Welcome to our newest feature, which we’re calling “What-If Wednesday.” In this column, I’ll propose a handful of questions that, at this point, have not come to fruition. But IF they do, what will come out of it? What’s the end game?
Join us for this one, and let’s have some fun.
What If… UCF rushes for 400 yards against TCU?
Then UCF is going to be a real threat in the Big 12 Conference this fall. The Knights are averaging 419 rushing yards per game through two games. Granted, it’s New Hampshire and Sam Houston State, but still, this rushing attack has been absolutely unbelievable in the first two weeks. This is what Gus Malzahn has wanted to build with his offense, and he seems to have it with quarterback KJ Jefferson and running backs RJ Harvey, Peny Boone, and Myles Montgomery.
To be clear, I’m not expecting a 400-yard output this weekend, but it won’t be for lack of trying for the Knights, who will likely have a bit more of a balanced attack. But then again, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. UCF will force TCU to show they can stop the run before they show any sign of trying to abandon it in favor of the passing game.
What If… Arizona State and BYU both win this week?
Then both teams will be off to a surprisingly 3-0 start this season. If I told you back in August that both these teams would be 3-0, you would ask me what I’ve been smoking. And you would have been right to do just that. No one would have seen both these teams getting off to a combined 6-0 start.
Interestingly, Arizona State has the tougher game on its hands against Texas State than BYU has against Wyoming. The Sun Devils are only one-point favorites vs. the Bobcats, while BYU is an 11-point favorite over Wyoming.
Arizona State has been the surprise of the season thus far in the Big 12 Conference, but BYU, who beat SMU 18-15 last week, has been carried by arguably the most impressive defense thus far in the conference. It’s been fun to watch for both teams, and let’s hope it continues into conference play starting in Week 4.
What If… Cam Rising is out this week?
Then it’s fair to wonder how the Utes’ offense will fare on the road in a rivalry game. Utah is, and should be, favored by double digits in this game. As it stands, Utah is a 20-point favorite over Utah State and has a 92.7% chance of winning the game (according to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor). However, the line opened at -22 and has fallen a full two points. That alone should tell you where the big money went early for this matchup.
Utah State was abysmal at USC last week and lost 48-0, but the Aggies will play their best game against the visiting Utes. That, combined with the fact that Utah is on the road at Oklahoma State next week, makes this a perfect trap game.
Luckily, Utah should be able to lean on its rushing attack with Micah Bernard and grind out a comfortable win here. If Rising doesn’t go, it will be Isaac Wilson under center. Last week, Wilson was 11-of-20 for 104 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Hopefully, Rising returns, and this becomes a moot point, but if he doesn’t, the next question immediately becomes when he’ll return to action.
