It finally happened. The Big 12 finally got some unpredictable results and it almost got wild in Fort Worth. It’s also time for some good ol’ fashion coaching speculation with the early signing period just a few weeks away. So while the top of the Big 12 standings did not actually change in the four positions, the week 11 takeaways have plenty of noteworthy items.
Big 12 Week 11 Takeaways
Upsets Ruled The Day
The Week 11 takeaways start with one of the more head-turning results of the season. Oklahoma State, who was arguably the hottest team in the conference, traveled down to Orlando to take on an underwhelming UCF team. However, it appears a Flordia rain storm put out the flame powering Mike Gundy’s team. The Pokes promptly got loaded onto the nearest rocket and launched to the moon. The Knights had the game in control from the opening kick before winning by a score of 45-3.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech and Kansas must have traded spots with Indiana and Illinois for a week. Kansas also got to experience life with a third-string quarterback playing, a feeling the Red Raiders unfortunately, are all too familiar with this season. But Joey McGuire is not going to apologize for winning in an unattractive fashion to keep bowl hopes alive. While the game wasn’t the most pleasant to watch, the ending was thrilling as the Red Raiders won on a walk-off field goal by a score of 16-13.
Texas Is Playing With Fire
Are the Longhorns running out of steam? Texas, once again, took a three-score lead into the fourth quarter before nearly giving it away. But the latest 29-26 victory over TCU does not inspire any confidence for the rest of the season. It marked the third time in the last four games in which Texas saw a three-score lead evaporate down the end of the game. And the Longhorn fan’s anxiety got cranked up a few more notches today. It was announced that running back Jonathon Brooks is out for the season after tearing his ACL against the Horned Frogs.
Yes, the Horns should be applauded for being the most anti-Texas team in the last 15 years. If Texas wins its last two games and the Big 12 championship, it will get into the college football playoff. But Steve Sarkisian has to realize that eventually one of these collapses will bring the dream season down. No doubt the Texas jokes are getting dusted off and ready to fire off at a moment’s notice. However, it appears the Horns have adopted the March Madness “survive-and-advance” mentality. Can they do it three more times to reach football’s final four?
Time For the Big 12 Coaching Carousel To Start Spinning?
With the news breaking that Jimbo Fisher will no longer be the coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, it sets a new precedent. The college football world confirmed that buyout numbers don’t matter. If the boosters have decided it is time for a change, they will find the money (no matter how ridiculous the number is). So does that mean it is time for some Big 12 coaches to update their LinkedIn profiles? Those could be Dana Holgorsen, Dave Aranda, and even possibly Neal Brown
Houston lost at home to a Cincinnati team that had not won a Big 12 game all season. Baylor was run over by Kansas State. West Virginia, while already having secured bowl eligibility, got run out of the stadium by Oklahoma. Brown should be fine, but if he stumbles to Cincinnati/Baylor or both, all that goodwill disappears. If any of these coaches are going to be fired, it is likely going to happen in the next week in order to attempt to save any recruiting class these teams have.
