Dallas Morning News Volume VI

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SPORTSTCU HORNED FROGS

5 things TCU fans need to know about No. 19 Kansas: CB Cobee Bryant leads Jayhawk defense​

The No. 19 Jayhawks are ranked for the first time since 2009.​

No. 17 TCU is heading to Lawrence to take on No. 19 Kansas this Saturday and only one team will remain undefeated.

Here are five things TCU fans need to know about the Jayhawks.

Excitement is in the air​

Kansas football is one of the most feel-good stories in all of sports. The Jayhawks hadn’t won more than one Big 12 Conference game since 2009 but they somehow won two to start the 2022 season. How’s that for a turnaround?
This season is special for KU football, and Jayhawk fans are taking notice. The buzz around football is as high as ever, and with ESPN’s College GameDay in town, David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium will be an electric environment.
Kansas has not had a good football team to cheer for in over the decade. With the Jayhawks’ undefeated season on the line, fans will pack the booth and create a significant home-field advantage.Dykes said the Kansas home-field advantage could be a factor in the ballgame.

“All you have to do is look around college football and see,” said Dykes. “Teams play better at home than they do on the road.”

Close calls​

Yes, the Jayhawks are undefeated but how good is this football team? Kansas’ signature victories this season include West Virginia, Houston and Iowa State.

The Jayhawks defeated the Mountaineers 55-42 in overtime. KU heading into Morgantown and defeating West Virginia in a high-scoring affair proved the Kansas offense is the real deal. West Virginia, who had lost to Pitt to open the season, took a 38-20 loss to Texas on Saturday.
Kansas also handed the Houston Cougars an 18-point loss. Houston lost in overtime to Tulane and Texas Tech, two respectable teams, which makes Kansas’ multi-score victory more impressive.
Kansas’ most notable victory was last week against the Iowa State Cyclones, who lost by one score to Baylor the week prior. The Jayhawks mean business but still need to prove themselves against top-tier competition, just as the Horned Frogs do.
Are the Jayhawks and Horned Frogs powerhouses in the Big 12 Conference? Only time will tell. Both squads need to face Texas, Baylor and K-State, arguably the best Big 12 teams.

A well-rounded offense​

The Kansas offense is well-rounded and versatile. The receiving room is led by wide receiver Luke Grimm, who averages 41.6 yards per game and 10.9 yards per catch. WR Lawrence Arnold follows closely behind, averaging 38.8 yards per game and 13.9 yards per catch.
The Jayhawks also have a formidable ground game. Quarterback Jalon Daniels leads the rushing attack with 67 yards per game. The Frogs will have to stop the pass but keep a close eye on Daniels, who can take off at any moment.

For the most part, KU utilizes a running back-by-committee game plan. Devin Neal leads the way with 66.6 yards per game, 6.8 yards per carry and four touchdowns. Daniel Hishaw’s numbers are solid as well; the sophomore averages 52.4 yards per game on 6 yards per carry.

Daniels dishing dimes​

Daniels’ 177.5 passing efficiency rating ranks seventh in the FBS. The Jayhawk QB has tallied 11 passing touchdowns and only one interception. Daniels, who completes 68.2% of his passes, averages 196.6 passing yards per game.

Although Daniels’ stats are out of this world, he ranks behind TCU QB Max Duggan’s FBS-leading 202.18 passing efficiency rating. Daniels has tallied 1,343 total yards and 16 touchdowns this season while Duggan, who did not start against Colorado and has played one less game, has picked up 1,196 total yards and 13 touchdowns.

Dykes said that both quarterbacks are executing “incredibly well”.

“They are both doing a really good job of not turning the ball over,” said Dykes. “[They are] staying within the framework of the offense ... [and are] not trying to force [anything].”

Dangerous Defense​

The Kansas defense is led by cornerback Cobee Bryant, who has two interceptions this season, including a game-sealer in overtime against West Virginia.
Duggan has done a great job protecting the football this season but will have to be extra careful against the Jayhawk secondary. Duggan will also face pressure from the Kansas defensive line, which leads the Big 12 Conference with 15 sacks.

