The elite teams of the Big 12 won handily this week, the middle teams beat up on each other, and 25,000 people showed up to see really bad teams. That’s all the introduction I can muster.
Oklahoma 41, Kansas 10
Oklahoma led only 14-10 at the half, thanks to penalties, dropped passes, a bust on defense, and other miscues. Whatever Bob Stoops said at halftime seemed to work, as Oklahoma dominated the second half, cruising to 27 unanswered points. Jason White had his most productive passing game of the season (despite numerous dropped passes), and second most productive game of his Heisman career at OU, and STILL was overshadowed by the fantastic freshman (who had a big fourth quarter en route to another hundred yard performance).
Texas 51, Texas Tech 21
All of those critics who said Texas can’t beat good passing teams with its power option game and a dominant defense can now be quiet. Earlier in the week, Mack Brown made the most important decision of the season, staying with Vince Young as his starter. He also seemed committed to the power option game in this one, with Vince Young making the defense choose its poison (usually him blazing on by) on option plays, and Cedric Benson pounding it up the gut. When done well, it even turns the inaccurate Young into a reasonably effective passer. The (ridiculous) Mack Brown death watch officially ended with this win. One wonders if he’ll lose again this season.
Texas A&M 29, Colorado 26 (OT)
Colorado led almost all of this game, but Texas A&M rallied late to tie, and pulled out the victory in overtime. Reggie McNeal had another monster game directing the A&M offense, although Dennis Franchione has to be a little concerned that his defense got torched for 510 yards at home. Texas A&M moves to 6-1 and remains undefeated in conference play, although they close the season against Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Texas after their scrimmage against Baylor next week.
Oklahoma State 20, Missouri 17
Oklahoma State pulls a comeback against the North’s best team, rallying from at 17-0 second quarter deficit to score the game’s final 20 points. OSU’s offense remains one-dimensional, but their defense really clamped down on Mizzou, limiting the Tigers to only 264 total yards.
Kansas State 45, Nebraska 21
This kind of score should be familiar to Nebraska assistant John Blake, as he saw quite a few like it when he was the head man on the Sooner sideline. Bill Snyder’s crew held Bill Callahan’s inept offense to 3 of 11 passing and 109 yards rushing. Meanwhile, Snyder’s Wildcats rolled up nearly 400 yards of total offense even though they were led by backup quarterback Allen Webb. Bob Devaney must be turning over his grave, although the North is so pitiful that the Huskers remain tied for the lead in the division.
Iowa State 26, Baylor 25
Who would have guessed 25,000 fans would show up for this? Maybe Ann Richards bribed them. In any case, how does a team outgain an opponent 450 yards to 257 yards and LOSE? Oh yeah, four turnovers. And Baylor really is that bad.
3 comments On Big 12 Wrap: Week 8
I’m extremely pleased about the Texas/Texas Tech game. I was among those disappointed by last week’s win and wondering if they were going to be able to pull it off. Given last year’s near loss in Austin and the bona fide loss in Lubbock the year before, I figured it was an uphill battle. If nothing else, it seems like Texas’s defense has it together.
Looking at Texas’s bid to get the extra slot for a BCS, you might be right about the scheduling!
What do you think about Stoops running up the score?
TP: I didn’t/don’t like it. I had planned a separate post on that, but ran short on time (maybe tonight). It’s even more bothersome because Mark Mangino is such a good guy and someone for whom any good Sooner fan has really warm feelings. Running Peterson wouldn’t have bothered me so much (although taking a knee would have been my preference), but I didn’t like the passing. I think those are the basics of the blog post if I don’t get around to it.
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