By Melissa Triebwasser
Frogs Today staff writer
Shocking news this week in the Big 12, as a Texas Tech fan did something naughty after the Red Raiders’ upset win over the Longhorns. Oklahoma fans were upset, too, after dropping their third game to Kansas State in the past four tries. Meanwhile, it’s all smiles in Lawrence, as Kansas fans were treated to the program’s first 4-0 start since 2009 at a sold-out David Booth Memorial Stadium.
Let’s take a look around the Big 12.
Burnt Orange Nation unhinged
If you aren’t familiar, Burnt Orange Nation is the SB Nation site covering the Texas Longhorns, and they went full-on unhinged Saturday night on Twitter amidst a confluence of controversies.
While I won’t directly link to some of their more, er, adult takes, this article pretty much sums up the sour grapes being felt in Austin. Sure, the fan pushing a Texas player was a garbage move — one being investigated, by the way — and Texas Tech fans have earned their less-than-sterling reputation over the years.
But I think we all know the four straight road losses and disappointing start to 2022 sting more than anything a fully padded-up player felt as the Red Raiders fans were storming the field.
Texas Tech was issued a $50,000 fine, but I don’t think administration minds much.
It’s not an egg, baby, but it’s close
After a key fumble in the Longhorns’ loss to Texas Tech, running back Bijan Robinson was reportedly carrying a football around the Texas campus early this week, something he plans to do daily leading up to Saturday’s game against West Virginia.
According to sources, Robinson was not only following in Darnell Jefferson’s footsteps (if you know, you know), but was challenging Texas students to try and rip the ball away from him.
“Everybody is trying to knock it out of my hands,” Robinson said. “There was even a student that tried to knock it out of my hands. I was like, ‘Dang.’”
The fumble, which occurred on the opening play of overtime and led to Tech converting the game-winning field goal, is just the third of Robinson’s career. In both games where he has committed a fumble, his team has lost.
Should the Longhorns win Saturday, you might see a new accessory accompanying the talented back more often.
In the fun fan department …
Man, Jayhawks football fans have earned this.
I really only know one, but he’s certainly paid his dues over the years, and seeing David Booth rocking in a sea of red and blue was a ton of fun for anyone not cheering for Duke.
Just the fact that the matchup between Kansas and the Blue Devils was a fight to 4-0 was incredible enough, but the atmosphere put the game over the top. Just read this piece at ESPN and try not to smile. You have to be a little dead inside if you’re not rooting for Kansas 11 times this regular season.
The Jayhawks are more than just a good story, though. They’re a really good football team. Coach Lance Leipold has recruited well, used the transfer portal effectively and built a tough-nosed, confident team that expects to win. Bowl eligibility is so close they can taste it, and the Jayhawks are quickly moving up the ladder of teams you really don’t want to play.
TCU will go on the road to face them next weekend.
Kansas State owns the Sooners
Yes, once again, the Wildcats upended Oklahoma, something that is becoming kind of old hat for Kansas State.
The Wildcats dropped thee Sooner from a top-10 ranking to No. 18 in this week’s AP Poll.
History repeated itself as coach Chris Klieman’s squad ran all over Oklahoma. Led by quarterback Adrian Martinez’s five touchdowns and running back Deuce Vaughn’s 116 yards, Kansas State got out to an early lead and never relinquished it.
For Martinez, who lost to the Sooners a season ago as a member of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the victory had to have been especially sweet. The much maligned veteran was often subjected to the scorn of his former fan base, but seems to have found a home in Manhattan.
Vaughn remains one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the country, and the Wildcats are as good as anyone in the trenches, especially on the defensive line.
Don’t sleep on this team. The Wildcats are a veteran group that bounced back from a bad loss to Tulane and seem to be playing with confidence once again.
Melissa Triebwasser, melissa@frogstoday.com
