Around the Region Recap, Week 5: TCU wins big, Texas Tech and Baylor falter in a week of mixed college football results around Texas

#17 BAYLOR BEARS (3-2, 1-1 Big 12)

This Week: Lost 36-25 vs #9 Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12)

Next Week: Bye Week

In a rematch of last season’s epic Big 12 Championship game, the Baylor Bears hosted the Oklahoma State Cowboys in a matchup of ranked Big 12 contenders on Saturday afternoon in Waco. The Cowboys’ hunger for revenge was evident in the first half, building a 16-3 lead behind stout defense and a balanced offensive attack. They’d run back the second half’s opening kickoff for a touchdown as well, putting Baylor in dire straits down 23-3. Blake Shapen and Baylor wouldn’t stop the fight, though, striking quickly for a 55-yard touchdown pass. They immediately followed it by intercepting Cowboy quarterback Spencer Sanders and punched it in again to make it 23-17 midway through the third quarter. The back and forth would continue into the fourth quarter, and Oklahoma State held tightly to a 33-25 lead heading into the final few minutes. Ultimately, Baylor’s undoing was an inability to finish drives with points as consistently as the Cowboys. They turned the ball over on downs twice and were hurt badly by two fourth quarter interceptions that all but sealed the road win for Oklahoma State. Wide receiver Monaray Baldwin was the biggest bright spot of the afternoon for the Bears, totaling 174 yards receiving with two touchdowns. 

TCU HORNED FROGS (4-0, 1-0 Big 12)

This Week: won 55-24 vs #18 Oklahoma (3-2, 0-2 Big 12)

Next Week: at Kansas 

The TCU Horned Frogs entered today winless against the Oklahoma Sooners since 2014, and were blown out while allowing 52 points on the road in Norman last season. Now without coach Lincoln Riley or quarterback Caleb Williams, Oklahoma came to Fort Worth as favorites nonetheless over undefeated TCU. If Kansas State’s win over the Sooners taught the Frogs anything, it was that Oklahoma’s defense could be had by an offense that was up to the task. Sonny Dykes’ Horned Frogs weren’t just up to the task Saturday – they were salivating at the opportunity to sink their teeth into the Sooners. TCU was aggressive from the jump, punishing Oklahoma’s defense from the getgo with a flurry of explosive touchdowns. They’d lead 27-10 at the end of the first quarter, having already scored from more than 65 yards out twice to send Amon G. Carter Stadium into a frenzy. TCU wouldn’t let Oklahoma any closer than within 17 points the rest of the afternoon, scoring at will behind an unbelievable day by quarterback Max Duggan. Duggan accounted for three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, averaging more than 23 yards per carry when he did take off and scramble. The Horned Frogs outgained Oklahoma 668 to 355, dominating and embarrassing the Sooners from start to finish on a day that quickly turned into a party in Fort Worth. 

TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS (3-2, 1-1 Big 12)

This Week: Lost 37-28 at #25 Kansas State (4-1, 2-0 Big 12)

Next Week: at #9 Oklahoma State

The Texas Tech Red Raiders’ schedule has been unforgiving, as Saturday’s trip to Manhattan represented their fourth consecutive week taking on a ranked opponent. Texas Tech picked up a massive win a week ago in Lubbock, topping the hated Texas Longhorns 37-34 in overtime as Donovan Smith threw for two touchdowns while playing turnover free football. It was a huge step forward for the sophomore, who had struggled with throwing interceptions since taking over for the injured Tyler Shough. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, the turnovers returned Saturday afternoon at Kansas State. Donovan Smith would throw an interception in each half, and lost a fumble in the fourth quarter that led to a dagger score by the Wildcats. Texas Tech played catch up all day, but did enough to give themselves a shot to win entering the fourth quarter. They came back from a 13-0 deficit to tie the game at 13, and later came from behind again to tie things up 20-20 at the end of the third. From then on, though, the Kansas State offense that looked electric in last week’s upset win of Oklahoma would take over. Wildcats’ quarterback Adrian Martinez ran for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns in the final quarter alone, while the Tech offense turned it over twice. The embattled Red Raiders’ brutal stretch of schedule continues next week, when a difficult trip to Stillwater awaits.  

BEST OF THE REST AROUND TEXAS

FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION

UTSA 45, Middle Tennessee 30

James Madison 40, Texas State 13

North Texas 45, Florida Atlantic 28

UTEP 41, Charlotte 35

Rice 28, UAB 24

SMU at UCF, Sunday 12:00pm CT

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION

Sam Houston 17, Stephen F. Austin 16

Houston Christian 37, Lamar 34

Incarnate Word 48, McNeese 20

Abilene Christian 26, Utah Tech 10