The Report Card: Week Twelve Analysis of the Power 5 Conferences
5. Big 12
Grade: C
Key Wins: 5 Oklahoma, Kansas State, TCU, Iowa State, Texas
Good Day: 0 none
Key Losses: 5 Kansas, Oklahoma State, Baylor, West Virginia, Texas Tech
It was a wild weekend in the Big 12, as the road team won all 5 league games. Oklahoma stayed atop the Big 12 standings and in the race for a college football playoff bid by routing Kansas 41-3 in Lawrence. Heisman favorite Baker Mayfield passed for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the Sooners (10-1), who clinched a place in the Big 12 championship game with the victory.
Kansas State (6-5) pulled off the surprise of the day in the conference by shocking #13 Oklahoma State 45-40 in Stillwater. The Wildcats secured bowl eligibility, while the Cowboys were eliminated from the Big 12 title chase despite getting 425 passing yards from QB Mason Rudolph. Iowa State snapped a two-game skid by beating Baylor 23-13 in Waco. David Montgomery rushed for 144 yards to pace the Cyclones (7-4), and the defense created 2 turnovers on the day.
TCU (9-2) kept its league title hopes alive by downing Texas Tech 27-3 in Lubbock. Freshman QB Shawn Robinson accounted for 169 yards of total offense in his first career start for the Horned Frogs. The Red Raiders have lost 5 of their last 6 games and need a win at Texas to qualify for a bowl bid. Speaking of Texas, the Longhorns clinched a bowl berth by upsetting West Virginia 28-14 in Morgantown. Sam Ehlinger tossed a pair of touchdown passes to lead the Longhorns.
In the playoff conversation: Oklahoma, TCU
Jeff Tetrick
Jeff is a college sports fanatic who was able to recognize many D1 team logos by kindergarten. Growing up, Jeff played football, baseball, basketball, and ran track/cross country. Jeff’s love for college sports was expanded while running track/cross country at Indiana University, where he earned a General Education degree and attended every sporting event possible when not running for the Hoosiers. A proud parent and husband, Jeff resides in Oxford. His wife is an Ole Miss graduate, and Jeff has a year of post-graduate studies at Ole Miss under his belt. Jeff and his family can be found at just about any Ole Miss sporting event throughout the year. Jeff follows the idea of God, Family/Friends, and Football as a way of life. Writing about Ole Miss sports plays to Jeff’s love affair with collegiate athletics perfectly!
