Around the Big 12: Week 7
Week 6 of College Football has concluded, and the AP rankings have never been more shaken up this season.
The Big 12 only held three games on its schedule in Week 6, but these games were filled with excitement from start to finish.
The most highly anticipated matchup in the Big 12 was a face-off between No. 6 ranked Oklahoma and No. 21 ranked Texas.
The Red River Showdown proved to be worth the watch as both teams put on a show. The two teams combined to score 103 points. This total sets the record for most points ever scored in this matchup.
The story was Lincoln Riley’s decision to bench Heisman candidate Spencer Rattler early in the second quarter. Rattler was replaced by freshman quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams stepped in with a 28-7 deficit to overcome. On his first drive of the game, Williams took a 66-yard run to the house on a fourth-and-1.
Williams would lead Oklahoma to outscore the Longhorns 48-20 after he entered the game. He finished the game with 16 completions for 212 yards and two scores. =
On the other side, Texas quarterback Casey Thompson had a career day for the Longhorns as he threw for 388 yards and five touchdowns.
Another big story in this game was the battle of the rushing attacks for each team. Texas running back Bijan Robinson had his fourth straight game with 100+ rushing yards as he rushed 20 times for 137 yards and one touchdown.
Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks had a huge game for the Sooners. The junior back carried the ball 25 times for 217 yards and two scores.
Both of Brooks’ touchdowns put the Sooners ahead and his second score would end up being the game-winner for Oklahoma.
The Longhorns battled the whole game and were able to tie the game with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter on a 31-yard touchdown catch by Xavier Worthy.
This would not be enough as Oklahoma was able to complete the game-winning drive and cap it off with a 33-yard touchdown run by Kennedy Brooks with three seconds left in the game.
The Sooners would walk out with a 55-48 victory and improve to 6-0 on the season as the Longhorns drop to 4-2.
This win bumps Oklahoma up to the No. 4 spot in this week’s AP rankings as Texas falls to the No. 25 spot.
The Baylor Bears were able to get back on track after a disappointing loss to Oklahoma State last week. They defeated West Virginia by a score of 45-20.
Gerry Bohanon put the team on his back and had a career day. He completed 18 passes for 336 yards and four scores and added a rushing touchdown.
Baylor improves to 5-1 but remains unranked heading into Week 7.
TCU went on the road to face off against Texas Tech. This matchup would quickly turn into a track meet as the rushing attacks for both teams shined.
Texas Tech running back SaRodorick Thompson rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns but was not enough to lift the Red Raiders over the Horned Frogs.
TCU’s rushing attack showed their dominance in this game as they had two 100-yard rushers. Kendre Miller had 185 yards and three scores while Zach Evans added 143 yards and two more scores.
TCU would run away with this game by a final score of 52-31.
Big 12 fans should look forward to an eventful Week 7 as No. 25 Texas hosts No. 12 Oklahoma State and 5-1 Baylor takes on No. 19 BYU.
Both games as well as others around the Big 12 makes this Saturday an exciting day for Big 12 football.
Thomas English is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email tfe5082@psu.edu.
