HUGE: Gary Patterson, Mack Brown Have BOLD Top 25 Takes, BYU Into Poll, Utah Drops Out, Big 12 Good?

Week 5 is a colossal proving ground for the Big 12, with a stacked slate of conference games ready to redefine the league's championship picture. The biggest game on the docket is the Friday night showcase: No. 24 TCU at Arizona State. This clash of undefeated TCU (3-0) and reigning conference champion Arizona State (3-1) is critical. TCU's high-octane offense, led by QB Josh Hoover, faces an aggressive Sun Devils defense hoping to protect their seven-game home win streak. The winner gains a major early advantage in the race for the Big 12 Championship Game. Another pivotal matchup is the battle of undefeated newcomers and veterans: Arizona at No. 14 Iowa State. Arizona (3-0) boasts a top-10 scoring defense, providing a stark challenge for the Cyclones (4-0) and veteran QB Rocco Becht. A Wildcats road upset would validate their early success, while an Iowa State victory solidifies their status as a conference frontrunner. The league will also be watching two major storylines: The Utes' Desperation: Preseason favorite Utah, reeling from a brutal loss to Texas Tech, must travel to West Virginia for a crucial contest to avoid an 0-2 start. The New Era: Baylor visits Oklahoma State for the Cowboys' first game without Mike Gundy patrolling the sidelines, following the head coach's recent departure. Finally, the late-night game No. 25 BYU at Colorado offers a thrilling rivalry with CFP implications for the undefeated Cougars. With multiple undefeated teams still standing, Week 5 is set to separate the contenders from the pretenders in the new Big 12. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGYEnough with boring, flavorless caffeine, it’s time to give your caffeine a flavor upgrade with 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots. Get the favorites you love or be bold and try something new in-store and online at https://www.5hourENERGY.com or Amazon today. SquareTo learn more, go support your favorite neighborhood spot and see what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods. And then if you have extra time, check out https://square.com/go/lockedoncollege The Game CapGrab your team’s classic bar or retro circle designed hat and use code LOCKEDON for an exclusive discount. Head to Because legends wear The Game. Head to https://thegamecaps.com DoorDashWith DoorDash Streaks, you save every Saturday you order — stack it up all season and you could save up to $250. Order this Saturday. Keep the streak alive. Fuel your gameday — only with DoorDash. Terms apply. Promo period through 11/18. MazdaIt’s the small details that make the big plays. And just like there’s more to every player, there’s more to a Mazda vehicle. Mazda. Move and Be Moved. GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at https://www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year. FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOBig12?sid=YouTube Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/drakectoll Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LOBig12