What would your fall look like if you had no restrictions on how you spent your Saturday? Every Big 12 game is an option to attend in person as you strive to see the best matchup, find the best atmosphere and tailgating or simply follow your favorite team or player on a weekly basis.
That is the premise of our annual Big 12 Ultimate Road Trip as Jake Trotter, Max Olson and Brandon Chatmon pick one game per week to attend.
We continue the series with Week 4.
Trotter's pick: Oklahoma State at Baylor
Two years ago, Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph made his collegiate debut as a true freshman, and gave the Bears a stunningly mild scare.
This time around, Rudolph will be a seasoned junior, armed with maybe the best receiving corps in the league.
Can he finally get over the hump against Baylor, while placing the Pokes smack in the middle of the Big 12 title race? This will be a pivotal matchup definitely worth seeing.
Chatmon's pick: Oklahoma State at Baylor
I've come to enjoy these early season Big 12 matchups as the Bears could be continuing rebuild their offensive and defensive lines while Oklahoma State will be coming off a non conference test against Pittsburgh.
Rudolph, receiver James Washington and cornerback Ramon Richards were diaper dandies getting their feet wet on a rainy night in Waco, Texas the last time the Cowboys visited McLane Stadium. Now all three players could be key performers during their second trip to McLane and the Cowboys will be looking for revenge after Baylor ended their undefeated season in 2015.
Meanwhile the Bears should have finalized the quarterback position by this point, settling on Seth Russell or Jarrett Stidham to run the offense. Yet the Cowboys defense will be the Bears toughest test to this point.
This game could have a significant impact on the Big 12 title race as the two teams meet in an September Big 12 opener that should feature a pair of teams that are still solidifying their identity. It's a easy choice to watch two teams that could win the Big 12 title going head-to-head before October hits.
Max Olson's pick: West Virginia vs. BYU
I know Big 12 play is already underway at this point, but I had to squeeze in one more fun nonconference matchup into my dream road trip. And this one is too perfect: Big 12 hopeful BYU takes on West Virginia in a neutral-site showdown at FedEx Field in Washington D.C. That's just too enticing to pass up.
A day of sightseeing in D.C. would be much appreciated, as would a pretty good football game between these teams. I know Tanner Mangum was impressive last season for BYU, but I'd love a chance to watch the wonderfully gifted Taysom Hill play one more time (he'll be 26 this season!), and I'm definitely curious how BYU's new staff will attack this dangerous West Virginia offense.
I'm guessing this Big 12 game will mean a whole lot to the Cougars fan base, and I hope they bring a great crowd. This will be a quality resume-building win for whichever team pulls off the victory, and I think it'll be a lot of fun.