Football Across the Big XII: Week 3 Preview

Baylor Bears

SB Nation Blog: Our Daily Bears

Last Week: Northwestern State 6, Baylor 70

Bryce Petty didn't play last week, but that didn't stop Baylor from demolishing their opponent. Even though NWST wasn't exactly a strong opponent, it's still impressive when you win by 60+ points. The game started with the Bears firing on all cylinders, putting up six scoring drives in under 2 minutes. Seth Russell had himself a field day, going 16 for 25 for 438 yards and 6 TDs. Baylor rushed the ball 50 times for an average of 5.3 yards per carry. The defense also held Northwestern State to only 6 points on the day. This team is showing no signs of stopping so far.

Last Week’s MVP: KD Cannon (WR Baylor)

Hey, does anyone remember KD Cannon? You know, the 5-star WR Texas Tech was trying to get. Well he's pretty damn good. KD caught 6 passes for 223 yards and 3 TDs. It's pretty safe to say that he's the Big XII freshmen of the year thus far.

This Week: Friday, September 12th @ 7:00 pm on ESPN | Baylor vs. Buffalo

Baylor continues it's easy out of conference schedule with a match-up against Buffalo. They started off the season beating Duquesne, but lost the following week to Army by 8 points. Baylor should be able to easily take care of Buffalo again this season, with or without Bryce. Expect another big victory.

Baylor 66 - Buffalo 10

Iowa State Cyclones

SB Nation Blog: Wide Right & Natty Lite

Last Week: Kansas State 32, Iowa State 28

Iowa State just can't win. Weather it's the opponent, the refs or themselves, they just can't win. Iowa State scored 28 straight points after being behind 13-0, but allowed K-State to score 19 points after that to take the lead and the game. Iowa State couldn't run the ball at all, averaging a terrible 2.8 yards per carry. Sam Richardson improved from the previous week, but only passed for 185 yards and couldn't get the running game going. The defensive at least did well at times, holding it's ground for a while, but couldn't hold the Wildcats at the end of the game. Iowa State had this game in their grasps and let it slip through their fingers. Iowa State improved from last week, but are still in a boat load of trouble this season.

Last Week’s MVP: Jarvis West (WR Iowa State)

Jarvis West did it all last week. He started off his impressive day with a 17 yard TD catch in the 1st, followed by an 82 yard punt return TD in the 2nd, and capped it off with a 29 yard TD pass to Allen Lazard. He had 8 catches for 75 yards on the day.

This Week: Saturday, September 13th @ 2:30 pm on ESPN | Iowa State vs. Iowa

Iowa State faces the Iowa Hawkeyes next week, their instate rival. Iowa is 2-0 on the year, but those wins have not been impressive. They barley edged out wins against Northern Iowa and Ball State, both which were at home. I believe this game will be close, with Iowa earning a victory.

Iowa 21 - Iowa State 14

Kansas Jayhawks

SB Nation Blog: Rock Chalk Talk

Last Week: SE Missouri State 28, Kansas 34

Kansas kicked off it's 2014 season with a win over SE Missouri State. They started off the game on a 24-0 run, stopping the opposition on defense and driving down the field for TDs. The defense held their ground until the 4th quarter, when SE Missouri State scored 3 TDs. However, it wasn't enough to catch up to Kansas, giving the Jayhawks the victory. New QB Montell Cozart was 50% passing on the day, throwing for 196 yards and 3 TDs. Tony Pierson had 44 yards on the ground and 95 yards through the air. Newcomer Corey Avery ran the ball 19 times for 91 yards and TD and Nick Harwell had 43 yards receiving and 2 TDs. Kansas' offense did well Saturday, but they'll get tested next week.

Last Week’s MVP: De'Andre Mann (RB Kansas)

Mann had a monster game for the Jayhawks. He ran the ball 15 times for 121 yards, averaging 8.1 yards per carry. He also had a reception for 8 yards.

