MORGANTOWN — After a loaded non-conference slate last week, the Big 12 is entering the bulk of its conference schedule, headlined by TCU heading down to Austin.
The Horned Frogs (2-1) let a prime opportunity slip away late against Ohio State, while Texas (2-1) gained traction by blowing out USC 37-14.
With a program trying to regain past glory, the Longhorns quickly put the win over the Trojans in the backseat and are ready to begin league play.
“We told our guys that the only peoples’ opinions who should matter when it comes to the game of football are the people in our room — your teammates and your coaches,” coach Tom Herman said. “We’re basically pleading with them, pleading with the leaders to school the young guys up.”
Quarterback Sam Ehlinger didn’t complete 50 percent of his passes against USC, but also didn’t turn the ball over. Giveaways haunted Ehlinger last season and in the season-opening loss to Maryland.
Texas lost the last four meetings — all blowouts. including a 24-7 drubbing last season. The Longhorns haven’t scored more than 10 points in any of those.
Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson is disappointed in last week’s outcome bu emphasized that conference play is more important than beating Ohio State.
“If you gave me a choice of who you need to beat, it’s conference play,” he said. “You’d want to win the Texas game. Whether that permeated with them, we’ll find out. But that’s the thing you have to understand — to get to the playoffs you’ve got to win your conference, or get to be one of those final two teams. It starts this week.”
Quarterback Shawn Robinson still had a career day against the Buckeyes, throwing for 308 yards.
After a big win against Boise State, Oklahoma State (3-0) hosts Texas Tech (2-1), which knocked off Houston last week.
Kansas (2-1), riding a momentous two-game winning streak will travel to Baylor (2-1), which was blown out by Duke. This could be a meeting between the bottom-feeders of the conference.
SManning@DominionPost.com
Twitter @SeanManning_DP
