Big XII Roundup: Week 2

Another week is done in Big XII college football and the let's just say that the conference didn't fare as well as it did in the opening weekend. Let's get straight to the games.

BYU 18, SMU 15

Despite committing three turnovers, the BYU Cougars were able to hold off the SMU Mustangs in a defensive slugfest in Dallas. Ten point underdogs coming in, the Cougars forced three turnovers, only allowed SMU to five field goals the entire game, and won the game on a 26 yard field goal to got to 2-0. Next up for BYU is a road test at Wyoming.

Oklahoma State 39, Arkansas 31, 2OT

The end of this game had a little bit of everything. Oklahoma State kicked a field goal to take the lead with just 59 seconds remaining but Arkansas promptly marched down the field and tied the game up as the clock expired. Then, in overtime, both kickers missed their opportunities. The Cowboys went on to win in the second overtime ending a game that was riddled with fumbles, muffed punts, and missed field goals. Oklahoma State battles Tulsa next weekend.

Pittsburgh 28, Cincinnati 27

Down 27-6 late in the third quarter on the road and you’d think that the Pittsburgh Panthers were cooked. They weren’t, far from it. They scored three consecutive touchdowns (missed two point conversions on the last two TDs) and made a game winning field goal with 17 seconds to go to grasp victory from the jaws of defeat. Cincinnati was left stunned and now has to regroup after the meltdown to play in-state rival Miami (OH) next weekend on the road.

Utah 23 Baylor 12

It was a Big XII matchup that wasn’t really a Big XII matchup but it could end up having major repercussions as Utah’s star quarterback Cam Rising left the game in the second quarter with an injury to his throwing hand as he barreled into sideline water coolers. His coach is downplaying the injury, but the prohibitive Big XII favorites will be a very different team if the injury is serious. Utah travels to Utah State next weekend.

Iowa State 20, Iowa 19

The Iowa State Cyclones were down by 13 points at the half, but with just six seconds to go, they took the lead on a 54 yard field goal to win the annual Cy-Hawk game and now have year long bragging rights. Iowa State has now won two of the last three against Iowa, proving that the Big XII can beat a Big Ten school on the road. ISU has an off week next Saturday.

K-State 34, Tulane 27

It wasn’t easy for Kansas State, but in the end, they got the W. Sure, they needed a long fumble return to get things going. And yes, the ever controversial offensive pass interference call that negated a Tulane touchdown could’ve gone another way and changed the game and season for both of these programs, but when they needed it the most, K-State got the stop they needed. The INT in the endzone ended the game and potential disaster for the Wildcats. There’s a lot they need to improve upon and a game against Arizona next weekend might answer a lot of questions.

West Virginia 49, Albany 14

TCU 45, Long Island 0

UCF 45, Sam Houston 14

Let’s take a minute and get to the blowout section of the program. West Virginia, TCU, and UCF all faced interior opponents and all smashed said opponents. Now back to your regularly scheduled close Big XII football action.

Nebraska 28, Colorado 10

This familiar matchup would’ve looked right at home in the nineties with the Nebraska defense absolutely dominating the game. After taking a 28-0 halftime lead the Cornhuskers cruised over the Deion Sanders led Buffaloes. The Buffs better get it together because it doesn’t get much easier next weekend against in-state rival Colorado State.

Oklahoma 16, Houston 12

This probably isn’t the final score that many expected to see and when the Oklahoma head coach utters the phrase “we deserved to lose” not once but twice in his post game on field interview, you get the feeling that the Houston Cougars really let one slip through the cracks. They’ll try to win one next weekend in a battle with city rivals Rice.

Arizona 22, Northern Arizona 10

After only mustering two field goals in the first half and trailing the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks by four, the Arizona Wildcats started playing like a ranked team. They shut down NAU, scoring on a safety, on the ground and through the air in securing their second win of the season. Their third will be harder to come by as they face another group of Wildcats, the ones from Manhattan, Kansas.

Washington State 37, Texas Tech 16

No Tahj Brooks for Texas Tech meant that the Red Raiders would probably air it out and they did just that. The problem is, it didn’t lead to many points. The bigger problem was Washington State quarterback John Mateer who ran for 197 yards. Yes, you read that correctly. Makes you wish that Tech was on KU’s schedule doesn’t it? The Red Raiders host North Texas next weekend.

Arizona State 30, Mississippi State 23

The Arizona State Sun Devils had a twenty point lead in the fourth quarter and held on to beat Mississippi State by a touchdown. Let’s face it, a win, no matter how it comes, over a P4 school is a good win. Arizona State was another Big XII school to boost their resume ahead of conference play. ASU tries to continue their perfect start next week at Texas State.