Week’s Best – Texas
Not only did the Longhorns play well for most of their 18th straight Big 12 win, but they even had the courtesy to keep it interesting for three quarters.
The fact that Texas did so against South Division co-leader Baylor (yes, Baylor) made the 63-31 victory all the more impressive. Oh, and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy’s six touchdown passes were a school record
Week’s Worst – Adrian Peterson
Peterson’s injury in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma’s 34-9 win over Iowa State may have marked the end of his dominating college career. After finishing second in the Heisman Trophy balloting as a freshman in 2004, the junior running back was on pace for another monster season this year before breaking his collarbone.
Peterson is widely expected to enter the NFL draft next year, where he probably will be a first-round pick.
Players of the Week
Offense
Adarius Bowman, Oklahoma State junior wide receiver
Bowman caught 13 passes for a Big 12 record of 300 receiving yards in Oklahoma State’s 42-32 comeback win against Kansas. He caught four touchdowns, scoring from 54, 25, 55 and 64 yards. He leads the country with 123.8 receiving yards per game.
Defense
Tim Crowder, Texas senior defensive end
Crowder recorded three sacks, two of which turned into fumbles that led to Texas touchdowns against Baylor. The senior finished with seven tackles (four for loss), two quarterback hurries and a batted-down pass.
Special Teams
Mason Crosby, Colorado senior place kicker
Crosby connected on three field goals in Colorado’s first win of the season – 30-6 over Texas Tech – including kicks from 56 and 53 yards. His 56-yarder ranks as the second-longest kick in the country this season.
1. Texas (6-1, 3-0 Big 12) This week: at Nebraska
After spotting Baylor 10 points in the first quarter, the Longhorns roared back and took sole possession of first place in the Big 12 South Division with a 63-31 win against the Bears. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy threw for a school-record six touchdowns and a career-high 275 yards, completing 21 of 32 passes. McCoy and Co. will face a much sterner test in playing their first significant road game of the season Saturday in Lincoln.
2. Nebraska (6-1, 3-0) vs. Texas
The Cornhuskers won at Kansas State for the first time since 1996, downing the Wildcats 21-3. Nebraska continued its rushing success, racking up 190 yards on the ground compared to 22 from KSU. With two conference road wins and an increasingly dominant defense, the Huskers should be brimming with confidence when they host No. 5 Texas on Saturday.
3. Oklahoma (4-2, 1-1) vs. Colorado
Oklahoma’s 34-9 win against Iowa State in Norman was maybe the Sooners’ best performance of the season, but it came with a steep price when running back Adrian Peterson was lost for at least the rest of the season with a broken collar bone.
Peterson finished with 183 yards and two touchdowns in what was perhaps his last game as a Sooner.
4. Texas A&M (6-1, 2-1) at Oklahoma State
The Aggies snapped a three-game conference losing skid at home by knocking off then-No. 19 Missouri 25-19. Quarterback Stephen McGee was 19-for-23 for 183 yards and a touchdown, helping to push A&M to six wins and bowl eligibility.
The win also put the Aggies back in the Top 25, where they check in at No. 23 for their game at Oklahoma State on Saturday.
5. Missouri (6-1, 2-1) vs. Kansas State
Coming into its game at Texas A&M, the Tigers were one of just nine undefeated Division I-A teams left but were bumped from that status after losing 25-19 on the road.
Missouri hurt itself in the first half with four fumbles, including one on a play that would have been a touchdown, but receiver Will Franklin was stripped on the way to the end zone and watched the ball roll out the back for a touchback. Mizzou had been trying to go 7-0 for the first time in 46 years.
6. Oklahoma State (4-2, 1-1 Big 12) vs. Texas A&M
Quarterback Bobby Reid sparked the Cowboys with a school-record 457 yards of total offense – including 300 yards passing to wideout Adarius Bowman – and was responsible for all six of Oklahoma State’s touchdowns as it beat Kansas 42-32 in Lawrence.
Despite the final score, the Cowboys trailed 17-0 midway through the third quarter before making a comeback with solid defense and quick offensive drives.
7. Baylor (3-4, 2-1 Big 12) vs. Kansas
For one quarter, the Bears looked like they might actually contend for the South Division. But after building a 10-0 lead, Baylor collapsed, giving up five turnovers – including two that went for Texas defensive touchdowns – as the Longhorns won 63-31. At least the Bears are still ahead of Oklahoma.
8. Kansas State (4-3, 1-2 Big 12) at Missouri
Kansas State needed a rushing game. In losing 21-3 to Nebraska, the Wildcats put up just 22 yards on the ground, though freshman quarterback Josh Freeman went 23-of-47 passing for 272 yards.
With running back Leon Patton stifled by the Blackshirts, the Huskers constantly pressured Freeman, and he was sacked four times while throwing two interceptions. Still, KSU showed a talented core of young players that will only improve as the season goes on.
9. Texas Tech (4-3, 1-2) at Iowa State
The Red Raiders aren’t the only ones at a loss for what happened in a 30-6 setback to previously winless Colorado. Held scoreless through three quarters, Tech was crippled by quarterback Graham Harrell’s four turnovers. He was replaced in the second half because of his ineffectiveness.
The loss is a major red flag for the Red Raiders, who are one game-winning drive at Texas A&M away from being winless in the Big 12.
10. Kansas (3-4, 0-3) at Baylor
For the third week in a row, the Jayhawks snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, this time falling to Oklahoma State 42-32. Kansas held a 17-0 lead into the third quarter, but a stagnant offense and porous defense let the Cowboys storm back to hand KU its third-straight Big 12 loss. Despite their conference record, the Jayhawks could just as easily be 3-0.
11. Iowa State (3-4, 0-3) vs. Texas Tech
In a game overshadowed by the loss of Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson, the Cyclones lost more than a 34-9 contest. ISU cornerback and kick returner DeAndre Jackson tore an ACL, likely ending his career one year after tying for the team lead with five interceptions and averaging nearly 25 yards per kick return.
After playing three of the Big 12’s top teams in succession, maybe the Cyclones can beat reeling Texas Tech.
12. Colorado (1-6, 1-2) at Oklahoma
It’s going to take more than one win for Colorado to move out of the cellar of the Big 12, but Saturday’s game was a still a big step for the Buffs, who avoided losing a school-record 11-consecutive games with a 30-6 win over Texas Tech.
CU quarterback Bernard Jackson passed for two touchdowns and ran for another, but don’t look for a similar performance at Oklahoma next weekend.
- Compiled by Evan Bland
