
By: Heath Moorman (@heat1017)
Taking Care of Business
Texas has seemed to turn things around in Big XII play after taking care of business against West Virginia. After dropping a heartbreaker to rival Oklahoma last week, this very secure win was necessary for morale. Looking forward, the Longhorns still have hopes to be in the conference championship race, but they’ll need some help. It would also appear that they are vying for a spot in the playoffs at this point, but will likely need to win at least two of their remaining games to achieve that.
It isn’t often you see a quarterback throw 40 or more passes and not a single one wind up in the endzone, but West Virginia’s CJ Yost has now done it twice in his first season. Both of which the team failed to score 20 points. I’m not sure whether to credit this to Texas’s defense (the first instance was against Clemson) or to Freshman inconsistency, but the Longhorns came out at the better end for it this week.
Booming Sooners
The Oklahoma roster has consistently demonstrated its ability to get the job done this season. Currently seeking that ever elusive undefeated season like so few teams have done before. We saw Alabama reach the summit of an undefeated regular season just last season before falling in the playoffs to Texas A&M. The Sooners still have 3 games remaining to get that achievement, and the first on the list is none other than the Alabama-doom-bringer, Texas A&M.
I will continue to rave about the team defense that Oklahoma has been playing this season. They are still ranked top 5 in PA/G (26.2), Def/G (424.8), Sacks (16), 1st/G (18.2), and Takeaways (11). They maintain these top numbers despite playing a very versatile offense from Colorado. Colorado moved the ball successfully against the Oklahoma defense, giving Taylor James another 179 yards and 2 touchdowns on the way to the record books. As well as seeing Season 23 top QB prospect LC Fremont throw for 338 and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. They came just short of securing the victory, as Oklahoma came from behind and outscored Colorado 28-10 in the second half to secure another win.
Nebraska Exposed
The Cornhusker magic has dwindled in week 5. Falling 41-21 to Texas A&M, although most of the stats would suggest a wider gap than 20 points. The Aggies outgained the Cornhuskers by 263 offensive yards and only punted the ball once. The few stats that A&M fell short in include 3rd down percentage (22%) and turnovers (2). However, if you count Streets’ two INTs as punts and look at the fact that A&M only had nine 3rd down attempts, these two stats they trailed in are moot.
Following this commanding win, Texas A&M has established itself as one of the top two teams right alongside undefeated Oklahoma. A&M’s resume is arguably the stronger of the top two teams despite carrying the one loss to Miami. Here are their schedules to this point:
Texas A&M | W/L | Score | Oklahoma | W/L2 | Score | |
Week 1 | Miami | L | 46-56 | North Carolina | W | 37-20 |
Week 2 | USC | W | 62-55 | LSU | W | 70-28 |
Week 3 | Alabama | W | 45-38 | Michigan | W | 31-28 |
Week 4 | West Virginia | W | 66-36 | Texas | W | 24-17 |
Week 5 | Nebraska | W | 41-21 | Colorado | W | 45-38 |
Cumulative Scores | 4-1 | 260-206 | 5-0 | 207-131 |
The two face each other this week in the early decider for the Big XII Champ. The likelihood of another team making a case for the title is slim at this point, but possible. Crazier things have happened in the CFSL.
Big XII Results Week 5
Oklahoma beats Colorado, 45-38
Texas A&M beats Nebraska 41-21
Texas beats West Virginia 37-15
Big XII Schedule Week 6
Tuesday, June 10
Oklahoma vs Texas A&M (8:30 PM, Twitch)
Colorado vs Texas (8:30 PM, YouTube)
Wednesday, June 11
Nebraska vs West Virginia (6:30 PM, YouTube)
Potential Big XII Game of the Week
There shouldn’t even be a question on this one. One game stands out well above the rest for game of the week, and that’s Texas A&M hosting Oklahoma in what will wind up being the Big XII championship as long as no major shakeups happen in Weeks 7 and 8. This matchup will be explosive offense versus impenetrable defense.
The Aggies are currently top in PPG, Off/G, and Pass/G. I spoke earlier about where Oklahoma’s defense has been ranking. A star that Oklahoma can hand their wish on this week is that Texas A&M is also tied for the league’s most 13 turnovers on the season, and while that has gotten better in recent weeks, it is a sign of how to stop the high-powered offense. This will be a top watch this week as unstoppable force meets immovable object.