Big XII: Top teams tumble

By John Hillman  |   Sunday, October 12, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

College Football
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

Just like Wall Street, an October tumble hit the Big XII. The conference’s top two teams, Oklahoma and Missouri, fell from the undefeated ranks last weekend. Now the race for the league title and perhaps even a national championship takes on added dimensions.

The formerly top-ranked Sooners, who dropped to fourth in the polls, expected a tough game from Texas in the annual Red River Rivalry, and the Longhorns provided it. OU led most of the game and went up 35-30 early in the fourth quarter on Manuel Johnson’s 14-yard pass reception from Sam Bradford.

But the Horns came storming back on two short scoring runs from Cody Johnson and knocked off OU 45-35. Colt McCoy performed almost flawlessly for Texas, completing 28 of 35 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown.

But the Longhorn running game took everyone by surprise. Chris Ogbonnaya, a senior making only his second career start, rushed for 127 yards on 15 carries. His fourth-quarter 62-yard scamper keyed the go-ahead Texas touchdown.

But things don’t get any easier for the Horns, now No. 1 in the nation. UT takes on 11th-ranked Missouri this Saturday and follows with contests against No. 8 Oklahoma State and No. 7 Texas Tech. If the Longhorns survive that murderous schedule, the opportunity for another national championship should knock loud and clear.

The Tigers also took it on the chin last Saturday, dropping a 28-23 decision to Oklahoma State. Chase Daniel’s Heisman Trophy stock dropped immensely as the senior signal-caller threw three second-half interceptions.

Missouri pulled to within five points with 4 1/2 minutes remaining and regained possession with 2:40 left to play. But Daniel threw into tight coverage, and Patrick Levine picked off the pass at the Cowboy 31 to ice the upset.

But the loss wasn’t as costly for the Tigers as it was for the Sooners. Missouri gets an immediate chance for redemption by engaging the top-ranked Longhorns in Austin this Saturday.

Texas Tech also struggled but finally put away over Nebraska, 37-31, in overtime. The Red Raiders led 24-10 heading into the fourth quarter. But the Huskers tied the game twice, putting themselves in good position for the upset.

Tech helped Nebraska’s chances by missing the extra point on its overtime touchdown, but the Red Raider defense made the big play to clinch the victory. Cornerback Jamar Wall saw quarterback Joe Ganz scramble and charged toward the line of scrimmage.

Ganz attempted to throw the ball away but was hit from behind when he released it. The pass headed straight to Wall, who grabbed it and kept Texas Tech undefeated.

No. 16 Kansas shook off the doldrums after leading only 9-7 at halftime and defeated Colorado 30-14. But the best news for the Jayhawks may be a resurgence of the running game.

Jake Sharp gained 118 yards on 31 carries and scored three touchdowns. Sharp, a smaller and quicker back than 2007 leading rusher Brandon McAnderson, also keyed last week’s come-from-behind win over Iowa State.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (2)

About John Hillman

John Hillman graduated from Baylor University in 1974 with a BBA in accounting and earned an MBA from Baylor in 1987. He worked for accounting firms until 1982 when he became the chief financial officer for an independent insurance claims adjusting service, a position he still holds today. ...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report