The Big 12 Report
Find out which two Big 12 Title contenders are in danger of a late season upset
Nov 13, 2018, 7:30 am
The Longhorns fans will be out in full force this week. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Week 11 was full of excitement as the Longhorns and the Sooners escaped with narrow wins to keep their Big 12 championship hopes alive. With just two weeks remaining in the college football season, there is no room for error as the Big 12 title still remains a four-team race. Week 12 has potential to provide fans with plenty of excitement as two of the conference’s top programs will face off against middle of the pack teams that are known for seizing the opportunity to collect a big upset win.
The Longhorns will have their hands full with the Iowa State Cyclones who took down No. 7 West Virginia to spark their five-game winning streak. Also, the 8-1 Mountaineers will take on an Oklahoma State team who upset Texas earlier this season and came just one point away from defeating No. 6 Oklahoma in week 11. Find out the specifics of each of these matchups and which players need to have big performances for their teams to walk away from week 12 victorious.
Must watch games week 12
(13) Texas vs: (18) Iowa State: After losing two straight the Longhorns saved their season with a big win against rival Texas Tech. Despite getting off to a slow start, Texas scored 17 points in the second quarter and continued to fight until they came out victorious 41-35. The game came down to the wire before a last-second touchdown catch by one of the nation’s most dynamic playmakers Lil’Jordan Humphrey. A big story following the game was the absence of Humphrey’s counterpart WR Colin Johnson. The Longhorns will hope to have Johnson back vs. an Iowa State team who has now climbed to No. 18 in the nation after five straight victories. Both programs have talented playmakers on the offensive side of the ball that have given college football some of its most spectacular moments this season. Look for this matchup to come down to which defense can step up in the big moments. The winner stays alive in the Big 12 race.
(7) West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State: Another big-time matchup in week 12 will be the West Virginia Mountaineers vs. the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Mountaineers and quarterback Will Grier have been red hot in recent weeks, scoring 40+ points in each of their last three games. This offensive dominance can be attributed to the high level of play by quarterback Will Grier who has thrown for at least 340 yards and three touchdowns in those last three 40+ point performances. Oklahoma State on the other hand has struggled in their last two games, falling to Baylor by just four points and to Oklahoma by only one point. While these have been very disappointing losses for the Cowboys, it also shows just how dangerous they can be. West Virginia will need to make sure they don’t get ahead of themselves looking forward to their end of the season showdown with Oklahoma, because a slight laps in focus could be just enough of an opportunity for the Cowboys to steal a big win.
Players to watch week 12:
Texas Longhorns defense: The balance has shifted for a Longhorn team whose unexpected success in 2018 was sparked by a tenacious defense early in the season. Now Texas has survived by its offense in recent weeks who has scored nearly 40 points in their last three games. Despite their uptick in offensive production, the Longhorns defense has been on a downward spiral giving up 114 points since returning from their bye week. UT has a matchup with Iowa State this coming weekend who is one of the hottest teams in college football, winning their last five games. Because of the multitude of dangerous playmakers, the Cyclones possess, the Longhorns will need their defense to step up to keep their Big 12 championship hopes alive.
Iowa State QB Brock Purdy: The Longhorns were torched in week 11 by third string Texas Tech quarterback Jeff Duffey. The Texas defense allowed Duffey to throw for over 400 yards passing and four touchdowns, as well as rush for 80 yards. This should be reason for optimism for the Cyclones dual threat quarterback Brock Purdy. Since taking over as the starter Purdy as thrown for 1,315 yards and 13 touchdowns on his way to leading Iowa State to five straight wins. Not only has Purdy been extremely successful through the air, but he has also had at least ten rushing attempts in each game and has two rushing touchdowns. Look for the Cyclones to utilize their young quarterback's dual threat abilities to pick apart the Longhorn defense much like the Red Raiders did with Duffey.
West Virginia WR David Sills: One of the nation’s most reliable receivers has been playing at his highest level in recent weeks as he rides an impressive scoring streak. Sills has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last five games and is currently tied for fourth in the nation with 12 total touchdown receptions this season. On top of that, Sills also has also hauled in multiple touchdowns in four games. With this season coming to an end there is no doubt that the connection between Sills and QB Will Grier is reaching its peak as the two have combined for five touchdowns in their last three games. The Oklahoma State defense will have its hands full trying to slow down them down.
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The Astros returned from the All-Star break facing two pivotal turning points: a season-defining road series in Seattle and an increasingly hard-to-ignore situation at first base. And while their draft-day gamble on high school slugger Xavier Neyens speaks to long-term optimism, the questions swirling around Christian Walker feel far more immediate.
Houston’s decision to select Neyens 21st overall was a surprise to some, not because of his talent, but because of the organization's pressing need for bats in the upper minors. Still, those inside the draft room saw too much upside to pass on.
Considering the Astros reluctance to sign players long-term, he might be the Jeremy Peña or Isaac Paredes replacement down the road if Cam Smith stays in right field. The bat speed is elite, and the belief is he’ll grow into real power.
Neyens, a 6-foot-4 shortstop projected to possibly shift to third base, may someday be a middle-of-the-lineup anchor. But in the near term, it’s Houston’s lack of middle-of-the-lineup production at first base that casts a shadow over their playoff push.
Walker, acquired in hopes of stabilizing the position after José Abreu’s departure, has not delivered. He’s hitting .229 with a .660 OPS and has already been dropped to seventh in the lineup. With the Astros quietly monitoring alternatives, Jon Singleton, yes, that Jon Singleton, has reemerged as a name worth watching. The left-handed slugger has already hit four homers in 16 games for Sugar Land, posting an .850 OPS. That’s not nothing, even if his career numbers don’t scream long-term fix. In a more typical scenario, the Astros could implement a platoon at first base. But Walker is actually hitting worse against left-handed pitching (.180).
Unless Singleton forces their hand by continuing to look like Babe Ruth in Sugar Land, they’ll likely keep riding with Walker. But the leash is shorter than it was.
The Astros cut ties with Abreu just 1.5 seasons into a 3-year contract. A similar timeline isn’t out of the question for Walker if things don’t turn around. Especially with free agency and trade deadlines presenting chances for Dana Brown to build in contingency plans.
In the meantime, Houston’s most important series of the season so far gets underway this Friday in Seattle, where the Mariners enter just five games back after bludgeoning the Tigers heading into the break. The Astros’ lead, once seven games, feels less secure with Yordan Alvarez, Peña, and Jake Meyers all still sidelined.
The good news: the Astros lead MLB in strikeouts and WHIP, and are TOP 5 in ERA. Their OPS over the past month is second in the league. The concern: Hunter Brown has been shaky in back-to-back starts, and the back of the rotation is a patchwork of question marks.
The Astros apparently have similar concerns about Brown, opting to give him more rest coming out of the All-Star break. He won't be pitching against the Mariners. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart is reporting that the Astros will start Brandon Walter on Friday, Lance McCullers on Saturday, and Framber Valdez on Sunday.
Astros rotation against Seattle:
Friday: LHP Brandon Walter (1-2, 3.98)
Saturday: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (2-4, 6.48)
Sunday: LHP Framber Valdez (10-4, 2.75)
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 17, 2025
Big picture
A sweep in either direction would shift the momentum dramatically. But even a closely contested series could reveal more about where this roster stands, and whether first base remains a tolerated flaw or becomes an active problem.
For now, the Astros are winning enough to keep the conversation quiet. But the noise is building. And if Walker can’t find another gear soon, first base might again become a defining storyline for a team trying to hold off a charge in the West.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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