Double Coverage 2015-10-07

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DOUBLE presents

COVERAGE Wednesday, October 7, 2015

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OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

FRAMES featured photo

thedailytexan

THE LINE UP Players to Watch Page 4 Big 12 Power Rankings Page 11 Who Needs to Step Up Page 6 Heisman Watch Page 13 Texan Staff Picks Page 12

Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff

Sophomore wide receiver Lorenzo Joe dives into the endzone for a touchdown late in Texas’ 50-7 loss to No. 2 TCU.

DOUBLE

presents

COVERAGE

Vol. 10, Issue 7 Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Double Coverage Editor...................................Nick Castillo Design Editor..................................................Iliana Storch Photo Editor......................................................Amy Zhang Copy Editor.............................................Blanche Schaefer Cover Photo.................................................Lauren Ussery Writers: Jacob Martella Claire Cruz

Akshay Mirchandani

Jori Epstein

Blanche Schaefer

Jason Epstein Jillian Kushner

Ezra Siegel Aaron Torres

EDITOR’S NOTE The smell of fair food wafts through the air as Texas and Oklahoma take the field for the annual rivalry game in Dallas. The electric atmosphere buzzes throughout the Cotton Bowl.

The clash of burnt orange and crimson in the stands is a sight almost 110 years old. Despite the Longhorns’ 1-4 record entering the 2015 edition of the Red River Showdown, the players are excited for their shot at the Sooners. Head coach Charlie Strong said “this game came at the right time for [Texas].” We’ll see if Texas can pull off the upset against No. 10 Oklahoma or if its 2015 woes continue.

Games to Watch Page 15

FEATURES Red River Upset?

Page 8

Mayfield leads Oklahoma Page 4 Longhorns must stop leak Page 5 Red (solo cup) River Revelry Page 14

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OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

KEYS TO THE GAME

By Akshay Mirchandani @amirchandani41

DON’T LET OKLAHOMA BE BALANCED What makes this Oklahoma team better than its previous few incarnations are how good it is in the air and on the ground.

Oklahoma junior quarterback Baker Mayfield has been tremendous this season after transferring from Texas Tech. Mayfield completed 14-of-25 passes for 320 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a 44-24 win over No. 23 West Virginia. He leads a potent Sooner pass offense.

In addition, the Sooners can dominate on the ground considering they still have sophomore running back Samaje Perine, the Big 12’s reigning leading rusher. Perine hasn’t been as good as he was last year, as he rushed 16 times for only 65 yards against West Virginia. But he’s still dangerous, and Oklahoma also has freshman running back Joe Mixon. Texas needs to try and take away either the run or the pass to have a chance. If the Sooners are able to have a balanced offense, it’s going to be a long day for the Longhorns.

LEAN ON THE RUN The lone bright spot in Texas’ 50-7 loss to TCU was its running game.

Sophomore running back D’Onta Foreman ran 18 times for 112 yards while senior running back Johnathan Gray added 55 yards on 15 attempts.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard only ran for 23 yards on 12 attempts and struggled through the air, completing 8-of-20 passes for 48 yards. Heard was clearly rattled early on in his first-ever road start and never got anything going.

Leaning on the run and trying to establish a ground game early will simplify the game for Heard. With Heard still developing, Texas can’t afford to put everything on his shoulders.

Having a guy like Foreman at running back can help take the pressure of a young quarterback.

Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff

Sophomore running back D’Onta Foreman sets his sights on a TCU defender in the Longhorns’ 50-7 loss to the Horned Frogs.

CONSISTENT SPECIAL TEAMS Special teams continued to hurt Texas against TCU. Senior kicker Nick Rose went 0-for-2 on kicks, and Texas also had another punting miscue. A high snap went over the head of freshman punter Michael Dickson and into the endzone for a safety in the first quarter.

Granted, it didn’t make much of a difference since Texas struggled in everything else, but the problems on special teams need to be addressed. If Texas somehow finds itself in a close game, special teams mistakes like that are huge momentum killers.

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OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

Austin’s Mayfield leads Sooners against Longhorns

By Aaron Torres @aaron_torres95

Baker Mayfield grew up 20 miles from The University of Texas.

Mayfield blossomed into a quarterback phenom in the Longhorns’ backyard. Now, the lifelong Sooners fan and the one-time Texas Tech Red Raider prepares to try and lead No. 10 Oklahoma to victory as its starting quarterback against his school’s biggest rival.

An ironic scenario for the kid who grew up right by Texas, but chose to root for the other team.

“That’s what a lot of people ask,” Mayfield said about his OU fandom in a 2014 Q&A with ESPN. “I traveled to OU games, because my dad used to play and old coaches would

give us tickets … I used to go to like two games a year before hitting high school football.”

