#16 Oklahoma 56 (6-2, 5-0), Kansas 3 (1-7, 0-5)
Oklahoma struggled a little bit out of the gate going 3 and out on their first possession and fumbling on their second possession. The third possession provided some life as they crossed midfield before stalling. Starting with their 4th possession of the game, Oklahoma scored touchdowns on their next 6 offensive possessions, while adding an interception return for a touchdown. Last week, Oklahoma and Texas Tech combined for a basketball game. This week, the Jayhawks were just what the doctor ordered for Mike Stoops beleaguered defense. Meanwhile, even the most prudent Jayhawk football supporters are finding it hard to even recap these mess of a games.
#8 Baylor 34 (6-1, 3-1), Texas 35 (4-4, 2-3)
All year I’ve said Baylor looks off on offense. Gone is the efficiency that used to define Baylor. Seth Russell was competing low percentage of his passes but the Bears were winning games by healthy margins, in part because they owned significantly more talent than their opponent. That wasn’t the case Saturday as Texas took a 23-21 halftime lead and Baylor never got far enough away from Texas. The Bears allowed D’Onta Foreman to rush for a career high 250 yards. Three straight possessions by Baylor saw them get into the redzone and only come away with two field goals and a fumble. A touchdown on any of those possessions and this game is a different take. Either way, this was a much needed win for Charlie Strong and the Longhorns.
Kansas State 31 (5-3, 3-2), Iowa State 26 (1-7, 0-5)
This looks like it was a back and forth game that the Wildcats survived or just outlasted Iowa State, but don’t let the final score fool you. Kansas State ended the third quarter up 31-10 and other than a garbage time touchdown, Kansas State was in full control of this game. The Wildcats, despite their attempts to improve their passing game, saw Jesse Ertz complete passes at a pace of 5.39 yards per attempt. The Wildcats have embraced that they are a running team, period. On the flip side, Iowa State thinks they may have found their next quarterback in Jacob Park.
Texas Tech 27 (4-4, 2-3), TCU 24 (4-4, 2-3)
The two teams West Virginia beat in consecutive weeks ended regulation tied at 17. Texas Tech, who allows nearly more points than their prolific offense can score, only allowed TCU to combine for 439 total yards. Either TCU is bad on offense or Tech can actually play defense. As the game went to overtime, both teams traded touchdowns on their first possession. TCU missed a field goal on their second which allowed Texas Tech to set up for an easy field goal to win the game. Tech fans have been hard on coach Kliff Kingsbury, but the narratives calling for his head died on Saturday. TCU believes they now have a quarterback controversy of the worst kind, where both are bad and no one wants either player.
Power Rankings
- Oklahoma State - A good OSU team did what WVU couldn’t do. It held onto the ball and capitalized on turnovers. Three WVU turnovers resulted in 17 points which was the margin for victory. It was also dancing Mike Gundy’s 100th win at OSU.
- West Virginia - OSU did some things that took away what West Virginia wanted to do but the plays were there to be made. If you looked at all the stats other than turnovers, West Virginia did what they needed to.
- Texas Tech - I’ve been very hard on teams that can’t play any sort of defense. I’m not convinced Kingsbury won’t be fired (though apparently his contract makes it all but impossible) but Saturday’s showing looked a lot more like a Power 5 team should, rather than the video game scores Kingsbury has become known for.
- Oklahoma - So why am I ranking the only team without a conference loss so low? Because they played Kansas. Their conference wins have come against: TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, Kansas and KSU. Oklahoma’s test come in the last 3 weeks as they take on Baylor, West Virginia and Oklahoma State.
- Baylor - Some questionable plays and play calling near the end cost Baylor. Seth Russel doesn’t look like the precision assassin he was last year. Will the wheels fall off now?
- Texas - Don’t care they beat Baylor. Won’t rank them ahead. Nope.
- Kansas State - I have a feeling that Kansas State will look like a better win at the end of the year than many think now. They will get to bowl eligibility and maybe even 7 wins.
- TCU - This is going to be a rough year for the Frogs.
- Iowa State - Thank goodness for Kansas....
- Kansas - Hey, at least you’ll win the Big 12 in basketball guys.