This Week: Saturday, September 13th @ 2:30 pm on ESPN3 | Kansas vs. Duke

Kansas has a tough match-up this week against one of the best teams in the AAC. Duke is 2-0 on the year so far with good wins against Elon and Troy. Kansas will have to play to their strengths this week and rush the ball like crazy. Keep Duke off the field and use the play action when needed. Duke will win this game though, thanks to home field advantage and the fact they simply have more talent.

Kansas 13- Duke 35

Kansas State Wildcats

SB Nation Blog: Bring On The Cats

Last Week: Kansas State 32, Iowa State 28

Kansas State worked some magic Saturday. After being down 28-20 and struggling much throughout  the game, Kansas State came back and scored 2 TDs in the 4th to steal a win in Ames. Jake Waters was just phenomenal, leading the Wildcats to 3 scoring drives early on and orchestrating two keys drives late in the game. His ability to run the ball and sell the pass helped K-State stay in the game. The defense gave up 28 points, but it would've been 14 if it weren't for a turnover, trick play and a punt return. Tyler Lockett caught 6 passes for 136 yards, while Charles Jones ran the ball 13 times for 75 yards and 2 TDs. Although K-State didn't play fantastic  and struggled throughout the game, they kept on playing till the end and came out with a victory.

Last Week’s MVP: Jake Waters (QB Kansas State)

Jake Waters looked a lot like Colin Klein Saturday. He ran the ball well, kept the football safe and lead his team from 15 down to win the game. He was 16 of 29 with 239 yards passing while running the ball 20 times for 138 yards and 2 TDs. He is the reason why K-State won the football game.

This Week: Bye

Kansas State gets an extra week to prepare for #5 Auburn on September 18th.  Luckily for the Wildcats, the match-up will be in Manhattan

Oklahoma Sooners

SB Nation Blog: Crimson And Cream Machine

Last Week: Oklahoma 52, Tulsa 7

The Sooners dominated Tulsa last weekend in every aspect of the game. Trevor Knight was on point with his WRs early on in the game, completing passes and moving the chains. Oklahoma's two headed running attack dominated, rushing 15 times for 177 yards and 3 TDs (not including Knight's 35 yards and a TD). All the receivers got involved in the passing game, most notably Sterling Shepard. Finally, Oklahoma's defense did fantastic, holding Tulsa to only 7 points and forcing the Hurricanes into 4 turnovers. Just an overall good game by the Sooners.

Last Week’s MVP: Trevor Knight (QB Oklahoma)

Trevor Knight did a good job controlling the ball and leading his team to scores on Saturday. He was 21 of 34  passing with 299 yards and 2 TDs. On the ground, Knight ran the ball 7 times for 35 yards, including a 31 yard TD. Overall good day for Trevor Knight

This Week: Saturday, September 13th @ 7:00 pm on ABC | Tennessee vs. Oklahoma

Oklahoma's first test comes next week against Tennessee from the SEC. Even though Tennessee only went 5-7 last year, they have a ton of talent on that team and are improved from last season. This game should show us how good (or overrated) Oklahoma is. I think the Sooners will beat the Volunteers in Norman.

Oklahoma 38 - Tennessee 24

Oklahoma State Cowboys

SB Nation Blog: Cowboys Ride For Free

Last Week: Missouri State 23, Oklahoma State 40

Oklahoma State won the game last week, but they lost their QB to an injury. JW Walsh will miss 6-8 games with a broken foot which he broke early in the game. Daxx Garman did well in his place though, completing 16 of 26 passes for 244 yards and 2 TDs. He helped Oklahoma State break away from Missouri State in the 2nd and 3rd to give them a comfortable lead going into the 4th quarter. Tyreek Hill was the leading rusher for OKST, running 8 times for 62 yards. The defense kept Missouri State from scoring early on, but failed to create a turnover and let up a little bit at the end. Overall a good performance by the Cowboys.

Last Week’s MVP: Brandon Shepard (WR Oklahoma State)

There really a standout performer for the Cowboys, so I'm picking Brandon Shepard as my MVP. Brandon hauled in 4 passes on the day for 137 yards and a TD, which was 87 yards.

