Thursday, October 13, 2022
Big 12 Power Rankings Kansas falls, Texas rises in week six
Davis Cordova Staff Reporter This is the sixth edition of the Big 12 football power rankings from The O’Colly. Each week, The O’Colly will give a recap and preview of each Big 12 team and give reasoning as to why a team is ranked at a spot. 10. Oklahoma (33, 0-3 in Big 12) (Previous rank: 10) Who knows what has happened in Norman, but soon it will need to get back on track. OU is clearly the worst team so far in Big 12 play, especially after its 49-0 loss to Texas. There are three teams who have zero conference wins, but OU has the worst conference point differential, -87, by more than 50 points. OU hosts Kansas this weekend and the Jayhawks may make OU 0-4 in the conference if star quarterback Jalon Daniels plays, who is a dual-threat quarterback, something the Sooners have struggled with this season. 9. Iowa State (3-3, 0-3) (PR: 9) Iowa State has lost three straight conference games to Baylor, Kansas and Kansas State, but
the Cyclones lost those games by a combined 11 points. A disheartening one-point home loss versus No. 20 Kansas State this past Saturday is followed up by a matchup at No. 22 Texas. Iowa State has a good defense, but its offense is inexperienced and that’s what’s been the issue for the Cyclones as of late. 8. West Virginia (2-3, 0-2) (PR: 8) West Virginia had a bye week following a 38-20 loss to Texas, and its schedule doesn’t get any easier with a home game versus Baylor this weekend. Mountaineer quarterback J.T. Daniels has been somewhat impressive through the season, throwing for over 1200 yards and eight touchdowns. The thing for the Mountaineers that has hindered their success is the defense, who has given up 93 points through two conference games. 7. Kansas (5-1, 2-1) (PR: 4) The Jayhawks have come back down to earth after losing to TCU this past weekend, 38-31. Star quarterback Jalon Daniels didn’t return to the game after the half after an injury, but replacement Jason Bean filled in nicely, leading a second-half comeback that was ultimately short and scoring four touchdowns. Kansas heads into See Power on page 2
Cole Gueldenzoph
3 takeaways from OSU’s exhibition win
OSU utility player Tyler Wulfurt hit a grand-slam in the first inning of the Cowboys 8-1 win over the Texas Rangers development team.
team, winning 8-1 in what was a 10-inning exhibition game. While OSU won, the main purpose was for the coaching staff to find out more about the team and develop the plethora of young prospects on this year’s roster. Daniel Allen Here are three takeaways Staff Reporter from the scrimmage on Monday night. College baseball in October Pitching Rotation Taking may seem rather unorthodox to Shape, But Still Up For Grabs: some. Sophomore pitcher Juaron To the fans who showed up Watts-Brown, who transferred at O’Brate Stadium for OSU’s fall to OSU from Long Beach State exhibition game, it was an oppor- this offseason, was the gem of the tunity to take in free baseball. Cowboys’ transfer class. The CalThe Cowboys faced the Tex- ifornian righty started on Monday as Rangers instructional league and pitched one inning, striking
out all three batters faced. In his lone inning of action, Watts-Brown sat around 93-96 mph on his fastball, while showcasing his well-renowned knockout slider which appeared just as advertised. Watts-Brown is projected to be the Friday starter for the Cowboys this spring. But who will take the other two weekend rotational spots? Sophomore pitcher Janzen Keisel, who transferred in from BYU this offseason, is likely an option. OSU coach Josh Holliday was not coy about Keisel’s See Takeaways on page 3
OSU reveals new strategic plan Micah McKamie Staff Reporter
Mackenzie Janish Bijan Robinson and the No. 22-ranked Texas Longhorns moved up to No. 4 in this week’s Big 12 power rankings.
senior vice president of the OSU system, gave a brief overview of an expansive plan to not only improve the education offered at In a landmark announcethe institution, but the promise of ment, Oklahoma State University creating more opportunities for its President Kayse Shrum, reafgraduates. firmed her and her staff’s comLoughridge also touched mitment to land grant university on lowering student debt and preeminence by revealing a multi- retaining integral personnel to point strategic plan that has been the mission, while also boosting formulating over the past year the attendance of the univerthrough a series of interviews and sity as well, even though neither sounding board sessions. presenter touched on solving the The answers that they housing shortage on campus that received through these sessions was experienced this year by the from close to 3,500 individuals largest freshmen class in school created a matrix through which history. the plan was established. Some of the high points of “Research, teaching and the presentation included: service belong to the land-grants, · Enhancing human and and we are Oklahoma’s flagship animal health. land-grant institution,” Shrum · Powering a growing world said. “With a presence in all 77 sustainably and responsibly. counties, we are called to serve · Innovating to nourish the the state and world, and we are world through horticulture and well equipped to do that. agricultural research. “This strategy is a bold step · Leading in aerospace innoforward, and I’m proud of the vation and application nationwide. work of the committees involved These areas of concentrain its creation. Our goal is to tion will strive to connect OSU become the preeminent land-grant and the state in an economically university. With our world-class symbiotic bond of research and faculty, dedicated staff and the development between industries bright minds of our students, we and provide an influx of collegewill accomplish the goal.” educated workers dispersed Throughout the 30-minute throughout the state. state of the union-styled adSome of the boldest inidress to OSU investors, alumni, tiatives unveiled were tasks of students and potential students, lowering student debt, raising the Shrum and Jerome Loughridge, graduation rate and increasing
the academic advising capabilities for all students attending the university. The claim to “scholarship like we have never scholarshiped before” was stated with tenable confidence by Loughridge and he also reaffirmed Shrum and her staff’s drive to see this plan through. These initiatives were accompanied by an affirmation of the “Cowboy Culture” and the desire to compete and a declaration of support in both educational and sports related competitive endeavors. From the overhauling of the general education courses to creating a more open, safe creative environment designed to spur a movement of growth and prosperity for the state of Oklahoma. From start to finish there was an all-business approach to revealing the new vision for OSU, however it was paralleled with a sentiment of excitement and hope that these new programs and policies will allow for an intellectual boom. “To reach great heights, we must all unite behind this daring vision to be the nation’s preeminent land-grant university,” Shrum said. “Together, we will reimagine and revolutionize Oklahoma State University.” news.ed@ocolly.com