The Frog offensive line did a terrific job against Oklahoma’s solid pass rush last week, only giving up one sack. TCU will have to replicate their performance against Kansas to keep the offense rolling. Frog skill players should also watch out for linebacker Rich Miller, who leads Kansas with 38 tackles.

 

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SPORTSTEXAS LONGHORNS

5 things Texas fans should know about Oklahoma: Sooners down key players​

After an injury-riddled loss to TCU, Oklahoma looks lost.​

Texas and Oklahoma are coming into the first Red River Rivalry matchup in which both teams are unranked since 1998.

Here are five things Texas fans should know about Oklahoma:

Quarterback conundrum​

Oklahoma starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel left the field against TCU last Saturday after a scary head injury. The UCF transfer took a hard hit from TCU’s Jamoi Hodge that left him motionless on the ground. Gabriel is currently in concussion protocol, so it’s unlikely that he’ll see serious action against Texas. His injury gave second-string quarterback Davis Beville his first major minutes of the season. Beville went 7-for-16 and 50 yards passing on Saturday. There’s a decent chance that Beville will see decent time against Texas on Saturday.

Injury bug​

Aside from Gabriel, the Sooners are dealing with another major injury. Defensive back Damond Harmon had to be carted off of the field after suffering a serious head and neck injury. Harmon’s scans at a Fort Worth hospital came back negative and he traveled back to Norman on Saturday night. However, Harmon could still be unavailable to play this Saturday, leaving the Sooners without a solid defender. The sophomore from Virginia has registered 14 tackles so far in the season.

New faces​

Oklahoma lost most of its 2021 stat leaders to the transfer portal or the NFL. Quarterback Caleb Williams notably followed former head coach Lincoln Riley to USC. Oklahoma’s 2021 rushing yards leader Kennedy Brooks currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Sooners’ leader in tackles, Brian Asamoah, is now with the Minnesota Vikings. But Marvin Mims, who led Oklahoma in receiving yards, is back for another year. Mims is still one of the Sooners’ best offensive players, but now he’s surrounded by some new faces.

Freefall​

This season has not gone according to plan for the Sooners. Oklahoma dropped its first Big 12 game of the year to Kansas State in a stunning 41-34 loss at home. Things did not much better last weekend in a 55-24 loss to TCU in Fort Worth. Oklahoma was a potential national title contender in the preseason, but that conversation has basically been silenced.

Secondary struggles​

Although there were factors that were out of Oklahoma’s control in last week’s loss, its secondary seems to be struggling. The secondary looked lost against TCU, leaving wide receivers completely open. Regardless of who’s at quarterback for Texas, the Oklahoma secondary could be in for a rough one on Saturday.

 

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SPORTSTEXAS LONGHORNS

Steve Sarkisian on Texas QBs ahead of game vs. OU: ‘We’re healthier than we’ve ever been’​

Steve Sarkisian has faith in his quarterbacks as the anticipated rivalry game approaches.​

Here are three takeaways from Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s weekly press conference on Monday.

Ready to go​

Steve Sarkisian seemed confident about how Texas looks at the quarterback position after being questioned by reporters.
“We’re healthier than we’ve ever been since the start of the season,” Sarkisian said about the quarterbacks. “We’ll see how the week goes.”
Second-string quarterback Hudson Card has been playing pretty well in September. He’s been the starter since Quinn Ewers was injured during the Alabama game.
“My philosophy is pretty simple,” Sarkisian said. “Play the guy that gives us the best chance to be successful and put us in the position to win the ballgame.”

Sarkisian did not say on Monday whether Card or Ewers would be starting against Oklahoma.

