KU: Shows Major Improvement

               The game I watched this week was the Kansas Jayhawks vs. the Texas Longhorns.  This was a great game to watch because KU was able to be competitive the whole game.  This was a close game even though the records would say otherwise.

                In the first half, Texas won the coin toss and deferred it to the second half.  KU had the ball first, but did not do much on their first drive and had to punt it away to Texas.  KU’s defense then came on the field, but were unable to stop Texas.  At the 10:53 mark of the first quarter, Texas was up 7-0.  This is when I thought Texas would start to have the momentum on their side, but that was not the case.  KU’s defense was strong in the first half, Texas was held to one score.  One could see in this game that KU had improved in all aspects of the game which was great to see them not give up.  Later in the first half, KU’s offense was looking great because Texas could not stop them running the ball.  This helped KU score the next two touchdowns of the game to make the score 14-7 KU, which was the score at half time.  The first half stats for rushing yards were KU 177 and Texas 75.  The passing yards were KU 21 and Texas 43.  This showed KU was ready to play for the entire game.

                In the second half, the defenses for both teams were not giving an inch until the fourth quarter where Texas scored a touchdown to tie the game at fourteen.  KU answered the drive by Texas by going down the field and scoring a field goal to make the score 17-14 KU with 2:22 left to play.  It looked like KU’s defense were going to be able to stop Texas to win the game, but they were worn out and Texas scored to make the final score 21-17 Texas.  The rushing yards for the second half were KU 234 and Texas 211 and the passing yards were KU 39 and Texas 131.  The overall total yards were KU 273 and Texas 342. 

                Even though KU lost they looked great on special teams, offense and defense.  The one thing KU has to work on now is closing out games in the fourth quarter and this will happen over time, but things are looking up for KU.  Here is a link so you can see highlights of the game.  http://www.big12sports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?db_oem_id=10410&id=1076216&catid=34621

WVU: Needs to Work on Defense

               The game I watched this weekend was West Virginia vs. K-State, because I wanted to see how WVU would do after a loss.  I also wanted to see the matchup between the two quarterbacks for each team.  This game was not close and it did not live up to the hype.

                In the first half, WVU won the coin toss and deferred it to the second half.  They did this because of the way the defense played last week; they needed to make a statement.  On KSU’s first offensive drive of the game, the defense for WVU did not look good early on the defensive stand, but they held KSU to a field goal.  This was a statement WVU had to make because they had to show they were ready to play.  On the first offensive drive of the game for WVU, they looked like they would be going at a fast pace and would not be stopped, but on this drive they had to punt it away.  This was a reoccurring theme in the first half and the one good thing for WVU is wide-receiver, Tavon Austin, returned a kickoff for a touchdown to make it 24-7 KSU.  This was the spark WVU needed, but KSU was still dominating the game.  At the end of the first half the score was 31-7 KSU.

                At the start of the second half, WVU was on offense first and in their first play on this drive the quarterback, Geno Smith, for WVU threw his first interception of the season.  The defense could not stop KSU on the short field and after the touchdown for KSU the score was 38-7 KSU.  This is when the game just kept getting worse for WVU because they could not stop KSU.  WVU did get one more touchdown in this game, but the final score was 55-14 KSU.

                This game was never close and WVU’s defense has to learn how to get their opponents off the field.  They need to have players step up and show that they are not going to give up.  In their last four games, Big 12 teams have just been scoring at will on WVU.  The other thing WVU needs to do is not to be yelling on the sidelines and give their team mates encouragement.  Here is a link for highlights of this game to see the outcome for yourself.  http://www.big12sports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?db_oem_id=10410&id=1072750&catid=34621

Texas: Needs a lot of Work

           The game I thought was going to be the best game to watch this week was a game between 15^th ranked Texas vs. 13^th ranked Oklahoma.  This is one of the biggest rivalries in college football today.

