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3 underrated college football games you can’t miss in Week 8

By Jacob Bruetsch

NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Lawrence Arnold #2 of the Kansas Jayhawks manages to catch a 39-yard bobbled pass for a touchdown as he is sandwiched by defensive back Woodi Washington #0 and defensive back Justin Broiles #25 in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma held on to win 52-42. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Lawrence Arnold #2 of the Kansas Jayhawks manages to catch a 39-yard bobbled pass for a touchdown as he is sandwiched by defensive back Woodi Washington #0 and defensive back Justin Broiles #25 in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma held on to win 52-42. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Jason Bean #17 of the Kansas Jayhawks throws against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 52-42. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Jason Bean #17 of the Kansas Jayhawks throws against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 52-42. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

1. Kansas at Baylor (12 p.m. ET – ESPN)

Not too long ago, both of these teams held high rankings and were poised for Big 12 title contention. Both have fallen from that pedestal, but are still teams to be reckoned with.

Kansas, on one hand, is still having an incredible season by their standards. Unfortunately, there was a moment of hope that they could be the team to beat in the Big 12, and that moment faded quickly.

Jalon Daniels was a legitimate Heisman contender with Kansas, however, he suffered a season-ending injury in their matchup against TCU. Jason Bean has filled in and has played fairly well, but not enough to carry the Jayhawks quite like Daniels did.

Combine that with a defense that has not been able to get stops when needed, and has allowed 90 points over their last two weeks, and the Jayhawks could use some regrouping.

The Baylor Bears are also looking to regroup. Just like the Jayhawks (and seemingly every other team we’re talking about today), they have lost their last two games, falling to Oklahoma State and West Virginia. The Bears have fallen quite a ways from their No. 9 ranking early in the season, but still stand at 3-3 and still have a chance to have a respectable season.

Blake Shapen has led their offense and has done a fine job doing so, throwing for over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns to just three picks this year. Their defense has been fine, as one of the top scoring defenses in the conference.

Baylor’s biggest problem is that when it has needed pieces to step up, they haven’t. Shapen threw two costly interceptions against OSU. The defense couldn’t get a necessary stop against the Mountaineers. The team has the pieces, but the pieces need to do a better job of falling into place.

Kansas is looking to keep its magical season alive. Baylor is trying to find the life it knows it has. This will be a game worth watching.

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