Big XII Conference Recap: Week 4

The Big XII conference season officially got underway this weekend, and we had a couple of barn-burners to start the conference slate.

TCU 55 Texas Tech 52

So, TCU needed a tipped pass caught in the back of the end zone on fourth down with 23 seconds remaining to beat Texas Tech? Yep, this conference season could be a little more competitive (and elite) than we thought (except for Kansas and probably Iowa State). Both teams ran amok offensively (503 passing yards for TCU and 392 for Tech; 246 rushing yards for the Frogs and 215 for the Red Raiders) and it will be hard for most defenses to slow either one down. Up next: Tech travels to Baylor and TCU hosts Texas.

Oklahoma State 30 Texas 27

Last week, Texas missed an extra point that would’ve sent the game into overtime. This week, their punter dropped the snap and had to scramble to punt it away with his wrong foot. The punt only went a net ten yards and Oklahoma State, who just a minute earlier kicked the tying field goal, kicked the winning one with six seconds to go. It’s time to consider blocking access to tall buildings and bridges in Austin. I’m not sure their fan base can handle this much longer. Next week, the Longhorns travel to TCU while the Cowboys host K-State.

West Virginia 45 Maryland 6

While Kansas couldn’t get it done against a faux-Big Ten team, West Virginia had no problem. This West Virginia secondary is the real deal. The Mountaineers racked up five interceptions against the hapless Terrapins. The ‘Eers travel to Norman to take on the Oklahoma Sooners next weekend.

Baylor 70 Rice 17

Jeez. I’m not looking forward to the inevitable bloodbath when Kansas plays Baylor. It’s going to be atrocious. Bears quarterback Seth Russell threw for 277 yards and six touchdowns while the combination of Shock Linwood, Terence Williams, and Johnny Jefferson ran for a combined 355 yards and three scores. Baylor hosts Texas Tech next weekend.

Up-to-date Big XII Standings:

Oklahoma State 4-0 (1-0)

TCU 4-0 (1-0)

Texas Tech 3-1 (0-1)

Baylor 3-0

Kansas State 3-0

Oklahoma 3-0

West Virginia 3-0

Iowa State 1-2

Texas 1-3 (0-1)

Kansas 0-3