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Big 12 Football: ‘Eers surge as Longhorns plummet

By Patrick Mayhorn

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 1: Patrick Vahe #77 of the Texas Longhorns sits on the bench in the fourth quarter of the Longhorns 34-29 loss to the Maryland Terrapins at FedExField on September 1, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 1: Patrick Vahe #77 of the Texas Longhorns sits on the bench in the fourth quarter of the Longhorns 34-29 loss to the Maryland Terrapins at FedExField on September 1, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Like a couple other teams on this list, Oklahoma State moves up not really because of their own performance, but because two teams that I had ahead of them in Texas and Kansas State both struggled with lesser foes. Oklahoma State had no problem with Missouri State, handling them easily and looking awesome on offense in the process.

I am, however, still concerned about the quarterback play. Taylor Cornelius put up pretty solid numbers, and obviously he didn’t hurt his team, but in seeing him play, I just don’t know if he’s the answer. His ceiling is not at all high, and he really doesn’t have the arm talent to launch bigger passes. There’s no real zip on his throws, and that’ll hurt them against better teams. Luckily, Oklahoma State seems to have two great halfbacks in Justice Hill and LD Brown, and receivers Jalen McCleskey and Chuba Hubbard both made big plays. Oklahoma State may live a die a bit on the big plays again this season.

West Virginia was pretty much the only team in the conference outside of Texas and Texas Tech that played against a legitimate opponent, and they’re the only one to win that game. Before we get too far in, I will say that Tennessee probably stinks, and there’s really only so much that we should take from West Virginia beating them. Starting two freshmen corners against Will Grier is never going to work.

With that said, Will Grier and this offense looked really good. Grier put up huge numbers, like we knew he would, and while it took a half for the offense to really get going, when it did, this one was over quickly. Three third quarter touchdown passes iced this one, and pretty much confirmed what we expected from West Virginia coming into this season. The passing game was great, the rushing attack and defense was decent. I’m excited to see what West Virginia does in two weeks at NC State.

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