Big 12 Wrap: Week 14
Not much action in the Big 12 this week, but there was enough to settle the Big 12 South and set the teams for the title game in Houston. The games:
Oklahoma 60, Texas Tech 15
Because Texas Tech doesn't play defense, they must rely on gigantic games from Mike Leach's innovative offense to win. When they run into a buzzsaw like Oklahoma's defense, it just isn't going to happen -- especially when Oklahoma dominates on offense, defense, and special teams. Before this game, there was talk of Tech going to the Big 12 title game and Kliff Kingsbury winning a Heisman. Oklahoma will be headed to Houston to play for the title, and Kingsbury joins Chris Simms, Seneca Wallace, and Chris Brown as Heisman hopefuls who could have impressed voters against OU's D, and instead were fairly well shut down. Was it enough to get Quentin Griffin an invite to the Heisman ceremony? Maybe.
Kansas State 38, Missouri 0
After losing to Colorado early, Kansas State has been the most dominant team in the Big 12 North. That dominance was on display against Mizzou, as the Bill Snyder express rolls on. Unfortunately for K-State, that early loss against Colorado effectively derailed its chances to head to Houston.
Connecticut 37, Iowa State 20
A team that considers itself a Big 12 power should not lose to UConn at football. Because the Big 12 has 9 bowl-eligible teams and not that many affiliations with bowls, Iowa State may find this loss to be very costly when bowl invitations are issued. Seneca Wallace, who was a legit Heisman contender until the OU game, tossed 4 interceptions in a subpar performance.
Oklahoma State 63, Baylor 28
In keeping with previous policy, we don't write about Baylor games any more because, really, what is there to say? The Kevin Steele era is now over, and rumors of the next great coach will surely be circulating before Baylor inevitably hires another relatively unknown assistant. OSU's Rashaun Woods, the best receiver in the conference, set a Big 12 record for receiving yards in the season. Oklahoma State will likely edge Iowa State for the conference's final bowl bid if they can beat Oklahoma next week in the annual bedlam grudge match.
[Posted at 23:09 CST on 11/24/02] [Link]
