Big 12 Week Four Review: Sunflower State Shines

No. 17 Baylor: 31 at Iowa State: 24

There is often a surprising upset in the first week of conference play, and many pundits predicted Baylor would fall into this trap when they traveled to Iowa State Saturday. The Bears’ offense did their job in the first half, finding the endzone twice and putting up a field goal. However, the Cyclones also scored two touchdowns, connecting on a long pass play at the end of the half. The turning point in this matchup occurred in the third quarter when Devin Neal picked off Hunter Dekkers, and Blake Shapen proceeded to lead Baylor down the field for a touchdown. Iowa State did make a comeback attempt and score ten points in the fourth quarter, but the effort was too little too late. As a result, Baylor narrowly avoids a loss in Ames and moves up one spot in the rankings. 

Up Next for No. 16 Baylor: vs. No. 9 Oklahoma St.

Up Next for Iowa State: at Kansas

Duke: 27 at Kansas: 35

These basketball bluebloods met on the gridiron for only the fourth time in their program’s history. The game remained close throughout the first quarter, but Kansas pulled away in the second and maintained their lead throughout the game. Although Duke did come within a touchdown at the end of the game, Kansas stopped the Blue Devils on their final drive. Jalon Daniels continues to impress as he passed for 324 yards and another five total scores, including rushing for the game-sealing touchdown. The Jayhawks continue their winning ways as they enter conference play Saturday. 

Up Next for Kansas: vs. Iowa State 

Kansas State: 41 at No. 6 Oklahoma: 34 

Coming off a loss to Tulane, Kansas State had to regroup and upset a top ten team on the road to salvage their season. Remarkably, the Wildcats overcame this feat, outsourcing an Oklahoma offense averaging 40 points a game. Kansas State jumped to an early lead and held the Sooners to 17 points in the first half. Both teams put on a show for Sooners fans as they traded touchdowns in the fourth. However, the play of the game was Adrian Martinez scrambling and picking up 54 yards on 3rd and 16 with under three minutes in the game. Martinez had 234 passing yards, 148 rushing yards, and five total touchdowns. Kansas State stuns Oklahoma in Norman and moves into the top 25 poll for the first time this year.

Up Next for No. 25 Kansas State: vs. Texas Tech 

Up Next for No. 18 Oklahoma: at TCU

No. 22 Texas: 34 at Texas Tech: 37 

The Battle for the Chancellor’s Spurs was a back-and-forth contest that came down to the last play. Although Texas ended the half with a touchdown and ten-point lead, Texas Tech battled back from a 14-point deficit to send the game into overtime. Bijan Robinson significantly impacted this matchup as he rushed for 101 yards and two scores. However, the most impressive player was Donavan Smith, who looked like a different quarterback compared to last week’s performance. Smith threw for 331 yards and found the endzone three times. If he did not slip in overtime, he would’ve walked in on the would-be game-winning touchdown. Trey Wolff sealed the victory for Texas Tech after the defense forced a fumble in overtime. The Red Raiders win by the skin of their teeth in what could be the last time they play Texas in Lubbock. 

Up Next for Texas Tech: vs. at No. 25 Kansas State 

Up Next for Texas: vs. West Virginia 

TCU: 42 at SMU: 34

TCU and SMU played another close rivalry game in Texas, as Sonny Dykes returned to SMU to coach against his former team in the matchup for the iron skillet. His homecoming was full of mixed emotions, as Mustang fans appreciated what he did for their program but wanted to see their team triumph. Unfortunately for SMU, the Horned Frogs had control of the game for most of the contest. Although there was some drama towards the end of the fourth quarter, Emari Demercado sealed the win for TCU by breaking off a 64-yard run with just over two minutes left in the game. Maxx Duggan threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns to bring the iron skillet back to Fort Worth and keep TCU’s undefeated season alive. 

Up Next for TCU: vs. No. 18 Oklahoma

West Virginia: 33 at Virginia Tech: 10 

The Mountaineers desperately needed a win to keep their hopes of making a bowl alive this season. Although playing on Thursday night in Lane Stadium is not the ideal environment to secure a victory, West Virginia overcame the rowdy environment after a slow start. The Mountaineers gained momentum at the end of the first half, with Sam James hauling in his second touchdown of the year. That momentum carried into the second half as West Virginia began to pull away in the fourth quarter. However, the turning point in the game was when Jacolby Spells picked off Grant Wells and ran it back for a touchdown. CJ Donaldson had another sensational game rushing for over one hundred yards. The Black Diamond Trophy remains in Morgantown for the foreseeable future, with no other games scheduled between the two schools. 

Up Next for West Virginia: at Texas