The Big 12 RedZone: Week four featured a mix of bad performances and big wins
Find out who had big performances, who slumped, and what teams made a big move in the power rankings as Grayson Grundhoefer wraps up all the Big 12 action.
Cylcones hammered UL Monroe 72-20
What went wrong?
When you look at the score you think nothing could have possibly gone wrong but the Cyclones did give up 425 yards of total offense and 5.3 yards per carry. The Warhawks scored 13 of their 20 points in the first half so the defense was not as dominant as some may think based on the score.
What went right?
Everything on offense. The Cyclones racked up 714 total yards which included a whopping 14.8 yards per pass and 7.3 yards per rush.
Key Stats
*ISU QB Brock Purdy had the game of his life as he was 21-for-27 for 435 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 75 yards and three more touchdowns on the ground.
*Iowa State forced three turnovers and had three sacks on the game.
#25 TCU stunned by SMU 38-41
What went wrong?
The Horned Frogs defense gave up 406 yards of total offense and allowed the Mustangs to convert on 9-of-20 3rd downs.
What went right?
The run game continues to propel the Frogs offense as they had 236 yards on the ground and averaged 5.6 yards per carry.
Key Stats
*TCU RB Darius Anderson had 19 carries for 161 yards and two touchdowns. He is much improved after his return from ACL surgery last year did not go well.
*TCU QB Max Duggan was 16-for-36 for 188 yards and 3 touchdowns.
West Virginia squeaked by Kansas 29-24
What went wrong?
Kansas- The Jayhawks could not get out of their own way at times as they had two turnovers and were only 4-for-10 on 3rd down.
WVU- The Mountaineers were pretty mediocre on offense as they only averaged 5.5 yards per pass and 4.0 yards per carry.
What went right?
Kansas- JUCO transfer wide receiver Andrew Parchment had five receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
WVU- The Mountaineers were efficient and precise. They finished 9-for-18 on 3rd down, had the ball nearly 38 minutes, and only committed five penalties on the road.
Key Stats
*KU QB Carter Stanley had a very good game as he finished 19-of-25 with 275 yards three touchdowns through the air to go along with 39 yards rushing.
*The WVU RB trio of McKoy, Pettaway, and Brown finished with 183 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries.
Baylor survived against Rice 21-13
What went wrong?
The Bears offense in the second half was terrible. Baylor ran 24 plays for 76 total yards in the half. It was abysmal.
What went right?
The Baylor defense held Rice to 242 total yards of offense on 1.8 yards per rush and 5.7 yards per pass. They also tallied three sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Key Stats
*BU QB Charlie Brewer finished 20-of-27 with 303 yards and one touchdown passing to go along with 58 yards and a touchdown rushing.
*Baylor lost the turnover battle, time of possession, and penalties yet still won.
Texas took out Oklahoma State 36-30
What went wrong?
OSU - An inefficient rushing attack was the main issue as the Cowboys had 56 carries but gained only 226 yards on the ground. QB Spencer Sanders had two interceptions as well.
Texas - Three turnovers and only one receiver with more than two catches were a couple things that allowed the Cowboys to stay in the game.
What went right?
OSU - The Cowboys went on the road with a freshman quarterback and racked up 494 yards and were 9-for-19 on 3rd down.
Texas - The Longhorns had two sacks and 12 tackles for loss as they were able to create a ton of negative plays. They also forced two turnovers on the night.
Key Stats
*UT QB Sam Ehlingher was 20-of-28 with 281 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 70 yards on the ground.
*OSU RB Chubba Hubbard and WR Tylan Wallace had a fairly inefficient game by their standards. They finished with 44 touches for 218 yards and two touchdowns.
Power Rankings
1. Oklahoma - The Sooners were on a bye but until someone in the Big 12 beats them they won’t be moving. They have been so dominant to start the season and have weapons all over on the offensive side of the ball.
2. Texas - The Longhorns are firmly in the top 2 at the moment afte rbeating a very solid Oklahoma State team over the weekend. This offense is rolling and the defense made enough plays to get a big conference win.
3. Oklahoma State - Yep even in a loss the Cowboys move up on the board because they looked very good in a tough atmosphere. I came away impressed even though they loss to Texas. This was more impressive then the teams below them on the list. They get a chance to build up even more stock if they take out undefeated Kansas State this weekend.
4. Baylor - The Bears had an ugly performance on the road over the weekend against Rice but they get to come back home to the friendly confines of McLane Stadium as they take on the team right below them in the power rankings.
5. Iowa State - The Cyclones had an impressive offensive performance over the weekend and will have a chance to move up the rankings this week as they travel to Waco.
6. Kansas State - The Wildcats had a bye week but still moved up a spot. They have a nice road victory over Mississippi State but much like TCU I am not buying this team till I see Thompson be a difference maker at quarterback. I believe they will lose to Oklahoma State this weekend but if they win then they will be moving into the top four next week.
7. TCU - The Horned Frogs drop a spot this week due to the loss against SMU. They still have not found a reliable quarterback but the freshman Max Duggan appears to be getting a little better each week. They will have a chance to rebound in a revenge game against Kansas since the Jayhawks beat them last year.
8. West Virginia - The Mountaineers got a road victory in conference play so they get to move up a little bit even though the performance was not particularly impressive.
9. Texas Tech - The Red Raiders were on a bye and found out their quarterback Alan Bowman will be out for six weeks. Oh and they go to Norman to face Oklahoma this weekend.
10. Kansas - The Jayhawks had a great chance to move up the board but a tough loss at home to the Mountaineers keeps them in the final spot.