College Football Weekend Watch Party: West Virginia and Oklahoma Could Be The Big 12's Best

Editor's note: Every Friday, we'll use this space to tell you about the college football game you absolutely need to watch that weekend, even if it's flying under the radar. It might not always be the matchup of the two best teams, but it will definitely be the most entertaining contest. Because fun is what college football is all about, right?

After the epic Baylor-TCU game that decided last year's Big 12 championship, everyone figured that the Bears and Horned Frogs would again be the frontrunners for the conference title this season. That still could prove be the case—they're ranked No. 5 and No. 4, respectively, in the most recent AP Poll.

However, if advanced stats are right, then Baylor and TCU might not even be the two best teams in the Big 12.

The Football Outsiders S&P+ ratings—an efficiency and explosiveness-based metric that adjusts for strength of opposition—has West Virginia ranked No. 3 nationally and Oklahoma No. 8, while TCU and Baylor are No. 17 and No. 18. So there's a chance the Mountaineers and Sooners are meeting this weekend in the de facto Big 12 championship game.

Moreover, it figures to be a fascinating matchup.

West Virginia hasn't played an elite team yet, but the Mountaineers shut out an underrated Georgia Southern team, 44-0, and demolished Maryland, 45-6. WVU typically has a really fun offense under head coach Dana Holgorsen, who's a disciple of the Air Raid coaching tree. That means just what you think—the Mountaineers play fast and they throw it often.

But this year, West Virginia also has a top-flight defense, which they have almost never had under Holgorsen. Potentially, it's the best ever defense for an Air Raid team. Last year's TCU team and Texas A&M's 2012 team with Johnny Manziel are the only other Air Raid teams whose defenses can compare.

Oklahoma's defense has been inconsistent. They gave up 38 points to Tulsa. However, the Sooners also have played a tougher schedule than WVU, and won a tough road game against an improved Tennessee squad that could be undefeated if it could just get out of its own way.

The WVU-Oklahoma game is in Norman, but nevertheless, West Virginia might have the edge. Whoever wins gets a leg up in what looks like a very competitive Big 12.

How good is Ole Miss? In my unimportant opinion, the Rebels are pretty darn good. The defense has the hardest hitters in college football, and the offense is rolling behind new quarterback Chad Kelly. Hell, Ole Miss even rolled Alabama. Still, the Rebels had a letdown game in a win against Vanderbilt, and they fell off after being the best team in the country for two months last season. They should destroy Florida, but the upset potential makes this a game of note.

Notre Dame keeps winning despite losing star quarterback Malik Zaire and starting running back Tarean Folston. The Irish still have weapons all over the field, and backup quarterback DeShone Kizer and running back C.J. Prosise—particularly Prosise—have helped the offense remain productive. I don't buy Clemson as a national title contender, but if the Tigers win this one, they'll merit consideration.

This matchup is going to be quite unlike everything we're used to seeing in college football today. Both of these teams have pro-style base offenses, but also athletes who can spread the field and improvise. Oh, and both are going to use three tight ends at once. Jumbo time! You won't see that in another game this year. Furthermore, this game could decide the Big Ten Legends Leaders West.

This is the first time since the 2009 SEC Championship Game that Alabama isn't favored, and for good reason. Georgia is always *supposed* to be a top-tier SEC team, and this looks like the year when the Bulldogs finally make that jump. Can they beat Alabama? My VICE Sports colleague Michael Weinreb isn't convinced. The Crimson Tide are better than their home loss to Ole Miss would suggest, but a win here for Georgia would vault the Bulldogs into the College Football Playoff picture.

Texas A&M is better than expected this year, but the Aggies aren't as flashy as they have been in the past. (Come home, Johnny Football!) Mississippi State beat Auburn, but everyone is beating Auburn right now, and the Bulldogs don't have the makings of a New Year's Six contender. Both teams are ranked, but no need to watch this 21-13(ish) yawner.

Iowa State and Kansas, two of the worst teams in the country, are playing each other this week because sometimes, football sucks. One Iowa State blog sums this up well:

Kansas must really suck because ISU is a 14.5-point favorite. — WRNL (@WideRtNattyLt)September 27, 2015