Around The Big 12: Week Four

Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Baylor Bears:

Art Briles and the Bears escaped Louisiana-Monroe with a 47-42 victory and considering the Razorbacks’ struggles with the same program, his price just went up. Baylor travels to Morgantown this weekend for a matchup with West Virginia that can be best described as WE’RE CLEARING THE OVER UNLESS IT’S 200.

TCU Horned Frogs:

Following a spotty Big 12 debut against Kansas, the Horned Frogs suffocated the Virginia Cavaliers 27-7 to remain undefeated. More impressive though and I feel like I say this weekly is the play of wideout Brandon Carter. A one-time Oklahoma commit, the former Euless Trinity star has been making sensational catches since he snared the game-winning reception in the 2009 5A Texas state championship.

West Virginia Mountaineers:

Saturday produced an odd performance from Dana Holgorsen’s team though the 31-21 win over Maryland overshadows that. The Mountaineers gained 25 yards rushing on 25 attempts. If I’m pulling up a calculator, it tells me that’s not a very good ratio. Worse, they allowed 305 yards through the air to a Terrapins squad starting That Guy Who’s Pretty Good At Skee-Ball In College Park. Nick Florence might scare 500 yards next weekend.

Kansas Jayhawks:

Charlie Weis must be reveling in the rise of Notre Dame. I believe that because he’s doing something else on Saturdays than coaching Kansas. The Jayhawks laid down in the fourth quarter and blew a ten-point lead to Northern Illinois, falling 30-23. This team is approaching a level where I’m not going to include them anymore; I’ll just post a picture at the bottom of a sad panda.

Kansas State Wildcats:

Before the season, I quoted the stat about Bill Snyder’s perceived lucky 2011 record in one possession games until my throat hurt. I didn’t realize eating my words tasted this bad. The Wildcats controlled the Sooners on both lines en route to a 24-19 victory at Owen Field, a first by a ranked opponent in the Bob Stoops era. Until further notice, this team that refuses to make mistakes and their folk hero quarterback sit atop the list of Big 12 favorites.

Oklahoma Sooners:

Mike Stoops must think Rocky Calmus is still running around at linebacker. It’s the only conclusion I can draw considering the defensive coordinator’s penchant for forcing his second level to zone cover. Quiet frustration emanated from some corners of the Oklahoma universe when Landry Jones decided to return for his senior season. His costly turnovers against Kansas State showed why.

Texas Longhorns:

Using the bye week to catch up on Mexican food and juggling girlfriends, the Longhorns also watched game tape of both Oklahoma State quarterbacks, Wes Lunt and J.W. Walsh. If I was a video coordinator in Austin, I’d splice the tape with pictures of Samantha Steele to mess with them.

Oklahoma State Cowboys:

Ideally, Wes Lunt recovers from his leg injury in time to welcome Texas to Stillwater. If he doesn’t, the defending Big 12 champions plan to make David Ash’s evening an Oklahoma nightmare. How is that accomplished? Send him to a Toby Keith concert.

Iowa State Cyclones:

Did you know Iowa State is 3-0? If Gene Chizik did that, he’d be the coach of Cleveland Browns.

Texas Tech Red Raiders:

Another surprising 3-0 team with annual headlines that just depress you. “Mike Leach Fired, Program In Turmoil,” “Craig James’ Has Another Son, Commits To Future In Lubbock,” “Billy Gillispie Resigns, Hoops Mutiny Ongoing Until Rum Runs Out.”

Chris Hengst is a College Football writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @ShootyHoops.