Big 12 Wrap: Week 15
It's been an amazing Big 12 season, which makes it sort of a shame that none of the games this weekend mattered at all in terms of the conference championship game, which participants were decided a week ago. That's not to say these games were irrelevant -- just ask Bob Stoops about his 0-2 record against Les Miles and watch his jaw tighten. Without further delay, here's my take on the last week of Big 12 football this year.
Oklahoma State 38, Oklahoma 28
Les Miles holds the only 2-0 record in college football against Bob Stoops, and if some people thought last year's close Oklahoma State victory in Norman was a fluke, the Cowboys served notice in this game that the Stoops brothers need to stop making their plans for the Big 12 title game and take their in-state rivals seriously. OSU dominated from the first play, and the game wasn't nearly as close as the score suggests. Just two questions: 1) Why is Les Miles one of the lowest paid coaches in the Big 12? 2) Why isn't Rashaun Woods getting more props (from sources more prominent than here, of course, since we've been noting his play all season) as the best receiver in the nation?
Colorado 28, Nebraska 13
Colorado controlled this game throughout, as Nebraska hardly looked like the college football powerhouse built by Tom Osborne. Indeed, they were plagued by the same problems in this game that they've had all year: inability to control the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball, inability to run the football like Nebraska teams of the past (leading to reliance on a passing game that is non-existent), and below-average defense. If Frank Solich returns next year, look for turnover on the coaching staff (at least a new defensive coordinator, and possibly an offensive coordinator to take over duties also held by Solich). Colorado is off for its desired grudge rematch with OU in the Big 12 title game, but Kansas State was the best team in the North by the end of the season.
Texas 50, Texas A&M 20
Chris Simms may have had his finest game as a Longhorn in this, his final home game. His numbers weren't gaudy, but his passing won the game for the horns, who again averaged only 2.6 yards per carry on the ground. But that's no surprise -- Simms always performs well when there isn't much pressure. Ditto Roy Williams, who also had himself a nice game (but was nowhere to be found in the OU loss). The Aggies killed themselves with turnovers, and have to hope their 6-6 record is good enough for a bowl bid. It may not be enough to save R.C. Slocum's job, and Mack Brown may be forced to shake up his offensive staff after what can only be considered a disappointing season from that group.
(Update) Just heard on AM 610: R.C. Slocum is out at Texas A&M, which will be announced at 5 PM, and Nebraska Coach Frank Solich announced that Craig Bohl will not be retained as Defensive Coordinator and Solich will be relinquishing duties as Offensive Coordinator. ESPN still doesn't have either on its website as of 4:45. Advantage: me. :)
[Posted at 15:25 CST on 12/02/02] [Link]
