This week in the Big 12 OU and Nebraska renew their old rivalry. And although people have dismissed this game as a has been rivalry game, I believe it still means a lot to these two programs and their fans. And with the two coaches being longtime friends it only adds to the intensity. I've already added my two cents worth about the game in here. But I'll have a breakdown of the game later in the week. My feeling right now is OU has Nebraska beat in most of the position categories, but the difference at most of those positions are still very close. Which makes the game a little tougher to call than it looks. Between both of these defenses, if somebody asks me to predict a score, I would probably go with OU 6-3. I just don't see a ton of scoring in this game by either side.
As for the other teams in the conference, this is my report card after 9 weeks:
1.Texas...The Horns have a very overrated OL. But with their defense it makes them the best in the Big 12 and probably the second best team in the country. Grade A
2.OU...They've lost 3 games by a total of 5 points. And came a couple of dropped interceptions away from beating Texas. And they are on the improve on offense, although the Sooners need a much better running game. Only 126 ypg rushing.. But I would easily rate the OU the second best team in the Big 12. Grade A-
3.OSU..The Pokes were clearly outmanned by Texas the other night. But they still have an improved defense, and one of the better QB's in the league. But Gundy still hasn't gotten over the hump and beat either OU or Texas in his HC career. Grade B
4.Texas Tech..Another team who is playing better on defense than in recent years. Still the same old offense. But Leach needs to decide on a QB. And not allow his team to have any more games that they had against the Aggies Grade B-
5.Nebraska...The Huskers have a stout defense and nice 7 game run of holding teams under 300 yards total offense. But Pelini needs to get his QB situation straightened out, and start getting their running game back on track. Grade C
6.Missouri...Missouri has been all over the place in the last few weeks. They just couldn't compete with either OSU or Texas, but completely outmanned Colorado. This team has some very good athletic players with a lot of speed.. But most are very inexperienced. So you don't always get the same game out of them every week. QB Gabbert looked better last week and didn't seem to be limping around as much. And as he goes, so goes the team because Pinkel doesn't have a good backup QB. Grade B-
7.Kansas State...This team is getting a little better each week. Enough so that I think they can give Nebraska or whoever a run for the money for the Big 12 North. Their ball control keepaway type of offense gives opposing teams fits. And I really liked the character they showed the other night against OU when they got hit in the mouth 28-0 and came back in the second half. If Prince instead of Snyder had still been their coach they would have lost the game 50-0. Grade A-
8.Kansas...But this team is falling fast. They've lost their last 5 games ATS, which is not a good sign going into November. Reesing is hobbling around with a groin injury and I'm hearing it's a little worse than they're letting on. Plus very little defense. Grade C-
9.Texas A&M..If this team had a defense they would be dangerous. But you just can't allow 400 yards a game and expect to be very successful in the Big 12. Especially on the road. But the team has played well the last 2 weeks since getting burned 62-14 by KSU. Grade C+
10.Iowa State...This team has performed better than I thought they would considering their personnel. But they'll have to beat Colorado to get to their 6th win to become bowl eligible. I don't see them beating anybody else. Not with a defense that gives up 400 yards per game. But a good team at taking advantage of other teams mistakes. +9 turnover margin. Plus I think Rhoads is a good coach. Grade B
11.Colorado...This team has been a HUGE disappointment this year. To think that Phil Steel picked them second in the North behind Nebraska. Hawkins has completely lost this team and they probably won't win another game. They'll probably end up firing Hawkins. But with that hefty contract, the buyout is going to be huge..Grade F
12.Baylor..Losing Griffin was just too much for this team to overcome. Plus QB injuries to his backup and RB Finley going through some injury problems himself have been too much for Briles and his team to overcome. But unlike Colorado, this team is still trying hard and playing for their coach. So I can't call them a disappoint. They just don't have the personnel to compete right now. Grade C
Tuesday Night Game:
Bowling Green/Buffalo (OVER 55) *
This game has OVER written all over it. WAY over in my opinion. We have a Buffalo defense with all kinds of secondary injuries and problems, going up against the best QB/WR duo in the MAC. In fact I think BG WR Freddie Barnes might be the best WR in the country. He leads the nation in receptions. And he's got a QB Sheehan who should have a field day against the Bulls. The BIG problem here is Buffalo doesn't have anybody left on the roster to be able to cover Barnes one on one. Last week Buffalo allowed Western Michigan QB Hiller to complete 34 passes for 350 yards. I don't see it getting any better this week. On the other side of the ball Buffalo is running the ball much better. But their strength is still in the passing game. And Bowling Green's defense is giving up nearly 400 ypg and can't stop the run at all. The big problem with Buffalo this year has been turnovers. If they can keep things clean they might be able to win the game. But I don't have a lot of hope for them with all of their injuries on both sides of the ball. This game is basically a perfect storm of two teams who play very good offense but no defense. BG hasn't played an offense this good since Boise put up 49 points on them. Buffalo hasn't played an offense that is statistically this good since Pitt put up 54 points on their defense. With BG giving up over 200 yards per game rushing I just can't take them on the line, although i think they have a decent chance to win or at least cover. But the bottom line here is neither team can stop the other one's strength. So I look for this game to go OVER.
