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Gameday Instant Analysis: TU survives; OSU doesn't
Published: 9/30/2012 1:13 AM
Last Modified: 9/30/2012 1:13 AM

We haven't even gotten to October yet, and the state of Oklahoma has just about been eliminated from Big 12 title contention.

Oklahoma State was game in Saturday's loss to Texas, but wasn't good enough down the stretch.

That leaves Tulsa as our lone hope, although the Golden Hurricane will have to be better than it was Saturday against UAB to stay atop the Conference USA title race.

With all that said, here's a look at what we learned Saturday.

1. Oklahoma State is better than I thought, but...
Despite the final result, I was pretty impressed with the Cowboys on Saturday night.

Given their performance in Arizona, I didn't think it would be that close against Texas.

And I'm sure OSU fans will be talking about the non-fumble call on Texas' final touchdown for a while.

J.W. Walsh had a nice game starting in place of Wes Lunt, although his first-half interception was extremely costly.

Joseph Randle had a man-sized game, with nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns.

And while all that's nice... OSU is 2-2 and has lost to both teams its played with a pulse (OK, to be fair, I give partial credit for Louisiana-Lafayette).

Here's the most alarming trend if you're an OSU fan: In the first four games last season, OSU's defense forced 13 turnovers. This year, just four.

If that stat doesn't turn around, games against TCU, Kansas State, West Virginia and maybe even Baylor will be a challenge.

The Cowboys will have to win with offense. And if Walsh starts any more this season, the OSU coaches are going to have to take off the handcuffs. I thought Cowboys coaches erred by basically playing for a field goal in advance of Quinn Sharp's 24-yarder with 2:34 to play.

At other times in the game it seemed obvious OSU coaches didn't have the same kind of confidence in Walsh as they do Lunt. That will be something to watch if Lunt is sidelined for any additional length of time.

2. Texas is better, but...
Every year about this time, after a stellar non-conference season, pundits predict the return of Texas football to the national elite.

Such was the case this year with the Longhorns off to a 3-0 start. And while the win Saturday against OSU may be the kind of victory that propels Texas to greater heights this season, these aren't the Longhorns of old.

Quarterback David Ash is definitely improved, a good enough thrower to manage a game, hand off to a stable of stud running backs and make a few key plays. His accuracy on third and fourth downs was staggering Saturday.

But oh boy, that defense. Thought to be the best in the league, OSU proved the real Texas defense was the one that played the second half against Ole Miss two weeks ago.

What's worse than getting gashed up front? How about springing running backs free for big gainers by whiffing open-field tackles. It really wasn't pretty.

But it's much easier to fix mistakes after a win. At least the Longhorns have that luxury.

We just won't mention UT faces West Virginia, Oklahoma and Baylor the next three weeks.

3. Circle Oct. 20 on your calendar
That's the day West Virginia and Kansas State play in Morgantown. Right now, that game is a good bet to decide the Big 12 champ.

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith's numbers in Saturday's 70-63 win over Baylor were ridiculous (45-of-51, 656 yards, eight TDs).

The Mountaineers don't play a lot of defense, but to win the Big 12 it doesn't look they will have to.

4. Bill Blankenship nearly lost his title of Tulsa's best trash man
It's all I've heard about since getting to town last year -- trash. There's a new company, new routes, new cans, new recycling bins... you get the idea. Blankenship fits right in because as Tulsa's head coach, he's been an expert at taking out the trash.

Put a cupcake on the Golden Hurricane schedule during Blankenship's tenure as coach and you can count on Tulsa winning. Typically, it's a no contest.

But Tulsa nearly let an easy one slip out of its grasp Saturday. Errors both mental and physical caused the Golden Hurricane to need a late touchdown and late defensive stand to get out of Birmingham with a win.

Tulsa coaches and players said the standard things after the game: A win is a win, it's tough to win on the road, etc.

Although UAB is winless, it did give Ohio State a scare last week. So we'll give Tulsa the benefit of the doubt. But the Hurricane can't afford any letdowns if it wants to win Conference USA.

5. I feel bad for Arkansas
I watched the Arkansas-Texas A&M game to check out the Aggies. I came away extremely disappointed for Razorback fans.

This team has quit, and I'm just not sure how many games it might win the rest of the way -- if any. And that's a shame given the talent on the field and the preseason expectations.

Arkansas faces a crucial decision in the offseason. It must make the right hire at head coach to change what at this point looks like a hopeless situation.

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Tulsa World Sports Editor Michael Peters has nearly 20 years of daily newspaper experience. A 1993 graduate of Texas A&M, he worked at papers in Bryan-College Station, Texas, Beaumont, Texas, and Galveston, Texas, before joining the Houston Chronicle as High School Sports Editor in 2008. While in Houston, he coordinated coverage of the 2008 Texas Class 5A state football championships and the 2011 NCAA Men's Final Four.

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