The Big 12 continued to take its roller coaster ride through this season. A week after humiliating Florida State, Oklahoma was brought back to earth as it was nearly upset by Air Force in the final minutes. Kansas was fresh off a week of upsetting then #15 GaTech, only to be smashed by Southern Miss. Colorado found itself also securely fastened in its roller coaster seat, as it was able to dominate Hawaii.

But of course the two biggest games of the weekend for the Big XII were Texas @ Texas Tech, and Nebraska @ Washington. The Cornhuskers were able to send Jake Locker’s draft stock down the toilet as they convincingly beat the Huskies. Garrett Gilbert and the Horns nearly beat themselves midway through the game, but the defense played like All-Americans, and Texas ran out of Lubbock with a 24-14 victory.

Baylor Bears

Baylor 10 @ TCU 45

Grade: F

The Horned Frogs were able to completely shut down Robert Griffin III for most of the game. Baylor let TCU beat them in the air and on the ground. This game was never close, and Baylor doesn’t have a lot of bright spots ahead of them this season.

Colorado Buffaloes

Hawaii 13 @ Colorado 31

Grade: B+

A week after being humiliated by California, Colorado was able to rebound to beat a team more convincingly than ranked USC did earlier in the season. Colorado was able to establish a good running game, and Tyler Hansen was able to minimize mistakes as Colorado now has something to build its season around.

Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa St. 20 @ Kansas St. 27

Grade: C+

The Cyclones played well, but the Wildcats just played better. If the Cyclones want to turn some heads again this season, they’ll have to improve offensively. ISU had far too many stalled drives that left points on the board.

Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas 16 @ Southern Miss 31

Grade: F

A week after upsetting then #15 Georgia Tech, KU absolutely tanked in Hattiesburg, MS. I suppose their upset victory over GaTech was an anomaly, because I don’t see a lot of positives on this Jayhawk team.

Kansas State Wildcats

Iowa St. 20 @ Kansas St. 27

Grade: B

Kansas State is undefeated through 3 games this year. They have had good production out of their running attack, and their defense has made some nice stops on opposing teams. We’ll get to see if the Wildcats can upset a few bigger Big XII teams in the following weeks.

Missouri Tigers

San Diego St 24 @ Missouri 27

Grade: C

Just win baby! That’s basically the only good thing I can say about Missouri’s close victory over San Diego State. Mizzou QB Gabbert struggled mightily with 2 interceptions.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

#8 Nebraska 56 @ Washington 21

Grade: A

While watching this game I had to check my computer calendar to make sure this was 2010, and not 1994. That’s because Nebraska looked more like the perennial powerhouse Cornhuskers of old as QB Martinez humiliated the Huskie defense, accumulating 137 yds on the ground with 3 scores, and 150 yards and 1 td through the air. The Cornhusker defense was also able to suffocate highly touted NFL prospect Jake Locker throughout the game. Texas, you’re on notice for 10/15.

Oklahoma Sooners

Air Force @ #7 Oklahoma

Grade: C

Fresh off their victory over Florida State, in which they looked to be a dominating power in the country, the Sooners were brought back to earth by the Air Force cadets in Norman. OU was unable to stop AF’s run attack, and it showed with the 351 yards allowed. Thankfully for OU, archrival Texas doesn’t have an elite back. Otherwise, their season would be on notice.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Tulsa 28 @ Oklahoma St 65

Grade: A

722 yards of total offense for the Cowboys a week after struggling to beat Troy? Unbelievable. Cowboy QB Weeden threw for 6 touchdowns and 409 yards as the Cowboys start to show signs of relevancy in the Big XII.

Texas Longhorns

#6 Texas 24 @ Texas Tech 14

Grade: B

The only reason this game wasn’t a 35+ pt humiliation by Texas is because Texas beat themselves in the first half. 2 of Gilbert’s redzone throws were tipped at the LOS by Red Raider DE S. Smith. Both were intercepted. Then later in the game Malcolm Williams gift wrapped an INT to a Red Raider. The highlight of the night for Texas was their defense. Texas only allowed 144 yards of total offense. As an orangeblood, I cannot remember the last time Texas was able to completely shut down the Red Raider offensive machine.

Texas A&M Aggies

Florida Int’l 20 @ Texas A&M 27

Grade: D

Jerrod Johnson effectively removed himself from any chance of striking a pose this year (not that he had any real shot anyway) as he threw for 4 interceptions. The one bright spot of the game for A&M was their ability to rally late in the game to avoid an embarrassing loss to FIU.

Texas Tech Red Riaders

#6 Texas 24 @ Texas Tech 14

Grade: F

As stated previously for Texas, the final score did not fully illustrate how poorly Texas Tech played in this game. QB Taylor Potts was victimized throughout the game, and was never really able to get in rhythm. The only player for TTU who seemed like he actually wanted to win the game was DE Scott Smith.

Big XII Hoss of the Week

Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State — 23/32, 409 yds, 6 tds, 0 ints

Big XII Donk of the Week

Taylor Potts, Texas Tech — 21/35, 158 yds, 1 td, 2 ints; sacked 3 times for heavy losses