Three Biggest Games Of The 2012 Season

BY GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Friday, November 23, 2012
11/23/12 at 5:03 AM

OU

Kansas State 24, OU 19 (Sept. 22): At the time, it seemed like a colossal underachievement, losing to a two-touchdown underdog. Then Collin Klein and the Wildcats spent the next seven weeks proving that this was no fluke. Looking back, the only subpar thing about this game for OU was Landry Jones' performance.

Notre Dame 30, OU 13 (Oct. 27): This one wasn't on Jones. The Irish were simply the superior team, especially during their 20-point fourth-quarter. As against K-State, the Sooners were in position to win the game late only to slip up. It was a maddening result for a program searching for its first victory over the Irish since 1956.

OU 50, West Virginia 49 (Nov. 17): The Sooners kept their Big 12 hopes alive by gutting one out in Morgantown. Jones atoned for his early-season struggles with a school-record 554 yards and six touchdowns, including the fourth-and-goal game-winner. It was barely enough to overcome a historically weak effort by OU's defense.

OSU

OSU 31, Iowa State 10 (Oct. 20): In front of a homecoming crowd, the Cowboys took advantage of their chance at revenge of last year's costly upset. Backup quarterback J.W. Walsh had his best performance, throwing for 415 yards and a touchdown despite playing through pain after fracturing his leg in the first quarter.

Kansas State 44, OSU 30 (Nov. 3): A win in Manhattan would have put OSU in prime position to contend for a repeat Big 12 title, but then-Heisman frontrunner Collin Klein was too much to handle before leaving with an injury. Cowboy QB Wes Lunt again was hurt and replaced by Clint Chelf, who more than held his own in the second half.

OSU 55, West Virginia 34 (Nov. 10): In his first start, Chelf won over any remaining doubters, throwing for four touchdowns. A much-publicized first meeting with former offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and former defensive assistant Joe DeForest resulted in a big victory as the Cowboys controlled every phase of the game.

- Kelly Hines, World Sports Writer

Associated Images:

OU's Aaron Colvin and Casey Walker take down Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson during their game Oct. 27. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World

OSU quarterback Clint Chelf passes to Josh Stewart in the first half of their game against West Virginia on Nov. 10. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World