2022 Week 4, 2022 Large Dozen

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Large Dozen

The Big 12's Weekly Recap Show

Iowa State 20, Kansas 16

 

Summers dreams, ripped at the seams

 

Muchly anticipated redshirt sophomore quarterback Tyler Summers has been a consistent liability through two Kansas games this season. He started out flat to begin the year against Michigan, and his inefficiency in completing passes (13/24 at 54% against Michigan, 12/25 at 48% against Iowa State) and pair of costly interceptions this week might open up the Jayhawk QB room for competition. Summers was intercepted on Kansas' opening drive of the game, resulting in an Iowa State field goal, and was again picked down 13-17 in the 4th deep in Jayhawk territory, setting up Iowa State's final field goal that would ultimately be the dagger. Summers capability as a runner is unquestioned - following Iowa State's final field goal, Summers took Kansas on a 9 play, 82 yard drive that came up 4 yards short of the end zone, including a massive 42 yard Summers scamper. But after that play, he would finish 2/4 for 10 yards passing, and 2 carries for -1 yard. Freshman kicker Jake Ramirez missed two field goals that could have been difference makers - but one of them came from 51 yards out (eventually leading to an Iowa State TD), and the other from 54. He made kicks of 52, 42, and 22.

 

Its not that Iowa State did anything particularly well. Their highly regarded offensive line allowed 3 sacks on 32 dropbacks, and they rushed for just 3.52 yards per carry, they had 9 punts to Kansas' 4. Their defense allowed 462 yards, 322 of it on the ground at 5.96 yards per carry. They just managed to rip off a few big plays when they needed to, and more importantly, did not turn the football over.

 

Iowa State advances to 3-1 and travels to TCU next week for their 4th away game in as many tries, before ending their month-long road stretch with a much needed open date. Kansas, now 1-1 and averaging just 5 1st-half points per game, travels to West Virginia for a battle of the blues.

 

Michigan 24, Oklahoma State 16

 

 

Just as Troy Marvin and the Cowboys were receiving national hype, their big dreams got blasted in the Big House. Michigan, trotting out Bobo Sims at QB, struggled to throw the football, but a big day by Vlad "the Impaler" Dawson on the ground was the difference. Oklahoma State could not run the ball at any efficiency, while Dawson and Fernando Blue put together 200 of Michigans 209 rushing yards. Marvin connected with Austin Duvernay-Tardiff 6 times for 116 and a TD, but it took 15 targets to get him there. The novel of Marvin's kicking stats counting towards a Heisman push may have worn off as well, as he missed a XP and a FG, this one from just 32 yards out.

 

Oklahoma State travels to the state of Kansas for its next two games, taking on Kansas State this coming weekend.

 

TCU 42, Oklahoma 21

 

 

After Week 0 I thought Pace Frandsen was going to be THE Big 12 QB this year, and yet... Andrew Solano has consistently shown he can duel with the best of them. Oklahoma on paper was a national contender at the beginning of the year, and Solano embarrassed them to the tune of 470 yards, 5 TDs, and 77% completion. Oren Colon went 7/180 and a score, and Anthony Danks smoked the Oklahoma DBs with 9/203 and three scores. And perhaps the best redemption story since 1984 - CB Anthony Shelton, who got bodied and outmuscled continually last time out, handled OU receiver Tim McRae (6'1", 193), giving up 4/67 but hauling in an interception.

 

TCU, now 2-1, hosts Iowa State next week. For Oklahoma, its a big, brutal matchup with Baylor in Norman.

 

Baylor 17, Texas 10

 

Its time to accept that Travis Knebel isn't going to win games on his arm. But he's going to win Baylor games.

 

Texas has been known for airing the ball out the past two years, and for Hanser "the Polish Passer" Zagurski, he's out there having the time of his life. Unfortunately, on 52 pass attempts he was only able to connect on 33 of them, for just 254 yards and 1 TD. Its been a disappointing year for those hoping Ty Mizzell or Donatello Scott would set records, and Texas has been relegated to the bottom third of relevancy when it comes to football schools in its state. Meanwhile, they played a tight, slugfest of a game with Baylor, but again... Travis Knebel is going to win games for Baylor. And he's doing it on the ground, with 94 yards and 2 TDs.

 

There is no easy breathing for Baylor. They travel to Oklahoma next week. Texas "looks to rebound" against a Texas Tech team that has found new life, in Lubbock.

 

Penn State 27, Texas Tech 24 (OT)

 

Texas Tech is unbeaten no more, but it took every tooth and nail from the Nittany Lions to end this cinderella story. The Red Raiders weren't able to do anything significant on offense, but their defense as a unit was flying around and finished with a majority of their guys getting TFLs. Texas Tech hasn't played any conference games yet, but they open hosting the Longhorns next weekend. Even taking the L today is a major step forward - there's hardly consolation in losing, but this team is significantly better than they were a year ago.

 

Kansas State 31, West Virginia 27

 

West Virginia QB Shelby Musa continues to be the Big 12's model game manager, moving the ball in short chunks while the ground game churns out long drives, time possession, and scores. Unfortunately, Musa might just not be the guy to helm a WVU team looking to win games. Despite 170 yards and 3 touchdowns from top Mountaineer RBs, it was, to the shock of no one, Kansas State's offense looking explosive. WR Danny Cichy had another highlight reel game, hauling in 5/154/2, while QB Brandon Smith - although not perfect - shredded WVU for 344 and 3 TDs. West Virginia punter Brent Martin put together a solid game, but a missed FG from Mike Fox early in the 1st half could have changed the momentum of the game.

 

Kansas State hosts Oklahoma State next week in what could have been billed nationally as a shootout between Smith and Troy Marvin. West Virginia hosts Kansas in what should be a "circle the calendar" game for both teams looking to prove their worth in an already deeply talented conference.

 

The Bakery Big 12 Recruits

ILB John Kwiecien - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Baylor

6'3" - 247 Northhampton County (Gaston, NC)

 

Baylor hasn't been lacking in the linebacker department, with Antwaun Vaccaro the heart of their 2022 defense, and of course the big reputation of Jehu Ginn, and they're probably set for 2024 with junior Shelby Wisler waiting in the wings behind Vaccaro. But no one on their roster compares to John Kwiecien, a massive prototypical run stopper who could probably set foot on the field next year as a true freshman. Baylor of course has Wisler, and true freshman Kevin Cole is no slouch either, but it will be hard for coach @Vivid to keep the kid in the film room and out of the huddle.

 

 

TE Juan Corral - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - West Virginia

6'5" - 216 Kellam (Virginia Beach, VA)

 

West Virginia has not had a tight end the caliber of Juan Corral before. Current contributor Anfernee Ford has made plays at times, but Corral's slender frame could see him line up at WR3/4 during Red Zone or pure passing sets, and slot in to more of a traditional tight end role during x1 or x2 formations. West Virginia is making a big push to win locals into their fan base - and saying "we've got this kid from the area" goes far in selling merch and tickets for a program on the rise. Congratulations to coach @smackemz

 

Only three recruits have committed across the county, all three from the eastern US/Mid Atlantic, with Glenelg, MDs Shawn Johnson committing to Penn State.