Around the Big 12: Week 8
Week 7 was a big week for college football as fans saw a lot of closely contested games and some big-time upsets.
The Big 12 possessed some key matchups that allowed some teams to show their strength while others continued to go downhill.
The game of the week included a top-25 matchup between No. 12 Oklahoma State and No. 25 Texas.
Texas started hot in the first half and held a 17-3 lead in the midway into the second quarter.
Late in the second quarter, Oklahoma State safety Jason Taylor II ran back an interception for a touchdown which allowed the Cowboys to lasso in the Longhorns.
The second half was a different story. The Longhorns would again score first but would be unable to score the rest of the game.
The Cowboys would ride the backs of quarterback Spencer Sanders and running back Jaylen Warren as they led them to outscore the Longhorns 16-0 in the fourth quarter.
Sanders threw a touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter and ran one in with 2:18 left in the fourth quarter to seal the victory for the Cowboys.
Oklahoma State would win the game by a score of 32-24. Jaylen Warren ran hard for Oklahoma State and finished with 33 carries for 193 yards.
Texas running back Bijan Robinson continued to fuel his Heisman resume as he carried the ball 21 times for 135 yards and two scores. He also added a 13-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.
With yet another top-25 victory, Oklahoma State jumps to No. 8 in this week’s AP rankings. Texas drops another game and falls out of the Top 25.
The other big matchup in the Big 12 involved the Baylor Bears hosting No. 19 ranked BYU. Baylor stuck to its strength and ran all over the BYU defense.
The Bears finished with 303 total rushing yards and demonstrated why they are considered one of the best rushing teams in college football.
Senior Abram Smith led the charge as he ran the ball 27 times for 188 yards and three scores. Baylor took control of the game behind this strong rushing performance and came out with a 38-24 victory.
Baylor again enters the top 25 and is now ranked No. 20 in the country. BYU drops to 5-2 and falls out of this week’s rankings.
The highest ranked team in the Big 12, No. 4 Oklahoma, took on TCU after a big win against Texas last week.
The story of the game was freshman quarterback Caleb Williams getting the start over his counterpart Spencer Rattler.
Williams took advantage of the opportunity and shined in his debut. He completed 18 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns. Williams also rushed 9 times for 66 yards and one score.
Oklahoma would have no trouble and defeated TCU by a score of 52-31.
With a key loss by No. 2 Iowa, Oklahoma moves to No. 3 in this week’s AP rankings.
Elsewhere in the Big 12, Texas Tech took care of Kansas by a score of 41-14. The Red Raiders had four different players each scoring a rushing touchdown.
Iowa State traveled to Kansas State and defeated the Wildcats by a score of 33-20. Breece Hall had another big day for the Cyclones as he ran 30 times for 197 yards and two touchdowns.
The Big 12 has a calmer slate for Week 8 but features an interesting matchup between No. 8 Oklahoma State and up and coming Iowa State.
Big 12 fans should look forward to this game and others as we get ready for another week of College Football.
Thomas English is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email tfe5082@psu.edu.
