Tech will need a quick turnaround with its defense with UTEP and its 330-yard rushing attack ready to roll.
