Breaking down Arizona’s game vs. Oklahoma State, other happenings in the Big 12 | Michael Lev

“Lev it on the Field” is back for Game 5 against Oklahoma State. It’s the Star’s unique look at Arizona’s upcoming football matchup and other happenings around the Big 12 through the eyes of UA beat reporter-turned-columnist Michael Lev. Away we go ...

Oklahoma State didn’t have a choice.

The Cowboys had to part ways with Mike Gundy.

Those decisions have side effects.

Players who’ve appeared in four or fewer games and haven’t redshirted during their careers can pursue that option — which is readily available when you change coaches after four or fewer games.

Coaching changes also open up a 30-day transfer-portal window. Student-athletes aren’t allowed, for now, to play for more than one school in the same academic year. But they can enter the portal if they so desire.

Five Oklahoma State players have entered or are planning to do so, according to various reports.

The ability for players to pull the ripcord in the midst of a season leaves coaches feeling conflicted.

“Anytime you go through a situation like that, it's extremely complicated and it's complicated for everybody involved,” said UA coach Brent Brennan, whose team hosts OSU on Saturday. “I don't know how big their football staff is, but I'm guessing it's more than 50 people. And I'm assuming those 50 people all have families. I'm assuming there's 120, 115 players on that football team, and those players all have hopes and dreams of playing great football in college and having a chance to be an NFL player.

“Whether players choose to go in the portal or not, I think everybody understands it. ... I can only look at it through the lens of our team. Would I want that? Of course not. You want everybody committed to the U of A. You want everybody committed to ‘Redline.’ You want everybody absolutely committed to what we're doing here — building a sustainable, consistent, winning football program every damn year. If everyone's jumping in and out all the time, I don't know how you do that, regardless of the circumstances.”

The collateral damage has been relatively minimal so far for the four schools that have fired their coaches: UCLA, Virginia Tech, OSU and Arkansas. But with the pressure to win at an all-time high — and patience at an all-time low — we’re going to see more in-season firings, side effects be damned.

Take that for data!

The point spread in the UA-Oklahoma State game is historic.

The Wildcats were favored as of this writing by 20.5 points — the most they’ve been favored against a power-conference opponent since facing another OSU, Oregon State, on Nov. 11, 2017. The UA was favored by 21 points that night and won by ... 21 points.

Quarterback Khalil Tate attempted only seven passes in that game, completing five for 68 yards. He rushed for 206 yards as part of a school-record 534-yard onslaught on the ground.

The spread vs. the OSU Cowboys puts the Wildcats in an unfamiliar position: They’re expected to win and win big.

It's not something the coaching staff talks about with the players. But to think they’re unaware of it would be naïve.

“Our players have so much access to information,” Brennan said. “It doesn't really matter what week it is, there's always all that stuff out there. So for our players, can we really focus on our process and really be locked into what we have to get done right now? ... I think that gives us a better chance to play the kind of football we want to play.”

(Rincon) Market report

Going up: International football

The Big 12 officially announced that next season’s Arizona State-Kansas game will take place at Wembley Stadium in London. The “Union Jack Classic” will be the third game involving Big 12 teams to kick off overseas between this season and next. Commissioner Brett Yormark said he wants the league to be “the most globally relevant conference in college athletics.” It’s a branding opportunity, no doubt. But the greatest benefit goes to the student-athletes, who get to see a part of the world they might never see otherwise. What’s the purpose of college if not to experience new things?

Going down: Cyclones’ secondary

Iowa State faced Arizona last week without starting cornerback Jeremiah Cooper, who’s out for the season because of a knee injury. The Cyclones then lost their other starting corner, Jontez Williams, to the same fate. ISU fans have justifiably wondered why Williams was still in the game late in the fourth quarter with the Cyclones comfortably ahead. Regardless, it’s a devastating development for an ISU team that’s unbeaten, ranked 14th in the country and has legitimate playoff aspirations. The first test comes against Brendan Sorsby-led Cincinnati, which put up 603 yards of offense last week at Kansas.

