Above Photo Credit:
Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press
Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon, top, celebrates with teammate Mark Andrews following a touchdown by Andrews.
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Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor and TCU all showed they are serious in their pursuit in getting a share of the Big 12 football Championship with wins, mostly impressive, yesterday afternoon. College football found out that West Virginia is not as good as many in the mountains around Morgantown thought they were. But in reality, they are a solid team in the conference, maybe not a championship team but a dangerous and hard hitting one. Kansas State might be better than thought (even in a road loss), and play smart and engaging football. As for two of the losers, Texas Tech and Texas, the one on the South Plains of Texas, is a very good offensive team but can’t stop the little green bear cub if their life depended upon it. The team dressed in burnt orange from Austin is a train wreck with a not so strong conductor singing that “working on the railroad song” in disharmony. Matter of fact, that Texas group gave up on that conductor on the field and are a sorry bunch right now. Put those cell phones away losers. They don’t see to be much good for the foreseeable future. Or in other words, good for nothing. Finally, Iowa State showed life, even if it was against Kansas. Poor Kansas. But give KU credit…….they play hard and have fight in them.
Oklahoma State/Kansas State: As poor as the Cowboy’s defense played in the first half (28 KSU points), that same defense (with fine adjustments at the break) dominated the Wildcats running game in the second 30 minutes and allowed it’s passing offense to keep up the pressure and forge a 36-34 comeback after falling behind 28-13 (28-20 half-time) in the second quarter. Kudos for QB Mason Rudolph and a host of receivers for the Pokes and another great game of coaching by Head Coach Mike Gundy. Gundy has developed into one of the top college coaches in the country as the past two weeks have demonstrated. Gundy is now 5-3 against KSU and the coaching of Bill Snyder. Football fans were honored getting to watching those two go at it from the first snap on offense of the Wildcats. A really masterful performance by both coaches and for OSU’s offensive and defensive coordinators. Mike Yurcich (OC), without his top two rushers, used his wide receivers in running plays designed to get to the boundaries and also allowed QB Rudolph to air it out with over 50 passes. The conservative label he was blasted by many last week at Texas needs to be buried. Rudolph passed for over 400 yards. The DC, Glenn Spencer, taken to the woodshed in the first half by Snyder’s offensive plan to run the quarterback, made the right adjustments for the second half that shut the Wildcats down. OSU’s defense, again, played winning football for this league. Placement Ben Grogan showed he is a deadly kicker in game-winning situations, kicking a field goal for the second Saturday in a row giving the Pokes the victory.
Oklahoma/West Virginia: My first thoughts before the season if the West Virginia squad was to be successful in the Big 12 their offensive line had to protect the quarterback in passing situations. The Mountaineers, going somewhat conservative for Coach Dana Holgorsen, with many first down run plays, told the world he too didn’t trust his o-line to protect his signal caller in drop-back situations. OU played it’s defensive straight, using their big play d-ends Striker and Bond (unlike the Tulsa game) on passing situations and came up with seven sacks, neutralizing the Mountaineer passing game. The Sooner secondary also came up with three interceptions and forced two fumbles, one run back for a score. Skyler Howard and the West Virginia offense were solid in their run game but five turnovers won’t win many games in the Big 12. A twenty point win for OU wasn’t as impressive and West Virginia isn’t that bad when you turn it over. The Mountaineers will be a load to beat in Morgantown and Coach Holgorsen has them on the right course. I, frankly, was impressed in many ways with both teams. Lastly, if anyone under-estimates the offensive fire power of the Sooners you are going to be surprised later in the season. They will be able to keep up with TCU and Baylor as OU has much the better defensive right now when they play those d-ends and that offensive has players that are just a good as both those favorite Big 12 squads.
Texas/TCU: It was what I thought it would be, a blow-out. I didn’t expect the Horns to quit in that 1st quarter but they did. Texas is in trouble and next week might be Coach Strong’s last game in Austin. Games like this and what will happen next week are not acceptable at places like Texas. These are games that get your coach fired, immediately. As for TCU, a nice game but don’t get so excited that you think the defense is anywhere like the one last year in Fort Worth. Improvement is needed if the Frogs are going to beat Baylor and Oklahoma and Oklahoma State on the road. Not saying they can’t outscore those three, but I wouldn’t put money on it. They are, at best, the fourth best defense in the Big 12. Yes, that can change as Coach Patterson has the tools to make the improvement.
Baylor/Texas Tech at Arlington: Baylor is a terrific offensive team. Can they continue to run it up against TCU, OU, OSU, WV and KSU? We shall see. They still have not played a defense that can come and you. Will they have a hiccup somewhere down the road. Again, we shall see. As for Tech, good offensive, no defense observed.
Iowa State/Kansas: Any win for Coach Rhoads is a good win. Kansas. What I have said all year. Poor Kansas
Best showing this week: Oklahoma
Worst showing this week: Texas
Player of the week: Eric Striker, Oklahoma
