WHAT YOU MISSED

A&M isn’t pretty but looking much better

The Aggies could have gone two ways after their embarrassing home loss to Appalachian State. They chose to let the disappointment become fuel to a resurgence. It started last week with a suffocating defense that held Miami without a touchdown, while the offense did just enough to pull out a low-scoring win. Saturday, things were much more difficult. Arkansas grabbed a 14-0 lead on two long touchdown passes. A&M slowly worked its way back into the game, helped by perhaps a play that could be a turning point to the season when the defense forced a KJ Jefferson fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The Aggies could have been down 14 points and instead were within one and the momentum carried them to a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter. And when the Razorbacks started to rally and looked poised for a go-ahead field goal with a few minutes left, the defense stiffened, helped by a bad Arkansas snap. That proved pivotal as the kick would hit the top of the upright and fall short.

Kansas State does it again to Oklahoma

Some matchups are kryptonite for the best teams in the country. The Wildcats are exactly that for the Sooners. K-State has now won three times in the last four meetings, including two in Norman, because it has simply been the tougher, better-coached team. While Oklahoma may have higher-ranked recruits and more resources, the Wildcats have won the majority of games in recent history because they consistently get the best of the Sooners defense. Saturday, it was Adrian Martinez running for four TDs and throwing for one as they bludgeoned the Sooners over and over for 275 yards on the ground. The loss was a major shock to the system for Oklahoma and new coach Brent Venables, who had started strongly the first three games. But the Sooners were clearly unprepared for the physical style of Kansas State and showed a lack of discipline with penalties.