Big 12 Recap Week 11 - We're So Lonely

It’s getting kind of lonely at the top of the Big 12 standings, and this year's Bedlam is gearing up to be worth a lot more than some in-state bragging rights. Oklahoma State and TCU survived scares, while Oklahoma continue to controls its own destiny to a Big 12 title and a possible spot in the playoffs.

Kansas 17 at TCU 23

Kansas more than covered the 45-point spread, and almost pulled off the upset of the college football year. Heisman hopeful Trevone Boykin went down in the first quarter and so did the offense. A pair of backup quarterbacks slugged their way past winless Kansas 23-17. For the Jayhawks, it would have been a signature win in the David Beaty era but should give Jayhawk fans some sort of hope heading into next football season, before they dive into basketball season. TCU is still fighting for a share of the Big 12 title, but needs some help and a couple of signatures wins against Oklahoma and Baylor. Boykin is probable for Saturday at Oklahoma, but it’s hard to imagine just how well that ankle is feeling today.

Texas 20 at West Virginia 38

How did Texas beat Oklahoma? Texas dropped another game, this time on the road in Morgantown. Five turnovers doomed the Longhorns, while Texas now stands at 4-6 and need wins over Baylor and Texas Tech to gain bowl eligibility. Will that win over Oklahoma be enough to silence the critics if the Longhorns go 5-7 in year two? 4-8? Meanwhile, West Virginia has established itself as a strong number five team in this conference. The 5-4 Mountaineers finish the year with Kansas, Iowa State, and Kansas State after an 0-4 month in October to the Big 12 top four. An eight or nine win season probably sounds pretty good to West Virginia fans now.

Kansas State 44 at Texas Tech 59

Texas Tech is going bowling after a 4-8 season last year. Tech is now 6-5 and gets a much needed break. The Red Raiders started the year off with 11 straight games, and now will be off until a Thanksgiving day matchup with Texas. Unfortunately for the Cats’, it’s gone from bad to worse. The Wildcats are now 3-6 and continue to share the Big 12 basement with rival Kansas. Good news, K-State only need wins over Iowa State, Kansas, and West Virginia to gain bowl eligibility. Kansas State even gets Iowa State and West Virginia at home. I like the chances of Bill Snyder and company getting things down and making a bowl game. Don’t want to look too far ahead, but a potential 7-6 season would be a ginormous success after the start of the season. Although, I would look ahead to Iowa State before I looked ahead to a bowl game, K-State.

Oklahoma 44 at Baylor 34

All five members of the GameDay crew picked Baylor to beat Oklahoma which meant absolutely nothing, because Oklahoma went into Waco and took care of Baylor 44-34. Last week it was TCU who had their College Football Playoff hopes dashed, this week it was Baylor. Oklahoma is starting to look very scary with how they’ve been playing since they loss to Texas. All signs are pointing to a matchup with Oklahoma State for a Big 12 title and spot in the playoffs. Not to be overlooked is TCU heading into town this week, and if Boykin is leading the charge they will be dangerous. Baylor’s shots of a title aren’t done, but will need a win in Stillwater, a place the Bears haven’t won since 1939. All of a sudden, that Baylor-TCU matchup isn’t going to be the marquee game this season.

Oklahoma State 35 at Iowa State 31

I for one am glad we won't’ have to hear anything about that 2011 game until the next time we’re undefeated in Ames. It got really annoying after a while. Iowa State didn’t do their part in quieting the hype, as the Cyclones raced to a 24-7 and took a ten point lead into the locker room. The Cyclone offense looked unstoppable in the first half, and that will probably be the last time I ever use that sentence again. Glenn Spencer made his usual miracle adjustments, and Iowa State only mustered seven more points the rest of the game. Still, it was close the entire way. J.W. Walsh ran for two scores and passed for another as the 10-0 Cowboys are still undefeated. After coming back from 17 down for the second game this year, Oklahoma State is two huge home wins away from a birth in the playoffs. BREATHE.