Weekend War Zone: You Too Are Tied For First Place in the Big 12

Iowa State has two wins over teams in the Top 4. Oklahoma State looks like world beaters a week ahead of Bedlam. There is a 4-way tie atop the conference. But of course in a conference where half the teams are ranked, the Big 12 is completely out of the playoffs after TCU’s loss. Oh well. Let’s take a spin around the Saturday that was.

Kansas State 30, Kansas 20

Yeah, Kansas State is bad this year. The defense is a wreck, the QB is questionable when they have to drop back and pass (though Alex Delton and Skylar John Thompson combined to go 8/13 for 138 yards against Kansas - Delton was knocked out before the half), and we could very well be watching the end of the Wizard’s illustrious career. But hey, at least you didn’t lose to Kansas (though it was tough and go there for a bit). Meanwhile, Kansas nearly matched their yardage total from the previous week, and found a potential spark in making a change behind center, getting a 400 yard day from Carter Stanley. But they can’t run the ball and they can’t stop anyone, so, basketball starts in less than two weeks. Bring on the Cats is celebrating D.J. Reed, who had a big day, while Rock Chalk Talk still wants to #FireZenger.

Next Up: The Cats travel to Lubbock as they try and stay above .500, while Kansas plays the most important game of the season in the conference, as they try and keep Baylor winless.

Texas 38, BayLLLLLLLLor 7

The Longhorns were struggling on offense yet again, this time behind newly re-inserted started Shane Buechele, who replaced the injured Sam Ehlinger. But then, the Bears imploded, turning it over three times and fumbling a snap to the punter that basically led to a fourth. Zach Smith seems to have lost his job to Charlie Brewer - he started the game 4-11 with a pick six, while Buechele will at least make Tom Herman think after going 27/34 for 256 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Burnt Orange Nation likes the trajectory of their D, while Our Daily Bears somehow worked the word axiomatic into their lede.

Next Up: Texas squares off with TCU in Fort Worth in what should be a battle between two angry teams, while Baylor has their best chance for a win on the season in Lawrence.

Oklahoma State 50, West Virginia 39

Remember when WVU looked like a legit contender for the Big 12 Championship and a potential NY6 Bowl? Yeah, that’s probably over after Will Grier had a four interception day and the Mountaineer running game was rendered impotent. Meanwhile, here come the Cowboys, who have been on an absolute tear since being upset by TCU to open conference play. Mason Rudolph hasn’t exactly been Heisman-like against two good defenses in Texas and WVU, but he threw for three scores and the Pokes amassed nearly 350 yards on the ground in 56 attempts (PAGING SONNY CUMBIE SEE RUNNING THE BALL IS A GOOD THING). Bedlam is fixing to be LIT, y’all. Smoking Musket isn’t blaming the refs in this one, while Cowboys Ride For Free is talking about a National Championship for some reason LOL.

Next up: West Virginia hosts the country’s hottest team in Iowa State, in what is now a HUGE game for the conference as a whole, while OSU has Game Day in town for the biggest Bedlam game since last year’s (when they got housed).

Texas Tech 27, Oklahoma 49

Baker Mayfield showed up in a Traitor shirt, threw for four scores, and made easy work of the supposedly much-improved Texas Tech defense. Meanwhile, Nik Shimonek is clearly not the answer for the Red Raiders, despite throwing for over 300 yards and four scores of his own, and the Tech offense managed just 27 points against one of the worst defenses in the conference. OU worked their magic through the air and on the ground, as Rodney Anderson went off for 181 and looks like a burgeoning superstar in the backfield. Tech is going to struggle to get to bowl eligibility, while OU is looking to stay on track for a Big 12 title and potential playoff berth. They will have their shot on the road in Stillwater next week to strengthen their case. Crimson and Cream Machine expected the win, while Viva the Matadors thinks that they played Iowa State (not really, of course, they are being clever).

Next up: BEDLAM, Y’ALL for OU, while Tech tries to get off the schneid against Kansas State.

TCU 7, Iowa State 14

A Big Ten game broke out between two of the Big 12’s best defenses, as TCU held the Clones to 40 yards in the second half, while ISU kept the Frogs’ offense off the board completely. If not for KaVontae Turpin’s second half kick return score, the nation’s second longest scoring streak would have ended in Ames, IA. The Cyclones are for real, y’all; sure, Kenny Hill came plummeting back to earth, throwing two interceptions (one from inside the five) and fumbling away another scoring opportunity, but the fact of the matter is that Matt Campbell’s squad out-played and out-coached the former #4 team in the country. Kyle Kempt was very good in the first two quarters, leading his team on two long scoring drives, and the ISU defense held in half number two, despite several golden opportunities for the Horned Frogs. We here at Frogs O’ War have postgame thoughts and takeaways, while over at Wide Right and Natty Lite, well, they’re probably all still drunk. Party on, Clones, you’ve earned it.

Next Up: TCU hosts Texas is what feels like a must-win game, while ISU travels to Morgantown to take on a reeling Mountaineers squad.