After a less than auspicious beginning last weekend, with woeful performances by Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Texas and Texas A&M, its BCS crunch time for the Big-12 Conference. In order to earn style points in national perception, the Big-12 must overcome an extremely poor performance in Week #1.
Oklahoma looked stout in its victory last weekend, that is until you realized it was North Texas - undergoing a major coaching change. Texas barely hung on against Sun-Belt power Arkansas State, and it was a bit ironic in the fact that the Big-12 office didn't issue an apology to Arkansas State until mid-week. Compare this with David Boren's outspoken tirade last year after Oklahoma's loss at Oregon. Just another example of the Bash the PAC smear campaigns, which are certain to hit the airwaves this weekend after OSU's debacle on Thursday night in Cincinnati.
Oklahoma will face a serious test with their showdown this weekend against national power Miami. Something tells me the quarterback may have a false sense of security after last weeks easy pickin's against the boys from Denton. The game should be a toss-up, with the winner likely the team who doesn't turn the ball over in key situations. I'm calling the upset in this one: Miami 21 - Oklahoma 17.
Texas and TCU should be an interesting match-up as well, but I doubt the young Horned-Frog quarterback will be ready for this prime time match-up. However, if the TCU defense continues to shine and the Texas offense stays in the freezer, this one may come down to a last second field goal. My gut says Texas by 10 in a low scoring affair.
The other key game is Nebraska and Wake Forest, although I think Nebraska will pull away late winning 34 - 17. The Huskers will be primed for their national showdown next week against USC. Look for the Husker QB to have a coming of age party in this one, throwing for over 300 yards with three-to-four touchdown strikes as well.
Missouri should whip Mississippi, baring a second half melt-down like they had last week against Illinois. Colorado and Arizona State should be interesting as both teams will get their first real test. This may in fact be another over-time game with Arizona State winning by a field goal.
Texas A&M - Fresno State and Texas Tech - UTEP should be high scoring fan pleasing affairs, but the Big-12 should dominate these games. All in all, I'm anticipating the Big-12 should clean house this weekend going 10 - 2 in non-conference action.
Predictions:
Nebraska 34 - Wake Forest 17
Miami 21 - Oklahoma 17
Texas 24 - TCU 14
Texas A&M 38 - Fresno State 28
Texas Tech 55 - UTEP 24
Missouri 47 - Mississippi 21
Arizona State 34 - Colorado 31
Oklahoma State 52 - Florida Atlantic 10
Kansas State 27 - SJSU 10
Baylor 17 - Rice 14
and pick your blowout margin with Iowa State and Northern Iowa, or Kansas and SE Louisiana. Either way - it won't be pretty. The Big-12 bounces back this weekend.
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Faces at the U.S. Open