A question from my X

“Is Noah’s height a factor as to why he’s missing open receivers?” — @mpazepzona via X/Twitter

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UA quarterback Noah Fifita is generously listed at 5-10. The average height of Arizona’s starting offensive linemen is 6-5. So yes, Fifita’s height, or lack thereof, is a factor every time he steps onto the field.

Does it create challenges for him that a 6-5 quarterback doesn’t face? Of course. Is it the sole reason he has missed on some throws this year? Doubtful.

This isn’t a new phenomenon for Fifita. He has dealt with a height deficit for his entire career. Like Doug Flutie, Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and other sub-6-foot quarterbacks, Fifita has learned how to work around it.

Seth Doege, Arizona’s offensive coordinator/QB coach, would tell you that Fifita’s accuracy issues are more a product of footwork and timing. Those are problems that plague quarterbacks of all sizes.

Threads

Arizona is set to debut its “Sandstorm” uniforms Saturday. They’re so close to being great. I love the concept, including red helmets with the “cactus sunset” logo, a red V-neck and red lettering. The jersey and pants are an off-white color called “bone” first popularized by the L.A. Rams. I just wish they were a little bonier. Or sandier. In photos and videos released by the UA, the kit looks white. If it were slightly darker, it would have more of a desert vibe. The Cardinals successfully achieved that look with their Nike Rivalry alternates.

What he said ...

“We respect them. Everyone on that plane is going to play as hard as they can ... and we're going to try and match that.” — Arizona TE Sam Olson on the Cowboys

What he meant ...

“Obviously, Oklahoma State isn’t as good as Iowa State. You think I’m going to tell you guys that? No way! I’m a sixth-year redshirt senior. I’ve been playing college football since 2020. This ain’t my first rodeo.”

The other side

“This is a lot of new stuff I never thought about. Everybody thinks being a head coach is easy, and then you do it and realize there’s a lot more to it than you thought. ... I’m just so proud of the kids’ willingness to participate and be a part (of this) and the vibe that they’re providing. It makes it easy for all of us coaches to go out and do our job ... and continue to just devote all our time and effort into what we can do to help them win a game, because it’s all about them.” — OSU interim coach Doug Meacham

Pick to click (aka #fadelev)

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels accounted for 500 yards of total offense last week. He threw four touchdown passes. The Jayhawks lost anyway, 37-34 at home to Cincinnati. They can’t afford to lose another game they’re supposed to win — especially with a trip to Texas Tech on tap next week. So I’m taking KU minus-4.5 at UCF. QB Tayven Jackson is expected to play for the Knights after injuring his non-throwing shoulder last week. But they don’t have the firepower to keep up with the Jayhawks. (season record: 2-2)

One last thing

His name is Sam Jackson V — presumably because he’s the fifth Sam Jackson in his family, not because he’s playing for his fifth school.

OSU is actually Jackson’s fourth stop in college. The receiver/quarterback spent his first two seasons at TCU. Then came a year at Cal. He spent last season at Auburn. Now he’s a Cowboy who has caught five passes this season while also attempting five.

Jackson’s journey is not uncommon during the free-transfer era.

UA linebacker Max Harris has played for four schools in four years, although he has climbed the competitive ladder, going from FCS Incarnate Word to the Sun Belt’s Louisiana-Monroe to Pac-12-bound Texas State to Big 12 Arizona.

Wake Forest’s quarterback is Robby Ashford. Remember him? He began his career in 2020-21 at Oregon (where he also played baseball), spent two years at Auburn and one at South Carolina before landing at Wake.

School No. 4. Year No. 6.

Such is the math in modern college athletics.

“Do I like that aspect of it for the kids? I don't, because the best time of your life, when your best friends are made, is when you’re in college,” UA defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales said.

“I love Max Harris. He’s on the Leadership Council here. He’s a freaking fantastic dude. But he’s been at four places. He’s going to have lifelong friends here because of who he is. But if you’re not an outgoing personality, it's going to change that for you.

“Now, the opportunity to play and move around, all that stuff, if you think that's better for you, I’m all for it; I’m going to trust the kid’s opinion. But it breaks my heart ... because some of my best friends are guys that I played with in college.”