Around the Big 12: Week 11

#5 Oklahoma makes statement over #6 TCU, 38-20.

Baker Mayfield furthered his Heisman campaign throwing for 333 yards and running for 50 more while connecting on 3 touchdown passes. The star of the show, though, was running back Rodney Anderson. He led Oklahoma in both rushing and receiving, totaling 290 yards from scrimmage and scoring 4 touchdowns. After allowing 38 first half points, the TCU defense didn’t give up any in the second half. That was partly because the Sooners seemed content to melt away the clock. On offense, the Horned Frogs showed flashes of explosiveness but continually had drives stall as Oklahoma played their best defensive game of the season. TCU still controls their destiny in regards to a spot in the Big 12 title game, but Oklahoma now sits alone atop the Big 12 standings.

#15 Oklahoma State completes comeback over #21 Iowa State in Ames, 49-42

What was an exciting back-and-forth game will be overshadowed by a controversial call at the end of the game. Early on it looked as though the Cowboys were suffering from a bedlam hangover when the Cyclones jumped out to a 14-0 lead. But, Mason Rudolph (376 yards, 3 TDs) and Justice Hill (169 yards from scrimmage, 3 rushing TDs) led Oklahoma State’s comeback with a balanced offensive attack. Iowa State found itself down 49-42 in the fourth quarter with redshirt freshman Zeb Noland in at quarterback due to an injury to Kyle Kempt. With 32 seconds left in the game and inside the Cowboys 5 yard line, Noland threw a jump ball into the corner of the end zone. The battle for the ball in the air ended in what appeared to be simultaneous possession between the receiver and the defensive back. After a lengthy discussion, the officials ruled the play an interception, and an even longer replay review confirmed the call, securing the win for Oklahoma State. The win keeps the Cowboys hope of a spot in the Big 12 title game alive. Despite the loss, David Montgomery shined in the Cylcones’ effort with 149 yards from scrimmage and 3 scores.

West Virginia earns tough road win over Kansas State, 28-23

Twas a tale of two halves in the Little Apple this week. The two teams combined to score 48 points in the first half but only 3 points were allowed in the second. Will Grier led the Mountaineer attack, slinging it for 372 passing yards and 4 touchdowns. Justin Crawford ran it for 113 yards as well. West Virginia did their part to give the Wildcats plenty of chances, however, turning it over 4 times. Kansas State was unable to take advantage as their offense continually stalled with third string quarterback Skylar Thompson at the helm. With the win, the Mountaineers remain in the hunt for a possible spot in the Big 12 title game although they will need some help to get there.

Texas coasts to easy victory at home over Kansas, 42-27

I think we all saw this one coming a mile away. The Longhorns used turnovers and big plays to jump out to a 28-7 lead by the end of the first quarter. To their credit, the Jayhawks didn’t just lay down after such a bad start. Carter Stanley threw three touchdown passes, and Evan Fairs hauled in 7 catches for 104 yards. Despite the effort, the hole Kansas dug themselves was too big to climb out of as they never got closer than 11 points. Texas moved to within a victory of becoming eligible for the first time in three seasons. If both the Longhorns and Red Raiders lose next week, it will make the matchup between the two on November 24th a battle for bowl eligibility.