Colts 49 Texans 14. In a game that was not as close as the score indicates ;^), the Texans reinforced the fact that last week’s debacle at Denver was no aberration. Peyton Manning toyed with the Texans secondary as he threw five TD passes in the first three quarters. He would have had a couple more had the Colts not called off the dogs. On the other hand, David Carr continued his up and down season with a horrid performance (22-41/215 yd./3 picks) behind an offensive line that looked like a sieve against one of the weakest defenses in the NFL. Carr spiced his poor performance by giving up a fumble and an interception that were returned for TD’s. Meanwhile, the Texans’ defense would have had a hard time stopping a hard charging marching band as Manning sliced and diced them for 320 yards on just 18 completions. Things do not get any easier for the 4-5 Texans as the red-hot Packers come to town next week for the ESPN Sunday night game at Reliant Stadium. That could be very ugly.
Eagles 49 Cowboys 21. In another game not as close as the final score indicates, the Eagles overwhelmed the hapless Cowboys at Texas Stadium, again increasing the chances that the Big Tuna will explode at any time. The Eagles’ 35 first-half points were more than they had scored in any game this season as Eagles’ QB Donovan McNabb was 15-of-28 for 345 yards with four TD passes and no interceptions. It was the Cowboys’ fifth loss in six games, and they have lost the last three by 21, 23 and 28 points. The Pokes now get the pleasure of going to Baltimore next Sunday to have Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense hand their hat to them.
Texas Longhorns 27 Kansas 23. For the second straight week, the Horns flirted with a disastrous upset loss, but pulled it out with a last minute TD drive spiced by QB Vince Young‘s incredible 22 yard run for a first down on 4th and 18. The game was spiced with controversy as the Horns benefitted from an offensive pass interference call that forced the final Kansas punt and allowed the Horns one more chance at pulling it out. Based on the following post-game comments, Kansas Coach Mangino did not think much of the offensive pass interference call:

“You know what this is all about, don’t you? The BCS. That’s right. That’s what made the difference today in the game. That’s what made the difference on the call in front of their bench ? dollar signs.”

After conferring with the Kansas Athletic Director and his investment banker over the probable amount of the fine from the Big 12 Conference stemming from those comments, Coach Mangino issued the following “public statement” later on Saturday afternoon:

“After an emotional loss, in our seniors’ last home game, I made remarks that I regret. Any implications that BCS standings played a role in Saturday afternoon’s game was inappropriate. I have always supported the BCS system and will continue to do so.”

At any rate, the 9-1 Horns are now off until their annual rivalry game with the Aggies on the day after Thanksgiving. I do not expect the Horns to play as soft against the Ags as they did in parts of their last two games. If they do, then the Aggies have enough firepower this year to beat the Horns.
Texas Aggies 32 Texas Tech 25 OT. In a hugely entertaining game, the Aggies played their third overtime game in their last four in finally beating the Red Raiders, who have tormented the Ags in recent seasons. Everybody was betting the over before this game (it was 66), but these two high-powered offenses combined for 13 points in the first half, and only 19 through three quarters, so the under bet looked golden. Then, almost as if each team turned on a switch, both offenses started scoring almost at will in the fourth quarter and, as the overtime commenced, the over bet looked within reach. Alas, Tech’s offense sputtered in overtime, handing the Ags the win before a delirious crowd of over 82,000 in College Station. The 7-3 Aggies (5-2 in the Big 12) are now off until their annual showdown with the Horns in Austin on the day after Thanksgiving. The Aggies have lost four straight games to the Longhorns and seven of the last nine, but this one is shaping up to be a serious battle. I give the Horns the edge because of their superior defense and running game, but the Ags will likely make a game of it.
UAB 20 Houston 7. You can stick a fork in the Coogs. Even though they must endure one more beating at the hands of high-powered Louisville at Robertson Stadium next Saturday, the Coogs have packed it in. The probable 3-8 mark in Coach Art Briles‘ second season is highly disappointing, and will be the subject of much soul searching over at UH.
UTEP 35 Rice 28 OT. The Owls almost pulled off the upset of their season against the Mike Price-rejuvenated Miners, but a fumble near the goal line in the second OT doomed the Owls’ hopes. The game was played in a cold drizzle and the finish was a madhouse. After UTEP grabbed a 35-28 lead on the first play of the second overtime, the Owls appeared to have tied the game again when the Owls’ Ed Bailey was tackled at the goal line by his facemask. However, the official closet to the play ruled Bailey was down inches from the end zone even though Bailey clearly hit the pylon following the infraction on the UTEP defender. On first and goal, the Owls handed the ball to Bailey again and he appeared to cross the goal line, but he fumbled on the play and UTEP recovered. The refs ruled it a fumble and that was the game. The 3-7 Owls now have a week off before finishing their season on the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Rice Stadium against Louisiana Tech.
And Kevin Whited has his weekly Big 12 wrap-up over at PubliusTx.net