1. Clint Trickett is good. But Kevin White and Mario Alford make him look a lot better. They may be the best WR duo in the conference. There is plenty to worry about defensively and on special teams for WVU fans. But, at least Dana Holgerson seems to have his offense figured out.
2. Always take Art Briles and Baylor to cover a big spread against a very weak opponent. As the Bears sat up 35-0 at halftime, the sideline announcer asked Briles if he might rest QB Bryce Petty in the second half with his “big lead”. Briles responded “I don’t feel like we have a big lead.” Ah..! Music to the ears of a Baylor -34 bettor. Briles knows he has to smack around his non-conference schedule since it is so weak.
3. Kansas is just so, so bad. Really an original thought, I know… but when Charlie Weis was first hired I bought into the hype. I believed he would rejuvenate the program, recruit some good offensive weapons, and slowly turn things around. I never expected Mark Mangino success… but every week seems to be more embarrassing than the last. Weis doesn’t deserve a fourth season in Lawrence if things go as they are looking this season.
4. Texas Tech’s front seven looked like a JV team compared to the Arkansas offense line and running backs. Granted the Razorbacks O-line averages 6’6’’, 324 pounds, but Tech could’ve had 14 players on the field and been unable to stop the Arkansas running game that racked up 439 yards in Lubbock.
5. Paul Rhoads may never turn Iowa State into a perennial conference contender. But, every season he proves why he is still on more than solid footing in Ames. The game against Iowa has become their Super Bowl. And Rhoads has won 3 of the last 4 against his in-state rival. That keeps you employed in Ames. Oh, and Mark Mangino’s offensive genius is starting to be felt. Good stuff.
6. TCU’s fast pace offense under new co-offensive coordinators Doug Meachem and Sonny Cumbie is still unrecognizable. But, it’s a breath of fresh air after watching the TCU offense look anemic for two years in the Big 12.
7. Give me Sam Carter as early favorite for Big 12 Defensive Player of the year.
8. Daxx Garman looks as close to Brandon Weeden as we’ve seen in Stillwater since 2011. Solid body, stands in the pocket, will take the hit, and has a huge arm. J.W. Walsh is a poor man’s Johnny Manziel, who can’t stay healthy. I’d rather Garman be the guy, and let him get the ball into the hands of an impressive and speedy group of wide receivers.
9. Speaking of J.W. Walsh… TV broadcast caught him playing with his junk on the top of Boone Pickens Stadium. Clearly the camera crew forgets what it’s like to be 22 years old. For video click here: https://www.thescore.com/news/577761
10. The Sooners needed to play a decent opponent to get a gauge for how good they really are. Trevor Knight’s passing game improved tremendously in the offseason. The Sooner defensive line is something we haven’t seen since Gerald McCoy was wrecking havoc in Norman.
11. Texas still isn’t that good. Don’t let a close loss to the #12 team in the country fool you. When that team is missing their Heisman contending quarterback… it kind of changes things… just a bit. The Longhorns didn’t get embarrassed, that’s a good start.
12. My picks for week 3 went 8-1 … just saying. That is all. Still don’t recommend betting the mortgage on me … just yet.
