Around the Big 12: Week 9
TCU remains undefeated, Oklahoma State gets shut out and Texas jumps back into the top 25.
With six weeks left in the regular season let’s look at how the Big 12 teams did this past week.
No. 7 TCU 41, West Virginia 31
While TCU won by two possessions, this game was a lot closer than most realize. West Virginia was down by seven headed into halftime, and only down by three with four minutes to go in the fourth quarter after TCU quarterback Max Duggan threw an interception.
West Virginia matched TCU in almost every stat category throughout the game. If it wasn’t for TCU’s defense getting the three and out late in the game this could have been a huge upset that would have knocked TCU out of the playoff race.
TCU remains undefeated and takes on Texas Tech next week, looking to sneak into the college football playoffs late in the season. West Virginia falls to 3-5 on the season as the Mountaineers will need to win three of their next four games in order to make a bowl game.
No. 22 Kansas State 48, No. 9 Oklahoma State 0
Kansas State gets the shutout and the upset against what was a top-10 team in all of college football. Kansas State ran the ball for 199 yards and two touchdowns, most of which came from the 5 '6 junior running back Deuce Vaughn.
Oklahoma State had no answers for Will Howard as he threw for 296 yards and four touchdowns on the day. They also couldn’t get anything going on offense as they were held to 54 rushing yards and went one for four on fourth down conversions.
Kansas State improves to 6-2 as they secure a spot in a bowl game this year and will take on No. 24 Texas next week. Oklahoma State falsl to 6-2 on the season as their playoff chances drop significantly and they look to recover next week on the road against Kanas.
Oklahoma 27, Iowa State 13
Oklahoma took care of business on the road against Iowa State. This was a tale of two different game plans headed into this game, Oklahoma's rushing attack against Iowa State’s passing attack.
Oklahoma ran all over Iowa State’s defense for 182 yards and a touchdown while setting up play action passes for quarterback Dillon Gabriel to throw for another touchdown. Iowa State’s passing attack didn’t work out too well as they threw it 57 times for 300 yards and a touchdown but also threw interceptions that gave Oklahoma a huge lead.
Oklahoma is now one game away from securing itself a trip to a bowl game as the Sooners will take on Baylor this Saturday. Iowa State falls to 3-5 and the Cyclones will need to win out if they want to reach a bowl game.
Baylor 45, Texas Tech 17
Baylor let its offensive line and Richard Reese take care of Texas Tech as the Bears ran for 231 yards and four touchdowns in the win. Baylor’s offense controlled the tempo of the game by possessing the ball for 40 out of the 60 minutes in the game.
Baylor’s defense held Texas Tech to just 27 plays in the first half and forced five interceptions on the day.
Baylor will face off against Oklahoma, the winner of that will secure themselves a bowl game. Texas Tech falls to 4-4 and they will have themselves a tough week in their matchup against No. 7 TCU on Saturday.
Micheal Bolger is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email mpb6233@psu.edu.
