Texas Longhorns Football and TCU as the “biggest threats” to Oklahoma to win the Big 12 in 2021?
Ari Temkin of SiriusXM’s Big 12 Radio (Ch. 375) and Orangebloods.com gives an overview of the Big 12 conference after three weeks of the 2021 college football season.
With the non-conference slate now in the rearview mirror, what Big 12 teams have stood out?
Kansas State has started 3-0, with impressive non conference wins over Stanford and Nevada, who have one of the nation’s best passers in Carson Strong. The Wildcats have done it with a fantastic running game led by Deuce Vaughn from Round Rock and Joe Ervin. K-State’s biggest surprise has been their defense. Overall, the Big 12 has been VERY good defensively and Kansas State’s defense is the biggest surprise of all of the team’s. It’s also surprising K-State has managed a 3-0 start despite missing one of the most underrated passers in the Big 12 in Skylar Thompson.
The Texas Longhorns Saturday opponent is Texas Tech and the Red Raiders are also 3-0 to start the season. The 2021 Texas Tech Red Raiders are the most talented Matt Wells’ team he’s had since taking over as head coach at Texas Tech. Tyler Shough, the former Oregon QB, has one of the most underrated receivers in the Big 12 in Erik Ezukanma, plus a potent rushing attack. Defensively, Tech is really good with it’s linebacking corps.
Baylor is another surprise 3-0 team in year two under Dave Aranda. In three weeks, Baylor has already exceeded their win total from last year when they won only 2 gams. The Baylor Bears are 3-0 thanks for 1- a favorable schedule and 2 – a team with a well established identity: they want to run the ball with Tresten Ebner and Abram Smith and an elite defense led by LSU transfer Apu Ika and Jalen Pitre.
TCU is 2-0 and will play SMU for the battle of the Iron Skillet on Saturday. TCU Horned Frogs have looked like the most complete offense in the Big 12. Max Duggan has taken a major step forward at QB, Zachary Evans, the former 5 star has looked every bit the talent he was coming out of Houston’s North Shore High School and Quentin Johnston is the most underrated WR in college football. The biggest question, surprisingly is TCU’s defense, which has been consistently great under defensive minded head coach Gary Patterson.
Oklahoma State is 3-0, but they have major issues in their passing game. Oklahoma State might have the best overall defense in the Big 12, but offensively the Cowboys are not exactly the type of team we’re used to seeing. Oklahoma State has some issues with injuries along their receiving corps and until their game against Boise State in Week 3, they’ve struggled to run the ball effectively.
West Virginia started off the season with a loss to Maryland Terrapins, but are on a two game winning streak with wins over Long Island and Virginia Tech. West Virginia Mountaineers are 2-1 with a high level defense and a QB “controversy.” They’re using Jarret Doege as the starter but rotating former 4* recruit Garrett Greene as a running threat.
Oklahoma is still the favorite to win the Big 12 conference, but the Sooners have not had the dominant offense that we’re used to seeing. They’ve played close games against opponents they were predicted to beat by multiple touchdowns. They have the best defensive line in the Big 12 and an offense that looks pretty pedestrian by Lincoln Riley’s standards.
Texas Longhorns football open up Big 12 play this Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 11am against Texas Tech Red Raiders at Darrell K. Royal (DKR) Texas Memorial Stadium.
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