Big 12 Roundup & Power Rankings: Baylor Comeback and Texas (No) Defense

Texas Tech 55 (3-1, 1-0), Kansas 19 (1-3, 0-1)

Before Kansas could blink, the Red Raiders were up 14-0 and this game looked like it would get out of hand. Instead the Jayhawk’s defense buckled down and started getting after the ball. They forced a punt and then picked off Patrick Mahomes on consecutive drives. At halftime, the score was only 28-9 and Kansas came out fired up to start the second half. A touchdown and a field made the score 28-19 and it looked like this might be another weird game in the Big 12. Starting quarterback Mahomes was injured and backup Nic Shimonek entered the game and led the Red Raiders to 20 straight points. Ultimately, the lack of a quality quarterback and lack of depth doomed the Jayhawks.

#13 Baylor 45 (5-0, 2-0), Iowa State 42 (1-4, 0-2)

First quarter: 14-7 ISU. Halftime: 28-21 ISU. Third Quarter: 42-28 ISU. Final Score: 45-42 Baylor. Baylor led this game for 0:01 second, kicking a game winning field goal as time expired. Iowa State played inspired. Joel Lanning looked like a seasoned veteran, completing accurate passes and moving the chains. But Iowa State could not stop Baylor running back Shock Linwood, who finished the day with 25 carries for 237 yards. Overall, Baylor rushed 62 times for 469 yards. Baylor taunted Iowa State at the end of the game with an 18-play, 83-yard, 5 minute drive, getting all the way to the Iowa State 2-yard line before kicking the game winner.

Oklahoma 52 (2-2, 1-0), #21 TCU 46 (3-2, 1-1)

This game came down to which team played better in their two quarters. TCU owned the first and fourth quarter. Oklahoma owned the 2nd and 3rd quarters. TCU jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the first. That would be followed by Oklahoma going on a 42-3 run. Sooner fans who drove into Fort Worth were leaving thinking “This game is over”. TCU mounted a furious comeback behind quarterback Kenny Hilly who threw for 449 yards and 5 touchdowns. Baker Mayfield was equally impressive throwing for 275 and 2 scores.

#22 Texas 31 (2-2, 0-1), Oklahoma State 49 (3-2, 1-1)

Texas defeated Notre Dame in the opening game of the season amidst the call of “Texas. Is. Back. Folks!” Plenty of people said beating a team 50-47 was troublesome. Well now, in three games against Power 5 competition, the Longhorns have given up at least 47 points. They’ve allowed 99 in their last two games. The game turned on Texas’ second touchdown, which appeared to tie the game. On the ensuing extra point, Vincent Taylor blocked the attempt, picked up the loose ball and eventually lateraled to teammate Tre Flowers, who scored the 2-point conversion. The three-point swing killed Texas. Now Charlie Strong is demoting his coaches and likely to be fired at the end of the season.

Credit to CowboysRideForFree for the gif.

Power Rankings

1. Oklahoma State - Completing the collapse for Texas has earned them the #1 spot.
2. West Virginia - Some people are taking notice of the Mountaineers, but they feel underrated. I hope that continues
3. Baylor - On one hand, they completed the comeback and never gave up. On the other hand they made ISU look like world beaters.
4. Iowa State - This is a shoutout to giving Baylor everything they could handle. They were one stop from winning this game and completing the upset.
5. Texas Tech - They beat Kansas soundly and with their backup but for 3 quarters this looked like a game they might struggle with.
6. Oklahoma - No defense. Just. No. Defense.
7. TCU - Gary Patterson hates defense more than Mike Stoops.
8. Kansas State - Things are getting restless in Manhattan, fans are wanting to run Snyder out of town. Y’all have seen what happens when he leaves, you’d think they’d know better.
9. Kansas - I wanted to put Kansas higher but the Jayhawks lost by 30+ points. A for Effort though!
10. Texas - HAHAHAHAHA Charlie Strong. Crowd surfing in Morgantown seems so far away doesn’t it?