The Big 12 definitely took form over the past week with all 10 teams having games against one another. There are only 3 teams left in the conference with less than 2 losses.
The pack has taken somewhat shape and the stars that were expected to be stars have come out.
There were zero games that ended up being one score games. All of the teams that won their games, impressed in their own ways.
Kansas scares OU for a half; Sooners roll in the 2nd
For a half of this game, Kansas looked the best they have all year. Pooka Williams broke off a couple of big plays and Carter Stanley was throwing well.
Until Oklahoma woke up in the 2nd half and pulled it away. Jalen Hurts ended up with 4 Touchdowns and had over 275 yards of total offense.
Oklahoma did give up 360 yards of offense and 3 TD’s from Carter Stanley. With Texas coming up, there was a sense of looking ahead from Oklahoma.
Which could be a fair statement to make, but they still took care of business. A date in Dallas with Texas looms this upcoming Saturday for OU. Meanwhile, Kansas
Texas Tech gets key turnovers in upset win
Just when it looked like Tech could be at the bottom, they find ways under Matt Wells. After losing by 39 to OU, it looked like Tech had a long season ahead. Jett Duffey said not yet.
Jett Duffey quite possibly played his best game in a Texas Tech uniform. He gashed a rather below average defense to 424 yards and 4 touchdowns.
TJ Vasher continues to be the most underrated receiever in CFB with 5 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. With the speed and frame he has (at 6’6), he’s a guy your best coverage corners have problems with.
The most impressive part of this game is how rattled Tech’s defense had Spencer Sanders. Sanders gave the ball away 5 times and gave Tech plenty of chances to score.
Tylan Wallace had a quiet 11 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. That’s still a good stand, considering Wallace is an elite receiver.
Tech created havoc in the way of 14 TFL’s. This is a huge home win and could create some momentum.
Texas Tech travels to Waco for the first time in a decade to play Baylor. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State has the week off. After that, they will get a shot at the Bears in Stillwater.
Baylor’s defense dominates en route to road win
Ever since the beginning of the Matt Rhule era, Baylor had been 3-11 in true road games. Well, make that 4-11 as Baylor was defensively dominating against Kansas State.
Skylar Thompson was held to just 6 rushing yards, below 220 yards passing and the Baylor defense had 15 TFL.
Charlie Brewer was 14/23 for 230 yards and a touchdown. Things got scary in the 4th quarter when Charlie was hit and knocked out of the game.
Redshirt Freshman Gerry Bohannon came in and connected on a 38 catch and run from RJ Sneed. That let to a Bohannon rushing TD that would put the game on ice.
Kansas State showed signs of fight late when Thompson lead a drive late. He connected with sure handed Dalton Schoen to cut the deficit to 12. Baylor had too much horsepower in the end. Baylor is now 5-0 after 1-11 and 7-6 seasons.
Matt Rhule has truly been the answer in Waco and is building something special for 2019.
Baylor will come back to home to play Texas Tech in hope of bowl eligibility. While Kansas State will have the week off and try to recoup.
Iowa State takes their frustration out on the Horned Frogs
Iowa State’s 2 losses have been by a combined 3 points. The Cyclones made sure to put the hammer on TCU. Brock Purdy had a great overall game, accumulating 349 total yards and 4 touchdowns.
Johnnie Lang also had 72 yards and found the end zone on two separate occasions.
TCU had one of their better days offensively. Especially considering, the fact they were playing Iowa State on the road. Max Duggan was 17/25 for over 200 yards, 2 TD’s, and no INT’s.
The problem was TCU coughing the ball up twice. They didn’t have a consistent running game, and gave up 8 TFL’s.
Their records are similar and outside of the outcome, you could tell clearly who the better team was.
With some swagger back, Iowa State will travel on the road to play West Virginia, where UT struggled for a half. While TCU will have the week off, prior to playing Kansas State.
Texas pulls away in the 2nd half in Morgantown
This game looked on ice for quite a bit. Austin Kendall was having a great game and UT was up by 7 at the half. Then, the defense that was getting picked on showed up.
Texas went out and picked off Kendall 4 times, including an amazing pick from D’Shawn Jamison. Easily, a candidate for INT of the year.
Ehlinger was 18/33 for 211 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air. Ehlinger also had 2 rushing touchdowns as well.
Texas didn’t get a bunch of pressure up front (0 sacks), but in this game, they didn’t need to.
Similar to OU, Texas could’ve been sleepwalking through the first half, but woke up in the 2nd. A late score made the game look closer than it was, but Texas was able to take care of business.
Morgantown is not an easy place to win in, but the Longhorns got it done.
Texas obviously has the showdown with Oklahoma in Dallas on Saturday. The Mountaineers will stay at home for an affair with Iowa State.
Power Rankings:
Oklahoma (5-0)
Texas (4-1)
Baylor (5-0)
Oklahoma State (4-2)
Iowa State (3-2)
Texas Tech (3-2)
Kansas State (3-2)
TCU (3-2)
West Virginia (3-2)
Kansas (2-3)
Image Credit: https://www.heartlandcollegesports.com/2019/10/05/jett-duffey-lights-up-oklahoma-state-in-texas-techs-45-35-win/
