Around the Big 12: Jalon Daniels to Make Season Debut for Jayhawks and More

As college football begins its second weekend, let’s take a look around the Big 12 Conference and check out the biggest storylines.

Big 12 Preseason PoY Jalon Daniels to make season debut

On Thursday it was reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel that Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year Jalon Daniels will make his season debut with Kansas when the Jayhawks host Illinois. Daniels missed the season opener against Missouri State with back tightness.

Daniels helped Kansas reach their first bowl appearance since 2008 in the Liberty Bowl. The Jayhawks fell to Arkansas but that didn’t ruin the historic season Daniels helped KU achieve. Daniels recorded over 2,000 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Daniels also rushed for 425 yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

Kansas football is no longer a laughing stock, thanks to Daniels.

Baylor, TCU, TTU, WVU all look to redeem losses

As a conference, the Big 12 teams went 10-4 last week. TCU fell victim to the Coach Prime hype at Colorado while Baylor and Texas Tech lost as favorites. West Virginia also lost on Saturday as Penn State rolled past them in Happy Valley.

TCU looked much different from its national championship appearance last season after losing many players to the NFL. The Horned Frogs fought back-and-forth with Colorado but the electric plays from Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders were too much to handle. Colorado HC Deion Sanders picks up his first win at the FBS level and, for now, looks to compete in the Pac-12 this year.

Texas Tech headed to Wyoming as a favorite but it was known that this could be a trap game for the Red Raiders. TTU went up 17-0 early but the Cowboys punched back to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Wyoming eventually closed the game out in double overtime, winning 35-33. Coming into this year, Texas Tech was named the dark horse in the Big 12. Now, the Red Raiders will have to bounce back against Oregon next week.

Can Emory Jones continue to roll into Pitt game?

Cincinnati’s new quarterback Emory Jones looked almost flawless in UC’s week one win over Eastern Kentucky. The Arizona State transfer totaled seven touchdowns, five passing and two rushing, as well as 345 passing yards.

Cincinnati heads to Acrisure Stadium on Saturday to match up with Pitt. This is the first time since 2012 that the two old Big East schools have met. This is the first test for Jones and UC under Scott Satterfield.