Big 12 Teams That Could Play Spoiler for the Conference's Playoff Hopefuls
As we get into the heart of the 2014 season, the debut of the College Football Playoff, we're also finally in Big 12 play.
But even in the BCS era, sometimes the worst enemies of the Big 12 are on the home front.
In 2011, with Oklahoma State undefeated and two games away from a berth to the national championship, a trip to Jack Trice Stadium and a loss to Iowa State spoiled the Big 12's hopes at reaching the ultimate stage.
A year later, a late-season trip by the undefeated Kansas State Wildcats to Waco, Texas, and an upset loss to Baylor gave way to the SEC yet again.
So which teams can be the 2011 Iowa State Cyclones or the 2012 Baylor Bears this season?
Let's check out this season's biggest spoiler teams in the Big 12.
Iowa State
1 of 4
As the saying goes, nobody waltzes into Jack Trice Stadium and just walks out with a victory.
In Week 2, had it not been for a late comeback, the Kansas State Wildcats would've gone into their highly anticipated matchup with Auburn in Week 4 with a loss to the Cyclones.
In 2011, Jack Trice Stadium played the role of spoiler to the undefeated Oklahoma State Cowboys.
So can the Cyclones play spoiler again?
While the Cyclones were routed by Baylor, their offense still put up 28 points.
Sam B. Richardson had quietly been efficient, completing 68 percent of his passes.
Iowa State also has the ultimate trap game—a home matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners on Nov. 1.
The Sooners will be coming off the Red River Rivalry and a home game against K-State, and then they face Baylor on Nov. 8. So a trip to Ames may be in the back of their minds.
That could work to the Cyclones' favor.
Texas Tech
2 of 4
One of the most dangerous things in college football is the spread, no-huddle offense clicking on all cylinders.
That makes the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who have struggled to a 2-2 record this year, still capable of upsetting nearly anybody.
Despite their struggles, Davis Webb has still thrown for 1,356 yards and 14 touchdowns this year. If he gets rolling in a game, that could cause headaches for anybody in the conference.
The Red Raiders also have a favorable schedule, with home games against the Big 12's three perceived playoff hopefuls—Oklahoma, Baylor and Kansas State.
If they win just one of those, it could be pandemonium for the committee.
Oklahoma State
3 of 4
With Oklahoma State still facing uncertainty on offense with Daxx Garman at the helm, plus with a loss already on their record to Florida State, it's tough to see the Cowboys being playoff contenders.
But that doesn't mean they won't ruin a few other teams' chances along the way.
Just like Texas Tech, a Cowboys offense that's rolling is hard to beat.
Unlike Texas Tech, the Cowboys have to hit the road to face Oklahoma, Baylor and Kansas State. Winning on the road in the Big 12 is never easy, but the Cowboys are always one of the most dangerous teams in the Big 12 as of late.
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TCU
4 of 4
Did you know that TCU is undefeated and poised to take control of its own destiny for a Big 12 crown?
A lot of people don't. But the Horned Frogs are 3-0 and face the Oklahoma Sooners in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday.
Trevone Boykin is finally finding his swagger at TCU and is a dark horse for player of the year in the Big 12. He leads the team in both passing and rushing and has 11 total touchdowns.
Samford, Minnesota and SMU are the only teams TCU has faced up to this point, so how it'll fare against the Big 12 elite remains to be seen.
But home games against Oklahoma and K-State could set the table for a huge shake-up in the Big 12.
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