Big 12 rewind, Nov. 1

KANSAS STATE
Lost 42-30 at Oklahoma, Kansas at home on Saturday

The first three possessions collected a total of minus-4 yards, and after that the Wildcats had as much success as anybody this season on Oklahoma’s powerful defense. Four straight scoring drives, covering an average of 71 yards, then Brandon Banks’ fourth kickoff return of the season, made this a contest. Once the Wildcats caught up to the game’s pace they went toe to toe with the Sooners. K-State is playing better than anybody in the North and the division is there for the taking.

TEXAS
Won 41-14 at Oklahoma State, Central Florida at home on Saturday

These Texas kids are going to love the Lawry’s Beef Bowl. Prime rib, salad, mashed potatoes, apple pie, keeping company with the Rose Bowl queen and her court, all part of the Pasadena tradition. As long as the Longhorns don’t stub their toe against Central Florida, Baylor, Kansas or Texas A&M (the trip to College Station looms more dangerous by the week), then takes care of business in the Big 12 title game, Texas is headed to the BCS finale. Two interception returns for scores from a defense that couldn’t hang on to picks last season were the signature moments in the romp at Stillwater.

MISSOURI
Won at Colorado 36-17, Baylor at home on Saturday

Food tastes better today in Columbia. Emphatically ending a three-game losing streak, the Tigers changed their outlook on the season and an eight- or nine-victory season seems possible again. Offense line play was terrific and the running game emerged. Then just as the Buffaloes were making a run, the Tigers defense came up with big fourth quarter stops. And eight sacks? Wow.

KANSAS
Lost 42-21 at Texas Tech, at Kansas State on Saturday

Offensive line changes are coming. The pocket collapsed so often on Todd Reesing that Mark Mangino got him out of there in the fourth quarter for the quarterback’s preservation. Kansas led 21-14 going into the fourth quarter and had a chance to record its biggest victory of the season. Instead, the Jayhawks lug a three-game losing streak to Manhattan, where a loss will all but end division title hopes.

NEBRASKA
Won 20-10 at Baylor, Oklahoma at home on Saturday

The Huskers made the switch at quarterback and now they’ll have to practice patience with Cody Green. The offense ground to a halt in the second half with all possessions ending in punts and turnovers. As good as Ndamukong Suh has been, he’s never had a five-sack game. Jared Crick did, setting a school record. He was terrific with a fumble recovery and pass deflection to go with his seven tackles for loss.

OKLAHOMA
Beat Kansas State 42-30, at Nebraska on Saturday

The Sooners surrendered 30 points in 35 minutes, but the good news was production from the Landry Jones-led offense. His four touchdowns and 294 passing yards were game ball-like numbers and he led one scoring drive that started with a first-and-45. But by getting no help up the road from Oklahoma State, losers to Texas, Oklahoma’s quest for a shot at the division title becomes next to impossible. The Longhorns would have to lose two of three and that’s not going to happen.

OKLAHOMA STATE
Lost to Texas 41-14 at home, at Iowa State on Saturday

The Cowboys got a bad break on the Andre Sexton fumble recovery call, allowing Texas to keep possession just before halftime. But it didn’t change the game. Texas clearly was superior and Pokes quarterback Zac Robinson had a nightmarish night with four picks. Kendall Hunter finally made an appearance after missing nearly two months with a foot injury. He picked up one yard on his only attempt, and his availability for the rest of the season remains in doubt. Oklahoma State still has an opportunity to play in the Fiesta Bowl but it will take winning out.

BAYLOR
Lost 20-10 to Nebraska, at Missouri on Saturday

The Bears hung around and freshman quarterback Nick Florence played well enough, but this may have been the final victory opportunity with three away from Waco and Texas coming to town in two weeks. Hey, loved that pitch play on the punt return in the final minute.

TEXAS A&M
Beat Iowa State 35-10, at Colorado on Saturday

Talk about reacting well to an embarrassing loss. Since the debacle at Kansas State, the Aggies have ripped off two convincing victories and are moving up in the bowl pecking order every week. What’s happening? A&M is getting more sound play from quarterback Jerrod Johnson, and the defense is getting better by the week. Oklahoma and Texas remain on the Aggies’ slate, but those don’t look as helpless as they once did.

IOWA STATE
Lost 35-10 at Texas A&M, Oklahoma State at home on Saturday

Austen Arnaud, nursing a hand injury and out for two games, will be back to start against the Cowboys this week, but the Cyclones didn’t pin the A&M loss on replacement Jerome Tiller. This was going to be a tough assignment after an offensive line shuffle because of center Reggie Stephen’s appendectomy. Stephens has started 36 straight games.

TEXAS TECH
Beat Kansas 42-21, next game is at Oklahoma State, Nov. 14

Defense and the running game, those have been Tech’s calling cards all along, right? Neither Raiders quarterback, Seth Doege or Taylor Potts, was effective, so running back Baron Batch and the defense stepped up in a big way in the fourth quarter, breaking a 21-21 deadlock. Gotta go with Potts until Steven Sheffield’s foot heals.

COLORADO
Lost 36-17 to Missouri, Texas A&M at home on Saturday

The home fans were booing, and it had nothing to do with Halloween. This happens when your team falls behind 33-0. Colorado will have to win out, including a bowl game to have a winning season in a year Coach Dan Hawkins promised 10 victories. Here’s the stat of the day. When kicker Aric Goodman made it 33-3 late in the second quarter, it stopped a run of 139 straight points by Missouri against Colorado over three seasons.