Big 12 Week 2: OU Postgame Controversy, Texas' Tuscaloosa Triumph

We're taking a look at how the Big 12 performed this past week, and what to keep an eye on moving forward.

Monday, September 11th 2023, 10:13 am

By: Christian Hans

Week 2 saw some shakeups across the Big 12 Conference.

OKLAHOMA CITY -

Week 2 of Big 12 college football saw some shakeups both on and off the field.

Week 1 Winners:

BYU:

The Cougars once again showed their strength over the weekend, defeating Southern Utah 41-16. Next week, the team travels for the first time this season to face the Arkansas Razorbacks.

UCF:

In a nail-biting finish, the Knights were able to come out on top over Boise State in a 18-16 finish on Saturday. Looking ahead, the team returns home to Orlando to welcome Villanova.

Cincinnati:

The Bearcats stayed dominant over Pittsburgh for much of the game on Saturday, entering the fourth quarter with a 20-point lead. The Panthers were able to attempt a comeback, scoring two touchdowns and holding the Bearcats scoreless in the fourth quarter, but came up short, allowing Cincinnati to walk away with a 27-21 win.

This week, Cincinnati returns home to face Miami, Ohio.

Kansas:

The Jayhawks opened their game against Illinois on Friday with a strong start, ending the first half with a comfortable 28-7 lead. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels also put on a strong performance, completing 21 out of 29 and throwing for 277 yards and two touchdowns, despite also throwing an interception.

Kansas walked away with a 34-23 win, and is set to travel to Reno, Nevada, for their first Saturday game of the season against the Wolf Pack.

Kansas State:

In their second-straight game scoring 40 or more points, the Wildcats dominated Troy on the way to a 42-13 win over the Trojans.

This Saturday, Kansas State crosses the border into Missouri to face the Tigers in Columbia.

Oklahoma:

In a sufficient but not-quite convincing display, the Sooners were able to come out on top over the SMU Mustangs 28-11 win on Saturday. However, OU's problems continued following the win after former Baylor head coach Art Briles was spotted on the Sooner's sideline adorned in OU gear, alongside his son-in-law: OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby.

Additionally, according to a Twitter/X post from OU linebacker and Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week Danny Stutsman, Stutsman's vehicle was towed by OU Parking Services following the game.

On Saturday, the Sooners travel to Tulsa to face the Golden Hurricanes.

Oklahoma State:

In a strange twist of fate, the Cowboys once again scored 27 points, and held their opponents to two touchdowns on their way to a win. Oklahoma State came out on top 27-15 over Arizona State on Saturday, and 27-13 over central Arkansas the week before. Note, Central Arkansas missed an extra point attempt, and Arizona State completed a two-point conversion, highlighting the point differences.

This week, the Cowboys return to Stillwater to face the South Alabama Jaguars on Saturday.

Texas:

Hell hath no fury like a Longhorn scorned. Seeking revenge for a 20-19 loss in Austin at the hands of the Crimson Tide, Texas came to Tuscaloosa intending to win, and win they did.

Holding Alabama to only two field goals in the first half, the Longhorns entered the second half ahead 13-6.

The Crimson Tide were able to find their footing on their home turf in the second half, but it wasn't enough to stop the Longhorns' stampede. Texas avenged their 2022 loss with a 34-24 win.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers fielded an impressive display Saturday night, completing 24 of 38 passes, and passing for 349 yards and three touchdowns, without a single interception.

When asked about the win following the game, Ewers said he, and the rest of the team, put their faith in head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Looking ahead, the Longhorns return to Austin to welcome, funnily enough, the Wyoming Cowboys.

TCU:

Hoping to make the best out of an 0-1 start to the season, the Horned Frogs took home a 41-6 win over Nicholls State on Saturday.

TCU opens Big 12 play this upcoming weekend, travelling cross state to take on the Houston Cougars on Saturday.

West Virginia:

Our final winner this week, the Mountaineers took home their first win of the season against the Duquesne Dukes. With a 56-17 finish, West Virginia showed they do have potental to do something on the offensive side of the ball this season.

This Saturday, the Backyard Brawl between the Mountaineers and the Pittsburgh Panthers kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

Both teams are 1-1 for the season so far.

Week 2 Losers:

Baylor:

The odds were against the Bears as they faced the Utah Utes, and those odds proved too much for Baylor.

That doesn't mean the Bears went away without a fight however. By the end of the first half, Baylor actually led 10-3.

Despite this, the Utes were able to recover and edge out a 20-13 victory over the Bears.

This week, the team looks to improve as welcome the LIU Sharks to Waco.

Houston:

In a way, the Houston Cougars and the Rice Owls are more alike than one would believe. Both teams scored 7 points in the second quarter, both teams had a quarter in which they scored 21 and held their opponent scoreless, and both teams played their first overtime games of the season against one another.

At the end of regulation, both teams were tied 28-28. The first overtime ended in another tie at 35 points. Headed into second overtime, Rice scored first, propelled by a 1-yard touchdown run by Daelen Alexander, and a two-point conversion also by Alexander.

Houston attempted the same, successfully scoring a touchdown thanks to Donovan Smith, but an incomplete pass on the two-point conversion dashed the Cougars hopes of victory.

This week, Houston welcomes TCU as conference play begins.

Iowa State:

The annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones commenced on Saturday.

The Hawkeyes held a 17-3 lead over the Cyclones headed into the second half, and that trend continued on the way to the Hawkeyes 20-13 victory,

On Saturday, the Cyclones travel to face the Ohio Bobcats.

Texas Tech:

Coming off a devastating loss to Wyoming in the season opener, Texas Tech was faced with another mounting challenge, the Oregon Ducks.

The game was close, and the Red Raiders held a 27-18 lead going into the game's final quarter, but a late-game rally from Oregon ended things with a 38-30 loss for Texas Tech.

Next week, hoping to finally add to the team's win column, Texas Tech welcomes Tarleton State to Lubbock.