RED RIVER ROUNDUP

ALEX CHINERY. Sunday 18th October

Welcome to our weekly round up of life in the BIG XII Conference.

Here are this weeks headlines….

With only two games scheduled for this weekend, it was always due to be a light slate. However with the cancellation of the Oklahoma State game against Baylor, only the tie between West Virginia and Kansas was left. Luckily my good friend Oli Hodgkinson published a mock draft with some interesting landing spots for the stars of the Big 12. So we aren’t totally without talking points:

Doege And Brown Lead The Mountaineers Past The Jayhawks

Jarrett Doege
Photo Credit: USA Today

Morgantown, WV.

In the only BIG12 action this weekend the West Virginia Mountaineers overcame a sloppy first quarter to beat the Kansas Jayhawks. Behind a two headed offensive monster that is quarterback Jarrett Doege and running back Leddie Brown the Mountaineers put up almost 550 offensive yards as they crossed for five touchdowns against a hapless Jayhawks defence. 

Despite two short field touchdowns in the first half this Jayhawks offense continues to be a unit that seems to be playing in quicksand. The much vaunted rushing attack averaged two yards per carry as the draft stock of running back Pooka Williams plummets. Two interceptions from quarterback Miles Kendrick killed all momentum on the offensive side of the ball. Head Coach Les Miles has a huge job on his hands to save this program. 

But for West Virginia, a team many had tipped to struggle this year, the final three quarters of this game were perfect. They established this team as one that is far above the level of their opponents, and one capable of running some of the teams at the top of this conference very close. Doege and Brown are fun pieces to build an offense around and West Virginia are certainly a positive watch on a Saturday. 

Baylor Shuts Down Football Activities Due To COVID-19 Outbreak

Jarrett Doege
Photo Credit: Baylor Athletics

Waco, TX.

On October 8th Baylor, who continue to have problems in keeping COVID-19 away from the program, shut down all football activities. This shut down was still in effect over the weekend and caused the postponement of their game against Oklahoma State. 

Baylor Director of Athletics Mack B. Rhoades said in the release:

“At this time and in the interest of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff, we have temporarily suspended all football-related activities. Their health and wellness will always be our top priority. We are taking all possible precautions and our focus remains playing the scheduled game with Oklahoma State at McLane Stadium on October 17.”

With big games against Texas and TCU coming up in the next couple of weeks, Baylor is now onto its last chance to get things right in the program before they will have to start forfeiting games. With only one more bye week remaining, this program cannot afford to keep getting this wrong.

Humphrey The Only Offensive Big12 Player In Round 1 Of Hodgkinson's Mock

Image Credit: Sooner Sports

England, UK.

This weekend saw the publishing of the latest mock draft from Pro Football Network writer and fellow College Chaps Podcaster Oliver Hodgkinson. Two Big12 players make it in to the first round, and five come off the board in the second. Creed Humphrey is heading over to Arizona to become a Cardinal in this mock. Here is what Oli says about the Oklahoma man…

“The Arizona Cardinals addressed the defensive side of the ball during last year’s draft, with Isaiah Simmons as the jewel in their draft class crown. With several offensive linemen set to hit free agency ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cardinals could seek further protection for franchise quarterback Kyler Murray, while keeping one eye on replacing legendary wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

A 6’5”, 316 pounds, behemoth of a man, Creed Humphrey has put his size and strength to great use as the anchor of what is consistently one of the best offensive lines in college football. A former high school wrestler, Humphrey uses those skills to dominate at the line of scrimmage and also has the football intelligence to help direct the rest of the offensive line.”

Humphrey would be a slam dunk pick for the Cardinals and would unite with former Oklahoma passer Kyler Murray in Arizona. Humphrey started 12 games as the Oklahoma offensive line won the Joe Moore award for how they protected Murray in 2018. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see this happen on draft day.

Joseph Ossai's Draft Stock Continues To Rise

Cardiac
Photo credit: Texas Athletics

Austin, TX.

The other player to fall in the first round of Hodgkinson’s mock is Texas edge rusher Joseph Ossai. A player whose stock is rising exponentially this season, the Longhorns defensive leader comes off the board at 22 to the Cleveland Browns. Here’s what Oli has to say about the Texas man:

“The additions of Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin over the 2020 off-season means there should be increased protection for Baker Mayfield this season, although it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Cleveland Browns address the interior offensive line in the 2021 NFL Draft. Multiple defensive starters are coming up for contract extensions, with edge rusher and linebacker being potential areas of need.

 

Joseph Ossai came to national attention following a sophomore season at outside linebacker for Texas that yielded 13.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. After transitioning to a full-time defensive end for 2020, Ossai is set to blow that production out of the water if he continues his early-season pace. His performances have skyrocketed him up big boards with the realistic possibility of him being the second edge rusher drafted in April. Ossai possesses the ideal combination of speed and size to succeed at the next level, and his positional versatility will only add value to his NFL Draft stock.”

Ossai is someone that I have loved watching this season in burnt orange as he has fully established himself in the conversation as one of the best pass rushers in this draft class. If he can close out the season strong then he may not be available for the Browns with their pick. 

With West Virginia taking this weeks only BIG12 win, and the first mock draft of the year analysed, I guess it’s time to take us home, country roads…

Alex Chinery

Head of Analytics

A texas and Green Bay Packers Fan alex is our head of football analytics, a college football and Nfl draft scout for the touchdown he will be popping up all over. he is also The host of the touchdowns Seven Step Drop NFL podcast and one third of the college chaps. 

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