Mayfield played at Lake Travis High School in Austin – a half-hour drive from UT-Austin. In two seasons as Lake Travis’ starting quarterback, he threw for 6,255 yards with 67 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.

He dreamed of playing for a Big 12 school, and when TCU began to recruit him hard, he thought his dream would become a reality. But it didn’t.

The Horned Frogs never offered him a scholarship.

Mayfield became desperate.

He searched for a place to play as a walk-on, and one of his first schools of contact was Texas. But he didn’t go.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

“[It] didn’t seem like it was a warm welcome or that it was too inviting,” Mayfield said at Oklahoma’s Monday luncheon. “So that added a little bit of insult to the injury.”

Mayfield walked on at Texas Tech. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury thrust Mayfield into the starting role after quarterback Michael Brewer suffered a back injury.

Mayfield became the first true freshman walk-on to start a season opener in NCAA history. His first game against SMU added to his hype — Mayfield completed a school-record 43 passes on 60 attempts and racked up 413 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

His first season vindicated his talent. Mayfield was awarded the Big 12 Offensive

Freshman of the Year award, despite being limited to eight games that season due to an injury.

Then, Mayfield left after his freshman year at Tech. He cited a lack of communication between Kingsbury and himself, his lack of playing time after recovering from injury and scholarship issues as the reasons for his departure.

He bolted to Oklahoma.

“OU was where I’ve always wanted to go,” Mayfield said in 2014.

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops is still befuddled at Mayfield’s journey to his team.

Stoops didn’t know Mayfield was headed his way.

“I was hearing the rumors that he was transferring to Oklahoma,” Stoops said at Oklahoma’s media day on

I traveled to OU games - because my dad used to play and old coaches would give us tickets - me at six-years-old to 12 - I used to go to like two games a year before hitting high school football.

—Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma quarterback

Aug. 8. “I’ve never talked to the guy. He’s never called to ask if he could … [It was] maybe the strangest thing that has ever happened in my coaching career.”

Mayfield sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules after his appeal to play was denied.

Through four games this season, Mayfield and the Sooners sit at 4-0. He’s compiled 1382 passing yards, 13

By Blanche Schaefer @schaefer_bb

Running back Samaje Perine Sophomore running back Samaje Perine is already building a strong follow-up season to a dazzling freshman year. Perine ran for 1,713 yards as a freshman with 21 touchdowns, and he also racked up 15 receptions for 108 yards. He already has 328 yards on 72 carries this year for the No. 10 Sooners. Perine broke the school-record 2,000 career-yard mark in a 44-24 win over West Virginia in Week 4, making him the fastest Sooner to hit 2,000 career yards in the Bob Stoops era. After a quiet 65-yard performance against the Mountaineers, Perine could have a heyday Saturday against a Texas defense that allowed TCU’s offense to take control of the field and run up 604 yards of total offense last week.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield The junior from Austin made an impact for Texas Tech before transferring to Oklahoma his sophomore year. Mayfield started seven games for the Red Raiders in 2013, completing 218-of-340 passes for 2,315 yards and 12 touchdowns. He sat out his sophomore season at Oklahoma due to NCAA transfer rules, but has proved himself an asset to the Sooners’ offense through four games this season. Mayfield has already passed for 1,382 yards and 13 touchdowns, completing 88-of-135 throws. He also has 138 yards on the ground and ran for four touchdowns. TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin gashed Texas’ defense for 332 yards and five touchdowns last week, and Mayfield could do the same in the Cotton Bowl after putting up Boykin-like numbers all season for the Sooners.

Wide receiver Sterling Shepard Senior receiver Sterling Shepard has been a consistent piece in the Sooners’ offense with 2,515 career yards and 18 touchdowns. Shepard won the game for Oklahoma in double overtime against Tennessee in Week 2, as he caught the game-winning touchdown pass to seal the win at 31-24. He is averaging 16 yards per reception with 321 yards on 20 catches. Expected to be one of the top wide receiver prospects for the 2016 NFL draft, Shepard is rated No. 9 out of 401 wide receivers, according to NFL Draft Scout. As Shepard looks to finish his final collegiate season strong, he’ll likely take advantage of

a Texas defense that allowed TCU receivers 376 yards and six touchdowns last week.

Linebacker Eric Striker Texas redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard could be in big trouble as he tries to avoid Oklahoma senior linebacker Eric Striker – one of the most feared pass rushers in the country, according to Gabriel Baumgaertner of Sports Illustrated. Striker forced a fourth quarter fumble last week against West Virginia that allowed Oklahoma junior linebacker Jordan Evans to run the ball back 40 yards for the Sooners’ final touchdown of the game. Striker finished the game with 13 tackles and two sacks and has 29 tackles on the season – bad news for a Texas offensive line that has struggled to protect the quarterback all season.

Wide receiver Sterling Shepard Courtesy of Tyler Woodward | The OU Daily

touchdowns and just three interceptions.

