Predicting the Big 12 Season: Week 2
Week two features some interesting matchups in the Big 12 that could help the image of the conference or hurt it. Two rivalry games and two Power Five showdowns take place this week. Let's see how it plays out.
Previous: Week 1
Week 2
Friday September 7th
TCU 41, @ SMU 24
TCU gets caught looking ahead to the Ohio State matchup a little in the first half. But the offense picks it up in the second half as TCU pulls away late. Darius Anderson and Sewo Olonilua keep it going as they each score a touchdown. KaVontae Turpin catches a touchdown pass from Shawn Robinson and returns a punt to the house. The defense forces four turnovers as TCU is able to take this one on the road.
Saturday September 8th
Mississippi State 27, @ Kansas State 21
This is going to be the game of the week. Mississippi State is going to be good this year and have a very good quarterback in Nick Fitzgerald. This will be a defensive battle for most of the game but the offenses will have there moments. These teams have similar styles and it will make for an entertaining one. Alex Delton rushes for two touchdowns and the defense holds up well enough to get a lead going into the 4th quarter. But Nick Fitzgerald leads two scoring drives to come away with the win in Manhattan.
@ Oklahoma 55, UCLA 28
Chip Kelly will get the offense moving for UCLA but I do not trust the defense against Oklahoma. Rodney Anderson and Trey Sermon rack up 250 yards and four touchdowns combined. Kyler Murray throws for a couple touchdowns as the Sooners offense rolls. The defense gives up some big plays but they also force some turnovers as OU gets a nice early season home win.
@ Central Michigan 24, Kansas 21
Kansas lost by 18 to the Chippewas at home last year but CMU loses a lot from that team. This will be a close one as Kansas will be looking for revenge. Unfortunately the home field advantage will win out. The defense keeps this game close but the offense never gets into much of a groove. The Jayhawks fall in a very winnable game and the snowball effect may start early.
@ Texas Tech 51, Lamar 17
Lamar has a terrible defense and Texas Tech will make them pay for that. The run game gets going as Tre King and Da’Leon Ward each score a touchdown. Whoever is at QB for Tech has a big game in this one I will go with McLane Carter. TJ Vasher catches two touchdowns and true freshman Myller Royals adds another. The defense gets back to forcing turnovers as they force four in this game.
@ Iowa 31, Iowa State 27
The Cyclones will have revenge on its mind but it won’t happen on the road. Iowa is very good on its home field (see the Ohio State game last year). David Montgomery rushes for two touchdowns and Kyle Kempt hits Hakeem Butler with a touchdown strike. The defense just can’t get a stop late in the game as the Hawkeyes score a late touchdown to take the win. This will be a very good rivalry game.
@ West Virginia 45, Youngstown State 10
Will Grier continues to put up big numbers as he throws for 350+ yards and four touchdowns. David Sills V and Gary Jennings Jr. both catch a touchdown pass. Kennedy McCoy rushes for 100 yards and a touchdown as well. The West Virginia defense plays well against a weak offense and they force a couple turnovers.
Baylor 34, @ UTSA 7
UTSA loses a lot from a team that beat Baylor last season 17-10. Baylor will be looking for revenge and will get it. The defense dominates this game for the Bears as they shut down the run game and force a young quarterback into a couple turnovers. Charlie Brewer did not play in last years contest and he will be a big difference maker this year. He throws for two touchdowns. One to Trestan Ebner and one to Jalen Hurd. The Bears also get a defensive touchdown off of an Ira Lewis strip-sack in the end zone recovered by Xavier Jones.
@ Oklahoma State 50, South Alabama 10
South Alabama is one of the worst offensive teams in the country and that will not bode well for them in Stillwater. Justice Hill runs for 150 yards and three touchdowns and Taylor Cornelius throws for two more one to Tyrone Johnson and one to Jalen McCleskey. The defense gets stop after stop in this game and the offense puts this game away at halftime.
@ Texas 45, Tulsa 20
Texas will be able to score some points on a really bad defensive team and the defense for the Longhorns will make life very tough for Tulsa. Sam Ehlinger connects with Collin Johnson for two scores and Cal grad transfer Tre Watson adds two touchdowns as well. The Texas defense starts strong and never looks back in this one as they force three turnovers and keep the Tulsa spread attack in check for the most part.
Big 12 Standings
1. Baylor -- 2-0 (0-0)
1. Oklahoma -- 2-0 (0-0)
1. Oklahoma State -- 2-0 (0-0)
1. TCU -- 2-0 (0-0)
1. Texas -- 2-0 (0-0)
1. West Virginia -- 2-0 (0-0)
7. Iowa State -- 1-1 (0-0)
7. Kansas -- 1-1 (0-0)
7. Kansas State -- 1-1 (0-0)
7. Texas Tech -- 1-1 (0-0)