Big 12 Week 3: Texas Tech plays former SWC rival; Texas gets holiday memory
Things to watch in the Big 12 Conference in Week 3:
GAME OF THE WEEK: Texas Tech at Arkansas. The former Southwest Conference rivals meet for the second year in a row. Last year, the Razorbacks ran for 438 yards and seven touchdowns in a 49-28 victory, and days later Matt Wallerstedt resigned as Texas Tech's defensive coordinator. The Razorbacks (1-1) were more Tech-like last week, when Brandon Allen threw for a career-high 412 yards. But they lost at home to Toledo, and certainly will be looking to make up for that when Texas Tech (2-0) travels to Fayetteville for the first time since 1990. Allen is the SEC's top passer (360 yards per game) and Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes leads the Big 12 at 393 yards per game. Arkansas would like to get its running game back on track. The Red Raiders have allowed 544 yards rushing in two games under new defensive coordinator David Gibbs.
BEST MATCHUP: Texas vs. California. The young playmakers for the Longhorns (1-1) get a big test in their final nonconference game in a rematch of the 2011 Holiday Bowl. Texas hosts California (2-0), the only undefeated team left in the Pac-12 North Division. Freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard won his first career start, throwing two TDs and running for 96 yards against Rice at home last week. Cal counters with a potential first-round NFL draft pick next year in QB Jared Goff (six TD passes). Texas won 21-10 in that bowl game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Three Big 12 teams have the week off: No. 5 Baylor (2-0), West Virginia (2-0) and Kansas (0-2). ... Third-ranked TCU's 10-game winning streak is second only to top-ranked defending national champion Ohio State's 15 in a row. The Frogs (2-0) are more than five-TD favorites against SMU, their former SWC rival they beat 56-0 last season on the road. ... Iowa State (1-1) has a Big 12-leading nine sacks. The Cyclones had only 15 all last season.
LONG SHOT: No. 16 Oklahoma (2-0) having any problems with Tulsa (2-0). The Sooners are big favorites again at home against their intrastate rival. Under coach Bob Stoops, Oklahoma is 8-0 against Tulsa, winning those games by an average margin of 38 points.
IMPACT PLAYER: Oklahoma State sophomore quarterback Mason Rudolph, who took over as the starter the final three games last season, finally got to play at home last week. He threw for 401 yards with 23 completions (to 11 receivers). Rudolph and the No. 25 Cowboys (2-0) are back home to play Texas-San Antonio, which lost at home last week to Big 12 team Kansas State (2-0).