            In the first half, Texas won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.  At the beginning of this game, Texas’ defense was swarming to the ball and looked like they would give Oklahoma a tough time in the game.  Later in the first, the defensive stand for Texas let OU’s backup quarterback, Blake Bell, run for a touchdown to make the score 6-0 OU.  On the extra point by OU, Texas blocked it and returned it for two points and the score was now 6-2 OU.  This was the one good thing Texas did in the first half, but Texas offense could not do anything against a tough OU defense.  The Texas defense could not get any time to rest in this half, which made it to where their defense opened up holes for the OU offense.   On one of the OU drives, Texas’ defense let OU go two plays for 95 yards in 18 seconds.  At the end of the first half the score was 36-2 OU. 

            At the start of the second half, Texas’ offense had the ball, but had to punt it again.  Texas’ defense came on the field and cornerback, Carrington Byndom, intercepted a pass from quarterback, Landry Jones, and returned it for a touchdown to make the score 36-8 OU.  This was the other thing that was good for Texas.  When the Texas offense looked like they would start doing something they ended up turning it over to OU.  There were a few scores late in the fourth quarter, but I did not get to see these scores because the game on T.V. was changed to another game.  The final score was 63-21 OU.

            After watching Texas in this game, I could not believe they played like this and I say this because last week Texas barely lost to West Virginia.  It has been a long time since I have seen Texas being dominated by an opponent.  Texas let the backup quarterback for OU, Blake Bell, rush for four touchdowns in the game.  The coaches for Texas are going to have to work on a lot before their next game because it looked like Texas forgot how to play.  Here is a link to see highlights of the game.  http://www.big12sports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?db_oem_id=10410&id=1069689&catid=34621

Big 12: Two Teams that Could Win the Conference

           This week games have come and gone, but here are my top two teams that could win the Big 12 Conference this year as of right now.  The teams I believe could win the Big 12 Conference are Texas Tech and Oklahoma.

            The reason why I think Texas Tech could win the conference this year is because they are a tough team on defense to play against.  They are always ready for any opponent they face and they do not take any game for granted.  They also beat West Virginia this past week and this was a team I thought would dominate the Big 12 conference.  I can talk about the Texas Tech team and how good they are, but the coaches deserve the credit for coaching them week in and week out.

            The other team that could win the Big 12 is Oklahoma.  I think this because even though they have one loss at this moment, OU’s team is starting to look like what they have been in the past by being the dominate team of the Big 12.  I believe this because after they lost to K-State, they have played hard and know they did not play their best.  It seems they want to prove to everyone that they are one of the best teams in the Big 12.  Their coaches deserve a lot of credit for preparing them to play every week against each opponent.

            If you have watched the Big 12 this season feel free to let me know what teams you believe could win the Big 12 this year.  My teams I have picked could change later in the season, but right now this is who I think have the best chance to win the conference this season.

Oklahoma: Bounces Back from a Loss

           This past weekend’s game that I watched was Oklahoma versus Texas Tech University.  I wanted to see this game because I wanted to see how Oklahoma would play after their loss to Kansas State two weeks ago.  I can say this Oklahoma was ready to play for this game and they were not going to give the game away like they did against Kansas State.

            In the first quarter, TTU won the coin toss, but deferred it to the second half.  Oklahoma was ready to play the game because not too much time had gone off the clock and TTU’s defense were on their heels early.  OU was marching toward the end zone to score as quickly as they could.  When OU was near the goal line they were stopped by TTU’s defensive end, Jackson Richards, who blocked OU’s quarterback, Landry Jones’ throw to the end zone.  On the next attempt wide receiver, Justin Brown, caught a pass from Landry Jones, at the 10:59 mark of the first quarter and scored a touchdown, which made the score 7-0 OU.  This helped give OU a lot of confidence in the beginning of the game which showed they prepared well for TTU.  It was time for OU’s defense to play against TTU’s offense.  TTU was ready to play as well because they did not take long to get down the field and soon it was first and goal.  On TTU’s drive OU’s defense looked like they were not prepared to play. On second and goal TTU’s running back, Kenny Williams, scored the touchdown which turned the game into a ball game at seven all.  At the 7:06 mark, OU’s offense had the ball and it looked like they could have gone down the field for another touchdown.  This time though OU had to punt the ball to TTU.  On TTU’s drive OU intercepted the ball, but OU’s offense gave it right back when OU fumbled the ball.  This is a weakness for OU because they cannot give the ball back after an interception because it can hurt the team’s momentum.  The OU coaches need to work on this before the next game.  TTU had the ball and were getting close to scoring when the end of the first quarter came and the score was still 7-7 all.

