Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022

Big 12 Power Rankings

Kansas falls, Texas rises in week six

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

This is the sixth edition of the Big 12 football power rankings from The O’Colly. Each week, The O’Colly will give a recap and preview of each Big 12 team and give reasoning as to why a team is ranked at a spot.

10. Oklahoma (33, 0-3 in Big 12) (Previ ous rank: 10)

Who knows what has happened in Nor man, but soon it will need to get back on track. OU is clearly the worst team so far in Big 12 play, especially after its 49-0 loss to Texas. There are three teams who have zero confer ence wins, but OU has the worst conference point differential, -87, by more than 50 points. OU hosts Kansas this weekend and the Jay hawks may make OU 0-4 in the conference if star quarterback Jalon Daniels plays, who is a dual-threat quarterback, something the Sooners have struggled with this season.

9. Iowa State (3-3, 0-3) (PR: 9) Iowa State has lost three straight conference games to Baylor, Kansas and Kansas State, but

the Cyclones lost those games by a combined 11 points. A disheartening one-point home loss ver sus No. 20 Kansas State this past Saturday is fol lowed up by a matchup at No. 22 Texas. Iowa State has a good de fense, but its offense is inexperienced and that’s what’s been the issue for the Cyclones as of late.

8. West Virginia (2-3, 0-2) (PR: 8)

West Virginia had a bye week following a 38-20 loss to Texas, and its schedule doesn’t get any easier with a home game versus Baylor this weekend. Mountaineer quarterback J.T. Dan iels has been somewhat impressive through the season, throwing for over 1200 yards and eight touchdowns. The thing for the Mountain eers that has hindered their success is the de fense, who has given up 93 points through two conference games.

7. Kansas (5-1, 2-1) (PR: 4)

The Jayhawks have come back down to earth after losing to TCU this past weekend, 38-31. Star quarterback Jalon Daniels didn’t return to the game after the half after an injury, but replacement Jason Bean filled in nicely, leading a second-half comeback that was ulti mately short and scor ing four touchdowns.

Kansas heads into

See Power on page 2

3 takeaways from

OSU’s exhibition win

out all three batters faced.

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

College baseball in October may seem rather unorthodox to some.

To the fans who showed up at O’Brate Stadium for OSU’s fall exhibition game, it was an oppor tunity to take in free baseball.

The Cowboys faced the Tex as Rangers instructional league

team, winning 8-1 in what was a 10-inning exhibition game. While OSU won, the main purpose was for the coaching staff to find out more about the team and develop the plethora of young prospects on this year’s roster.

Here are three takeaways from the scrimmage on Monday night.

Pitching Rotation Taking Shape, But Still Up For Grabs:

Sophomore pitcher Juaron Watts-Brown, who transferred to OSU from Long Beach State this offseason, was the gem of the Cowboys’ transfer class. The Cal ifornian righty started on Monday and pitched one inning, striking

In his lone inning of action, Watts-Brown sat around 93-96 mph on his fastball, while show casing his well-renowned knock out slider which appeared just as advertised.

Watts-Brown is projected to be the Friday starter for the Cowboys this spring.

But who will take the other two weekend rotational spots?

Sophomore pitcher Janzen Keisel, who transferred in from BYU this offseason, is likely an option. OSU coach Josh Holliday was not coy about Keisel’s

OSU reveals new strategic plan

Micah McKamie Staff Reporter

In a landmark announce ment, Oklahoma State University President Kayse Shrum, reaf firmed her and her staff’s com mitment to land grant university preeminence by revealing a multi point strategic plan that has been formulating over the past year through a series of interviews and sounding board sessions.

The answers that they received through these sessions from close to 3,500 individuals created a matrix through which the plan was established.

“Research, teaching and service belong to the land-grants, and we are Oklahoma’s flagship land-grant institution,” Shrum said. “With a presence in all 77 counties, we are called to serve the state and world, and we are well equipped to do that.

“This strategy is a bold step forward, and I’m proud of the work of the committees involved in its creation. Our goal is to become the preeminent land-grant university. With our world-class faculty, dedicated staff and the bright minds of our students, we will accomplish the goal.”

Throughout the 30-minute state of the union-styled ad dress to OSU investors, alumni, students and potential students, Shrum and Jerome Loughridge,

senior vice president of the OSU system, gave a brief overview of an expansive plan to not only improve the education offered at the institution, but the promise of creating more opportunities for its graduates.

Loughridge also touched on lowering student debt and retaining integral personnel to the mission, while also boosting the attendance of the univer sity as well, even though neither presenter touched on solving the housing shortage on campus that was experienced this year by the largest freshmen class in school history.

Some of the high points of the presentation included:

· Enhancing human and animal health.

· Powering a growing world sustainably and responsibly.

· Innovating to nourish the world through horticulture and agricultural research.

