ARLINGTON, Texas—It is finally championship weekend in college football. The Big 12 always seems to put on a show, and this year was no different.

In one of the biggest games that has major implications on the College Football Playoff, the Big 12 didn’t disappoint. The early matchup with the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders (12-1, 8-1 Big 12) against the No. 11 BYU Cougars (11-2, 8-1) had the feeling of heavy weight matchup. The Red Raiders were led by senior defensive leaders Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey, while the Cougars were led by stud freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier.

Red Raiders’ Fast Start

To begin the game the Red Raiders started out hot driving down the field, but ultimately stalled out and had to punt. Meanwhile Bachmeier led the Cougars right down the field to a touchdown on their first drive with LJ Martin punching it in from short. Shortly after The Red Raiders would answer with a short field goal by Stone Harrington to begin the second quarter.

After BYU stalled out on their next drive, Texas Tech would once again answer quickly with a strike from quarterback Behren Morton to Coy Eakin, whom made a beautiful back shoulder catch to put the Red Raiders up 10-7. The rest of the half was up and down from both teams not capitalizing, but the Red raiders tacked on one more field goal by Harrington to go into halftime up 13-7.

Texas Tech Takes Over

To begin the second half BYU once again drove down the field, but they still couldn’t capitalize. Kicker Will Ferrin missed a field goal that never really had a chance, and gave it right back to the Red Raiders. It was much of the same when they got the ball to start the half because they would also drive down the field, but wouldn’t be able to capitalize.

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After a questionable non-call for pass interference on fourth down, the Red Raiders would turn it right back over to the Cougars. Karma would have its way though as they would get it right back after a terrible interception by Bachmeier. One play later Cameron Dickey would run it for a score, and Terrance Carter Jr. would catch a screen on the two-point conversion to put them up 21-7.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter was a lot of the same from BYU. Bachmeier would once again turn it over, but this time a fumble would ultimately lead to another Texas Tech field goal. Then on the very next drive, Bachmeier would throw another interception to Ben Roberts, whom one-handed it for his second interception of the day. It was a new record for interceptions in the Big 12 Championship game for Roberts. Soon after, Eakin would take a short pass all the way for his second score of the day to make the score 31-7.

Eventually the score would end up being 34-7. All-world linebacker Jacob Rodriguez ended up with the defensive MVP, Eakin ended up with the offensive MVP and Ben Roberts wound up with the MOP (Most Outstanding Player). If the Red Raiders continue this type of play they can very well end up as national champions.