On paper, this week’s Big 12 matchup between Cincinnati and Oklahoma State looks like a mismatch. The Bearcats are 5–1, rolling through their schedule and turning heads as one of the conference's most surprising success stories. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State has stumbled to a 1–5 start, lost its head coach and defensive coordinator, and watched a large chunk of its roster enter the transfer portal. It’s no wonder the Cowboys enter the game as 22.5-point underdogs.
But if there’s one thing the Big 12 has made a habit of, it’s turning expectations on their heads.