· Leading in aerospace inno vation and application nationwide.

These areas of concentra tion will strive to connect OSU and the state in an economically symbiotic bond of research and development between industries and provide an influx of collegeeducated workers dispersed throughout the state.

Some of the boldest ini tiatives unveiled were tasks of lowering student debt, raising the graduation rate and increasing

the academic advising capabili ties for all students attending the university.

The claim to “scholarship like we have never scholarshiped before” was stated with tenable confidence by Loughridge and he also reaffirmed Shrum and her staff’s drive to see this plan through.

These initiatives were ac companied by an affirmation of the “Cowboy Culture” and the desire to compete and a declara tion of support in both education al and sports related competitive endeavors.

From the overhauling of the general education courses to cre ating a more open, safe creative environment designed to spur a movement of growth and prosper ity for the state of Oklahoma.

From start to finish there was an all-business approach to revealing the new vision for OSU, however it was paralleled with a sentiment of excitement and hope that these new programs and poli cies will allow for an intellectual boom.

“To reach great heights, we must all unite behind this daring vision to be the nation’s preeminent land-grant university,” Shrum said. “Together, we will reimagine and revolutionize Okla homa State University.”

Cole Gueldenzoph

OSU utility player Tyler Wulfurt hit a grand-slam in the first inning of the Cowboys 8-1 win over the Texas Rangers development team.

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ability to “light it up” regard ing the pitching radar. As his warmup pitches peaked at 100 mph, the roar of emotion and applause from the OSU dugout said it all. He sat around 97-99 mph in his one inning of action, while showcasing an impressive changeup with subtle movement.

Iowa Western junior college transfer and junior pitcher Evan O’Toole and true freshman and former top-200 recruit Brennan Phillips are also viable options for OSU regarding the weekend rotation this season.

Newcomers Prove Worth:

In spite of losing No. 1 overall draft pick Jackson Holliday to the draft, Josh Holliday and his staff man aged to piece together another top-10 recruiting class.

Former top-100 recruit Nolan Schubart, junior infielder Tyler Wul fert, junior first baseman Noah Turley and Beau Sylvester all compiled OSU’s 2022 class.

Monday night, those young prospects proved their worth — record ing five of OSU’s seven hits. Wulfert recorded three knocks, including a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the first inning. Sylvester had two hits on the night, both two-out RBI-singles. Schubart was hitless, but showed off his power potential.

Outfield Defensive Ability Bet ter Than Expected:

On Monday night’s exhibition, Nolan McLean, Zach Ehrhard and Schubart started in the outfield for the Cowboys.

McLean showed off his arm on several powerful throws to third and second base from right field. Ehrhard’s speed and Shubart’s defensive IQ were major boosts for the Cowboy outfield— most notably, a Willie Mays type overthe-shoulder catch from Ehrhard .

Holliday also mentioned junior Jaxson Crull, who saw action in the lat ter innings of the exhibition, will likely be a key contributor for OSU come the start of the season. He believes that with the arms of McLean and Schubart and the speed of Crull and Ehrhard, his team could have one of the more wellrounded outfield units during his tenure at OSU.

All photos by Cole Gueldenzoph

OSU, a team full of transfer players and new faces, got a chance to play at O’Brate Stadium for a 10-inning scrimmage on Monday.

41-31 loss to No. 7 OSU. Texas Tech went through an APgauntlet, playing five-straight ranked teams and going 2-3 through that stretch.

5. Baylor (3-2, 1-1) (PR:

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Norman looking to be come bowl-eligible for the first time since 2008.

6. Texas Tech (3-3, 1-2) (PR: 6)

Coach Joey McGuire sur prised a lot of people this past Saturday when he started quar terback Behren Morton over quarterback Donovan Smith, but it seems to have paid off, after Morton passed for 369 yards and two touchdowns in a

5)

The Bears had a bye week following a loss to OSU, but they have a favorable schedule ahead, including this week’s trip to West Virginia.

Up to this point, Baylor has been a middle-of-the-pack team, with an 0-2 record ver sus AP-ranked teams.

7)

4. Texas (4-2, 2-1) (PR:

With former five-star quarterback Quinn Ewers on the field, the Texas offense

looks like one of the best in the country, averaging 4.37 points per drive with Ewers on the field. Before last week’s 49-0 beatdown on Oklahoma, quar terback Hudson Card started the previous three games, where the Longhorns went 2-1, with a loss to Texas Tech. Texas seems to finally have the pieces in place to compete for a spot in the Big 12 champion ship game.

3. Kansas State (5-1, 3-0) (PR: 2)

Kansas State snuck out of Ames with a 10-9 win over Iowa State last Saturday, with quarterback Adrian Martinez totalling 323 yards and a pass ing touchdown. All-Big 12 run

ning back Deuce Vaughn how ever rushed for just 23 yards on 10 attempts. Following its bye week this week, Kansas State has a tough schedule ahead, playing TCU, OSU, Baylor and Texas in four weeks.