            At the start of the second quarter, OU’s defense came up with a big stand on third and twelve and forced TTU to try for a field goal.  The field goal was good from 35 yards out and made the score 10-7 TTU.  OU’s offense came back on the field ready to battle with TTU once again.  This was a back and forth drive because when OU got something going, TTU would stop them.  OU was in scoring range again and scored a touchdown to have the score be 14-10 OU after the extra point was made.  This is when the momentum shifted in OU’s favor.  OU’s defense came back out on the field and were looking not so great because on this TTU drive OU had a couple of penalties which helped TTU get into OU territory.  The players need to work on being more poised on defense and try to limit mistakes.  Even though these penalties by OU helped TTU’s offense get into OU’s territory, the OU defense stepped up and forced TTU to try another field goal.  The kick was good and the score was 14-13 OU.  On OU’s next offensive drive, they really started to click and TTU looked to be tiring.  OU quickly scored another touchdown and the score was now 21-13 OU at the 3:27 mark of the second quarter.  OU’s defense came back on the field and were confident.  Not too long into the defensive stand one of OU’s defensive players, Aaron Clovin, intercepted the ball to give the ball back to the OU offense.  Just before halftime, OU kicked a field goal making the score 24-13 OU.

            In the third quarter, TTU started with the ball because they deferred it to the second half.  It did not matter because the OU defense quickly got the ball back for OU’s offense.  On OU’s next drive it took 6 plays and 54 yards for OU to score again.  This touchdown was scored by backup quarterback, Blake Bell, at the 9:13 mark of the third quarter.  The score was now 31-13 OU.  TTU had the ball once again, but OU’s defensive back, Javon Harris, intercepted the ball and returned it for a touchdown at the 8:40 mark, making the score 38-13 OU.  After the interception, TTU came on the field and they were not confident at all, but OU looked ready to keep scoring.  The ball was back in OU’s hands again and OU’s final points were scored in the third quarter which was a field goal.  This made the score 41-13 OU at the end of the third.  One thing to point out is OU outscored TTU 17-0 in the third quarter.

            In the fourth quarter, the game had nothing really going on in it.  The only score that happened was late in the fourth which was TTU scoring a touchdown.  The final score was 41-20 OU.

           Here is a link for highlights of the game and this game was fun to watch.  http://www.big12sports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?db_oem_id=10410&id=1067124&catid=34621

ISU: Fights for Sixty Minutes

               This week of the college football and Big 12 season was exciting to watch.  The most exciting game I watched was a defensive struggle between Iowa State University and Texas Tech University.  I feel this game was the best one to watch.

                At the start of the first quarter, ISU won the coin toss and elected to receive.  ISU looked a little shaky at first because they were not playing cohesively.  They were forced to punt the ball away to TTU.  Then the ISU defense came on the field and defensive linemen, Mitchell Meyers, forced a fumble, but TTU was lucky to recover the ball.  Not too long after this play ISU forced TTU to punt the ball.  When ISU’s offense came back on the field, it was easy to see the offensive line was not protecting their quarterback well.  ISU has to improve on this in the weeks to come or the game could get away from them.  ISU had to punt again which occurred repeatedly in the game.  So far in the first quarter neither team could do much of anything.  ISU’s offense was back on the field and looked like they could score a touchdown, but the offensive line could not protect the quarterback once again.  At the 4:50 mark of the first quarter, ISU tried for a field goal but it was ruled no good.  At the 1:42 mark of the first quarter, it looked like the ISU’s defense was tired and was going to let TTU score, but in the red zone linebacker, A.J. Klein, intercepted the ball and took it for an 80 yard a touchdown to make the score 7-0 ISU.  This is where the momentum shifted in ISU’s favor. 

