Still too early to figure out anything definitive about this conference other than West Virginia is flat awful. Looking forward to conference play in the coming weeks to have a better idea.
Team of the Week: Kansas Jayhawks for their first 2-0 start since 2011 and program changing momentum under Lance Leipold.
Player of the Week: Kansas QB Jalon Daniels (18/29 for 219 yds and 3 TDs with 0 INTS, rushed for 85 more)
- Oklahoma (2-0 0-0, Last Weeks Ranking 2)- Beating Kent State doesn’t really move any needles but the team still looks like the well oil machine that it was when Lincoln Riley left. Dillion Gabriel to Marvin Mims may be the best QB/WR connection in the conference and their defense is very stingy just as Venebles wants. Boring schedule thus far for the Sooners gets a little more interesting as they take on a historic rival in Nebraska who is reeling from another awful season.
- Kansas State (2-0 0-0, LW 4)- A renewed rivalry game against Mizzou was a one sided affair. Deuce Vaughn was an absolute stud as always posting his 8th straight 100+ yard game and had 2 TDs. Outside of that the offense left a lot to be desired with QB Martinez completing 9/20 for 101 yard. A run stopping DL will force the Wildcats to have a more dynamic offense if they want to score. At one point KSU had 4 straight interceptions. KSU may not be the third best team in the league but I’m not ready to bet against them yet. Tulane comes to Manhattan next week.
- Oklahoma State (2-0 0-0, LW 3)- Uninspiring performance against a not great Arizona State has them switching spots with Kstate. Big 12 preseason favorite Spencer Sanders had a blasé day, completing 21/38 for 2 TDs and an INT (1 rush TD). He certainly doesn’t look like the best QB in the Big 12 but his ability to burn you on his legs will need to be respected by DCs. Not much else to write home about for the Cowboys other than a win against another Power 5 conference is never a bad thing. Up next is a cupcake game vs Arkansas Pine Bluff.
- Iowa State(2-0 0-0, LW 5)- Ah conquered their demons at last. It hasn’t happened since 2014 but the clones got the best of their bitter rival Iowa in Iowa City. Just like last week, the Xavier Hutchins/Dekkers connection won them the game and will test Big 12 defenses. The Clones defense is still TBD as they have yet to play a capable offense. Special Teams mistakes almost cost them for what feels like the hundredth time after getting 2 punts blocked but their defense(Iowas garbage offense?) held firm and sealed the win against the B10 foe and added a quality win for them and the Big 12. Next week will be a home game versus Ohio.
- Texas Tech (2-0 0-0 LW 7)- Joey Mcguire and his team pulled a rabbit out of their hat at the end of this one. After a backbreaking Interception setup the (25) Houston Cougars with under a minute left, Donovan Smith and the offense matched downfield fast and setup a Wolff field goal to send it to OT. Hologorson’s bet that offense first in OT didn’t pay off after Smith converted a 4th and 20 and marched in the game winning TD after. This was cleansing for the Red Raider faithful who are used to losing close games this way. Injuries loom large as Weston Wright was carted off and the QB situation is shaky at best. Also, what was up with that chump on the Houston sideline? They travel to NC State this week for the Red Raiders first Power 5 opponent.
- Baylor (1-1 0-0, LW 1)- I am still very high on Baylor but you cannot lose to the #21 team (BYU in Provo) and keep the top spot while everyone above you handles business against decent competition. Baylors offense did not look good at all with QB Shapen taking a big step back from last weeks performance and the run game was a non factor. They end their non conference slate with Texas State coming to Waco.
- Texas (1-1 0-0, LW 6) - Texas is likely a top half big 12 team if their performance against Alabama was any indication on how they will be this season. The game was incredible to watch and the end result devastating to UT fans who had the lead with 1:29 left. Their defense was absolutely nasty against Heisman winner Bryce Young and the (formerly) heralded Bama offense. UTs offense was streaky and backup Hudson Card was not the deep threat that Quinn Ewers appeared to be before his injury. Quinn Ewers health may very well determine how far this team goes. Texas travels to a hungry UTSA this week who may have the Longhorns next coach.
- TCU (2-0 0-0, LW 8)- TCU easily handled Tarleton but who really cares. Still impossible to tell if this Horned Frogs team is good yet. We learned Chandler Morris had a mild MCL injury and was out this week so Max Duggan took over and handled business. Seems that the QB competition has yet to be determined by Dykes has yet to make a decision on the matter. Not much else to say about TCU yet other than their first real test comes against a spurned SMU Mustangs who will want a taste of revenge against Sonny Dykes.
- Kansas (2-0 1-0, LW 10)- Kansas’ offense was very well rounded and knocked the mountaineer defense around all night, accounting for 6 TDs. Their secondary left a lot to be desired and will likely be carved up by other Big 12 offense like they were with WVU but did seal the win with a pick 6. What is Leipold building in Lawrence? Up next they play at Houston.
- West Virginia(0-2 0-1, LW 9)- On Bob Huggins day in West Virginia and up 14 in the first half, Neal Brown did it again with terrible coaching and this may have been his last time doing so at the helm of WVU. WVU’s defense was destroyed by lowly Kansas in Morgantown. JT Daniels and Ford-Wheaton had a huge day in the air, credit to Graham Harrell, but this was the only bright spot for the Mountaineers, which will be overlooked by the Pick 6 in overtime to seal the game. Many boos roared from the crowd all game and you can hardly blame them. WVU has no choice but to cut bait with Neal, our likely first coaching casualty in the conference this season. WVU plays Towson next week in a “get right” game.
Team of the Week: Kansas Jayhawks for their first 2-0 start since 2011 and program changing momentum under Lance Leipold.
Player of the Week: Kansas QB Jalon Daniels (18/29 for 219 yds and 3 TDs with 0 INTS, rushed for 85 more)
