Texas Tech football: 5 other intriguing Big 12 games this week

Texas wide receiver Jordan Whittington (4) is tackled by Alabama defense during the first half of the Longhorns game against the Crimson Tide at Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.
Texas wide receiver Jordan Whittington (4) is tackled by Alabama defense during the first half of the Longhorns game against the Crimson Tide at Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.
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Oct 9, 2010; Pullman, WA, USA; Nike football on a kicking tee during the NCAA game between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington State Cougars at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2010; Pullman, WA, USA; Nike football on a kicking tee during the NCAA game between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington State Cougars at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

While week one of the college football season was a welcome meal for fans, week two might provide the best slate of games this year.  Of course, Texas Tech fans will be focused on the visit from Oregon this Saturday but with that being a night game, there will be plenty of time to take in other games.

Outside of the Big 12, there are some tremendous matchups. One sneaky-good game early in the day will be No. 10 Notre Dame at N.C. State.  The Irish are 2-0 but have not come close to being tested after facing Navy and Tennessee State thus far.  The same isn’t true for the Wolfpack which had a workman-like 24-14 win on the road over a feisty UCONN team to open the season last week.

Of course, many eyes will be on Boulder, Colorado for the home debut of Deion Sanders and the Buffalos.  Expected to crush rival Nebraska, what Colorado does for an encore after its thrilling win over No. 17 TCU last week will be one of the stories of the weekend regardless of the outcome.

A regional matchup in the Southeast between No. 20 Ole Miss and No. 24 Tulane could be worth a watch.  Can the home-standing Green Wave legitimize their status as a ranked team by taking down a ranked S.E.C. opponent?

At the same time (2:30 PM Central), many Red Raiders will have their eyes on Texas A&M’s trip to Miami.  Neither of those teams was tested in week one and with both programs looking to rebound from massively disappointing seasons in 2022, one of these teams will take a huge step toward earning back some of the respect that both used to enjoy.

If you are not at the Texas Tech game and you have an extra screen or two dedicated to other games, you might want to check out No. 19 Wisconsin’s trip to Washington State.  With new head coach Luke Fickel trying to change the culture and the style of play of the Badgers, this could be a tough early test against a PAC-12 program with a chip on its shoulder after seemingly being left out of the cool kids’ party after the latest round of realignment.  Look for the Cougars to try to make a massive statement in this game.

Big 12 fans will have plenty to watch within the conference as well since many teams in the league have opportunities to turn heads in week two.  So here are five Big 12 games outside of the Texas Tech – Oregon showdown that Red Raider fans should pay attention to on Saturday.