After starting the season 1-2, Oklahoma as rattled off four consecutive wins and sits at the top of the Big 12 conference. It’s not a surprising turn of events due to the talent they possess on offense, including quarterback Baker Mayfield and his 500-plus passing yards against Texas Tech. Joe Mixon has had a productive year at running back as well.
However, the Sooner defense allowed over 700 passing yards to Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes last Saturday in a 66-59 shootout. He put up an NCAA record 819 total yards of offense, but this wasn’t enough to top Oklahoma. Still, though, there have to be defensive concerns for Bob Stoops’ team. They won’t have to worry much going against Kansas and Iowa State in consecutive weeks, but finishing the year at home for Baylor, at West Virginia, and back in Norman for Oklahoma State will put the defense to task. It will threaten their hold on the Big 12 conference lead and potentially open things up for Baylor and WVU.
Baylor didn’t play last Saturday and probably shouldn’t be penalized for it, but this is more to credit what West Virginia has done.
The Bears have stayed near the top of the AP Poll for most of the season. They have crushed most of their opponents with quarterback Seth Russell and three quality running backs. This rushing attack has 1,697 yards and 16 touchdowns, actually topping the passing game (1,598 yards).
This school has a decent shot at remaining perfect for the next two weeks. They’ll face Texas, who could fire Charlie Strong any day. TCU will then visit after being throttled by West Virginia and having to deal with Texas Tech’s top offense. So, things should remain easy for Baylor, and they could even regain the No. 1 spot if West Virginia can’t defeat arguably their toughest opponent of the season.