He’s ready to face the school that, in his eyes, ignored him as a senior at Lake Travis High School.

“I grew up right in their backyard and getting overlooked like that is always frustrating,” Mayfield said. “There is a chip on my shoulder when we play a team that’s familiar.”

Saturday, that scar can heal.

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OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

5

nsTexas must find way to stay

afloat in Red River Showdown

By Jori Epstein

Daily Texan Columnist @JoriEpstein

Before Texas’ matchup with Oklahoma State two weeks ago, no Longhorn football team had ever lost three games by September’s end.

Sure, two of the Horns’ losses this season combined to leave a 4-point deficit. But the program is still setting records – and not the kind a team hopes to set.

By scheduling Notre Dame and Cal alongside Big 12 matchups with Oklahoma State and TCU, Texas’ first five games included four ranked opponents. In NCAA basketball tournament seeding, that strength of schedule might count for something. For foot-

ball, the numbers don’t lie — Texas boasts an 80 percent losing rate. The record is unacceptable for a well-endowed state-university program. And it’s even more unacceptable in a state where high school football rules supreme.

Head coach Charlie Strong said his team needs to show more pride and contain its mistakes.

“When things go wrong, they continue to go and we don’t stop them,” Strong said after TCU beat Texas 50-7 on Saturday. “We don’t plug the leak. We don’t stop it.”

Texas’ leak stems from various sources — the team’s poor record, Strong’s job security and the team age dynamic.

With freshmen filling an unusually high number of roles

on the depth chart, older players struggle to keep their hold on leadership. At times, this power struggle breeds discord.

Junior safety Dylan Haines did just that, puncturing a new hole Monday. “[The freshmen] can’t win the conference on their own,” Haines said. “So we have some juniors and seniors trying to lead those freshmen, and some of them are resistant and hesitant to change because they haven’t been a follower before.”

As an upperclassman, Haines should know better than to instigate such dialogue – especially in public. The walk-on-turned-model-scholarship-player was long a story of inspiration, not instigation.

Freshman wide receiver DeAndre McNeal didn’t take kindly

Rachel Zein | Daily Texan Staff

Junior safety Dylan Haines called out some of his teammates Monday. Now, the team must find a way to fix its dysfunction.

to Haines’ knock.

“We’re supposed to be a team, but instead we’re bashing on each other…” McNeal

wrote in a note he tweeted. “If we don’t have cohesiveness then we don’t have nothing… us ‘FRESHMAN’ are go getters

and we don’t accept mediocre ANYTHING we are here to

COLUMN page 6

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OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

WHO NEEDS TO STEP UP

By Jillian Kushner @jilliankushner

Special teams Texas’ special teams have been abysmal week in and week out, losing both the California and Oklahoma State games for Texas. Against TCU, senior kicker Nick Rose missed two manageable field goals - one from 39 yards and the other from 40 yards. Australian freshman punter Michael Dickson shanked some more punts Saturday against TCU, which is not a first for him.

This type of play from special teams destroys Texas each game. These basic field goals should be putting Texas on the board even when the offense cannot convert, but that has not been the case. Special teams are ripping Texas apart and giving the opposing team the leg up each week.

Defensive backs The deep ball has destroyed the Texas defense in every single game. The corners and safeties appear unable to cover opposing receivers. TCU freshman receiver KaVontae Turpin had 138 yards on six receptions against Texas. Stud senior receiver Josh Docston had 129 yards in seven receptions. These two receivers alone exposed the Texas secondary — the defensive backs had absolutely no answer for them. Oklahoma star senior receiver Sterling Shepard has 321 yards on the season in 20 receptions. Stopping Shepard should be a top priority for the Texas defense. If the defense can contain Shepard, the Sooner offense will lose a huge part of their game.

Wide receivers Against TCU, senior receiver Daje Johnson got hurt, which destroyed the passing game.

Johnson has been the go-to receiver so far this season. However, Freshman receiver John Burt has had success so far on the deep ball. If Texas redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard can establish that connection against Oklahoma, Texas’ offense will be able to get on the board.

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Joshua Guerra | Daily Texan Staff

Sophomore wide receiver Lorenzo Joe found his way into the endzone against TCU, scoring Texas’ lone touchdown. The wide receivers need to step up against Oklahoma if Texas wants to win.

Texas needs to find a place for senior receiver Marcus Johnson, who has been relatively unused in every game this season. He could be a huge asset to the offense, especially against top-ranked defenses.

The players on the sidelines As strange as this sounds, the players on the sidelines hold a lot more weight than they realize. When fans look over and see the players down in the dumps and miserable on the sidelines, it becomes contagious. The crowd thrives off the players’ energy and vice versa. At a game where the crowd is mixed half-and-half like the Oklahoma game, energy and momentum is everything. When the energy is drained from the sidelines, it’s drained from the crowd and therefore drained from the game.

