Big 12 Update: Week 2 Filled With Close Calls, Reality Checks and a Nonconference Conference Game

It was a week of close calls, comebacks, reality checks and even conference games that weren’t actually conference games in the Big 12.

Oklahoma State won a wild one in double overtime against Arkansas, which you can read about all over PFB and see the recap here, but here’s what happened throughout the rest of the Big 12.

BYU 18, SMU 15

BYU started the Big 12’s week on Friday night with an 18-15 win over new ACC member SMU. This one garnered some bragging rights as the Cougars went right into the middle of Big 12 territory and beat a team from a different power conference in its home stadium.

BYU needed a 26-yard field goal with 1:58 left, then had to sustain SMU for a drive to secure the win. Field goals ultimately ended up being the downfall for the Mustangs, settling for five field goals and never finding the end zone. BYU was just as disappointing on offense but capitalized on its red zone trips.

BYU hosts Wyoming next week.

Kansas State 34, Tulane 27

It was a wild Saturday morning throughout all of college football. When that first set of games hit halftime, there were four ranked teams down, and half of those came from the Big 12, including OSU and Kansas State.

K-State overcame a 20-10 halftime deficit to fend off Tulane’s upset scare in New Orleans. The game was tied 27-27 in the fourth quarter before Jack Fabris returned a fumble for a 60-yard score that ultimately won the game.

K-State starts conference play next week, welcoming Arizona to the Big 12.

Pittsburgh 28, Cincinnati 27

The Bearcats let a fourth-quarter comeback be the death of them.

Heading into the fourth with Cincinnati up 27-13, Pitt scored 15 unanswered to leave with a one-point win at 2-0. Despite the loss, though, the Bearcats had some offensive standouts. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby threw for 298 yards and three TDs compared to no interceptions. Corey Kiner also rushed for 149 yards.

Things get easier for Cincy next week against Miami (OH).

Utah 23, Baylor 12

This game was the epitome of how weird college football can get in today’s world.

Baylor and Utah met as members of the Big 12, but the game counted as a nonconference contest. It was a series that was agreed upon before Utah decided to join the Big 12, meaning the Utes won’t technically play their first Big 12 game until Sept. 21 against OSU.

The biggest storyline to come from this one was Utah quarterback Cameron Rising injuring his throwing hand. But even without their star, the Utes used an early 23-0 lead to improve to 2-0.

Utah will play instate rival Utah State next week, while Baylor goes back home to play Air Force.

Iowa State 20, Iowa 19

OSU fans can relate to this, as Iowa State finally overcame its instate rivalry issues and beat Iowa.

Kyle Konrardy nailed a 54-yard field goal with six seconds left to win the CyHawk. That was after the Cyclones put together 13 unanswered to mount the comeback.  ISU started the game down 13-0 going into halftime.

West Virginia 49, Albany 14

West Virginia got its first win of the season with a 49-14 victory Albany.

The Mountaineers got out to an early 21-0 lead before letting Albany get within seven late in the second quarter. WVU then scored 28 unanswered to run away with the thing.

WVU had a pair of 100-yard rushers, while quarterback Garrett Greene also ran for 68 yards and a score. He also had 236 passing yards and three TDs.

The Mountaineers will travel to face an undefeated Pitt team next.

Illinois 23, Kansas 17

A team beat Kansas and stormed the field, not the court.

Illinois upset KU at home to improve to 2-0 and drop the Jayhawks to 1-1. The Jayhawks were outscored 10-0 in the fourth quarter, including a 43-yard field goal with 58 seconds left, to let the game escape them. Quarterback Jason Daniels played a part in making that comeback possible, throwing three interceptions, plus a fumble on the last play of the game.

Next, the Jayhawks host UNLV, which is 2-0 and beat fellow Big 12 team Houston in Week 1.

UCF 45, Sam Houston 14

Two weeks in, and we still don’t know just how good 2-0 UCF is after wins against New Hampshire and Sam Houston.

No matter the opponent, though, running back RJ Harvey has been fantastic, rushing for 126 yards and four TDs on Saturday.

The Golden Knights will finally be tested Saturday with Big 12 play starting at TCU, which is also 2-0.

TCU 45, Long Island 0

Speaking of TCU, the Horned Frogs are also 2-0 but at least beat the ACC’s Stanford Week 1. This past week, running back Cam Cook powered TCU past Long Island with three rushing TDs.

Nebraska 28, Colorado 10

The 2024 Colorado Buffaloes might have been overhyped.

After narrowly getting past the FCS’ North Dakota State, Colorado took a beating in Lincoln. Nebraska led 28-0 at halftime, and although the Cornhuskers were shut out in the second half, it was already too late for Coach Prime’s squad.

Travis Hunter is not overhyped, though. He caught 10 passes for 110 yards while playing both sides of the ball.

Colorado has instate rival Colorado State next.

Arizona 22, Northern Arizona 10

Arizona hasn’t looked impressive from start to finish yet and even trailed this game 10-3 in the second quarter before scoring 19 straight. Running back Quali Conley was Arizona’s Week 2 star, leading the team in rushing (112) and receiving (38) yards.

Saturday will be the Wildcats’ first true test, starting their time in the Big 12 with a trip to Kansas State for a Friday night matchup.

Washington State 37, Texas Tech 16

Is Texas Tech the worst team in the Big 12?

After needing overtime to beat Abilene Christian Week 1, Texas Tech was thumped by Washington State on a night former coach Mike Leach was inducted into Washington State’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Tech hosts an undefeated North Texas team next.

Arizona State 30, Mississippi State 23

The Sun Devils could be the biggest surprise in the Big 12.

ASU led this game 27-3 at halftime before Mississippi State put up more of a fight in the second half, scoring the last 20 points of the game.

The Sun Devils could very well start the season 4-0 with Texas State and Texas Tech next.