Big 12 football recap – Sooners see Red

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It was week eight of the college football season as eight teams took the field on Saturday in the heart of Big 12 conference play. While most games were won routinely by the favored team (Oklahoma State, Texas A&M) there was one particular monumental upset that stirred up the college football world.

This begs the question: will a Big 12 team earn a trip to the BCS National Championship?

Iowa State: The Cyclones were able to keep up with Texas A&M for most of the day, but ended up succumbing 33-17, mainly due to the Aggies’ potent running game. Quarterback Steele Jantz was benched early in the first quarter after an interception in favor of freshman Jared Barnett, who played well in his first significant action. Expect this quarterback duel to continue throughout the next few weeks.

Kansas: The Kansas defense fell flat this week after giving Oklahoma a run for its money the previous week, surrendering 261 yards and six touchdowns on the ground and losing 59-21 to in-state rival Kansas State. A bright spot this season has been quarterback Jordan Webb, who has been his usual efficient self, completing 21 of 28 passes with an overall 67.1 percent completion rate on the season.

Kansas State: Quarterback Collin Klein had a stellar four touchdowns on the ground and added one more through the air, as the Wildcats dominated Kansas in nearly every aspect of the game. The key to the No. 11 Wildcats’ success this year has been the ability to create big plays at big times, including a 97-yard kick return by the electrifying freshman Tyler Lockett.

Missouri: Some were expecting Gary Pinkel’s Tigers to pull off the upset this week in Columbia over No. 4 Oklahoma State, but costly turnovers at crucial times (such as three James Franklin interceptions) ultimately led to Mizzou’s demise 45-24. The Tigers are now sitting at 3-4 (1-3 in conference), as their bid for a 3rd straight eight-win season is in serious doubt.

Oklahoma: The previously unbeaten Sooners showed mortality this week in a monumental loss to Texas Tech, as the Sooners’ nation-best 39-game home winning streak ended at Owen Field Saturday night 41-38. Oklahoma basically could not keep up with Texas Tech’s highly efficient offense and was one step behind the entire game. Up next, the Sooners have a tough trio of Kansas State, Texas A&M and Baylor on the schedule, and later a marquee matchup with Oklahoma State.

Oklahoma State: The No. 4 Cowboys dominated Missouri for most of the game, but suffered a scare with the temporary loss of star wideout Justin Blackmon, who suffered from concussion-like symptoms and could miss next week’s game at home against Baylor. The offense certainly has enough playmakers, and the defense has been outstanding the past few weeks. That could be key for taking control of the Big 12 with Oklahoma’s loss.

Texas A&M: Mike Sherman’s No. 17 Aggies held on to win a crucial road game at Iowa State. The Iowa State defense held A&M to very little running yardage in the first half, but by the end, Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael became the first pair of Aggie rushers to run for 100 yards each since they themselves did it in 2009. Senior kicker and four-year starter Randy Bullock also booted 4 clutch field goals to seal it at 33-17.

Texas Tech: On its biggest stage yet this season, the Red Raiders delivered at No. 3 Oklahoma. Seth Doege threw for 441 yards and four touchdowns in one of the biggest upsets in the program’s history, and Tommy Tuberville’s first signature win as head coach. It will be interesting to see if Tech can pull it off again when potential Big 12 leader and national title contender Oklahoma State comes to Lubbock in three weeks.

 

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