COLUMN

continues from page 5 pull Texas out the drought.”

Texas football is in a bad place. TCU’s No. 2 ranking doesn’t forgive the Horns’ inability to score for more than 54 minutes. Even unranked Texas Tech put up 52 points against the Horned Frogs. With teamwork and determination, similar production was possible for Texas, too.

Instead, the Horns fell apart.

The offense stagnated, the defense allowed 31 first downs and special teams accounted for two shanked field goals.

They came home and fought with one another, called names and deferred responsibility.

Such attitudes will only spur further losses.

The road doesn’t get easier.

[Texas’] record is unacceptable for a well-endowed state-university program. And it’s even more unacceptable in a state where high school football rules supreme.

Facing No. 10 Oklahoma this week, a disjointed Texas team will see no success. The squad – which has allowed opponents to outgain it by 843 yards this year – desperately needs cohesion to pose a threat. Rivalry games hinge on momentum, so the Horns have a chance to upset. Their chances will plummet should they not come together.

Texas’ freshmen show great potential for Texas’ future. But the class must join upperclassmen to compete Saturday.

Infighting and social media threats won’t plug the leak – they just make the team vessel come closer to drowning. The players must patch up holes quickly to stay afloat on the Red River.

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OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

SCENARIOS

By Jillian Kushner @jilliankushner

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Texas wins if…

Staff

great e. But classurday. media eak – vessel . The holes n the

The defense can make stops. TCU had 31 first downs and 604 total yards against Texas’ defense and 604 total yards. The Texas defense had no answer for senior quarterback Trevone Boykin and the Horned Frogs’ offense. This was the defense’s first real matchup. Oklahoma will be a very similar offense to TCU’s, as Sooners junior quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 320 yards against West Virginia and averaged 11 yards per pass. This will be another huge test for the Longhorn defense. Like Boykin, Mayfield is a Heisman candidate quarterback. Both rack up hundreds of passing yards in each game. So far on the season, Mayfield has 1,382 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. The deep ball is the Texas defense’s biggest weakness and the Oklahoma offense’s biggest strength.

It can establish the running game. Texas only had 191 rushing yards against TCU, but the running game looked promising, even though Texas could not get the passing game going. The Oklahoma defense allowed more rushing yards than passing yards in the win over West Virginia last weekend. The running game could be the best way for the Longhorns to wear down the Sooners’ defense and make progress downfield. With sophomore D’Onta Foreman and senior Johnathan Gray, the running game could rack up a few hundred yards against Oklahoma.

With the weaknesses in the Longhorns’ receiving game, the running backs could change the game in Texas’ favor.

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Joshua Guerra | Daily Texan Staff

The Longhorns need freshman linebacker Malik Jefferson to help fix a much-maligned defense when Texas takes on No. 10 Oklahoma on Saturday.

Texas loses if…

It plays like it did against TCU. The near shutout was embarrassing for the Longhorns, as Texas could not get going on any front. The running game amounted to nothing, the passing game amounted to nothing and special teams were far from special. Senior kicker Nick Rose missed two relatively short field goals — one from 39 yards and one from 40 yards. If Texas cannot get on the board with field goals, it’s going to be a long game Saturday. A 40-yard field goal should be automatic for a kicker. Every point counts against a top-ranked team like No. 10 Oklahoma. Missed field goals will not only keep the Horns off the board, but also discourage the team — this is what happened against TCU. The missed points and three-and-outs took all the wind out of Texas. The players looked miserable on the sidelines just watching the time tick away. At the Cotton Bowl, momentum will be everything.

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OU vs. Texas

RED RIVER SHOWD

By Ezra Siegel @SiegelEzra

The energy entering Texas’ annual rivalry game with No. 10 Oklahoma is far from electric.

At 1-4, Texas’ season hasn’t gone as planned. The Longhorns are on pace for their first set of back-to-back losing seasons since 1988-1989.

Despite the negativity surrounding the program, Texas isn’t focused on its struggles heading into Saturday’s Red River Showdown. The game involves more than the team’s record.

“Really, it’s a pride game,” senior cornerback Duke Thomas said. “All that’s done before really doesn’t matter. You step into this atmosphere and you’ve got to bring your ‘A-game’ … it will be way different than any other game we’re going to play this season.”

Texas and Oklahoma boast one of the nation’s longest-standing rivalries. Through 110 matchups, the Longhorns lead the series 60-44-5. While Texas is dealing with several distractions — a three-game losing streak and a variety of social media spats among teammates — the rivalry gives the team a chance to come together to beat its archrival.

“I looked at one of our coaches and said this game came at the right time for us,” head coach Charlie Strong said. “So now we can get them focused … it’s time for us to get our confidence back and get these guys back to track.”

