Big 12 takes playoff hit as undefeated teams fall
Both No. 13 Baylor and No. 14 West Virginia suffered losses for the first time this season this weekend. With no undefeated teams left, the Big 12’s playoff hopes appear slim — only Oklahoma remains undefeated in conference play, but the Sooners lost two non-conference games.
The Bears squandered a fourth-quarter lead to Texas, losing on a late field goal, 35-34. Longhorns’ junior running back D’onta Foreman terrorized the Bear defense, setting a career high with 250 rushing yards.
West Virginia was unable to overcome turnovers in a 37-20 loss to Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers turned the ball over three times on their side of the field, all of which resulted in points for the Cowboys.
Baylor will look to get back on track this weekend against TCU, while West Virginia will take on Kansas.
Thriller in Lubbock
Texas Tech put forth their best defensive effort of the season and was rewarded with a 27-24 overtime victory over TCU. The Red Raiders came into the contest allowing over 500 yards and nearly 44 points a game.
Texas Tech held the Horned Frogs to 418 yards of offense, and its defense came up big with a stop on TCU’s last drive of regulation.
Uncharacteristically, the Red Raiders struggled on offense, failing to score over 30 points for just the second time this season. However, head coach Kliff Kingsbury was pleased the team pulled out a victory despite a strong showing from the offense.
“I can’t remember an ugly win like this that we had here,” Kingsbury said. “So to find a way when everything was kind of going against us says a lot about their character… Hopefully we can build off this.”
Oklahoma Rolls
With losses from Baylor and West Virginia, Oklahoma now ranks highest in the conference in the AP Poll at No. 12.
The Sooners took care of business against Kansas, steamrolling their way to a 56-3 win. Senior receiver Dede Westbrook had another impressive outing, compiling over 200 yards of total offense.
Oklahoma looks to remain undefeated in conference play this weekend when they take on a slumping Iowa State in Ames.