As for the other teams in the conference, this is my report card after 9 weeks:
1.Texas...The Horns have a very overrated OL. But with their defense it makes them the best in the Big 12 and probably the second best team in the country. Grade A
2.OU...They've lost 3 games by a total of 5 points. And came a couple of dropped interceptions away from beating Texas. And they are on the improve on offense, although the Sooners need a much better running game. Only 126 ypg rushing.. But I would easily rate the OU the second best team in the Big 12. Grade A-
3.OSU..The Pokes were clearly outmanned by Texas the other night. But they still have an improved defense, and one of the better QB's in the league. But Gundy still hasn't gotten over the hump and beat either OU or Texas in his HC career. Grade B
4.Texas Tech..Another team who is playing better on defense than in recent years. Still the same old offense. But Leach needs to decide on a QB. And not allow his team to have any more games that they had against the Aggies Grade B-
5.Nebraska...The Huskers have a stout defense and nice 7 game run of holding teams under 300 yards total offense. But Pelini needs to get his QB situation straightened out, and start getting their running game back on track. Grade C
6.Missouri...Missouri has been all over the place in the last few weeks. They just couldn't compete with either OSU or Texas, but completely outmanned Colorado. This team has some very good athletic players with a lot of speed.. But most are very inexperienced. So you don't always get the same game out of them every week. QB Gabbert looked better last week and didn't seem to be limping around as much. And as he goes, so goes the team because Pinkel doesn't have a good backup QB. Grade B-
7.Kansas State...This team is getting a little better each week. Enough so that I think they can give Nebraska or whoever a run for the money for the Big 12 North. Their ball control keepaway type of offense gives opposing teams fits. And I really liked the character they showed the other night against OU when they got hit in the mouth 28-0 and came back in the second half. If Prince instead of Snyder had still been their coach they would have lost the game 50-0. Grade A-
8.Kansas...But this team is falling fast. They've lost their last 5 games ATS, which is not a good sign going into November. Reesing is hobbling around with a groin injury and I'm hearing it's a little worse than they're letting on. Plus very little defense. Grade C-
9.Texas A&M..If this team had a defense they would be dangerous. But you just can't allow 400 yards a game and expect to be very successful in the Big 12. Especially on the road. But the team has played well the last 2 weeks since getting burned 62-14 by KSU. Grade C+
10.Iowa State...This team has performed better than I thought they would considering their personnel. But they'll have to beat Colorado to get to their 6th win to become bowl eligible. I don't see them beating anybody else. Not with a defense that gives up 400 yards per game. But a good team at taking advantage of other teams mistakes. +9 turnover margin. Plus I think Rhoads is a good coach. Grade B
11.Colorado...This team has been a HUGE disappointment this year. To think that Phil Steel picked them second in the North behind Nebraska. Hawkins has completely lost this team and they probably won't win another game. They'll probably end up firing Hawkins. But with that hefty contract, the buyout is going to be huge..Grade F
12.Baylor..Losing Griffin was just too much for this team to overcome. Plus QB injuries to his backup and RB Finley going through some injury problems himself have been too much for Briles and his team to overcome. But unlike Colorado, this team is still trying hard and playing for their coach. So I can't call them a disappoint. They just don't have the personnel to compete right now. Grade C
Tuesday Night Game:
Bowling Green/Buffalo (OVER 55) *
This game has OVER written all over it. WAY over in my opinion. We have a Buffalo defense with all kinds of secondary injuries and problems, going up against the best QB/WR duo in the MAC. In fact I think BG WR Freddie Barnes might be the best WR in the country. He leads the nation in receptions. And he's got a QB Sheehan who should have a field day against the Bulls. The BIG problem here is Buffalo doesn't have anybody left on the roster to be able to cover Barnes one on one. Last week Buffalo allowed Western Michigan QB Hiller to complete 34 passes for 350 yards. I don't see it getting any better this week. On the other side of the ball Buffalo is running the ball much better. But their strength is still in the passing game. And Bowling Green's defense is giving up nearly 400 ypg and can't stop the run at all. The big problem with Buffalo this year has been turnovers. If they can keep things clean they might be able to win the game. But I don't have a lot of hope for them with all of their injuries on both sides of the ball. This game is basically a perfect storm of two teams who play very good offense but no defense. BG hasn't played an offense this good since Boise put up 49 points on them. Buffalo hasn't played an offense that is statistically this good since Pitt put up 54 points on their defense. With BG giving up over 200 yards per game rushing I just can't take them on the line, although i think they have a decent chance to win or at least cover. But the bottom line here is neither team can stop the other one's strength. So I look for this game to go OVER.