The Longhorns will need to retain that focus to get their season and the rivalry turned around. Since quarterback Colt McCoy’s departure after the 2009 season, Texas is 1-4 in the matchup, with the latest victory coming in a 36-20 win in 2013. Last year, Strong lost his first Red River Showdown appearance when the Longhorns’ fourth quarter comeback fell short.

Texas will look to feed off the electric environment in the Cotton Bowl — the stadium split down the middle between burnt orange and crimson. The game boasts passion unlike any other game the team plays all season. “[The environment] is surreal,” junior linebacker Timothy Cole said. “It’s different when you play at home because the crowd’s for you. When you go to [Texas-Oklahoma], it’s split.

So their fans are rowdy, our fans are rowdy. Their players are rowdy, we’re rowdy, too. So we’re just ready to go out there and compete.”

Unlike most other games, the rivalry also facilitates a special role for the underdog. While the Longhorns’ title hopes are already diminished, the chance to play spoiler serves as extra motivation. The rivalry has a track record for upsets, with the lower-ranked team winning seven times since 1989. The Longhorns hope to add another upset to the list.

“I think with any rivalry game, if you look at it statistically, I think there are more upsets in rivalry games just because of the

RIVALRY page 13

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| 2015 Edition

DOWN 2.

3.

1. Then-sophomore running back Johnathan Gray runs a play during the Texas vs. Oklahoma game in 2013.

Chelsea Purgahn | Daily Texan file photo

2. Then-freshman quarterback Tyrone Swoopes celebrates with his teammates after the Longhorns defeated the Sooners 36-20 in 2013.

Charlie Pearce | Daily Texan file photo

1.

3. Then-freshman running back Samaje Perine, right, celebrates after Oklahoma won against Texas 31-26 in 2014.

Shelby Tauber | Daily Texan file photo

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COMING

OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

Officiating issues plague Big 12 conference in 2015

By Jacob Martella @ViewFromTheBox

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Big 12 acknowledges error in Kansas State vs.

Oklahoma State The Big 12 acknowledged Sunday that the officiating crew and chain crew made an error during the game between Kansas State and Oklahoma State on Saturday.

With time running down in the first half, the Cowboys earned a first down at the Kansas State 45-yard line.

On first down, however, they were flagged for holding. As the penalty was marked off, the chains were mistakenly pulled back five yards. Two plays later, Oklahoma State gained 19 yards to the Wildcats’ 39-yard mark, where it should have been fourthand-4 — but with the chains incorrectly set, the Cowboys were given a first down.

Oklahoma State went on to score a touchdown to close the deficit to 28-20 and

beat Kansas State 36-34 on a last-second field goal.

“Accuracy and adherence to conference policies and officiating mechanics are vital to the proper administration of the rules in all games,” said Big 12 Conference supervisor of officials Walt Anderson.

Officiating in West Virginia vs. Oklahoma Game One week after flagging Texas 16 times, referee Alan Eck and his crew were at it again during Oklahoma’s game against West Virginia on Saturday.

The Sooners and Mountaineers combined for 23 penalties and 245 yards during Oklahoma’s 44-24 win.

Eck and crew threw even more flags this time around, with Oklahoma taking 12 penalties and West Virginia taking the remaining 11.

Of note among the flags, however, was an illegal wedge call on Oklahoma on a kickoff in the third quar-

ter. The call, which prohibits two or more players lining up shoulder-to-shoulder to block on a kickoff, is a rarely made call.

Still, Sooners head coach Bob Stoops wasn’t worried about the number of flags from Eck’s goal.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve been particularly aware of this group throws more than this group,” Stoops said. “I’ve never felt that way.”

Pair of Sooners land on Big 12 weekly awards After beating West Virginia on Saturday, two Oklahoma players were tabbed to the Big 12 weekly awards Monday. Senior linebacker Eric Striker and freshman kicker Austin Seibert were named as Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively.

Striker tallied 12 tackles — including three tackles for loss — and two sacks and

NOTEBOOK page 11

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Joshua Guerra | Daily Texan Staff

Oklahoma State sophomore quarterback Mason Rudolph looks to hand the ball off in the Cowboys’ game against Texas on Sept. 26.

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OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

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BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS

ds No. 1

TCU

After looking vulnerable for two weeks, TCU throttled Texas 50-7 at home. The Frogs are still the class of the conference and should improve their 5-0 record with their next two games against Kansas State and Iowa State.

No. 2

Baylor

The Bears downed Texas Tech 63-35 in Arlington in their first Big 12 game of the year. It’s a good win for Baylor, as they blew out a Texas Tech team that gave TCU a scare the previous week. The Bears should notch another win this week against Kansas.

