The takeover of NIL has led to the ascension of many different teams that we typically would not see at the top of college football. The Vanderbilt Commodores were in the top ten last week, and the Indiana Hoosiers sit second in the national AP poll as you read this.
However, the teams that have taken the most advantage of the influx in outside money have been—you guessed it—Texas. More specifically, the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies and the No. 9 Texas Tech Red Raiders. Both teams have invested heavily in their respective football programs and have seen massive dividends so far. Will their investment continue to go to the moon, or will they crash?
Brigham Young University, or BYU, is the flagship university of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and also happens to be ranked No. 8 in the nation for college football. The religion they follow, Mormonism, is one of the most interesting religions in the world, but that is beside the point. Mormonism is also the wealthiest religion in the world with an estimated $293 billion. They are not far behind in the NIL department from the Texas teams.
According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after being expelled from the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve took residence and lived in a garden also known as Adam-ondi-Ahman in Daviess County, Missouri—just two hours away from the University of Missouri. Does that make the Missouri Tigers connected to Mormonism? Yes.
Young gun under pressure
Starting quarterback for the BYU Cougars is freshman Bear Bachmeier—who has played well for the team so far this season. Bachmeier has totaled 2,101 yards and 20 touchdowns in his eight career games—a number that is rare air for a freshman quarterback.
However, Bachmeier has yet to face a defense like the one that sits ahead of him on Saturday. Biggest of them is Texas Tech senior defensive end David Bailey, who leads the entire country with 11.5 sacks so far this season. Bailey is likely a top NFL draft pick and will be after Bachmeier all day. On the other side of Bailey is another great defensive end in fellow senior Romello Height, who has six sacks of his own. Both players have a job to do and that is make Bachmeier’s day hell on Saturday—and I believe they will.
If BYU wants a chance to win this game, they better hope Bachmeier meets the moment under pressure.
I do not think that happens, and Texas Tech takes care of business.
Texas Tech wins: 31-24
Young stars hit the big stage
Despite both these teams’ rankings, the Missouri Tigers at No. 22 in the country have been carried by sophomore running back Ahmad Hardy, who leads the SEC in rushing yards with 937.
Hardy runs hard but has the speed to hit the home run from the other end zone—a tough task for an elite Texas A&M defense led by senior defensive end Cashius Howell.
However, Texas A&M did not come without a weapon of their own. Marcel Reed, a sophomore quarterback, has been a game changer for Texas A&M. Reed has accumulated 2,321 total yards and 23 total touchdowns for Texas A&M and has shown no signs of stopping.
Where these teams differ is the support around their young stars. Missouri has a good QB in senior Beau Pribula, but the rest of their roster rises to the standard set by the backfield.
On the flip side, Texas A&M—more specifically Reed—has two star receivers, sophomore Mario Craver and junior K.C. Concepcion, to lean on. Craver leads the team in receiving yards with 716 yards, while Concepcion leads the team in receiving touchdowns with seven.
Both can make huge plays for the Texas A&M offense at any time and likely will come Saturday.
I think the talent of Texas A&M wins out and they collect their ninth win in a row to remain undefeated.
Aggies win: 41-30
