Block 5 Key Games
Article By: As we enter Block 5 (Weeks 9 & 10) of the NDL season, the stakes continue to rise for teams in the Big XII. With each passing week, these teams are not only battling for dominance within the conference but are also jockeying for position in the ever-competitive race for spots in the College Football Playoff. Some programs, once struggling, are starting to find their rhythm and show signs of life, while others seem to be stuck in neutral, unable to break free from their early-season setbacks. At the same time, a few teams have begun flexing their muscles, asserting themselves as the true powerhouses of the conference. With the playoff picture growing clearer, every game is becoming increasingly critical.
So, let's take a closer look at some of the more impactful matchups this week in the Big XII, as teams continue to fight for both conference supremacy and a coveted spot in the CFP.
Week 8 Showdown: Kansas Jayhawks 3-2 (3-0) vs. Kansas State Wildcats 5-2 (3-1)
While Cincinnati vs. Colorado may have been picked as the league's Game of the Week, the Sunflower Showdown could be even more impactful. The winner of this matchup will have a clear path forward, with potentially just one more tough test remaining. For Kansas State, a win would leave them with only one loss in conference play, while Kansas, with a bit of magic, could enter Conference Championship Week undefeated in the Big XII.
Kansas Jayhawks:
Kansas has shown plenty of promise on offense this season, ranking 12th in the conference for total points (116) and sitting 13th in total offense (1,711 yards). Their passing game has been more productive, ranking 12th with 1,048 yards, while their rushing attack has been less impressive, ranking 8th with 663 yards. The Jayhawks have demonstrated efficiency on third downs, converting at a solid 52.27% clip, ranking 3rd in the conference. Their defense, however, has been more of a concern. While they’ve been solid against the run (ranking 6th in rushing yards allowed with 650), their passing defense has been vulnerable, ranking 6th in passing yards allowed with 992 yards. Kansas has managed to force 17 turnovers this season, and their ability to capitalize on turnovers will be crucial in this matchup. After two early season out-of-conference losses, the Jayhawks have bounced back, and despite a few close calls, they dominated their last win. If Kansas can continue its strong play on offense while tightening up defensively, they could be poised to cause an upset in this in-state rivalry.
Kansas State Wildcats:
Kansas State, on the other hand, has been a powerhouse offensively, ranking 4th in total points (233) and 3rd in total offense (2,764 yards). Their rushing attack is among the best in the conference, with 1,250 yards, ranking 2nd, while their passing game has been efficient as well, ranking 7th with 1,514 yards. The Wildcats also excel at converting third downs, sitting at 50%, which is tied for 4th in the Big XII. Despite their offensive prowess, Kansas State has had some struggles on defense. They rank 15th in passing yards allowed (1,901 yards), and their defense has allowed 181 total points, ranking 10th in the conference. However, they have been effective at creating turnovers, forcing 13 turnovers this season. After starting the season 4-0, Kansas State has faced some adversity, dropping back-to-back games against stiff competition. They followed up those losses with a narrow victory over one of the struggling Big XII teams, which raised some concerns about their consistency.
Matchup Breakdown:
Kansas State will rely on its strong offense, particularly its ability to run the ball and control the clock, to put pressure on Kansas. With a potent rushing attack and the ability to pass effectively, the Wildcats will look to exploit Kansas’s defensive weaknesses, particularly in the secondary. Kansas, meanwhile, will need to take advantage of its efficiency on third downs and make the most of any turnovers forced by its defense. The Jayhawks' offensive balance, especially their passing game, will be key to keeping the Wildcats’ defense on its heels.
Kansas State’s defense will need to tighten up its passing defense to avoid getting exposed by the Jayhawks' aerial attack. Given Kansas State's early season success and its potent offense, the Wildcats will look to bounce back from their recent struggles and reassert themselves as one of the conference's top teams. Kansas, however, will be eager to prove that their early season losses were a fluke and that they’re a force to be reckoned with in the Big XII.
Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency will be key in this showdown. If Kansas State can control the ball and limit mistakes, they should be able to secure a win. However, if Kansas can capitalize on their turnovers and exploit the Wildcats’ defensive vulnerabilities, this could be a close, competitive game.
Other Games of Interest:
Cincinnati Bearcats 5-2 (3-1) vs. Colorado Buffaloes 6-0 (3-0)
Some may view this as the game of the week and rightfully so. With an upset win, Cincy could put themselves in aa strong position for the end of season accolades but would still have to overcome the UCF loss. Colorado, with the win, would possibly only need to watch out for Utah to finish out their undefeated season.
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Week 10 Showdown: TCU Horned Frogs 4-2 (1-2) vs. Baylor Bears 1-1 (1-1)
The burning question on everyone's mind: who *exactly* are the Baylor Bears? They've only shown us a glimpse of what they're capable of—escaping BYU in a nail-biting overtime win and then battling hard in a close loss to Colorado, arguably the best team in the league. But we need more. If and when this game is played, it could be the breakout moment we've all been waiting for. On the other side, TCU comes in with a potent offense that had everyone shocked when they fell to Kansas. We're still waiting on last week's Game of the Week to unfold, but here's another massive opportunity for both teams to show what they've really got. Get ready, because this one’s bound to be electric!
Baylor's Challenge:
Baylor has yet to play a full slate of games, which makes their statistics a bit tricky to evaluate. While their defense has been impressive—particularly against the run, allowing just 70 rushing yards per game (2nd in the conference)—the small sample size leaves some room for uncertainty. On offense, they’ve struggled to put up big numbers, ranking 15th in both total points (58) and total offense (865 yards). Their rushing game has been decent (341 yards), but they rank near the bottom in passing yards (524), and their third-down conversion rate (38.10%) leaves much to be desired. They’ll need a much more efficient and balanced performance to hang with a high-powered offense like TCU’s.
TCU’s Potent Aerial Attack:
On the flip side, TCU brings a much more explosive offense to the table. With 248 total points on the season, they’ve been lighting up the scoreboard, largely due to their aerial attack. The Horned Frogs have accumulated 1,791 passing yards (4th in the conference), and they’ll look to expose Baylor’s defense through the air. TCU also has an impressive rushing game, with 631 yards, though they’ve been more reliant on their passing game to move the ball. TCU’s ability to stretch the field and create big plays could prove difficult for Baylor’s defense, which has been solid but will face its toughest test yet against the potent TCU offense.
Defensive Concerns for TCU:
While TCU's offense has been explosive, their defense has been a bit of a mixed bag. They’ve allowed 2,422 total yards (13th in the conference), and have struggled against the run, giving up nearly 950 rushing yards (15th in the conference). Baylor will likely look to exploit this weakness, especially with a solid rushing attack that has been the team’s most consistent weapon. However, TCU’s defense does have playmakers, forcing 16 turnovers this season, and they will look to create havoc in the backfield to slow down Baylor’s offense.
The Key Battle:
Baylor’s defense will be key in this matchup. If they can continue to shut down the run and pressure TCU’s quarterback, they might be able to disrupt TCU’s high-flying offense. However, they’ll need to find a way to keep up with TCU's fast pace and avoid allowing the big plays that have been the hallmark of the Horned Frogs' attack. TCU, on the other hand, will look to expose Baylor's weaknesses through the air, taking advantage of their vulnerability in passing defense (655 yards allowed) and their inability to generate many turnovers (just 4 forced).
This game could come down to which team can impose their will—will Baylor’s defense stifle TCU’s potent offense, or will TCU’s dynamic passing game prove to be too much for Baylor to handle? One thing is for sure: TCU's explosive attack and Baylor's fast defense make for an intriguing matchup that promises plenty of excitement.
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