Growing up​

Sarkisian emphasized that he did not like Texas’ response to the crowd noise from Oklahoma fans last year.
I thought the crowd noise got us last year,” Sarkisian said. “I don’t think we handled it well. I don’t think we were very mature last year. I didn’t like our poise; I didn’t like our composure.”
For the most part, the Longhorns have been handling tough situations better this season. They may not be perfect, but they’re definitely getting better.

“I thought we lost a little bit of composure in last year’s game, especially in the fourth quarter when we were backed up in the end,” Sarkisian also said.
Last year’s second-half collapse against Oklahoma was the first of many in 2021. The Longhorns will finally have their chance to prove that they’ve progressed past that point of maturity on Saturday.

On the rise​

Sarkisian also gave a special shoutout to sophomore tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. The Ryan High School product has already made a significant impact on the Longhorns after a quiet freshman campaign. Expect Sanders to be a key part to the Texas offense on Saturday. He already has 20 receptions, 212 yards and three touchdowns to his name.
“This guy’s got the right makeup of a great player,” Sarkisian said. “He’s got the leadership qualities necessary to be that kind of guy. He stands up; he’s not afraid. The more guys like that we can get, the better for us.”

 

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SPORTSOKLAHOMA SOONERS

Oklahoma prediction: Can Sooners end skid vs. Longhorns?​

OU is looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak in Big 12 play in more than a decade.​

What’s at stake​

For the first time in 24 years, neither team entering Dallas will be in theAssociated Press Top 25.


Although on the surface level, this game will help one team get back on track, for the other, its dangerous territory. The loser of the game will fall to 3-3 and with the state of the Big 12, there is no guarantee on the rest of the schedule.

Going .500 the rest of the way is going to be a challenge, with each team still playing Oklahoma State and Texas still having TCU and Kansas State.

For Oklahoma, they are trying to avoid an 0-3 start in conference play while coming off its worst loss since 2014 last week against TCU.



For the Longhorns, they are searching for their first Red River Rivalry win since 2018, when Sam Ehlinger led Texas with 314 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 48-45 victory.
The status of each team’s starting quarterback is up in the air, with Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel leaving last week’s game with a head injury, and Texas’ Quinn Ewers still recovering from a shoulder injury.

When Oklahoma has the ball​

With Gabriel out of the game, junior Davis Beville was under center against TCU and struggled to move the ball, with 50 passing yards on 7 of 16 passing. Prior to Oklahoma, he played two years at Pittsburgh, where he made one career start in the Peach Bowl against Michigan State.

Senior Eric Gray has gotten the bulk of the carries and is coming off his least efficient game of the season, rushing for 60 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries last week. While his backup Marcus Major did not make it to Fort Worth due to an injury, freshman Jovantae Barnes had his best game of his young career, eclipsing 100 yards and scoring a pair of touchdowns.

When the receivers can get the ball, the Sooners offense is the most dangerous in the conference. After getting four receptions in the first quarter last week, junior Marvin Mims did not record a catch the rest of the game.


That will need to change if the Sooners want to win.

Tight end Brayden Willis is having a career season with highs in yards (185) and touchdowns (4). He was a yard away from his fifth last week on a 78-yard catch and run.

Other receivers like sophomore Jalil Farooq and senior Drake Stoops will need to be productive after a combined three catches for 22 yards against TCU.

When Texas has the ball​

The Longhorns match the Sooners’ skill players, with elite talents at running back and wide receiver.

Junior Bijan Robinson retained momentum from his 2021 campaign. He has rushed for 515 yards and eight touchdowns, both ranked second in the Big 12. It’s not breaking news that he is going to get a lot of touches Saturday.


Sophomore wide receiver Xavier Worthy had his best showing of 2022 last week, with a 100-yard game and two touchdowns.

Junior Jordan Whittington has been a reliable target this year, with 257 yards and sophomore tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders has taken Alabama-transfer Jahleel Billingsley’s reps as Sanders has become a safety valve.

With Ewers out, sophomore Hudson Card has gotten acclimated to his role and has been a consistent passer, especially under pressure. Last week under pressure, he completed 7 of 8 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns.


