Weekend Roundup

Every Thursday until the end of the season I’m going to make some not so scientific predictions that come from my even less intelligent understanding of football. Just kidding. But I will go around the Big XII and make my picks along with some other big games across the country. Without further adieu, let’s jump right in.

Iowa State at Baylor- 6pm: These two teams will bring their identical 2-3 (0-1 in the Big XII) records to Waco Saturday night. Apart from these two teams being the presumptive bottom feeders in their respective divisions, they are also breaking in brand new quarterbacks. Sophomore Austen Arnaud will bring his 63.3% completion rating and seven touchdowns Floyd Casey Stadium. True freshman Robert Griffin will try to help the Bears rebound after their demoralizing loss to Oklahoma last week.
Baylor 27 – Iowa State 20

Kansas State at Texas A&M – 1pm: Two more teams that are much maligned going into week six of the college football season. They are both 0-1 in the conference and have both lost non-conference games. The only difference is that the Aggies have lost to Arkansas State. At home. This is probably the best shot either team has at winning an in conference game and I’m going with the away team on this one. Unfortunately it’s not on TV, because I’d like to see how bad both teams really are.
Kansas State 24 – Texas A&M 20

Colorado at #16 Kansas – 11:30pm: Dan Hawkins has his program moving in the right direction. They beat rival Colorado State to start the year and beat then ranked West Virginia. However, they looked a little shaky against Eastern Washington of all teams. Away from Folsom Field, they aren’t doing so hot losing to Florida State 39-21. Plus they dropped their conference opener at home to Texas, losing 38-14. Kansas on the other hand had a gusty comeback on the road in Ames. I like KU at home in this one.
Kansas 35 – Colorado 20

#17 Oklahoma State at #3 Missouri – 7pm: Chase Daniel will get the spotlight of an ESPN channel for the second consecutive week to further push his campaign for the Heisman Trophy. It’s not hard to see why. Daniel and company are putting up the third most yards through the air with 375.6 yards per game. They’re also just coming off a big win for the first time in 30 in Lincoln, Nebraska and might be caught off guard looking forward to Texas in Austin next weekend. Don’t fall for that though, this team seems to be the real deal and incredibly focused. The Cowboys will bring their third ranked rushing attack to Columbia against an untested Missouri defensive squad. The folks at Farout Field better add a third digit to the scoreboard.
Missouri 55 – Oklahoma State 38

#5 Texas at #1 Oklahoma – 11pm: Undoubtedly the most important game in the Big XII and arguably the most important game in the country this weekend. The Red River Shootout is typically not one to disappoint. Texas has been doing well all season outscoring opponents by an average of 35.8 points. They’ll have their work cut out for them facing one of the most well rounded teams in the entire country in what people are calling Bob Stoops’ best team. So far. Oklahoma to me always comes out firing but slips up every now and again, however they always get up for big games (well, sort of). Just from memory, only the ’05 Vince Young team really handled OU, so I’m giving the nod to the Sooners to continue on undefeated and remain number one in the country. If Texas wins, they have a tough road to remain unbeaten. Games against Missouri, Texas Tech and Kansas on the road could take a toll on the Horns.
Oklahoma 37 – Texas 27

Nebraska at #7 Texas Tech – 2pm: Anyone who is a Nebraska fan and lived to tell the tale of 2004 in Lubbock may have been lucky enough to suppress the memory of 70-10 and Beau Davis’ five interceptions. Oops, sorry Husker fans. Bones is still on the team too. I’m not looking forward to this game at all. It’s Bo Pelini’s first game away from the confines of Memorial Stadium where his team is still ranked 115th in penalties. Going on the road probably won’t do him or the undisciplined Huskers any favors. They are essentially facing the same offense, only with less running, that they faced last week against the Missouri Tigers. One big difference is that Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel exercised some class and let off the gas a bit. Red Raider head man Mike Leech isn’t so thoughtful. Get ready Nebraska fans, this one could be painful. Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree must be licking their chops while watching film of the Huskers this week.
Texas Tech 62 – Nebraska 21

This weekend gave me no shortage of non-Big XII matchups that will keep my remote hand happy.

#4 LSU at #11 Florida – 7pm: This game actually features one of my picks to play in the national title game. Yes, I picked LSU to go back to the title game against Oklahoma at the end of the season despite the lack of experience at quarterback. Even with Glenn Dorsey departing for the NFL and former defensive coordinator Bo Pelini packing for colder weather in Nebraska, their defense is still basically second to none. Florida has a lack of dependable weapons around Heisman Trophy winner and all-around swell guy Tim Tebow to really dominate this LSU defense. Stranger things have happened in the SEC however, like the Gators losing to Huston Nutt and the Rebels in Gainesville two weeks ago. I like the road team in this one.
LSU 24 – Florida 20

#6 Penn State at Wisconsin – 7pm: Unfortunately for the formerly in the top ten Badgers, they have had to travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan and then turn around and host Ohio State and now Penn State this weekend. Say what you want about the Big 10, that’s a tough stretch for any team. Penn State is coming off a strong win against Illinois two weeks ago and seems poised to win the Big 10 if (and that’s a big if) they can win on the road in Madison and then later in Columbus. Two places that have been houses of horrors for the Nittany Lions. Do you know what a Nittany Lion is? It’s named after the mountain lions that live on Mount Nittany near the campus of Penn State University. Consider that your trivia for the weekend you can impress your friends with while watching the game.
Penn State 28 – Wisconsin 21