Around the Big 12: Week 3

So far in 2023, the Big 12 has not been very successful. With just two ranked teams in total, the conference struggles to find its way as one of the top conferences in college football.

Recap of Week Three:

Miami of Ohio 31, Cincinnati 24 (OT)

The RedHawks and the Bearcats face each other every year in the Battle of the Victory Bell, and this year Miami of Ohio got the victory against their rival in the 127th matchup. The Miami victory ended a 16-year winning streak for Cincinnati in this game.

The game started with the RedHawks taking the opening kickoff all the way to the endzone to give them an early 7-0 lead. However, the Bearcats were able to respond and only trailed by one at halftime. A back-and-forth second half forced the game to go to overtime.

In overtime, Miami scored off of a Brett Gabbert pass to Joe Wilkins Jr. to make the score 31-24. Cincinnati then went down to the 2 yard line and on fourth down, quarterback Emory Jones threw the game sealing interception.

West Virginia 17, Pitt 6

One of the fiercest rivalries in college football was renewed in the 106th edition of the Backyard Brawl. It was one of the ugliest games played during week three for both offenses.

Pitt jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and held onto it until the second quarter. With about five minutes left in the half, Panthers quarterback Phil Jurkovec threw his first interception. This set up the Mountaineers' first touchdown of the game.

Jurkovec would go on to throw three interceptions in total.

West Virginia scored 10 more points in the third quarter and 17 points was all they needed to beat a Pitt team that had no offensive firepower.

No. 4 Texas 31, Wyoming 10

This game was a lot closer than the final scoreboard showed. Texas came out slow after an enormous victory against Alabama the week before.

After the third quarter, the game was tied at 10 a piece and the Longhorn’s offense looked terrible. This all changed in the fourth.

Quinn Ewers turned it on for Texas and led them to two touchdown drives. The defense did its part to not allow any points and the Longhorns had a pick-six to make the final look even better.

A look ahead:

BYU at Kansas

In week three, BYU beat Arkansas in a shootout 38-31. Kansas has also had some impressive performances before this game against power five foes. This will be the first game that BYU will play against a Big 12 opponent as a member of the conference.

The Jayhawks have many dynamic players including quarterback Jalon Daniels. Last season, Daniels put Kansas back on the map in college football and he continues to impress this season.

Through three games, Daniels has thrown 575 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He will be the key piece for Kansas in this game and throughout this season.

UCF at Kansas State

The Wildcats entered this game after they lost to Missouri in week three on a last second, 61 yard field goal. It was a crushing blow for the defending Big 12 champions.

Kansas State could have a huge bounce back game this week against the Knights. The Knights struggled to beat a Boise State team that is not as good as they usually are.

There is still a huge opportunity for the Wildcats to win the Big 12, but it all needs to start this week against UCF.

Texas Tech at West Virginia

West Virginia won their “Super Bowl” last weekend against Pitt and now they face a Texas Tech team that played well with Oregon. Also, the Mountaineers quarterback situation is still up in the air after Garrett Greene was knocked out of the Backyard Brawl.

The Red Raiders will most likely come out strong and defeat the Mountaineers in a potential shootout.

Ethan Bell is a third-year majoring in public relations. To contact him, email epb5391@psu.edu.