Big 12 Roundup and Recap: Texas Is Back To Losing to Maryland

Maryland Terrapins 34, #23 Texas Longhorns 29

Tom Herman might as well pack his office up and move back to Houston because he could set the record for shortest stint of Texas head coach after beginning another season with a head scratching loss to Maryland. To give you an idea of the futility of the Longhorns (0-1, 0-0) in this game, Texas had three chances to take the lead and all three drives ended with a turnover. Sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger was hit and the bad pass resulted in an interception. The defense held but running back Tre Watson fumbled. The defense stiffened again and Ehlinger responded with a game-ending interception.

Ole Miss Rebels 47, Texas Tech Red Raiders 27

Kliff Kingsbury will be joining Tom Herman in the unemployment line after his “improved” defense allowed the Rebels to throw for 334 yards and allowed Scottie Phillips to run for 204 yards. Ole Miss scored 24 points in the first quarter. The Rebels scored on the second play of the game, a 58 yard pass. Texas Tech (0-1, 0-0) responded with a touchdown drive so the Rebels decided to just return the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.

#7 Oklahoma Sooners 63, Florida Atlantic 14

Kyler Murray, Marquise Brown and Rodney Anderson proved to be way too much for FAU as the Sooners (1-0, 0-0) ran and threw when and how they wanted. Murray threw all of 11 passes, completing 9 of them for 204 yards. On the day the Sooners threw 23 passes, completing 19 for 334 yards and 3 touchdowns. Anderson added 100 yards exactly on FIVE FLIPPING CARRIES, two of which went for touchdowns. This offense is scary good.

#16 TCU Horned Frogs 55, Southern 7

Shawn Robinson and the TCU (1-0, 0-0) offense scored on their first six possessions and generally looked awesome as they overmatched their FCS opponent. It was a good warmup game for TCU but there isn’t much to really take away from it. Robinson looked dynamic and the running game produced 5.6 yards per carry but the offense should worry about their 5 of 11 on third downs.

Oklahoma State Cowboys 58, Missouri State 17

Another warmup game, the Cowboys (1-0, 0-0) looked good to start the post-Mason Rudolph era. Gundy and his offensive staff fed the ball to Justice Hill, including the first four touches of the game. This seemed to please Cowboy nation and it makes easing quarterback Taylor Cornelius into collegiate competition smoother. The defense showed flashes of being ultra aggressive which will help mask any deficiencies they may have. Level of competition should be considered.

Iowa St. Cyclones vs South Dakota St

The game was cancelled as part of the weather that struck a number of games this weekend.

Nichols 26, Kansas Jayhawks 23

I would feel bad for the Jayhawks (0-1, 0-0) but given their dominance on the hardwood, they get no sympathy from me. The Jayhawks started 2018 with a loss to FCS Nicholls. The loss is likely the death knell for David Beatty and his staff. The Jayhawks continue to be one of the worst FBS teams generating little offense and little defense. Nicholls outgained the Jayhawks by 74 yards, producing 187 yards on the ground. Kansas, who last year gashed the Mountaineers for 300+ yards, gained all of 56 yards on 32 attempts. Still the Jayhawks had a chance in overtime but after kicking a field goal, they gave up the game winning touchdown.

Kansas State Wildcats 27, South Dakota 24

In what could have been an embarrassing loss for Bill Snyder, the Wildcats (1-0, 0-0) prevented South Dakota from pulling the upset when they scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter including another special teams touchdown when Isaiah Zuber returned a punt 85 yards. The Wildcats looked sloppy as they collected 13 penalties for 156 yards. Quarterbacks Alex Delton and Skylar Thompson both still look inadequate as passers completing 13 of 28 for only 152 yards. Both rushed for nearly as many yards as they threw, which really speaks more to their ineptness as passers than their effectiveness as runners.

Baylor Bears 55, Abilene Christian 27

Baylor (1-0, 0-0) looked explosive on offense as the Bears combined for 311 yards passing and 295 yards rushing. Lovett and Hasty both broke the 100 yard barrier and combined for 5 touchdowns. The defense however allowed Billy McCrary to rushed for 114 yards on six carries with a touchdown. The Bears looked good in the Year Two of Matt Rhule.