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When Texas A&M blew double-digit leads in the second half to lose to Oklahoma State and Arkansas, it was easy for football fans across the Big 12 to laugh at the Aggies' expense.
They appeared overrated in the national polls and it seemed foolish to think they could head for the SEC next year and handle the rigors of future SEC schedules.
While the thinking behind their decision to leave the Big 12 can be scrutinized, their recent play cannot. A solid road victory over Texas Tech and a convincing 55-28 win over Baylor give the Aggies as good a chance as anyone outside the state of Oklahoma to win a Big 12 championship.
It will take an exceptional run, but with games remaining against undefeated Kansas State and Oklahoma, the Aggies (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) aren't out of the race. It was at about this time last year that they put it all together behind QB Ryan Tannehill and finished the regular season with six straight wins.
Duplicate that success, hope Oklahoma State stumbles, and Texas A&M could be in the mix come December. Not that it ever doubted its chances.
"We tell the team, 'Don't let other people define you,' " Aggies coach Mike Sherman said Saturday. "And this win is certainly a plus as far as how the players perceive themselves."
Bumbling Bears?
Baylor is beginning to resemble a team that doesn't know how to close out games. For the third time, the Bears allowed a bright start to fade in the fourth quarter. While they were able to score a game-winning field goal in the opener against TCU, they lost by a point at Kansas State and things completely fell apart at Texas A&M on Saturday.
"We have to finish games better as a team," Baylor QB Robert Griffin said after the game. "We're not just an offense and a defense. We have to play together. I can't be mad. Texas A&M came out and did what they were supposed to do to win the game."
Wringing their hands
One of the main topics of the Big 12 coaches teleconference on Monday was postgame handshakes.
Several coaches said Sunday's minor skirmish between 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and Lions coach Jim Schwartz, which started when Harbaugh enthusiastically slapped Schwartz on the back as they parted ways, was difficult to watch.
"It's embarrassing in this profession for something like that to happen," Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said.
When asked about the incident, Texas coach Mack Brown wondered why coaches are supposed to greet each other at midfield after games. Not all coaches like each other to begin with, and it's not always easy for a coach to keep his cool after a loss.
Two weeks ago, for example, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel wouldn't speak with Kansas State coach Bill Snyder after a loss. Following a brief handshake, he took off for the locker room. Snyder shrugged in surprise.
"I don't think it should be a requirement," Brown said before suggesting the coaches call each other two days later to talk after they had moved on from the game.
Others, such as Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, said the postgame handshake was necessary. Sure, it might be difficult at times. But if coaches can't show sportsmanship, how are players supposed to?
"It sets an example for everyone watching," Stoops said.
Special story
It's hard to beat the story behind Raphael Guidry's big game against Texas Tech. A friend of the K-State backup defensive tackle died Thursday, and Guidry told his teammates that he was dedicating his effort that night to him. Then he blocked two kicks, made a tackle for loss and was named Big 12 special teams player of the week. "Everything I had in my body," Guidry said, "I gave it all for him."
This week's games
Must-see: Nothing this week
Worth watching: Oklahoma State at Missouri, Texas Tech at Oklahoma
If you're desperate: Kansas State at Kansas
Stay away: Texas A&M at Iowa State
Next week's games
Missouri at Texas A&M, 11 a.m. (FX, Ch. 31)
Oklahoma at Kansas State, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN, Ch. 32)
Baylor at Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m. (KAKE, Ch. 10)
Iowa State at Texas Tech, 6 p.m. (FSKC, Ch. 34)
Kansas at Texas, 6 p.m. (Longhorn Network, not available in Kansas)
Power Rankings
1. Oklahoma (6-0, 3-0 Big 12)
Ryan Broyles deserves his record
2. Oklahoma State (6-0, 3-0)
No problems at Texas or Texas A&M
3. Kansas State (6-0, 3-0)
Ugly wins count as much as pretty wins
4. Texas A&M (4-2, 2-1)
Looked great making Baylor look bad
5. Baylor (4-2, 1-2)
Both losses have come on the road
6. Texas (4-2, 1-2)
No more games against Oklahoma schools
7. Missouri (3-3, 1-2)
Everything finally clicked against Cyclones
8. Texas Tech (4-2, 1-2)
So close to 6-0, yet so far
9. Iowa State (3-3, 0-3)
In for another drubbing this week
10. Kansas (2-4, 0-3)
Most encouraging 30-point loss ever?
