Big 12 Roundup & Power Rankings: Oklahoma State & TCU Lose in Week 2

#11 Texas 41 (2-0,0-0) UTEP 7

The Longhorns built on come from behind win against Notre Dame to easily handle the University of Texas El-Paso Miners. UTEP ran 61 plays. 1 went for 51 yards and a touchdown. The remaining 60 went for an average of 2.6 yards per play. I’m not ready to say “Texas is back” but this was a dominant defensive by the Longhorns. Offensively, Texas only converted 3 of 12 third downs and rushed for 3.6 yards per carry. Freshman Shane Buechele showed great accuracy completing 22 of 27 passes for 244 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Week 3: at Cal Bears

#14 Oklahoma 59 (1-1, 0-0), Louisiana Monroe 17

How do you clear the memory of a loss to a Group of 5? You dominate the next Group of 5 team you play. That is exactly what Oklahoma did. The Sooners jumped out to a 42-0 halftime lead and there was no doubt they were looking for revenge. It wasn’t until the backups got into the game that ULM even moved the ball. Baker Mayfield threw for 244 yards and 3 scores while Joe Mixon ran for 117 yards on only 14 carries.

Week 3: vs Ohio State.

Arkansas 41, #15 TCU 38 (1-1, 0-0)

Did you buy into the pre-season hype of TCU being a Big 12 contender? Well the 41-38 double overtime loss to unranked Arkansas should help sway you. The Horned Frogs turned a 20-7 deficit into a 28-20 lead but watched the Razorbacks block their field goal as they attempted to win the game. The offense has been good for Gary Patterson but his defense is letting him down. Surrending 82 points in two games will not result in Big 12 Championships. Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill has been sensational, throwing for 377 yards while adding 93 on the ground and will be in contention for Newcomer of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year.

Week 3: vs Iowa State to start Big 12 play.

#16 Iowa 42, Iowa State 3 (0-2, 0-0)

Speaking of Iowa State, here they are losing the CyHawk trophy to in-state rival Iowa. Matt Campbell is picking up right where Paul Rhodes left the Cyclones: in total disarray. Quarterback Joel Lanning only completed 8 of 20 passes and the offensive line was unable to open any holes for Mike Warren. Given the way the first two games have transpired, if ISU can’t beat San Diego State in two weeks, their next chance to avoid 0-12 may be Kansas in November.

Week 3: @ TCU

Central Michigan 30, #22 Oklahoma State 27 (1-1,0-0)

This game very well could have ramification far outreaching than just laughing at inept officials. If you missed it, Oklahoma State had the ball on 4th down with 4 seconds left to play in the game. They lined up in max protection, dropped back and launched a pass as time expired. The game was over. The officials correctly rule that the Cowboys were guilty of intentional grounding. No receivers had run a route and there was no receiver in the area while the quarterback was still in the pocket. The officials then incorrectly ruled it a loss of down and that Central Michigan would be granted one untimed down. Central Michigan threw a pass and well, here’s the final play

Week 3: vs #ESPitt. We are all Cowboy fans next week.

#23 Baylor 40 (2-0,0-0), SMU 13

Baylor won 40-6 but the offensive machine that was Baylor slowly has the wheels coming off. At halftime, the game was 6-6. Seth Russel threw the ball 47 times completing only 55 percent of those passes. He has failed to break 300 yards in consecutive games and the offensive deathmarch of Baylor doesn’t seem as strong. My prediction of Baylor falling off the rails late in December is looking better.

Week 3: vs Rice

Ohio 37, Kansas 21 (1-1,0-0)

Oh Kansas. I was actually rooting for you. You finally won a game last week but fell down 28-7 at halftime to Ohio. Ohio scored on their opening possession and proceeded to try a two-point conversion. It failed. Kansas told the Bobcats it was ok by giving up a safety two possessions later. Kansas cut the lead to ten points with 25 minutes to play but never recovered.

Week 3: @ Memphis

Arizona State 68, Texas Tech 55 (1-1, 0-0)

Texas Tech 2016 is a lot like Texas Tech 2015. TTU has already scored 124 in two games yet they sit at 1-1 because the defense gave up 68 points to Arizona State. Patrick Mahomes II threw for 540 yards and ran for another 44, totaling almost 600 total yards of offense by himself. The junior from Whitehouse, Texas has thrown for over 1,000 yards, totaled 1,100 yards of offense and accounted for 12 touchdowns in TWO GAMES! However if Ryan Gosling Jr can’t figure out a way to fix that defense, the hot seat will include him as well.

Kansas State (0-1, 0-0) vs BYE

A typical Bil Snyder game broke out during the bye week. The slow and methodical Wildcats bored everyone include the bye week. Jesse Ertz actually aged two years thanks to the slow nature of the game.

Week 3: vs Florida Atlantic

Power Rankings

1. Texas - Once again Texas owns the best win of the week. Not only that but they legitimately look like a real football team.
2. West Virginia - Despite a lackluster game against FCS foe Youngstown State the Mountaineers did what good teams do. They laid on the pedal and won the game.
3. Oklahoma - OU bounced backed from the Houston loss to look like a team ready to exact revenge.
4. Oklahoma State - They won this game. Mike Gundy is a fool. I bet he cut his mullet.
5. Kansas State - The Wildcats aren’t flashy but they also haven’t lost to an FCS foe this season.
6. Baylor - They do not look like the offensive juggernaut they have been in the past.
7. Texas Tech - I’d want to say that the defense can’t be as awful as 2015. I may be wrong.
8. TCU - Gary Patterson better figure out a way to right the defensive ship or he can battle Texas Tech for barely bowl eligible.
9. Kansas - I really want Kansas to be better.
10. Iowa State - Back to back years with an 0-12 team in the Big 12?