OU-West Virginia is a Big 12 semifinal
Many feared an OU-West Virginia season finale, thinking it would just be a prequel to a Big 12 title game rematch. But unless Kansas upsets Texas on Friday in Lawrence, OU-West Virginia is a literal Big 12 semifinal, with the winner advancing to play the Longhorns in Arlington next week.
Here’s how the Big 12 games rank:
1. Oklahoma at West Virginia, 7 p.m. Friday, ESPN: OU’s three games in Morgantown have been wild shootouts — 50-49 in 2012, 45-33 in 2014, 56-28 in 2016. This one figures to be the wildest of them all.
2. Texas at Kansas, 11 a.m. Friday, Fox Sports 1: This KU team is far better than the Jayhawk team that beat the Longhorns in 2016. What’s more to play for — a Big 12 title game appearance or sending out a fired coach in style?
3. Baylor vs. Texas Tech in Arlington, 11 a.m. Saturday, Fox Sports 1: Harrowing times for Tech. Loser misses out on bowl eligibility, and the Red Raiders are beat up at quarterback.
4. Oklahoma State at TCU, 7 p.m. Saturday, Fox: The Horned Frogs are down to thirdteam quarterback Grayson Muehlstein, while OSU still has Taylor Cornelius standing tall.
5. Kansas State at Iowa State, 6 p.m. Saturday, Fox Sports 1: Could this be Bill Snyder’s final game ever?
Coach on the hot seat
Clint Bowen grew up just outside Lawrence, Kansas; went to Lawrence High School and eventually was a standout defensive back for the University of Kansas in 1992-93.
And Bowen has spent 20 of the past 23 years on KU staffs, working as a graduate assistant for Glen Mason and an assistant for Mark Mangino, Charlie Weis and David Beaty. Even served as interim coach in 2014 after Weis was fired.
But the future of Bowen, KU’s defensive coordinator, is uncertain with the firing of Beaty. Kansas has hired Les Miles as head coach, starting Saturday, the day after the Jayhawks host Texas.
Bowen is a Jayhawk institution and occasionally has produced decent defenses. Shutting down the Longhorns would be the best job interview Bowen could give.
Upset special
The Bears and Red Raiders play Saturday in Arlington with a bowl berth on the line. Each is 5-6.
Baylor didn’t figure to be in this position after a 1-11 record in 2017. Tech didn’t figure to be in this position after a 5-2 start.
But Matt Rhule has coached up the Bears, and Tech’s quarterback health has deteriorated. Freshman Alan Bowman has been sidelined by a collapsed lung, and backup Jett Duffey has had various stages of success.
Baylor has been up and down this season, but the Bears are healthier than are the Red Raiders. Tech is a six-point favorite at Jerry-World, but let’s go with Baylor in the upset.