Entering this season, most observers figured this Big 12 season would come down to a race between Texas and Oklahoma. And while the conference championship game could still feature the two traditional powers in a final big showdown before both head to the SEC, things have recently become significantly more complicated.
As we head into Week 10, the top of the Big 12 is quite crowded, with five teams tied for first at 4-1. Even better? Four of them square off this weekend, including two of them on “Big Noon Saturday,” as No. 7 Texas is playing host to No. 23 Kansas State.
A win could be pivotal for both teams on the road to the league championship game, and for Texas, there is the added carrot of a potential berth in the College Football Playoff.
The Longhorns have been on the CFP radar for most of the season, but will be relying on the strong arm of backup quarterback Maalik Murphy, with Quinn Ewers out with an injury.
And they would be unwise to sleep on the Wildcats, who won the Big 12 championship last season and possess a dangerous QB tandem of Will Howard and Avery Johnson.
How will it turn out? We’re about to find out, and I’ll have live analysis of all the action.
No. 23 Kansas State at No. 7 Texas
1:11 1Q: Texas goes up 10-0
To quote the great Gus Johnson, “The Murph is slinging the rock.” Maalik Murphy has really showcased the big arm that made him one of Steve Sarkisian’s first big quarterback recruits, finding Adonai Mitchell for another big gain down the field on a drive that wound up with a field goal to go up double digits early. Murphy got a little greedy on a third-down throw to the end zone, but the young QB looks much more comfortable in his second college start, as he faces the Big 12’s top defense.
5:14 1Q: The Texas defense has been tough
Somewhat stating the obvious, but Kansas State averaging 1.9 yards rushing and being forced into obvious passing situations with third-and-longs is not a recipe for success on the road against a top-10 team.
8:36 1Q: TOUCHDOWN, TEXAS!
Maalik Murphy missed on his first deep ball to Xavier Worthy, but he was money on his second, finding Adonai Mitchell for a 37-yard touchdown and the first points of the day in Austin. It was a terrific outside-in move by Mitchell on the post route against single-coverage, which is something KSU has been burned by several times already against the two UT playmakers.
Maalik Murphy connects with Adonai Mitchell for a 37-yard TD
10:30 1Q: Sack attack
Big sack by Barryn Sorrell, who took down Will Howard and forced the Kansas State punt on its first offensive series. You can already tell this is one of those games that will be won or lost in the trenches, and it’s a rare time when the Longhorns can enter this series against the Wildcats as being equally as physical along both lines as the visitors. Both OCs will want to establish the run given the quarterbacks involved but that looks like a tall task based on the early returns.
12:28 1Q: K-State focused on stopping the run
Some nice easy throws from Steve Sarkisian to get Maalik Murphy into rhythm early on, but he can’t connect on the deep ball to Xavier Worthy as Texas winds up punting on its first series. Kansas State’s defense is clearly loading the box to stop Jonathon Brooks from running behind that big Longhorns offensive line.
And here we go!
PREGAME SCENE
Bruce Feldman provided the latest news in the Michigan sign-stealing investigation, including a statement from Connor Stalions, the man at the center of it all. Feldman also said that Stalions’ lawyer told him that, to his knowledge, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff did not know about anything improper going on around advanced scouting.
Bruce Feldman provides the latest on the Michigan sign-stealing investigation and Connor Stalions’ resignation
Matthew McConaughey stopped by to give a pregame speech, celebrate his birthday, and more!
Matthew McConaughey talks Texas vs. Kansas State, turning 54, more
Matt Leinart reunited with his former USC QB coach and current Longhorns’ head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Steve Sarkisian sits down with Matt Leinart to discuss whether Texas is a National Championship contender
Bruce Feldman gave an update on Texas QB Quinn Ewers‘ injury.
Mark Ingram swept Rob Stone right off his feet.
Who’s the real No. 1? Joel Klatt and some special guests debated the topic.
Kansas State coach Chris Klieman spoke with Jenny Taft to set up the game. Reminder: Klieman’s Wildcats won the league last season.
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman tells Jenny Taft what it takes to beat Texas
The Big 12 is set up to have a wild race to the top of the standings, and our crew broke it all down, including a breakdown of Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State Preview
Matt Leinart and Mark Ingram broke down the Heisman race, with “The Bear” bringing a prediction of his own …
Jayden Daniels, Marvin Harrison Jr. headline our Heisman candidates
It’s already a fun one in Austin …
PREGAME READING
Why Maalik Murphy is ready to lead Texas: Rather than transfer, Maalik Murphy stayed at Texas to compete against Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Coaches who have worked with him explain why that competitive makeup is what makes him special. Laken Litman has the story.
Texas vs. Kansas State: Odds, predictions and picks for the game. Read more.
Texas vs. K-State, Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State: What we’re watching in Week 10. Find out what our experts expect to see happen on Saturday.
Texas’ T’Vondre Sweat is on the rise: The Longhorns’ impressive defensive tackle is among several under-the-radar NFL Draft prospects who are flying up draft boards. Rob Rang explains why.
BY THE NUMBERS
4-1: Current Big 12 record for both Kansas State and Texas. The Wildcats and Longhorns are two of five teams tied for first in the Big 12 standings.
6: Number of matchups the Longhorns have won out of the last seven against the Wildcats.
8: Total touchdowns for Texas RB Jonathon Brooks, who ranks second in the Big 12 in this category.
572: Receiving yards for Texas wideout Xavier Worthy, who ranks fourth in the Big 12 in this category.
15.9: Points allowed per game by Kansas State, which ranks first in the Big 12.
8: Games won by Kansas State in its last nine matchups against Big 12 opponents.
82.5: Percentage of touchdowns the Wildcats are scoring in the red zone, which ranks No. 1 among Power 5 programs this season.
[More numbers to know about Week 10 matchups]
MORE TO KNOW AROUND THE NATION
Reaction to the initial CFP rankings of 2023: Find out what the committee got right, and where it was very wrong. RJ Young breaks it down.
How is Oklahoma ranked behind Texas and Alabama?
2023-24 college football bowl projections: From the College Football Playoffs to the sleepy early December matchups, here are our picks for every bowl game matchup. Read more from Bryan Fischer.
Michigan remains calm in the storm: How are Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan Wolverines handling all the drama around the sign-stealing investigation? Michael Cohen has the story from Ann Arbor.
Bryan Fischer is a college football writer for FOX Sports. He has been covering college athletics for nearly two decades at outlets such as NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and NFL.com among others. Follow him on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
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