Around the Big 12: Week 7
There is plenty going on in the Big 12. Only one undefeated team remains. One storied program is off to a disappointing start under a new head coach and lastly, multiple teams are ranked in the AP Top-25 Poll. So, let’s break everything down.
Big 12 to Stay Without Divisions
The Big 12 will continue to play without divisions as a 14-team football conference when BYU, Cincinnati, Central Florida and Houston join the conference in the 2023-24 season.
Each school will play nine conference games. Additionally, schools will play each other at least once in every two-season period. Traditional rivalries, such as the Red River Showdown, will be preserved.
The Big 12 has played without divisions since 2010, when Colorado joined the Pac-12 and Nebraska left for the Big Ten. Although this update does not come as a surprise, it remains to be seen what other conferences, including the Big Ten and SEC, will do with their formats amid conference expansions.
Is Quinn Ewers the Answer for Texas?
Redshirt freshman Quinn Ewers has played well as Texas’ starting quarterback. Ewers has thrown 820 yards, nine touchdowns, only two interceptions and has a 67.7 completion percentage. For a first year starter, that’s not bad at all.
Ewers threw seven touchdowns over the last two games; with three against Iowa State and four against Oklahoma. In that time frame, Ewers completed nearly 70 percent of his passes.
Ewers transferred to Texas after one season at Ohio State. The Southlake, Texas native was the No. 1 overall player in the class of 2021, according to 247sports.
The Longhorns are 5-2 this season and are currently ranked No. 20 in the AP Poll. A 49-0 thrashing of the Sooners has to be Texas’ highlight of the season so far. Texas came agonizingly close to taking down Alabama earlier in the season, but the Crimson Tide ultimately prevailed 20-19.
TCU Remains Undefeated
No. 8 TCU is flying high at 6-0. The Horned Frogs are the last Big 12 team to be undefeated.
The last two weeks have been especially impressive for TCU, with wins over ranked opponents Kansas and Oklahoma State. Kansas was the only other Big 12 team to be undefeated at the time of the matchup, and TCU won 38-31 in Lawrence. Last week, the Horned Frogs outlasted Oklahoma State 43-40 in double overtime at home.
Both wins say plenty about how hot TCU currently is. Although Kansas is no longer ranked, that was still a quality win, especially with it being on the road. With the way TCU is currently playing and given the rest of its schedule, a trip to the College Football Playoff is certainly possible.
Nolan Wick is a second-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email nhw5046@psu.edu.