No. 3

Oklahoma

The Sooners got an impressive 44-24 win over No. 23 West Virginia last week. Junior quarterback Baker Mayfield dazzled, throwing for 320 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The Sooners face a reeling Texas team in the Red River Showdown in Dallas this week.

No. 4

Oklahoma State

The Pokes got help from the referees in their 36-34 win over Kansas State. A controversial first down call helped Oklahoma State score late in the game. Still, the Cowboys are now 5-0 and No. 21 in the country.

No. 5

West Virginia

Oklahoma and West Virginia were in a close game early on, but the Sooners ended up being too much for the Mountaineers. It was West Virginia’s first loss of the season, but it’s still a dangerous Big 12 team.

No. 6

Texas Tech

After nearly upsetting TCU, Texas Tech hoped to re-create the same magic against Baylor.

Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, the Bears were just too much to handle, rolling to a 63-35 win. Tech’s offense is still potent, and it still has a chance to win plenty of games in Big 12 play.

NOTEBOOK

continues from page 10 forced a fumble in the 44-21 win. Seibert was perfect on all three of his field goal attempts, including two from 40 or more yards.

TCU freshman receiver KaVontae Turpin and Oklahoma State sophomore quarterback Mason Rudolph split the Offensive Player of the Week award.

Turpin recorded six catches for 138 yards and four

touchdowns in the blowout win over Texas, while Rudolph went 34-for-55 with 437 yards and three touchdowns in the Cowboys’ come-from-behind win over Kansas State.

TCU, Baylor jump into top three in AP Poll After getting passed up by SEC and Big Ten teams the past couple of weeks, TCU and Baylor finally made their moves to the top following big wins over the weekend.

The Horned Frogs moved to No. 2 — where they started the season — after beating Texas 50-7. Baylor jumped to No. 3 after beating Texas Tech 63-35.

Oklahoma moved up to No. 10 after its win at home against West Virginia. Instate rival Oklahoma State actually dropped a spot to No. 21 after its late-game win over Kansas State.

West Virginia, Kansas State and Texas Tech each received votes.

By Akshay Mirchandani @amirchandani41

No. 7

Kansas State

Losing to Oklahoma State was really tough for the Wildcats, especially considering No. 2 TCU comes to visit this week.

No. 8

Iowa State

The Cyclones beat Kansas 38-13 at home and are sitting at 2-2. But Iowa State still has to play at Texas Tech, at home against TCU and at Baylor in its next three games.

No. 9

Texas

The Longhorns looked shell-shocked in their 50-7 loss to TCU. They are now 1-4, and could be 1-5 after this week’s game with Oklahoma.

No. 10

Kansas

The Jayhawks remained winless after losing to Iowa State and have to play No. 3 Baylor next.

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TEXAN STAFF PICKS

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NICK CASTILLO

CLAIRE CRUZ

JORI EPSTEIN

JASON EPSTEIN

Overall Record

35-15

35-15

29-21

Last Week’s Record

6-4

5-5

Oklahoma vs. Texas

Oklahoma 48-17

Oklahoma St. vs.

West Virginia

OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

JILLIAN KUSHNER

JACOB MARTELLA

AKSHAY MIRCHANDANI

BLANCHE SCHAEFER

EZRA SIEGEL

33-17

33-17

37-13

38-12

30-20

34-16

35-15

3-7

6-4

4-6

7-3

7-3

5-5

5-5

5-5

Oklahoma 45-24

Oklahoma 42-27

Oklahoma 42-28

Oklahoma 47-20

Oklahoma 42-21

Oklahoma 41-30

Oklahoma 38-24

Oklahoma 44-21

Oklahoma 48-13

West Virginia

Oklahoma St.

Oklahoma St.

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

Northwestern vs.

Michigan

Michigan

Michigan

Northwestern

Northwestern

Northwestern

Michigan

Michigan

Northwestern

Michigan

Michigan

Florida vs.

Missouri

Florida

Florida

Florida

Florida

Florida

Florida

Florida

Florida

Florida

Florida

Indiana vs.

Penn St.

Indiana

Penn St.

Penn St.

Indiana

Indiana

Indiana

Penn St.

Indiana

Penn St.

Penn St.

Oregon vs.

Washington St.

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Arkansas vs.

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Miami vs.

Florida St.

Florida St.

Florida St.

Florida St.

Florida St.

Florida St.

Florida St.

Florida St.

Florida St.

Florida St.

Florida St.

Utah vs.

California

Utah

Utah

Utah

Utah

Utah

Utah

Utah

California

Utah

Utah

Georgia Tech vs. Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Oklahoma St. Oklahoma St.

