The BIG XII Week 2 Review sees Matt Campbell suffer another loss to Iowa, The Mountaineers get a big dub and Texas dont turn up. 

BIG XII Week 2 Review – Iowa 27 – 17 Iowa State

Matt Campbell watched Iowa State’s hope of a College Football Playoff berth get swallowed up by Iowa’s defence in a bad loss to the Cyclones.

The Hawkeyes defence disrupted Brock Purdy all afternoon. Their physicality was simply too much for the Cyclones offence. Purdy had three INT’s that were caused mostly by the Hawkeyes bringing pressure. Star RB Breece Hall had a similarly bad day. His fumble that led to a scoop-and-score TD for Iowa was the perfect microcosm of the Cyclones’ afternoon. It was all she wrote from then on out.

The fans in Ames did their best to provide a raucous atmosphere but slowly lost hope as the game went on. Brock Purdy getting benched for backup QB Hunter Dekkers after only throwing for 138 yards spelled the end. What makes this an even harder pill to swallow for Cyclones fans is that the Hawkeyes managed only 173 yards total offence. To walk into your rival’s manor and leave with a ten point win after less than 200 yards of offence is a huge slap in the face.

The Streak continues

Matt Campbell now falls to 0-5 against Iowa. He shouldered the blame for the loss. “Somewhere along the line I have failed this team to be prepared for this moment,” said Campbell. “I think the lack of execution really falls on my shoulders.”

You might be saying, “…well if Iowa State runs the table they still stand a chance of making the CFP.” You would be right, but are you realistic? The answer is a hard no. This team doesn’t look like a team that could go undefeated in conference play. Their execution is nowhere near where it needs to be.

The only thing Cyclones fans can hope for is this becomes the turning point of their season. Campbell needs to rally his roster around this moment and use it to fuel his team’s motivation. Realistically, the target now becomes making the conference title game. It’s a crushing disappointment for a team that many thought would be a dark-horse playoff candidate.

 

BIG XII Week 2 Review – Coastal Carolina 49 – 22 Kansas

Coastal Carolina did what they’ll probably do to most of their opponents this year by steamrolling the Jayhawks. Kansas can take some positives from the game, though. QB Jason Bean showed what a danger he can be on the ground with 102 yards and two touchdowns. This team has a long way to go, but there are signs of light showing.

 

BIG XII Week 2 Review – Oklahoma 74 – 0 Western Carolina

There’s really not much to say here. This is what Sooners fans would’ve expected prior to the game. Rattler had a nice day throwing for five touchdowns and the defence did their job, bouncing back from a bad week 1. We learned nothing, though. On to Nebraska.

 

BIG XII Week 2 Review – Texas 21 – 40 Arkansas

Welcome to the SEC, Texas. The Longhorns got punched in the mouth by an incredibly physical Arkansas team in a convincing loss. Pittman’s guys were too much for Sark’s Horns in every phase of play. Hudson Card got benched for back-up QB Casey Thompson, who showed some real heart for his rushing score. Bijan Robinson broke some nice runs but couldn’t put the team on his back. This loss demonstrates the level of physicality the Horns need to reach to have any chance of competing in the SEC. They have a way to go.

 

BIG XII Week 2 Review – Cal 32 – 34 TCU

TCU escaped with a two point win at home to Cal in one of the sneakily best games of the weekend. Another big day for WR Quentin Johnson saw him catch two of QB Max Duggan’s three touchdown passes. Zach Evans showed exactly why he was the top RB prospect in his class with 190 yards and a score. Regardless, Patterson will be breathing a sigh of relief.

 

BIG XII Week 2 Review – Texas Tech 28 – 22 Stephen F. Austin

Matt Wells will be somewhat concerned that his Red Raiders didn’t comfortably put away the Lumberjacks at home. Tahj Brooks had another nice day on the ground with 115-2. WR Ezukanma also had a huge day with 144-1, including a massive 75 yard score. The Lumberjacks hung around, and they shouldn’t have. There’s still much to be done in Lubbock for Wells.

 

BIG XII Week 2 Review – Texas Southern 7 – 66 Baylor

Dave Aranda will be happy his team took care of business on Saturday. RBs, Abram Smith and Tristan Ebner both ran for 100+ yards in the first half and the Bears scored touchdowns on their first seven possessions. We didn’t learn much about Aranda’s defence, but a good night for the boys from Waco.

 

BIG XII Week 2 Review – LIU 0 – 66 WV

West Virginia took care of business in a 66 point rout of Long Island. We were all correct in thinking this would be a glorified practice and as such, we didn’t learn much. Winston Wright returned a kick-off for a score, the best moment of the afternoon. QB Doege had a solid day with three touchdowns on 259 yards throwing. Next week against Virginia Tech is the real barometer for where Brown’s programme is right now.

 

BIG XII Week 2 Review – Southern Illinois 23 – 31 Kansas State

The WIldcats took their foot off the gas a bit this weekend, needing a 10-0 second half to get the win. After a big week 1 win against Stanford in Arlington, we can forgive Kleiman’s team for coming out a bit flat. Deuce Vaughn was the story of the day with 120 yards and three touchdowns. Carson Strong’s Nevada comes to Manhattan next week and most eyes looked to be on that already.

 

BIG XII Week 2 Review – Tulsa 23 – 28 Oklahoma State

Gundy’s Cowboys escaped with a win at home, needing 21 points in the fourth quarter to stay undefeated. The biggest positive was the return of QB Spencer Sanders, who led the team in rushing as well as throwing for two touchdowns. However, it’s two lackluster performances in a row for the Cowboys and they won’t get away with that against Boise next weekend.

 

Written by Jake @dynastybrit