After playing sparingly in 2021, Card has earned the last two starts against Texas Tech and West Virginia. Although the Texas faithful is excited to see Ewers make his return, Card has been a good Band-Aid at the position, with 923 yards and six touchdowns to just one interception this year.

Prediction​

Regardless of the opponent’s momentum coming into the game, it has been a nail biter. Eight of the last nine Red River games have been decided by eight points or less.

If Gabriel can play, it gives the Sooners the best opportunity to win on Saturday. For Texas, its offense clicked last week and Card has gotten comfortable after a couple of starts.
In a low-scoring game compared to many Red River games, Texas will break its losing streak against the Sooners and make its case as a Big 12 Championship contender.

Score: Texas 31, Oklahoma 27

 

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SPORTSTEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Texas Tech prediction: Explosive Oklahoma State offense presents tough road test​

Texas Tech was embarrassed by Oklahoma State last season. How will the rematch play out?​

Last meeting: Oklahoma State defeated Texas Tech 23-0 on Nov. 20, 2021 in Lubbock, TX

What’s at stake?​

Texas Tech was embarrassed by Oklahoma State last season. The Cowboys shut out the Red Raiders and held them to only 108 yards of total offense in the contest. It was a loss Texas Tech would like to forget and never replicate again. The Red Raiders have a chance to redeem that loss on the road in this contest.


On the other sideline, Oklahoma State is chasing a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Cowboys’ 36-25 win over Baylor in Waco last weekend proved that they are an elite team. Oklahoma State is trying to find its footing on defense after losing defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, but the Cowboys have a much improved offense that is leading them to success. Even the special teams unit is chipping in to help win games.

When Texas Tech has the football​

The Red Raiders’ quarterback situation seems to get cloudier every week. The staff seems to be clear that Donovan Smith is locked in as the starting quarterback, at the very least until Tyler Shough returns from injury. The implications of that are questionable. Smith leads the Big 12 in passing yards, throwing for 1,475 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. The downside is that Smith has also thrown seven interceptions and has been sacked 18 times.


The Cowboys’ defense isn’t what it was last season, but this is still a defensive front that could put Smith in a bad position. Composed of veteran players like Tyler Lacy and Brock Martin, this defensive line is going to force Smith to make quick decisions. There’s also an impressive group of safeties downfield who are looking to capitalize on forced throws. Jason Taylor, Thomas Harper and Kendal Daniels will take advantage of any poor throws from Smith.

When Oklahoma State has the football​

Spencer Sanders is a different quarterback than he was the previous three seasons, having a reputation for being turnover prone and lacking explosive throws. Sanders has turned a page in his game. This season, Sanders has already thrown for 1,097 yards and 11 touchdowns. What’s more notable for the Cowboys is that he’s thrown just two interceptions.


Texas Tech has played its best defense this season defending the run. This isn’t an Oklahoma State that’s going to pound the running game like in years past. Running back Dominic Richardson is a threat the defense will need to account for, but the main threat from the Cowboys’ offense will be from the air.

Prediction​

Texas Tech will be looking to prevent back-to-back road losses, but Stillwater won’t be the place where the Red Raiders find confidence. The Cowboys are a legitimate playoff contender, led by an impressive offense and a reliable defense. There will be room for Texas Tech to play much better offense than it did last season against this group. The problem is that Oklahoma State’s offense it too much to handle.


A sold-out Boone Pickens Stadium will be a good learning environment for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders’ defensive front will need to put pressure on Sanders, the secondary will need to create turnovers and Smith will need to protect the ball -- too many things need to fall in Texas Tech’s favor against a consistent team. Cowboys win comfortably.