AARON TORRES

West Virginia

an

a

ma

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OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

HEISMAN WATCH 1. Leonard Fournette, LSU RB

2015: 864 yards on 99 carries, 11 TD This week: at South Carolina I know it’s early, but the Heisman trophy is Fournette’s to lose. He’s explosive, productive, consistent and the best player in college football at this point in the season. During LSU’s win on Saturday, Fournette scored three touchdowns on 26 carries for 233 yards. He has great balance and eyes when looking for holes and uses either his strength or acceleration to get away from defenders — all reasons he’s averaging 8.7 yards per carry. He’s exciting to watch and will continue drawing eyes as the season continues.

2. Nick Chubb, Georgia RB

2015: 745 yards on 91 carries, 7 TD This week: at Tennessee Georgia suffered a bad loss to Alabama last weekend, and Chubb was the only bright spot. He tallied 146 yards on 20 carries against an aggressive Crimson Tide defense and scored Georgia’s only touchdown on an 83-yard run. The loss made 13-straight 100-yard games for Chubb, breaking the school record previously held by Herschel Walker. If the Bulldogs bounce back quickly from this loss, Chubb’s Heisman campaign will remain strong. He’s fast, smart and very efficient, averaging 8.2 yards per carry this season.

3. Trevone Boykin, TCU QB

2015: 119-of-188, 1,802 yards, 19 TD, 3 INT This week: at Kansas State Texas fans don’t need reminding of the performance Boykin put on this past Saturday, and probably believe

BY THE NUMBERS

17.3

By Claire Cruz

Daily Texan Columnist @claireecruz5

his Heisman hype, too. Boykin finished 20-of-35 with 332 yards and five touchdowns in a game that showed his control of TCU’s offense. His pocket presence, offensive line and wide receivers continue improving, making it easier for him to air it out and rack up yards. He’s been better with his scrambling as well, reading the defenses and not trying too hard to extend plays. Boykin looks more like a quarterback than an athlete each week, which will help his Heisman campaign.

4. Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State RB

2015: 729 yards on 100 carries, 8 TD This week: vs. Maryland Ohio State has struggled recently, but it’s still the favorite to repeat as national champions, and Elliott is a big part of that. He ran for 274 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries in the Buckeyes’ win over Indiana to continue his consistent season. Elliott has rushed for over 100 yards in every game this season and hasn’t been quite as much of a workhorse as Fournette or Chubb, but is still productive.

He has great speed and a lot of strength, making him the prototypical Big Ten conference running back and a good Heisman candidate.

5. Seth Russell, Baylor QB

2015: 65-of-103, 1,281 yards, 19 TD, 5 INT This week: at Kansas Russell is one of the top quarterbacks out there now. He played an incredible game Saturday against Texas Tech, finishing 15-of-23 with 286 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. Baylor has one of the best offenses in the

By Jason Epstein @jwepstein96

8

RIVALRY

bragging rights for the rest of the year. More importantly, a win can go a long way toward turning Texas’ season around.

“It doesn’t matter where your season’s heading going in,” senior center Taylor Doyle said. “This game has

St.

atmosphere and the way it is,” junior safety Dylan Haines said. “I think it plays in our favor that we’re the underdog and we’re going up and maybe

country, and Russell runs it nearly perfectly. He has a great arm, reads defenses well and looks really comfortable in the pocket. As Baylor continues to win, Russell’s Heisman stock will keep rising.

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60

The number of Texas victories over Oklahoma to date. Texas’ lifetime record is 60-44-5.

The average number of points per game scored by the Longhorns in the rivalry. This compares to the Sooners’ 17.0 points.

continues from page 13

Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin remains a top contender for the Heisman trophy. Last week against Texas, Boykin finished 20-of-35 with 332 total yards and five touchdowns.

they might underestimate us. Maybe we can get the momentum going our way in the game.”

The contest’s momentum may prove bigger than one game for Texas. A matchup against Oklahoma gives the Longhorns a chance at

The longest win streak by the Longhorns over the Sooners happened over the years of 1940–1947. This tops the Sooners’ longest win streak of six beginning in 1952. traditionally turned seasons around … we have an opportunity to go play. We have to move forward and learn from our mistakes from this past weekend and use that as a platform to get better and be physical and play tough football.”

fourstarevents@trudys.com

14

14

OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

Three-and-outs, special teams give reasons to drink

By Nick Castillo @Nick_Castillo74

Saturday is the day when Texas students and fans travel to Dallas with plans of consuming large amounts of fried foods and alcohol.

After Texas’ 1-4 start, the Longhorn faithful might require the numbing effects of alcohol while watching the Red River Showdown against No. 10 Oklahoma.

An 11 a.m. kickoff is an

early start for day drinking, but is there anything better than watching a game and drinking a beer?

No, didn’t think so either.

In honor of quarterback Case McCoy – the last quarterback to beat Oklahoma – here are six things to drink for during the Red River Showdown.

Disclaimer: The Daily Texan is not responsible for alcohol poisoning, as this is supposed to be a fun way to spend your time watching

the Red River Showdown.

