A look at the Big 12 with conference play set to begin
The Big 12 is bad, but not in the Run-D.M.C. way.
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Texas currently finds itself ranked No. 3 in the nation behind Georgia and Michigan and just barely ahead of Florida State. That says as much about UT as it does the overall college landscape. Nationally there are just so many unknowns at this point with many of the traditional powers unstable at quarterback.
One thing we can posit with confidence, though, is the Big 12 is terrible. It’s a conference complete with one embarrassing non-conference loss after another, bookended by Baylor losing to Texas State in the first week and Oklahoma State losing to South Alabama to the tune of 33-7 this past weekend.
This was entirely foreseeable based simply on roster cycles, lack of quality quarterback play, and the loss of more NFL talent than usual last year. But it’s still staggering to see nonetheless.
TEXAS
3-0
Somewhat lethargic home wins against Rice and Wyoming and a big road win against Alabama. I don’t care that Alabama is down, that was a good win. It’s not Texas’ fault Nick Saban elected to play quarterback musical chairs against USF in weather conditions that set up well for the benched Jalen Milroe.
Texas travels to Baylor this weekend.
TCU
2-1
The opening loss to Colorado doesn’t look quite as bad with the Buffs currently sitting at 3-0. TCU has defeated Nicholls State and Houston since. TCU is the lone Big 12 team with a conference victory.
Up next is SMU before resuming the conference schedule.
BYU
3-0
Beat Sam Houston 14-0 in the opener and followed that up with an easy win over Southern Utah and seven point victory over Arkansas on Saturday. Arkansas at least has live bodies.
BYU is on a seven game winning streak dating back to last season.
KANSAS
3-0
The Jayhawks beat Nevada by a touchdown this past weekend. The Jayhawks have a decent win over Illinois on their resume. They face BYU this weekend in a somewhat compelling game. Before playing Texas the following week.
OKLAHOMA
3-0
The Sooners have played two patsies and SMU in what was a closer game than the 28-11 final score would indicate. Cincinnati could give them some issues this Saturday but OU doesn’t play anyone until Texas.
UCF
3-0
They’ve defeated a terrible Kent State, Boise State by two, and Villanova. The Golden Knights are on their way to Manhattan, Kansas next to play K-State.
CINCINNATI
2-1
A solid 2-0 start was partially undone by an overtime loss to Miami of Ohio this past weekend.
KANSAS STATE
2-1
Wins over Southeastern Missouri and Troy didn’t prepare the Wildcats for the road to trip to Missouri. We knew they’d have issues on defense coming into the season and that has held up.
OKLAHOMA STATE
2-1
Mike Gundy’s squad beat Central Arkansas by only 14 in the opener before beating a poor Arizona State squad. This past weekend was the egg laid against South Alabama in what is one of Gundy’s worst defeats in his tremendous career.
WEST VIRGINIA
2-1
Wins over Duquesne (some of these games read like an NCAA bracket) and Pitt in the Backyard Brawl after the opening loss to Penn State. WVU hosts Tech this weekend. Can Neal Brown keep his job this season?
BAYLOR
1-2
An 11-point loss to Texas State then a dramatic come from behind loss to Utah at home were followed by a win over LIU. That game was 16-7 at the half and finished 30-7. What is LIU you may ask? That’s FCS Long Island University. Baylor has Texas this weekend in a game that could right their season.
IOWA STATE
1-2
Matt Campbell got over his seemingly annual issues in openers by beating Northern Iowa but then lost to Iowa and Ohio in successive weeks. At least losing to Ohio isn’t the most embarrassing thing Iowa State has done of late.
TEXAS TECH
1-2
Tech blew a 17-point lead over Wyoming to lose in overtime then lost to Oregon in a close game at home the following week. They beat Tarleton State handily this past week.
HOUSTON
1-2
TCU welcomed Cougar High to the Big 12 with a 36-13 loss in which U of H didn’t score in the second half. That’s only the second worst outcome of the young season after losing to the Bayou Bucket to Rice in overtime the week prior.
So, the Big 12 has non-conference losses to such CFB luminaries as Rice, Texas State, Ohio, South Alabama, Wyoming (the Cowboys are solid), and Miami of Ohio.
This season couldn’t set up better for Texas but the Longhorns are going to need to play much more consistently if they want to win the conference and perhaps even compete for more. Other teams, probably K-State and TCU, are going to improve. Texas must ensure it does as well.