This Week: Saturday, September 13th @ 6:00 pm | UTSA vs. Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State welcomes UTSA this Saturday, a team that has done well so far this season. They beat a Houston team that went 8-5 last year and got close to beating Arizona last week. However, Oklahoma State has a good squad and should be able to handle UTSA this weekend.

Oklahoma State 42 - UTSA 16

Texas Longhorns

SB Nation Blog: Burnt Orange Nation and Barking Carnival

Last Week: BYU 41, Texas 7

Everyone was worried about how Tyrone Swoopes would play Saturday, but it appears he was the only one who actually played. Texas's offensive line couldn't protect anyone, the duo of Brown and Gray averaged only 2.7 yards per carry and the defense had no answer for BYU's attack. Even special teams were bad, as the kicker missed a field goal and kick returner Marcus Johnson fumbled a kickoff. If you were a Longhorn fan, it was not a good day. Tyrone Swoopes was the only bright spot, as he completed 20 of 31 passes for 176 yards with a TD and a INT. By no means great numbers, but he was best player for Texas that day.

Last Week’s MVP: Taysom Hill (QB BYU)

Hill is a name that college football fans need to remember. He's played well the first two weeks and looks like he could be the real deal. Passing the ball, he completed 18 of 27 passes for 181 yards and threw an INT. Running the ball, he rushed 24 times for 99 yards and 3 TDs.

This Week: Saturday, September 13th @ 7:00 pm on FOX | UCLA vs. Texas

Texas faces UCLA at Jerry World this Saturday, and it's not going to be pretty. However, UCLA hasn't exactly been dominate either. They barley won against Virginia the first week and almost lost to Memphis this past week. UCLA is better than Texas though, and they don't have to deal with suspensions and injuries like Texas. This game will be closer than people imagine, but UCLA will still win.

Texas 9 - UCLA 24

TCU Horned Frogs

SB Nation Blog: Frogs O’ War

Last Week: Bye.

A bye week already? Really? It's not like you're playing on Thursday like K-State is in two weeks.

Last Week’s MVP: Gary Patterson (HC TCU)

No one got arrested or caught smoking marijuana this week. That's MVP worthy.

This Week: Saturday, September 13th @ 3:00 pm on FOX Sports 1 | Minnesota vs. TCU

If Texas Tech weren't playing Arkansas at this time, this is the game I would watch, Minnesota went 8-5 last year and are looking to improve on that schedule this season. David Cobb is playing like a Heisman contender right now, rushing 43 carries for 291 yards (6.8 ypc) and 2 TDs. TCU will have to stop Cobb if they wish to win this game. I think they barley beat the Gophers.

TCU 28 - Minnesota 27

West Virginia Mountaineers

SB Nation Blog: The Smoking Musket

Last Week: Towson 0, West Virginia 54

West Virginia continued to impress again this week, beating Towson by 54 points. The offense was clicking on all cylinders, scoring on all but 5 possessions in the game. Clint Trickett could not be stopped, throwing for 348 yards and only throwing 5 incomplete passes. The running game did well also, with Rushel Shell, Andrew Blue and William Crest Jr averaging 6 yards per carry. However, the defense did the best. They didn't allow Towson to score and kept them to 122 yards. Impressive stuff. West Virginia looks like it could be the team that shocks the Big XII this year

Last Week’s MVP: Clint Trickett (QB West Virginia)

Clint Trickett was outstanding last Saturday, completing 35 of 40 passes for 348 yards and 2 TDs. He also rushed the ball 3 times for 14 yards and a TD.

This Week: Saturday, September 13th @ 11:00 am on BTN | West Virginia vs. Maryland

If asked me about this game earlier in the year, I would say that Maryland would win. I'm not so sure about that anymore. West Virginia could beat the Terrapins if Trickett has a good game and if the defense can stop Maryland's rushing attack. Maryland's defense has been good so far, but West Virginia has a much better offense than USF and James Madison. I predict a Mountaineer win.

West Virginia 33 - Maryland 28