Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
PROVO — After a 3-0 start behind a top-20 defense and the enigmatic quarterback play of starter Jake Retzlaff, BYU will open Big 12 play in its sophomore season in the conference Saturday night against No. 13 Kansas State (8:30 p.m. MDT, ESPN).
But are the Cougars prepared for league competition? A year ago, BYU also started 3-0 — including a road win over a power conference opponent — before fizzling with five consecutive losses down the stretch for a 5-7 finish.
Let's take a look at the Big 12, including several preseason contenders and newcomers to the top of the projection heap, with popular conference personality John Kurtz. The former K-State TV and radio broadcaster hosts weekly live shows about the conference on his YouTube channel, @JohnKurtzShow, and talks about Kansas State as co-host of the 3MAW podcast with On3 editor Derek Young and former Manhattan Mercury reporter Cole Manbeck.
At Big 12 media days, Utah, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Arizona are declared the top of the league with all five receiving first-place votes in the preseason media poll. Is that still the case? Or have other teams broken through — say, a UCF team that is currently the only 1-0 team in Big 12 play?
Listen to it all in the podcast player below, or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.