We do not condone sending unwanted text messages or anything you might regret the next day. Please drink responsibly.

1. State Fair food If the ABC or ESPN cameras show the Texas State Fair’s variety of fried foods, be prepared to take a drink. Shots of the crazy food concoctions – chicken-fried lobster, deep-fried alligator and fried Thanksgiving dinner – are almost a guarantee.

2.

Confused Charlie Strong Confused Charlie Strong has become a household image after Texas’ four losses this season. If Strong is seen with arms up confused or looking at one of his players with concern, go ahead and take a shot.

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3. Defense gives up a big touchdown Texas’ defense has struggled this season, and it may have already driven you to drinking. Against TCU, the Longhorns gave up multiple big plays en-route to a 50-7 loss. If Texas’ defense finds a way to give up yet another big play, chug your drink.

4. ‘Fire Charlie Strong’ talk Texas’ horrendous start has the ‘fire Strong’ dialogue running wild.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith said the Longhorns should part ways with the embattled head coach. But boosters say his job at Texas is safe. Despite Strong’s job security, he’s likely to get some coverage during the game broadcast. If the announcers or sideline reporters mention the noise

Rachel Zein | Daily Texan file photo

Longhorn fans cheer on their Longhorns, beers in hand. Texas started selling alcohol at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium this season.

around Strong getting fired, grab yourself another beer.

5. Special teams mishap Texas’ special teams unit is a blunder with missed extra points, poor punt snaps and missed field goals. If the Longhorns’ special teams mess up against Oklahoma, finish your drink.

6. Texas goes threeand-out Texas’ offense has sputtered along this season with three-and-outs aplenty. If the Longhorns’ three-and-outs continue against the Sooners, only take a sip of your drink — this might happen early and often.

RED (SOLO CUP) RIVER REVELRY 1. State Fair food 2. Confused Charlie Strong 3. Defense gives up a big touchdown 4. ‘Fire Charlie Strong’ talk 5. Special teams mishap 6. Texas goes three-and-out

Disclaimer: The Daily Texan encourages you to drink safely and responsibly

15

OU vs. Texas | 2015 Edition

GAMES TO WATCH

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By Jacob Martella @ViewFromTheBox

No. 23 California at No. 5 Utah Saturday — 9 p.m. — ESPN Utah finds itself as the Pac-12’s best chance to get a team into the playoff. The Utes have two notable wins under their belt — beating No. 18 Michigan to open the season and defeating Oregon two weeks ago. Senior running back Devontae Booker is the catalyst on the offensive end, rushing for over 440 yards and four touchdowns. But as Texas found out three weeks ago, stopping Cal quarterback Jared Goff is no easy task. The junior has thrown for 1,630 yards and 15 touchdowns already this season. No one expected this to be a huge match at the start of the season, but this game could make or break the Pac-12’s chances of having a team in the playoff.

No. 13 Northwestern at No. 18 Michigan Saturday — 2:30 p.m. — Big Ten Network Speaking of unlikely top match-ups, Northwestern and Michigan offers a surprisingly interesting game this week. Neither team was thought highly of going into the season, although the Jim Harbaugh storyline dominated the offseason. The Wildcats have reached this point thanks in part to sophomore running back Justin Jackson. Jackson has run for more than 630 yards but only has one touchdown this season. On the flip side, the Wolverines’ turnaround has come at the hands of head coach Harbaugh, who has managed to instill a different mindset in this team. Even after the season opening loss to Utah, Michigan has dominated the rest of its opponents, including a 31-0 win over then-ranked BYU in Week 4. Big Ten games have a habit of getting ugly, but this one should be interesting all the way through.

No. 2 TCU at Kansas State Saturday — 6:30 p.m. — FOX If there’s a game where the Horned Frogs could slip up before playing Oklahoma or Baylor, this is where it will happen. After trouncing Texas, TCU now has to go on the road to face a Kansas State team that, while having its struggles, is no easy out, especially at home. The Horned Frog offense is getting all the headlines, but the key matchup for this game will be between their defense and the Wildcat offense, which is 43rd out of FBS teams in scoring offense. If the Horned Frogs win that battle, they win the game.

No. 21 Oklahoma St. at West Virginia Saturday — 6:00 p.m. — ESPN2 Somehow, despite a near-loss in the season opener, the Cowboys find themselves undefeated and ranked No. 21 in the nation. But to keep it that way, they’ll have to beat a West Virginia team that disappointed in a loss to Oklahoma. Oh, and the game is in Morgantown.

Sophomore quarterback Mason Rudolph has been spectacular for Oklahoma State, throwing for 1,674 yards and nine touchdowns. But the key for the Cowboys will be to stop West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard. The junior has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. How much of an impact this will have on the Big 12 race is debatable, but it should be yet another high-scoring shootout in the conference.

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