Score: Oklahoma State 45, Texas Tech 24

 

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Guerin Emig: One player, one problem, one preposterous prediction and one pick for OU-Texas​

One player, one problem, one preposterous prediction and one pick for the Red River WhateverThey’reCallingIt at 11 a.m. Saturday...
ONE PLAYER
Two Oklahoma running backs: Eric Gray and Jovantae Barnes
OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby must lean on his running game regardless of whether it’s Dillon Gabriel, Davis Beville, Nick Evers or General Booty at quarterback against Texas. Gabriel isn’t trustworthy enough of a passer right now to spread the field and throw it all over the yard. Beville isn’t comfortable enough in Lebby’s offense to do that.
Handing the ball to Gray and Barnes allows the Sooners to take the load off their QBs. It allows them to feature their two most hard-nosed players, and OU-Texas is made for the hardest of noses.

Running the ball allows OU a better chance at more manageable second- and third-down plays, another help to the quarterback. Running the ball allows Lebby to slow his tempo and run some clock. That won’t just help the offense catch its breath, but the defense as well.

The longer the Sooners can keep their sagging defense on the sidelines, and not at risk against Texas weapons Bijan Robinson and Xavier Worthy, the better their shot at an upset.

Gray and Barnes should touch it a combined 40 times. It’s on them to churn out positive yardage with every carry, and not fumble in doing so.
PS: The team with more rushing yardage in this game is 21-2 since 1999.


ONE PROBLEM
OU’s defense vs. Texas’ offense feels like an accident waiting to happen.

Nobody knows for sure whether Texas starts Hudson Card or Quinn Ewers at quarterback Saturday. But since everybody knows how shoddy OU looked defending Adrian Martinez and Max Duggan the past weeks, this sets up to be a lopsided matchup either way.
The Sooners struggled to stay with TCU’s receivers last week, and here Texas brings to Dallas Xavier Worthy, who torched OU for 261 yards and 2 touchdown last year, and Jordan Whittington.
The Sooners struggled to tackle Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn two weeks ago, and now they face future NFL first-rounder Bijan Robinson, who bruised OU for 137 yards last year.


One more red flag... Texas used five-star tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders primarily on special teams last year. Not anymore. Sanders enters Saturday with 20 catches and appears to be blooming.
So that’s Robinson against an OU run defense ranked 119th in FBS, and Worthy, Whittington and Sanders against an OU pass defense totally out of sorts last week at TCU.
ONE PREPOSTEROUS PREDICTION
Gabriel is doubtful. Safety Billy Bowman, OU’s fastest protector in pass coverage, was banged up last week at TCU. So was Wanya Morris, the right tackle the Sooners were counting on to fortify their offensive line. This team isn’t fit enough to hang with Texas, nor should it be confident enough given its 0-2 Big 12 Conference beginning.


The only reason to forecast a close game is the insanity of the rivalry. Look at some of the scores since 2016: 45-40. 48-45. 53-45. 55-48.
Things rarely make sense at the Cotton Bowl in October. Things have rarely made sense when anyone has played anyone in college football this season. And so...
ONE PICK
(Takes a deep breath and closes eyes)
Texas 30, OU 28

 

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SPORTSTEXAS A&M AGGIES

Texas A&M prediction: Can Aggies pick up another upset over Alabama?​

After last weekend’s loss, an unranked A&M faces off against the No. 1 team in the country.​

Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson (14) looks for an open receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.(Rogelio V. Solis / ASSOCIATED PRESS)


When: 7 p.m. Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Records: Texas A&M (3-2, 1-1 SEC); Alabama (5-0, 2-0)

Last meeting: A&M defeated then-No. 1 Alabama 41-38 on Oct. 9, 2021 at Kyle Field.

What’s at stake?​

Coming into this game, the Aggies don’t look too hot. In what was expected to be its breakout season, the team already has two tough losses under its belt to Appalachian State and Mississippi State.


This game could change the narrative if A&M is able to defeat the Crimson Tide for not only the second year in a row, but this time on Alabama’s home turf.

Including this matchup, the maroon and white have two more away games before heading back to College Station and they have to return with wins. While playoff chances are slim to none at this point in the season, anything could happen, but the Aggies have to prove that they could be worthy of a spot after five weeks of proving otherwise.

