Game of the Week – Texas 24-31 #16 Baylor

The BIG XII Week 9 Review starts with a reoccurring theme. Yet again, Texas managed to blow a second half double digit lead in their seven point loss to the Baylor Bears. Texas head coach Steve Sarkesian saw his team slip to 4-4, calling the loss a “..tough one to swallow”. Bears head coach Dave Aranda will be delighted with the win, but maybe even more delighted that his defence limited Bijan Robinson to just 43 yards on the ground.

Emerging freshman star receiver, Xavier Worthy had another hundred-plus yard day, going 4-115-1. However, Casey Thompson had his struggles under center and missed two wide open touchdown opportunities. He ended up with 23 completions on 38 passes for 280 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

The Bears Run Riot on the Ground

Baylor quarterback Gerry Bohannon had a below average day himself. Completing 18 of 31 passes for 222 yards and two interceptions. Replacement Tyquon Thronton got the only Bears passing touchdown. Baylor’s rushing attack did the damage that led to the win. Abram Smith had 20 carries for 113 yards and a score, whilst Trestan Ebner complimented him with 12 carries for 66 yards of his own.

November 13th is the date to mark for the now 7-1 Bears, as Oklahoma comes to town in what could be a huge game for the conference title race. Texas fans will be telling themselves that year one is always a write-off anyway as Sark’s results begin to look suspiciously like Tom Herman’s. At 4-4 Longhorns fans will be expecting a strong end to the season to boost recruiting as the SEC draws ever closer.

BIG XII Week 9 Review – Kansas 3-55 #11 Oklahoma State

Mike Gundy’s Oklahoma State Cowboys did to Kansas what we thought Caleb Williams and the Sooners would do to them the weekend prior. The play of the game came when Sanders escaped the pocket to his right to throw a perfect touchdown pass to Tay Martin who burned the DB on a slick double-move route up the side-line.
There were no stand-out performances on either side. For the Cowboys, Tay Martin had 5-84-1 and Dominic Richardson got the bulk of the carries notching 11-79-1. The Jayhawks had a torrid day. Jason Bean completed just three of ten passes and registered two interceptions. Kansas’ offensive day was epitomised by their longest run and pass plays only amassing 11 and 14 yards, respectively.

Oklahoma State move to just outside the AP Top Ten at #11. Gundy will just be hoping to win out and burst the Sooners’ bubble at Bedlam. Kansas slips to 1-7 and Oklahoma State moves up to 7-1 with a head-to-head win against Baylor placing them second in the conference.

BIG XII Week 9 Review – TCU 12-31 Kansas State

Chris Kleiman’s Kansas State Wildcats handed Gary Patterson his marching orders with their win over TCU. It was the final nail in the coffin for Horned Frogs legend Patterson as his storied history with the programme wasn’t enough to keep him his job.

The story of this game was Felix Anudike-Uzomah, matching an FBS sack record of six sacks (although two would be axed by a stupid fumble past the line of scrimmage rule). He dominated the TCU line in a performance that will have NFL scouts salivating.

The Quest for a new HC begins

No Zach Evans for the Horned Frogs offence again, Kendre Miller filled the hole nicely with 14-102-0. On the Kansas State side, Deuce Vaughn had a standard day for him of 20-109-2. The story really was the Wildcats defence that caused two fumbles and kept TCU to 6.6 yards per pass.

The battle for Sonny Dykes begins as TCU and Texas Tech vie for his signature. At least, that’s what’s being reported by the media. K-State will secure their bowl appearance in the next few games and look to upset Baylor in three weeks’ time. TCU slip to 2-5 sitting just above Kansas, whilst K-State move to 5-3.

BIG XII Week 9 Review – Texas Tech 21-52 #4 Oklahoma

Caleb Williams tore apart the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Norman in what looked like a return to true form for the Oklahoma Sooners. Head Coach Lincoln Riley commented that he was delighted with a “…complete performance.”

Williams threw for 402 yards and six touchdowns, over half of which went to receivers Marvin Mimms and Mario Williams. Mimms racked up 135 yards and two scores on four receptions. Whilst Williams had 100 yards and a touchdown of his own on five catches. Spencer Rattler even got time under center. Going five-for-five for 67 yards, a score and a huge ovation as he entered the field.

Red Raiders Struggle

Receiver Erik Ezukanma was the only bright spot for Texas Tech, catching eight passes for 123 yards and a score. The Red Raiders struggled to score against an improving Sooners defence. Both Donovan Smith and Henri Columbi got time at quarterback and both faced issues. Smith went 17-192-1-1 and Columbi recorded 7-77-1-1.

Oklahoma remain unbeaten at 9-0 and Texas Tech slip to 5-4, still in search of a head coach.

 

BIG XII Week 9 Review – Iowa State 31-38 West Virginia

West Virginia recorded their biggest win of the season in an upset against then ranked #14 Iowa State. Jarret Doege and Leddie Brown led the offence for the Mountaineers as Neal Brown outsmarted Matt Campbell in Morganstown.

West Virginia kept themselves in the game before running away with it in the fourth quarter, coming back from deficits time and time again. Doege threw for 370 yards, three scores and two interceptions on 30 completions in his best performance of the season. Running back Leddie Brown ran for 109 yards and two scores on 20 carries and wide receivers Ford-Wheaton and Wright Jr had at least 100 yards each.

Again the ground game prevails

Iowa State had a great day on the ground. Breece Hall rushed for 167 yards and a score on 24 carries. Brock Purdy had a game-manager type day under center. Throwing for 185 yards and a score on 16 of 27 passes.

Iowa State are effectively out of the conference title hunt slipping to 5-3 overall, whilst the Mountaineers record a huge win and move to 4-4.

Written by Jake @dyanstybrit