2. TCU (5-0, 2-0) (PR: 3)

TCU upset the Jayhawk party this past weekend, beat ing then-undefeated Kansas 38-31. Quarterback Max Duggan has played exception ally well since taking over as starter, with a 363-yard, four touchdown performance versus Kansas. Arguably the big gest game of the season is on Saturday, when the battle of the Big 12 unbeatens play in

Fort Worth on Saturday with No. 8 OSU visiting the No. 13 Horned Frogs.

1. Oklahoma State (5-0, 2-0) (PR: 1)

OSU took care of busi ness versus Texas Tech this past Saturday, beating the Red Raiders 41-31. The defense settled in after the half, giv ing up just one touchdown in the third quarter. Quarterback Spencer Sanders played well on Saturday, totalling 353 yards and three scores. The No. 8 Cowboys head to Fort Worth with a chance to win another ranked-road game, this time versus No. 13 TCU.

ETERNITY IN MIND!

demonstrating the love of God in blessing and serving others; as you and I get involved with helping missionary work, even going to help in short term mission trips or providing finances for others to go, we are laying up treasure in heaven “where moths cannot corrupt and thieves cannot steal.”

Just about everything in this life is tempo rary. Yet, most people work very hard to have a pleasant few years in their lifetime. I would like to remind the true Christians that God is offering us an eternity of bless ing as we serve him and his purposes now.

In 1 Co.15 the Apostle Paul is reminding these believers of Christ’s resurrection and how true and real it was. He continues by emphasizing the sure promise of God that we are going to share in that resurrec tion one day. We will have a new, eternal body like Jesus has now. As we help in the work of God, furthering his kingdom;

Actually, this kingdom of God, with forgive ness of all our sins and a new relationship with God as our Father, is offered to all mankind. If you have never opened your heart to Christ, asking for a clean heart and a new life; the door is open wide for you to come. You will not be turned away. Then you too can begin to live for the eternal: laying up treasure in Heaven. I en courage all to consider these words, no matter your age, and choose the best and most satisfying life. It is a life following Christ as your Lord, and going for God’s best in eternity. It is a great and sure future!

“ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be stead fast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

(1 Co.15:58 NKJ)

Cole Gueldenzoph OSU, this week’s No. 1 team in the power rankings, faces TCU, this week’s No. 2 team, on Saturday in Fort Worth.

To start the season, Max Duggan didn’t have the quarterback job, but now he’s playing as one of the best in the nation.

No. 13 TCU heads into Saturday’s matchup versus No. 8 OSU with a 5-0 record, with key wins over then-ranked

Oklahoma and No. 19 Kansas last week.

Quarterback Max Dug gan has been playing excep tionally well, totalling over 1,500 yards and 17 touch downs. Duggan is doing all of this while only throwing one interception.

Duggan is considered a dual-threat quarterback, he can beat a defense with his passing attack, but he can also beat a defense on the ground, some thing OSU’s defense has kindof played against this year. The

closest quarterback to Dug gan’s playstyle is last week’s matchup versus Texas Tech’s Behren Morton or Arizona State’s Emory Jones.

The TCU offense is av eraging 46.4 points per game, which ranks third in the coun try just ahead of OSU. The past two weeks, TCU has put up 55 on OU and 38 on Kansas. The OSU defense will face a tough task yet again this Saturday against another high-powered offense.

Players to watch for TCU

No. 1: QB Max Duggan As mentioned before, Duggan has been playing exceptionally well, especially for a starting role he hasn’t had all season. Duggan got the starting role in week two after starting quarterback Chan dler Morris was injured, and Duggan hasn’t looked back.

Duggan will look to target the inexperienced OSU secondary on Saturday, while also using his legs to run the ball.

No. 2: LB Dee Winters Dee Winters leads the

CheckouttheOriginalHideaway!

team in sacks at 3.5, but he’s only a linebacker. Winters has been a key contributor to the Horned Frogs defense that is allowing 27.5 points per game over the conference schedule so far. Winters has found his way to the quarterback in blitz situations many times this season, and he will look to do it again against the OSU of fensive line.

File photo

TCU quarterback Max Duggan has led the TCU offense to an undefeated record after starter Chandler Morris went down with an injury.

Musician Rex Orange County denies sexual assault allegations

Samuel Weme Staff Reporter

Indie rock singer Alexander O’Connell, also known as Rex Orange County, was charged with six counts of sexual assault Mon day.

O’Connell alleg edly assaulted a woman twice in the West End of London, England, on June 1 and then four more times the following day, once in a taxi and three times at his home in Notting Hill.