For Alabama, this has revenge written all over it. Nobody expected A&M to pull off the win last year and fans of the crimson and white certainly don’t expect it to happen this year. This game doesn’t hold much substance when it comes to playoff chances but after the heated commentsbetween head coaches Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban, there is more to this game than what happens on the field.
A&M has to win this game and there is no way to sugarcoat it. Taking another loss this season is out of the question after the Aggies fell out of the top 25, and if the team wants to fight the odds and make it into the playoffs, winning out is the only way how.

When A&M has the ball​

There are several issues on the offensive side of the ball that either haven’t changed or have made little improvement.

For starters, A&M currently ranks last in the SEC with nearly 1,000 yards and more than 100 points scored less than Alabama, who leads the conference. One of the main things dragging the team down is the failure to convert for first downs. The Aggies only have 91 first downs on the season, while allowing 105 from opponents. It’s no secret that the key to moving down the field and putting points on the board is being able to move the chains.
Running back Devon Achane still leads the offense, unsurprisingly, with 466 yards and three touchdowns.


Losing wide-out Ainias Smith really took the bite out of the offense now that Achane seems to be the only go-to guy. Alabama’s defense will definitely be ready for Achane and the Aggies will have to come into this matchup ready to utilize several different players.

When Alabama has the ball​

The Crimson Tide have the No. 1 offense in the conference for a reason.

Alabama has managed to average 48.4 points per game while the defense limited opponents to average just 11.0 points. The run game has been a strong suit for the offense with 1,257 yards and 13 touchdowns. Junior running back Jahmyr Gibbs leads the team with 378 yards, two touchdowns and currently averages 75.6 yards per game. Meanwhile, five other running backs have tallied at least 120 yards this season.
Behind quarterback Bryce Young, passing is an easy task for the team, as well -- putting up 1,368 yards, 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions this season. Junior wide receiver Traeshon Holden leads the team with 17 receptions for 228 yards and four touchdowns.
With the amount of talent that Alabama has, it’ll be an uphill battle for the Aggies’ defense the entire game.

Prediction​

This game isn’t going to go the way last year did. Seeing the team’s performances against other SEC opponents this year, it’ll be even more of a shocker if the Aggies can pull this off.
Alabama is going to put points on the scoreboard regardless of the tricks A&M’s defense has up its sleeve, so it’ll be up to the offense to attempt to hang on. Both teams face similar injury issues with quarterbacks right now, but Alabama’s depth surpasses A&M’s

Despite A&M making the tears roll last season, the Crimson Tide aren’t going to let the Aggies run over them and pull off a last-second win. They’re going to try and dominate all 60 minutes and A&M is going to crumble under the pressure.



Prediction: Alabama 42, Texas A&M 14

 

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Kansas Jayhawks +7

Daniels’ 177.5 passing efficiency rating ranks seventh in the FBS. The Jayhawk QB has tallied 11 passing touchdowns and only one interception. Daniels, who completes 68.2% of his passes, averages 196.6 passing yards per game.

Quarterback Jalon Daniels leads the rushing attack with 67 yards per game.
Duggan will also face pressure from the Kansas defensive line, which leads the Big 12 Conference with 15 sacks.

I’m taking the home dog woof woof


Oklahoma Sooners +9 1/2

Bet this yesterday line climbed from 6 1/2 took the value and it paid off.
Suspect by line movements Dillon Gabriel must of passed concussion protocol though l can’t find any news of.

 

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I just thought I’d prove l got 9 1/2 because I would probably roll my eyes also lol. Especially if it were StormTrooper

 

[Wagerallsports]

Bigs not sure if you've ever mentioned it or anyone has asked, but what state do you live in?

 

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It’s pretty much common knowledge to most I live in sunny Southern California.

I subscribe to the Dallas morning news because they are bitching when it comes to college football

 

[Enikk]

like both picks Biggins. gL this weekend!!