Big 12 Wrap: Week 1
Football season is finally upon us (thank goodness!), and so it's time to start doing the weekly Big 12 Wrap, my pithy review of the week's action in the Big 12.
Let me emphasize "pithy." I used to put a little more effort into this roundup, but it just became a time sink. Nevertheless, it helps me to keep up with teams other than the Sooners/Longhorns/Aggies/Red Raiders to do a "light" version of the roundup, and some readers seem fond of the whole thing. As usual, the order of the games gives some indication as to where I have the various teams ranked, top to bottom.
So, on to a Week One that saw Big 12 teams load up on lightweights that unexpectedly caused some teams trouble.
Texas 56, North Texas 7
UT rolled over a clearly inferior opponent convincingly. Colt McCoy made a fine debut, but the real story is that Texas defense. This team may well stand above the Little Eleven again this season, but Ohio State provides a big test next week.
Oklahoma 24, UAB 17
Just like last year's home opener, Oklahoma struggled with an underdog opponent. Unlike last year, Oklahoma rallied from a second half deficit (?!) to beat said inferior opponent, riding a healthy Adrian Peterson to victory. Unlike last year, Oklahoma has no freshman stud quarterback to turn to after Paul Thompson's bumbling effort. UAB's shredding of what was supposed to be a top-notch defense combined with Paul Thompson being "the guy" could translate into another tough season in Norman.
Nebraska 49, Louisiana Tech 10
Nebraska fans had to be a little grumpy when Louisiana Tech cut the lead to 14-10 late in the second quarter, but then Nebraska put the hammer down and cruised to nearly 600 yards of total offense against a clearly inferior opponent.
Texas Tech 35, SMU 3
New quarterback, same results for Mike Leach, as Tech rolls to 500 yards of total offense in an easy win against hapless SMU.
Iowa State 45, Toledo 43
MAC opponent Toledo gives Iowa State all it wants, but the Cyclones finally beat the overtime blues they've had in recent years.
TCU 17, Baylor 7
Baylor gave TCU all it wanted in the first half, but mistakes caught up with an improving Bears squad in the second half.
Bullies beat I-AA opponents handily
We can't have a playoff because it will mean extra games, but we can have extra games of BCS Bullies beating the hell out of overmatched I-AA opponents, such as Oklahoma State taking on Missouri State, Missouri taking on Murray State, Texas A&M taking on the Citadel, and Kansas taking on Northwestern State. The Big 12 should not be scheduling this class of opponent. It's embarrassing. These games will not be discussed.
Bully barely escapes I-AA opponent
Bill Snyder's scheduling philosophy always involved weak non-conference opponents, including I-AA lightweights, and he remade the nation's worst football program that way. He's left the cupboard pretty bare for his replacement, as evidenced by Kansas State's narrow 24-23 win over I-AA Illinois State.
Bully LOSES to I-AA opponent!
I-AA Montana State shut out Colorado in the second half in Boulder, rallying for a 19-10 victory. The only thing that would make this more delicious would be if Gary Barnett were still around for it. It looks like zenmaster Dan Hawkins will be vying with K-State for sorriest program in a declining BCS league this year.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/04/06 07:48 | Big 12 Football | Technorati
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Comments
I'd love to see that offensive total against USC, but I sadly think that the Huskers are in for a tough one on Sep. 16. Though I have to think that the Huskers will at least take care of the ball better than Arkansas did. USC had at least 28 points off turnovers!
The Lower Than Dirt Bowl will be held on 11/4 in Boulder this year. K-State and CU match up to see who actually gets one Big12 win:(
Posted by Brad S @ 15:31 on 09/04/06
BTW, down my street in Denver, there is a billboard with Dan Hawkins hawking Qwest TV package products. Amazing no one has come to take that down, yet.
Posted by Brad S @ 15:35 on 09/04/06
In what's starting to be a distressing pattern, a couple of UT players are busted in a car with dope and a gun.:( The new fight song? Warren Zevon's "Send Lawyers, Guns, and Money".
Posted by another precinct chair @ 08:27 on 09/05/06
Not a good week to be busted, either, with Ohio State looming.
Texas opened as a favorite and probably will remain there, but I lean slightly towards Ohio State at the moment.
I would guess Texas should be favored by pretty decent margins in every other game this season.
Posted by Kevin @ 08:34 on 09/05/06
I'm sure you're right. I still worry about the Bob Stoops factor though, in spite of the fact that we'll be favored.
Posted by another precinct chair @ 08:15 on 09/06/06
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