Around this time period is one of the best times to be College Football fans. Teams enter conference play and we get to see classic matchups and rivalries.
Some teams haven’t been tested yet. While others get to impose their will for bragging rights. The “high flying offense” that is the Big 12 is getting some defensive recognition.
Half of the conference is in the Top 50 so far in terms of total defense. That is, of course led by TCU at #4. TCU will have more competent offenses, so they should fall a bit.
The list also includes Baylor (24th), Kansas State (35th), Oklahoma (46th), and Iowa State (48th).
With all of that being said, let’s break down this week’s slate of games.
#6 Oklahoma vs. Kansas 12 PM EST ABC
After showing a ton of promise 2 weeks ago, Kansas has come back down to earth. That included a 51-14 blowout to TCU. Both of Kansas’s touchdowns coming late in the game.
No rest for the weary as they come back home to face Jalen Hurts. There is room for some optimism for the Jayhawks. KU showed they could move the ball last year against Oklahoma.
Kansas put up 40 points on the Sooners last year in Norman. However, OU’s defense looks improved. Also, Pooka Williams hasn’t been quite as explosive this year as he did last.
Jalen Hurts has torched every defense he’s faced and expect the same thing here. Kansas doesn’t have near as much success, and OU rolls.
#6 Oklahoma 52, Kansas 17
#21 Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech 12 PM EST FS1
It has been tough sledding for Texas Tech. They looked pretty good in their first 2 blowouts of the season. However, losing Bowman, to Arizona, and last week’s performance was bad.
Texas Tech had no success with Jackson Tyner and Alan Bowman wasn’t much better. They did create a good running game against the Sooners. Tech rushed for 192 yards and SaRodorick Thompson had 7.2 YPC.
That Tech defense got gashed by Jalen Hurts. Another dual threat QB enters Lubbock as Spencer Sanders comes into town.
Sanders has all the weapons with 2 of the top Big 12 skill players. Tylan Wallace is in top form and Chuba Hubbard is exceeding expectations.
Even with a below average defense, they held K-State to 13 points. Skylar Thompson had a 47.8 completion percentage and K-State had 3.93 YPC.
This game is in Lubbock and normally weird things happen in Lubbock. However, this is an 11 AM kick and Tech just got blown out. It’s a slow start, but Okie State shows they are the better team.
#21 Oklahoma State 38, Texas Tech 17
TCU vs. Iowa State 12 PM EST ESPN2
Even though Iowa State is 2-2, they might be the best 2-2 team in College Football. Both losses coming to respectable opponents and by a combined points on 3.
Brock Purdy is a very good QB and nearly led a comeback in Waco on Saturday. Their defense is still among the best in the conference.
The one worry continuous question is the #1 at WR and RB. The Montgomery and Butler holes are still there and they haven’t quite found “the guy” yet.
TCU had looked out of sync on offense, especially in the passing game. They looked just fine, while dismantling Kansas at home.
This isn’t Kansas at home. This is Iowa State at Ames with a True Freshman QB. Even though the offense looked better, Iowa State’s defense is legit.
Iowa State bounces back and get their first conference win.
Iowa State 28, TCU 20
Baylor vs. Kansas State 3:30 PM EST ESPN2
At the beginning of the year, it was unanimous that Texas and TCU would have the best defenses. Yet, the Top 2 defenses (PPG) play in Manhattan.
Baylor hasn’t played anybody with a pulse on offense till Saturday. Where they shut the Cyclones for 3 quarters before nearly blowing a lead. The Bears forced 2 turnovers and allowed 63 rushing yards.
Kansas State is coming off a 26-13 loss, but was impressive in pass defense. Spencer Sanders had almost 400 total yards of offense against Texas. He was limited to 153 through the air against K-State.
The problem was Chuba Hubbard. He kept running all night long. Oklahoma State rushed for 373 and Hubbard had 296 of it.
Baylor doesn’t have a running back like Hubbard, so that should play into their favor. However, Skylar Thompson is a below average Big 12 QB. The lack of passing could be an issue. If K-State does 1-dimensial, they’ll have to worry about the #1 Rush Defense in the Big 12.
It’s a close one, but Baylor pulls out a huge road win and stays undefeated.
Baylor 31, Kansas State 27
#11 Texas vs. West Virginia 3:30 PM EST ABC
It’s strange to see two teams playing each other, coming off of bye weeks. Even weirder when it’s the only two teams with byes. Nevertheless, West Virginia’s 3-1 record is doing a lot of justice.
The win over North Carolina State looked impressive at the time. However, NC State got pushed by Ball State and lost by 18 to Florida State.
Texas is coming off a 38-30 win over Oklahoma State and the offense is humming right now. The only reason for concern for Texas is the depleted secondary and a road environment.
Even with that, I don’t think West Virginia or Austin Kendall has been challenged by a better defense so far.
It is a close game for a half. Texas pulls away towards the 3rd quarter as Ehlinger throws 3 TD’s. 2 in the 3rd quarter alone as Texas wins.
#11 Texas 41, West Virginia 20
Image Credit: https://cyclones.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10269
