Just two teams have made it to the second Saturday of October undefeated in Big 12 play. Of course, those two are Texas and TCU, just like everyone expected.
Here’s a look at what’s coming up this week.
Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1) vs. Texas (3-2, 2-0), at the Cotton Bowl
Everyone thought Oklahoma would cruise as a 30-point favorite, playing on its home field a week ago against Iowa State.
Now, the Sooners come into their biggest rivalry game sporting perhaps college football’s best win this season (at Ohio State) and its worst loss (last week to the aforementioned Cyclones). So now it’s hard to know just who the Sooners even are.
For that matter, it may be hard to tell who Texas is either. The Longhorns come off a double-overtime triumph against Kansas State a week ago but still seem unsure what to do at quarterback. Starter Shane Buechele has battled injury and his backup, true freshman Sam Ehlinger, has honestly looked more steady.
He’s never played in a setting like the 50-50 fan split that the teams will experience Saturday afternoon in Dallas.
Baylor (0-5, 0-2) at Oklahoma State (4-1, 1-1)
Both come in after off weeks that were probably beneficial for each. The Cowboys followed a loss at home to TCU with a dogfight of a victory, 41-34, at Texas Tech two weeks ago.
Baylor hasn’t won a game all season but has played better since the start of league play, pushing Oklahoma and West Virginia in losses.
The Cowboys have gotten a second life in the league race thanks to other teams’ woes, and it’s time for Mason Rudolph and company to take advantage.
Texas Tech (4-1, 1-1) at West Virginia (3-2, 1-1)
The Red Raiders are a top-25 team and the Mountaineers are not. Who would have guessed that?
Now it’s a chance to see if Tech is ready to make a real step forward to be a top half team in the league. Meanwhile, WVU, after a close loss at TCU last week, needs to hold serve on its home field.
Kansas (1-4, 0-2) at Iowa State (3-2, 1-1)
Suddenly the Cyclones look like they might be really formidable, after their amazing win in Norman last week.
And a visit from the lowly Jayhawks is a good tonic for just about any team. That being said, it’s letdown city this week, as the stakes are so much lower than they were a week ago, as ISU defeated Oklahoma for the first time in 27 years.
TCU (5-0, 2-0) at Kansas State (3-2, 1-1)
Speaking of teams needing to hold serve on their home field, the Wildcats are squarely in that boat after a close call last week against Texas.
TCU, meanwhile, can take a stranglehold on the league with a win here. They’re coming off another impressive victory, taking down West Virginia a week ago as the defense once again looked better than any of the team’s Big 12 peers.
Can Kenny Hill keep his play going at quarterback? People keep waiting for his implosion but so far, so good.
