This game matters quite a bit to the overall outlook of the conference this season and I’m not sure anyone in the offseason would have expected that. It is absolutely fascinating to see how Texas Tech’s conference title aspirations could be impacted by what happens between the Utah Utes and the Cincinnati Bearcats this weekend.
Right now, entering Week 10, Cincinnati is tied for 1st in the conference at 5-0 vs Big 12 teams right alongside the BYU Cougars. Texas Tech is just a little bit back at 4-1 vs Big 12 teams. Then there’s Utah, who is 3-2 vs. Big 12 teams.
And again, I don’t think folks expected this. Arguably the most shocking thing here is how the Cincinnati Bearcats have managed to get to this point in the season with the record that they’ve got. But Texas Tech is still in the hunt. Utah is still in the hunt. It’s going to get interesting.
How to watch Cincinnati vs. Utah in Week 10?
- Who: Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Utah Utes
- Where: Salt Lake City, Utah
- When: 9:15 p.m.
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Utah Utes: Everything Texas Tech fans need to know about this matchup of Big 12 contenders
The best possible sort of scenario for the Red Raiders in this game is if Cincinnati takes a loss. That would knock the Bearcats down to 5-1 on the season against Big 12 teams and give Texas Tech (and the Houston Cougars) a chance to tie things up in the Big 12 standings.
And that would really open the door for the Red Raiders given that Texas Tech gets BYU next week and then Cincinnati will play BYU on November 22.
But if Cincinnati does find a way to go on the road, travel across a time zone, play a late night game, and come away from Salt Lake City with a win (certainly possible, just difficult) then we won’t see the Utes have a shot at getting to the Big 12 title game. And that’s not really all that bad of a thing for the Red Raiders.