It was a wild week nine around the Big 12 despite the lack of any major upset. K-State shutout a Big 12 foe for the first time in 11 years and Oklahoma State continued to shoot itself in the foot in a spiral down the standings. Oh, and TCU put up 82 points against Texas Tech, more than what their men’s basketball team scored in all but one game during the 2013-14 season.
It’s unlikely we’ll see any other team flirt with the century mark again this season, but it’s almost certain we’ll get some more exciting matchups as we head down the final stretch of the conference season.
While you wait for No. 11 K-State and Oklahoma State to kickoff at 7 p.m. from Bill Snyder Family Stadium Saturday, here’s what to know before the 10th week of the season.
No. 10 TCU vs. No. 20 West Virginia, 2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2
(Line: TCU -6)
All things considered, this season has been the Trevone Boykin show.
The junior quarterback for TCU has been nothing short of phenomenal, passing for 2,306 yards and 21 touchdowns to just three interceptions through seven games. He’s a Heisman contender and the leader behind this surprisingly lethal Horned Frogs offense.
Boykin will lead TCU into Morgantown, West Virginia to take on the Mountaineers Saturday. Liked their opponent, West Virginia has enjoyed the services of their signal caller, senior Clint Trickett.
Trickett has thrown for 2,763 yards and 17 touchdowns to just five picks. He’ll need to add to those numbers significantly if the Mountaineers hope to remain in the Big 12 title hunt. TCU’s defense hasn’t been up to par recently, but they’ll challenge Trickett and his outstanding senior wide receiver Kevin White.
If you’re looking for two of the country’s best quarterbacks, you won’t want to miss this one.
No. 19 Oklahoma vs. Iowa State, 11 a.m., FOX Sports 1
(Line: Oklahoma -16)
This wasn’t where the Sooners expected to be prior to the season. This was supposed to be Oklahoma’s year to run the table, capture a Big 12 title and trot off into the sunset with a potential College Football Playoff trophy in hand.
However, the reality is that the Sooners are 5-2 and all-but eliminated from playoff contention and outside shots to be in the Big 12 title mix come seasons’ end.
Still, Bob Stoops’ squad isn’t one to lay down. After a heartbreaking 31-30 home loss to No. 11 K-State almost two week ago, Oklahoma is likely rearing to go Saturday in Ames, Iowa, where the season narrative is much of the same.
Iowa State hasn’t been able to establish an identity. They’re 2-5 on the year and winless in conference play. Junior quarterback Sam Richardson has been a solid contributor, but has had little help around him.
Richardson and company will be tasked with keeping up with Oklahoma sophomore quarterback Trevor Knight, freshman running back Samaje Perine and junior wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who have led the Sooners all season in their respective categories.
Oklahoma is the heavy favorite, but as K-State fans know, Jack Trice Stadium is never an easy place to play at.
Texas vs. Texas Tech, 6:30 p.m., FOX Sports 1
It’s been a rough year for head coaches Kliff Kingsbury and Charlie Strong.
Kingsbury has dealt with mistakes on the field at Texas Tech in the form of penalties. Charlie Strong, on the other hand, has dealt with mistakes off the field at Texas in the form of team violations.
Either way, both situations have resulted in a 3-5 start in 2014 for the Red Raiders and Longhorns.
Texas Tech’s defense isn’t good, but no one expected that it was 785-yards-in-the-form-of-82-points not good. Even with a quality quarterback in sophomore Davis Webb, the Red Raiders stood no chance against TCU.
Texas didn’t allow anywhere near those numbers last weekend against K-State, but then again, they couldn’t even come away with points. It was the first time since 2004 that the Longhorns were held scoreless.
With so many uncertainties surrounding these two teams, one thing is for sure: this is a must win for both teams if they have any hope of making a bowl game this season.
Kansas vs. No. 12 Baylor, 3 p.m., FOX Sports 1
(Line: Baylor -36)
Kansas is not a good football team right now and the last thing it needs is a game against a motivated Baylor team.
The Bears left Morgantown, West Virginia two weeks ago scratching their heads just a week after celebrating a stunning, come-from-behind victory against TCU. The Bears were defeated by the Mountaineers 41-27, tainting their spotless record and position in the Playoff.
Meanwhile, Kansas is just simply trying to win football games under interim head coach Clint Bowen. The Jayhawks have been outscored 117-55 in conference play, and Saturday likely isn’t going to help improve that mark.
Tate Steinlage is a junior in mass communications.
