Big 12 Recap: Week One

The Big 12 was one of the few conferences that survived after all the realignment dust settled this past summer. Despite losing Texas and Oklahoma, the two blue chip programs, the conference made some big additions that will keep the league afloat for the coming years.

The Big 12 added BYU, Cincinnati and UCF this year, and Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado will join next season. This sets up a fun, offense-heavy conference that might not contend with the Big Ten or SEC but can become a third option.

In week one of the college football season, the Big 12 had a chance to make a statement. However, reflecting on this past weekend of games it seems like the Big 12 had one of the more disappointing showings. The conference was littered with heavy favorites falling to shocking underdogs.

Disappointments

The talk of the college football world was all centered around Colorado and TCU. Deion Sanders shocked the world by upsetting the runner-ups on their home field in week one. TCU was an astonishing 20.5-point favorite.

The Buffaloes were a putrid 1-11 a season ago. “Primetime” was able to match the season win total in one game, thanks to an impressive performance by his son, Shedeur Sanders, who threw for 510 yards with four touchdowns. Sanders demonstrated his talent can translate from an HBCU school.

Travis Hunter put himself into Heisman contention after picking off the TCU quarterback and hauling in 11 receptions.

The good news for the Big 12 is the fact that Colorado looks like the real deal and they will be joining the conference next season. The bad news for the conference is one of the so-called contenders looked like a shell of their team from a season ago.

Last January, the Horned Frogs were preparing to face Georgia in the national championship. Now the program is in disarray after letting up 65 points to the Bulldogs and 45 to the Buffalo.

Another team’s performance that should not be forgotten is Texas Tech’s. The Red Raiders were favored by 13.5 points against Wyoming.

This was a make-or-break year for Texas Tech as they returned quarterback Tyler Shough and star wide receiver Drae McCray. Only for the Red Raiders’ season to end before it really even got started. The Cowboys knocked off the Big 12 title contenders in double OT on a successful two-point conversion to end the game.

Maybe back on track?

This is Oklahoma’s last year in the Big 12. The former powerhouse is a year removed from a very underwhelming 6-7 season.

Second-year head coach, Brent Venables, knows he needs a big season to keep his job. The Sooners were one of the few Big 12 teams to show up in week one. Oklahoma dismantled Arkansas State 73-0. However, to know if this Sooner team is back on track they need to play tougher competition.

Looking ahead we will learn a lot about Texas this upcoming week against Alabama. A win on Saturday in Tuscaloosa will tell the world the Longhorns are officially back.

Aidan Torok is a fourth-year majoring in telecommunications and minoring in broadcast journalism and political science. To contact him, email ajt6051@psu.edu.