Big 12 Rewind: Week 8 - Texas Still Undefeated in Conference Play

Texas 30 TCU 7

Case McCoy continues to defy the well established Case Rules for about five plays per game, and these plays have turned out to be the difference in the past two victories over Oklahoma and TCU. In Fort Worth, Case once again hit a wide open Marcus Johnson on a wheel route for a 65 yard TD. He also dropped a 40 yard out route into Mike Davis' bread basket under tight coverage from Jason Verrett, stealing 3 easy points before halftime to take a 20-7 lead. Mr Moxie still completed less than half of his passes (9-19), bouncing a hanful off the turf, but those nine completions averaged 25 yards per catch ... Baylory territory.

If an opponent spots Texas a two touchdown lead, Case's inevitable mistakes turn out to be far less damaging. The two ill advised moonballs to Jason Verrett in the second half effectively turned out to be early punts, as both left TCU pinned behind their 20. Other than the trick play touchdown for TCU in the first quarter, which would have scored against any defense, Texas shut out TCU -- not just in the boxcore, but physically, mentally, and spiritually -- and Gary Patterson's sideline antics played out over four quarters told the tale well. Tying and re-tying shoes, jerking up unruly Dockers (purple suspenders would be a good Christmas gift), furiously wiping down visor sweat, and aggressively pacing the sidelines made for entertaining television. Assuming one was still awake, and hadn't already muted the utterly horrific broadcoasting duo of Craig Bolerjack and Joey Harrington. AND THE FIELD GOAL IS GOOD! Until it's not. Wide right ...back to you Joey.

It didn't matter which QB lined up unter center for TCU, Boykin wasn't asked to run (Blake Bell nod of approval), and Pachall couldn't complete a forward pass, let alone a lateral one while running for his life under duress from Cedric Reed and Jackson Jeffcoat. The result was a paltry 246 yards of offense, lowlighted by 24 rushes for 45 yards

Mack said the team learned from the delay in BYU game and let the players take off their pads and eat chicken strips. I think the bigger difference was probably firing Manny Diaz. Whatever they did, it worked for Johnathan Gray, who did hard work in between the tackles (22/94) and Malcom Brown, who converted two tough scores in the redzone. Texas tallied 30 points and nearly 200 yards rushing against a TCU D that hadn't given up more than 20 points all season and ranked in the top 10 in rushing defense.

Season MVP Anthony Fera connected on all 3 FGS (43,37,36), helping to distance an early lead that only got bigger with ever TCU 3 & out.

Not that Mack Brown would ever overlook Kansas, and Holgo will have a few tricks in his flask in Morgantown, but Texas should be 6-0 in big 12 play heading into the final three game stretch against Okie State, Texas Tech, and Baylor. Regardless of our record come Dec 7th, BC will be making the road trip to Waco, if only to witness the post game handshake with Mack Brown and Art Briles.

"Congratulations on a Big 12 title, Art."

"Thanks, Mack. Just leave the keys to your office in the locker room."

"Good one, Art. I thought Nick Saban was taking my job."

"You spend too much time on the Internet, Mack."

Next up: Texas vs Kansas | TCU vs West Virginia

Oklahoma State 58 Iowa State 27

The Cowboys have struggled on offense this year compared to the balanced juggernaut we've seen from Gundy teams over the past five years. Other than Josh Stewart, WR talent is below par and there isn't a Kendall Hunter or Josh Randle on the depth chart. There is a guy named Desmond Roland, who took over the starting RB job from Jeremy Smith. Why Shitbird didn't figure this out earlier, T. Boone can only wonder. In his first start, Roland went off for 219 yards and Okie State piled up a season high 249 on the ground against Paul Rhoads' beleaguered Cyclones, who spotted the Cowboys a 14-0 lead but snuck back in it by halftime. As usual for Iowa State, the second half didn't get any better. Okie State rushed for 179 yards ... in the third quarter ... and pulled away for 30 second half points. The Cyclones lost starter Sam Richardson to a neck/shoulder injury. At this point, Paul Rhoads just stares out of his office watching leaves fall. Take the first offer, man.

Next up: OSU @ TT | ISU @ KSU

Oklahoma 38 Texas Tech 30

The line for this game opened at Tech +8 and Vegas had this one pegged. Late money came in on Tech that pushed the line down to 7 and Tech had many chances to win this game, but couldn't close the deal in Norman. This was actually a good matchup for the Sooners, whose strength on defens is in the secondary led by Aaron Colvin. Jace Amaro and Erik Ward score against everybody though and Amaro once again punished anyone that tried to cover him with 8 catches for 119 yards. Blake Bell completed a few forward passes, most of them to stud WR Jalen Saunders, who hauled in a 76 yard bomb in the second quarter and finished with 6 catches for 153 yards and two scores. Tech QB Davis Webb moved the ball efficiently against the Sooners, throwing for 385 yards and 2 TDs but three turnovers ultimately buried the Red Raiders. OU finally got their running game going with Damian Williams (97 yards, 2 TDs) and LaColtan Bester delivered a highlight reel reverse of field run to the endzone off a failed trick play. Tech's first conference loss leaves Texas and Baylor as the only undefeated in conference play.

Next up: OU (bye) | Texas Tech vs Oklahoma State (6 pm FOX)

Baylor 59 Kansas 14

Bryce Petty and the nation's #2 passing attack carved up Kansas early and often, covering the 35 point chalk, 14 1Q total, and the over once again. Easy money, imo. This is Baylor's first 7-0 start since 1980 and the Bears haven't lost since Nov 12, 2012 against Oklahoma, who they square off against on Nov 7. Baylor rushed for 306 and passed for 437, right on average. They also unleashed a new weapon called Shock Linwood, who ran for two long 4th quarter TDs after Seastrunk and Martin hit the bench. Shit gets real for Baylor in November after the bye week: OU, TT, @OSU, @TCU, Texas. They'll probably drop one but good luck divining which opponent. Given prior struggles on the road against good teams, Okie State probably has the best shot.

Next up: Baylor (bye) | Kansas @ Texas

Kansas State 35 West Virginia 12

The Mountaineers hung around for three quarters despite never scoring a touchdown before the Wildcats reeled off four 4th quarter TDs to pull away on Holgo & Co. K. State controlled the clock, running the ball 43 times and passing efficiently, as Jake Waters and Daniel Sams combined for 18/21 and 291 yards. Snyder wheelhouse. Holgorsen has some young talent in Dreamius Smith and Karl Joseph, but has major issues on the OL and DL that will need at least another year to fill out. Does Holgo have another year? Not likely if a new AD comes in to replace Oliver Luck.

Next Up: WVU @ TCU | KSU vs Iowa State