The best and worst of the Big 12: Week 5

Published Sep. 28, 2014 11:57 p.m. ET

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We've got a lot to get to in this week's best and worst, including a windbreaker controversy, a kicker controversy, an ambidextrous controversy and flags galore. 

Best offensive performance: Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor. Petty got two of his "toys" back from hamstring injuries and he used them well. Antwan Goodley and Corey Coleman both topped 100 receiving yards and Petty finished with 336 yards on 30-of-44 passing with a touchdown in Baylor's 49-28 road win over Iowa State. He also ran for two scores, including a highlight-reel hurdle. More on that later.

Best defensive performance: James McFarland, DE, TCU. SMU's offensive line is a disaster, but McFarland had three of the Frogs' nine sacks and forced two fumbles. Most importantly, he had an impressive pass breakup on a fourth down on the goal line to preserve TCU's shutout in its 56-0 win. 

Best team performance: Baylor. There wasn't a Big 12 team that really impressed me this week, but winning by three scores on the road in conference (Against someone besides Kansas. Sorry, Texas.) is notable. Baylor was more dominant than the 49-28 final score indicated. It led 35-7 at half and this game was competitive for a very short time.  

Pettiest gesture: Big 12. How dare you ruin one of college football's greatest traditions? There's something comforting about Bill Snyder wearing his signature purple windbreaker with an outdated bowl logo stitched on his back below his neck. His latest favorite, the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl jacket, was gone this week, and Snyder says the Big 12 office is the reason: They sent him a note to shelve the old windbreakers because the defunct bowls are no longer associated with the Big 12. 

Look, you do not tell Bill Snyder what he can and cannot wear. Especially not in the name of brand synergy. Sometimes, I hate 2014. I'm looking forward to Snyder calling the Big 12's bluff and resurrecting the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl windbreaker next week against Texas Tech. Oh no! A reprimand! Over a bowl patch!  

Please do this, Bill. You will have a nation (and a sweet bowl logo) behind you. 

Best cameo: A fox. For my imagination's sake, I'm going to assume this guy is the same Big 12 fan who made an appearance in Lubbock last year for TCU's game against Texas Tech.

Worst officiating: Kansas State-UTEP officials. I just don't even know what to say about this. You blow an inadvertent whistle on a blocked punt (what?) and take 12 minutes to sort it out? When it's all over, you've then erased a huge play? You made Bill Snyder yell! 

Best play: Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor. Petty doesn't get enough credit for his athletic ability. This was an incredible play, but I didn't find it all that surprising. Maybe it's because I've seen this before. You can bet if Petty books a ticket to New York for the Heisman ceremony, you will see this play over and over again.

Honorable mention: Daxx Garman to Tyreek Hill for a 50-yard TD. 

Worst play: Sam Richardson, QB, Iowa State. I like to think Richardson took the "Shaggy defense" to OC Mark Mangino after throwing an interception with his left hand against Baylor. 

"Coach, you know I'm right-handed! It wasn't me!" 

Best dressed: Oklahoma State. The Cowboys debuted some new chrome helmets with a blown up image of Pistol Pete on the side. The chrome facemask and chrome stripe down the middle didn't get enough attention, either. Add black pants and a black jersey and you get a fantastic look. 

Stat of the week: Texas Tech was penalized 16 times for 158 yards in its 45-35 loss to Oklahoma State. That's more penalty yards than 17 FBS teams have all season. It was also the most penalty yards by a Big 12 team since Oklahoma State logged 167 in a loss to Arizona on Sept. 8. 2012. That game, by the way, included OSU DT Calvin Barnett earning two personal foul penalties on the same play. 

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