BYU football is in a bye week. This is a natural part of the football life cycle, and every team (yes, even the unbeaten ones) must take a break or two over the course of the 12-game schedule. BYU faced its first such sabbatical during week three between a home battle with Stanford and a road clash with the Pirates of ECU.
Related: Memoirs from the Mount: BYU football's Candyland schedule is a gift from the heavens
That was a timely bye week indeed; a chance to prepare true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier for his first taste of road football. This second break, likewise, could be a game-changer as Kalani Sitake's Cougars are a week away from a trip to Lubbock and a battle with the Red Raiders of Texas Tech.
A breather and a chance to reassess are very welcome on the BYU side, especially after two emotional battles with Utah and Iowa State. In the meantime, unfortunately, those who hoped to spend their Halloween hangover absorbing some blue on the gridiron may be sorely underwhelmed when checking the latest TV guide (if you still get the TV guide that is. I seriously doubt they even make those anymore).
Regardless, football will still be played on November 1st, and some of these battles could hold serious implications for BYU football's place in the Big 12 Conference, their path to a conference championship, and even their standing in the college football universe as a whole could be affected via external results.
But which results will impact BYU during their week off? I'll tell you. That's why you clicked on the article, and have probably already skimmed past the introduction.
9 Vanderbilt vs 20 Texas | 12 PM MT on ABC
Vandy has been disproving every preconceived notion about themselves all season, losing only their road matchup with Alabama on the year, while laying the smackdown on LSU, South Carolina, and every other team in their path.
Texas has also been disproving every preconceived notion about themselves from the preseason, losing game after game and struggling to keep their footing in the top 25 entirely.
Now these two teams do battle right from the beginning of the day. A noon kickoff that could very well shift the layout of the College Football Playoff. It's do-or-die for the Longhorns, and with their backs against the wall, they welcome the SEC's historical doormat into Austin. Both teams have a lot to prove in this one, and the Longhorns will be favored. With a loss, Vanderbilt would tumble out of the top 10 and make room for the Cougars to slide up the order during their bye.
14 Texas Tech vs Kansas State | 1:30 PM MT on FOX
How about some scouting? Texas Tech gets a chance to flex their muscles in Manhattan, Kansas against an underwhelming Kansas State team. When I say underwhelming, don't take that to mean the 'Cats aren't entering this game with a fighting chance. In fact, their recent output has indicated that this team is much better than their nightmare start to the season may have led one to believe.
Get a glimpse of Texas Tech, their returning starting QB Behren Morton, and get used to seeing that team on the football field. You'll see plenty of them next week.
17 Cincinnati vs 24 Utah | 8:15 PM MT on ESPN
The College Gameday featured event, Utah and Cincinnati, will square off as Big 12 contenders in Salt Lake City. The Bearcats are unbeaten in conference play, and since a 3-point season-opening loss to Nebraska. This team took the entire conference by surprise, and is a serious threat for BYU's playoff chances, as the Cougars will travel to Ohio a few weeks after their battle in Lubbock to do battle.
BYU already took down Utah -- squared away and out of mind -- but the Utes still have a chance to reach the conference championship game if they run the table. First things first, utilize their home field advantage to give Cincy their first loss of the year. If the Bearcats drop this game, a (small) level of pressure is taken off BYU's shoulders. If they win, though, BYU may very well need a 12-0 or 11-1 campaign to play in Arlington.