                At the start of the second quarter, ISU defensive back, Jacques Washington, intercepted the ball in the red zone to give it back to ISU’s offense.  The ISU offense could not capitalize on the interception and had to punt the ball away.  This is one aspect ISU needs to work on, because whenever an opponent turns the ball over they need to be able to capitalize on it.  This way it makes it harder for the opponent to get back in the game.  On the next ISU offensive drive quarterback, Steele Jants, threw the ball with no wide receiver in the area and the ball was intercepted.  One thing the coaches need to do is tell Steele Jants if he cannot find an open receiver, then throw the ball away.  At the 1:32 mark of the second quarter TTU tied the game at 7-7.  The interception was a costly mistake for ISU.  At half time the score was 7-7.

                At the start of the third quarter, TTU had possession of the ball first, but ISU’s defense forced them to punt.  The ISU offensive line still did not protect their quarterback.  On a third and twenty play, the ISU offense looked as if they would have to punt, but quarterback, Steele Jants, ran for 21 yards to get the first down.  This was the spark ISU’s offense needed.  Later in this drive, quarterback, Steele Jants, threw the ball to tight end, Ernst Brun JR., for the touchdown at the 4:26 mark of the third quarter to make the score 13-7 ISU.  The extra point was no good for ISU, keeping the score 13-7 ISU.  At the 1:01 mark of the third quarter, the defense for ISU was back on the field and could not stop TTU from scoring a touchdown, which made the score 14-13 TTU.

                In the fourth quarter, ISU’s offense was driving down the field and turned the ball over.  Once again TTU would capitalize on the mistake with a touchdown to make the score 21-13 TTU at the 6:50 mark. At the 2:20 mark of the fourth quarter, ISU’s quarterback, Steele Jants, fumbled the ball and TTU made a field goal off the mistake.  ISU’s quarterback, Steele Jants, tried a Hail Mary throw, but it was intercepted in the end zone which sealed the win for TTU.  The final score was 24-13 TTU.

                This game was close for most of the game, but what cost ISU was not being able to capitalize on turnovers by TTU and letting TTU capitalize on ISU’s turnovers.  ISU cannot turn the ball over as much as they did and expect to win the game.  This game was great to watch because ISU’s defense is tough to play against.  Here is a link for highlights of the game.  http://www.big12sports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?catid=34621&id=1064730

Top Three Big 12 Coaches at this Moment

              The fifth week of the college football season has come and gone.  My top three coaches of the Big 12 are Mac Brown, Gary Patterson, and Bob Stoops.  Here are my reasons why they are in my top three.

                Mack Brown is one of the best coaches right now because he gets his team to perform week in and week out.  He has made the defense for Texas one of the top defenses in the Big 12 right now.  He knows how to coach his players so they are prepared for any challenges they could face in a game.  Also, he knows how to recruit talented players so they are top contenders every year.  Sometimes his team is inconsistent, but he knows how to coach well in a game.

                The second coach that is one of my top three Big 12 coaches is TCU’s head coach Gary Patterson because he has turned TCU into a powerhouse.  The reason why I say this is because in the last couple of years when TCU was not part of a BCS conference, he prepared his team to play big name opponents and they usually won.  He makes sure to keep his team focused if they become too confident.  This way TCU will not lose momentum in the game.  He is a well-liked coach, because he respects his players.

                The third coach on my list is Oklahoma’s, Bob Stoops, even though his team lost to KSU.  He still has one of the best recruiting classes every year which makes Oklahoma contenders against opponents.  He knows how to prepare for a game so his team is mentally and physically ready.  He does a good job of finding coaches who have the same philosophy as him.  He has numerous former players in the NFL and that is why players would like him as a coach; to have the opportunity to play in the NFL.

                These are my top three Big 12 coaches of the season as of right now, but it could change before the end of the season.  If you would like to see what Greg Madia (West Virginia University Football Beat Reporter) said who his top coaches are of the Big 12.  Here is a youtube video I have embeded where he is ranking all ten Big 12 coaches, but pay more attention to his top three.