Iowa State-Texas tops Big 12 slate
Rare has been the time that Iowa State has played in the Big 12’s marquee game. But Saturday is that day. The Cyclones play at Texas in a virtual Big 12 elimination game. The winner is in prime position to make it to Arlington. Ranking the Big 12 games:
1. Iowa State at Texas Tech, 7 p.m., Longhorn Network: Yes. The Longhorn Network. That’s an embarrassment to the Big 12.
2. West Virginia at Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m., ABC: OSU’s defense historically has played well against the Mountaineers.
3. Texas Tech at Kansas State, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU: Both teams chasing bowl eligibility, but the Red Raiders are a lot closer — and better.
4. TCU at Baylor, 11 a.m., Fox Sports1: Both teams chasing bowl eligibility, but the Bears are a lot closer — are they better?
5. Kansas at Oklahoma, 6:30 p.m., Fox: In the last 21 years, KU has scored more than 20 points on the Sooners only once.
Upset special
OSU is a bewildering team.
The Cowboys beat Boise State and Texas in Stillwater. The Cowboys lost at Kansas State (convincingly) and Baylor (barely). But the Cowboys took Bedlam to the wire, losing 48-47 last week.
So which OSU team will show up Saturday against eighth-ranked West Virginia?
Well, the last time the Mountaineers came to Stillwater, they were 6-0 and ranked 10th. And the Cowboys walloped WVU 37-20. Now the Mountaineers are 8-1 and ranked eighth. The Mountaineers are 5½-point favorites, but let’s go with the Jekyll and Hyde Cowboys in the upset.
Coach on the hot seat
Texas has had one of the Big 12’s best defenses in recent years. The Longhorns’ troubles stem from the offensive side.
Not this season. Texas ranks sixth in Big 12 defensive efficiency and has been carried by quarterback Sam Ehlinger. Now the Longhorns host upstart Iowa State in a Big 12 championship elimination game.
Texas has been lit up in both victory (48-45 over OU, 41-34 over Texas Tech) and defeat (OSU 38-35, West Virginia 42-41).
Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando is on the hook for stopping the Cyclones and freshman quarterback Brock Purdy.