O’Connell showed up in court on Monday to plead not guilty to the charges and was released on unconditional bond. His trial date is set for Jan. 3, 2023.

O’Connell, 24, denied all claims and has not made a direct state ment on the matter.

“Alex is shocked by the allegations, which he denies, and looks forward to clear ing his name in court,” said a representative of O’Connell.

Rex Orange County has garnered consider able fame in recent years and his album “Who Cares?” which released March of this year, hit No. 5 on Billboard’s chart when it was re leased.

Robyn Beck/AFP

Rex Orange County performs on stage at the 2020 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO concert at The Forum in Inglewood, California, Jan. 18, 2020. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Im ages/TNS)

51st Annual

Follies, one of the big gest philanthropy events in Greek life, held their show week Oct. 11-15. Featuring freshmen Greek life mem bers, this singing, dancing and acting performance is a must see for students, par ents and alumni alike. The executive team reportedly raised a record $57,000 for last year’s philanthropy and hopes to raise more this year.

All photos shown by Cole Gueldenzoph

Squares

Company Coming?

out

Squares

The best selection of beer, wine and li quor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come to Brown’s Bottle Shop located on 128 N. Main

“The Original Hideaway, located on the corner of Knoblock and University. Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”

Murphy’s Department Store

815 S Main, Downtown Open 10-6 Monday thru Saturday

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (10/13/22). This year sends luck through partnership. Practice your game regularly for passion, higher performance and fun. Creative break throughs spark this autumn, before winter research, exploration and investigation shifts direction. Springtime profits boost family fortunes, leading to summer mes saging and story changes. Weave your hearts together.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most chal lenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Share the news. You can find the necessary resources. Imagine total success, without relying on fantasies. Make valuable connections. Discipline and experience make a difference.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Profit from another’s mistake. Learn what not to do. Prioritize practical logistics. Discover extra benefits in conversa tion. Connect with experienced advisors. Lucrative opportunities spark.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Imagine personal possibilities. Your discipline is admirable. Ask for what you want. Play by the rules and win. The outcome is even better than expected.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Indulge your nostalgic curiosity. Recognize the value of the past. Complete projects and clear space to prepare for what’s ahead. Craft elegantly simple plans.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Share information, solutions and re sources through social networks. Collaboration can strengthen. Manage practical priorities. Provide aid and comfort. Pull together for common good.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Can you mix business and pleasure?

Make valuable professional connections through social gatherings. Rely on a powerful team. Tap into passion with your work.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Keep your exploration unfolding in practical directions. Avoid expensive distractions. Consult an expert. Poll friends and relations. Review options and choose. Investigate possibilities. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Creative planning resolves a practical issue. Contribute to grow shared account balances. Make inquiries, not purchases. Research for best value. Collaborate for shared gain.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Partnership flowers and grows stronger. You can find what you need for shared commitments. Consider another perspective. Coordinate for ease and efficiency. Support each other.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — All that practice is paying off. Your moves seem energized. Ignore distractions and pursue practical goals, one after another. Put your heart into your work.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Focus on who and what you love. Connect with beauty, art and nature. Relax with playful pursuits. Enjoy delicious music, fun and flavors.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Savor domestic comforts. Relax at home with family. Cook up something wonderful. Share news, insights and laugh ter. Discover profound wisdom from children and elders.

Solution to Wednesday’s puzzle

the

so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

Country superstar Adkins to play McKnight Center

Arts at OSU on Feb. 14 for a Valen tine’s Day concert. The show will begin at 7: 30 p.m.

McKnight Center season sub scribers can buy tickets Wednesday and tickets will go on sale to the public Oct. 24.

Adam Engel Co-Editor-in-Chief

Another country music superstar is Stillwater bound.

Trace Adkins will perform at the McKnight Center for the Performing

“Trace Adkins is an incredible entertainer who is guaranteed to put on a great concert,” said Mark Blakeman, the Marilynn and Carl Thoma Execu tive Director of The McKnight Center.

“Oklahoma, and Stillwater specifically, has always been a hotbed of worldclass country music and artists. We’re

thrilled to continue that tradition by including Trace Adkins in our season lineup for this holiday evening.”

Adkins hit the stage in 1996 and has sold more than 11 million albums. Twenty of his songs broke into Bill board’s all genre Hot 100 and sent 15 singles into the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot Country list. He is a four-time Grammy Award nominee.

Adkins also stars in a lead role in FOX’s drama, “Monarch.”

He’s known for a commanding stage presence with his loud baritone voice and will dazzle spectators on

For more information or to buy tickets, visit mcknightcenter.org or visit the McKnight Center box office.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Valentine’s Day.

Country star Tim McGraw played at the McKnight Center in 2021. Ad kins’ date adds to the historic lineup.

Courtesy of Fox