STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — In year 20 at Oklahoma State, Mike Gundy is perhaps the most unfiltered head coach in college football. His outgoing personality makes him entertaining and draws attention to the school. His willingness to speak his mind has gotten him into trouble over the years. It also has given rare insight into how a program is adjusting in this world of name, image and likeness and the transfer portal. He has 169 wins, third-most of any coach at their current school. He's an innovator who believes his personality and Oklahoma State's culture can help keep the Cowboys competitive, despite disadvantages.
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Playing stingy defense isn’t the only way Kansas State is causing headaches for opponents. Avery Johnson is making the No. 13 Wildcats’ offense equally tough to deal with heading into Kansas State’s Big 12 opener against BYU on Saturday. Johnson ran for a career-high 110 yards while leading Kansas State (1-0) to a 31-7 victory over then-No. 20 Arizona in a designated non-conference game between the two Big 12 foes. Defensively, the Wildcats are allowing just 13.3 points per game and giving up only 80.3 rushing yards per game. BYU (3-0) has given up only four touchdowns in three games and ranks second in the Big 12 in total defense.
UNDATED (AP) — Kansas and West Virginia meet Saturday hoping to get off to a good start in the Big 12 after going 1-2 in nonconference play. The Jayhawks gave up a late touchdown to UNLV last week and lost 23-20. The Mountaineers allowed a blocked punt for a TD and surrendered a 10-point lead in the final three minutes of a 38-34 loss at Pittsburgh. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels threw a pair of interceptions against UNLV, and Kansas is last in the Big 12 in passing yards. The Jayhawks are going up against a West Virginia defense that has allowed a league-worst eight touchdowns through the air.
UNDATED (AP) — There are two Big 12 Conference openers this weekend matching 3-0 teams. League newcomer No. 12 Utah plays Saturday at No. 14 Oklahoma State, and No. 13 Kansas State is at BYU late Saturday night. Newcomers Arizona State and Colorado also play their first league games. The Sun Devils are at Texas Tech. The Buffaloes host Baylor in their first Big 12 game since 2010, which came before they spent the past 13 seasons in the Pac-12.
UNDATED (AP) — The Big 12 opener for both teams is a chance for Arizona State to have its first 4-0 record since 2016 and for Texas Tech to put to rest a rough start to the season. The Sun Devils are playing their first conference game since joining the Big 12. The Red Raiders barely beat FCS member Abilene Christian in overtime in their opener at home before losing handily at Washington State. Texas Tech is coming off a 66-21 victory over North Texas. It's a second consecutive game in Texas for Arizona State following a 31-28 win at Texas State.
UNDATED (AP) — The Cincinnati Bearcats and Houston Cougars meet Saturday at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati in the Big 12 opener for both teams. Cincinnati is coming off a road win over Miami (Ohio) last Saturday, while Houston got its first win of the season, 33-7 over Rice. Cincinnati defeated Houston 24-14 last November, the Bearcats' first Big 12 win in school history.
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — It seems fitting that homecoming weekend in Boulder on Saturday coincides with the Buffaloes making their return to Big 12 play. Colorado left the conference following the 2010 season to join the Pac-12 and came back this season. The last time Colorado faced Baylor on the football field was Oct. 16, 2010, when Robert Griffin III led the Bears to a 31-25 win in Boulder. The Buffaloes are coming off a 28-9 win over Colorado State in which Shedeur Sanders threw four TD passes. The Bears beat Air Force 31-3 in a game where they went with quarterback Sawyer Robertson in relief of starter Dequan Finn.
UNDATED (AP) — Matt Campbell has led 20th-ranked Iowa State to unprecedented heights over his eight-plus seasons, and now he’s on the cusp of becoming the program’s all-time leader in wins. If the Cyclones beat Arkansas State on Saturday, Campbell would have 56 wins at the school. That would be tied with Dan McCarney for the most. The 44-year-old Campbell has coached 103 games, and his .534 winning percentage ranks first among coaches at ISU longer than five years. McCarney coached 141 games from 1995-2006.