Weekend Roundup

Hey fans! It's Baylor week!

I know that this doesn't inspire a big reaction with Husker fans, however this year's Baylor squad is bringing a phenom in the making to Lincoln at quarterback. Robert Griffin the Third is basically an Olympic caliber athlete with pads. As a freshman who graduated high school after the fall semester last year, he set Big XII records in the 110 meter and 400 meter (I think) hurdles and finished third in the NCAA National Tournament in some other hurdle event.

Keeping Mr. Griffin contained is going to be a task for the Nebraska defense that played it's best game against the Iowa State Cyclones last weekend. More on that when we break down the game at Memorial Stadium later on.

#8 Texas Tech at #23 Kansas - 11am: Kansas is coming off a stinging loss to Oklahoma where the Jayhawks defense gave up over 700 yards of total offense. Ouch. That being said I still like their chances now that I think about it. I don't think the Red Raiders are for real given their performance against the Huskers and making Texas A&M look like a decent squad last weekend. I think it will be a see-saw battle, but I think Reesing and the Hawks come out on top. For the Raiders their upcoming schedule looks something like this. At #23 KU this weekend, at home against #1 Texas, home again versus #6 Oklahoma State and on the road to #4 Oklahoma. Yikes.

Kansas 41-Texas Tech 35

#4 Oklahoma at Kansas State - 11:30am: The Sooners have given up a ton of offense the past two weeks to Texas and Kansas, both of whom have great starting quarterbacks. The Wildcats on the other hand have a struggling at worst and inconsistent at best Josh Freeman under center. Point being, I don't believe Ron Prince and his Cats have enough in the tank to pull an upset like they did in '06 against Texas.

Oklahoma 49 - Kansas State 25

#6 Oklahoma State at #1 Texas - 2:30pm: Can Texas get up for another big game? Yes. With the ordained Heisman front-runner Colt McCoy calling the shots on offense and Will Muschamp freaking out on the sideline and pumping up the Horns defense, the only way Mack Brown's team will lose is if they are out played. Yes, the Cowboys went on the road to Columbia and upset Missouri, but Missouri ain't Texas as we saw last Saturday night. Sorry Mike Gundy, you might be 41 and still a man, but your team won't win in Austin.

Texas 38 - Oklahoma State 28

Colorado at #15 Missouri - 5:30pm: Missouri has had two losses in the last two weeks to bring them (and their fans) back down to Earth. I still like the Tigers to win out and win the North, however winning this game decisively is key to not having a giant meltdown like some past Gary Pinkel coached teams have been prone to. Dan Hawkins and Colorado are having offensive woes and a quarterback controversy at the wrong time. Homecoming in Columbia this weekend, expect a big win from Chase Daniel and company.

Missouri 45 - Colorado 14

Texas A&M at Iowa State - 6pm: Ever hear that old expression that goes "only a face that a mother could love?" It pertains to this game. If you aren't a fan of these teams, and even if you are, it would probably be best to avoid this one. Despite the Clones losing big to the Huskers at home, I generally like how they play in Ames. They nearly beat Kansas earlier this month. I expect they'll handle the Aggies.

Iowa State 27 - Texas A&M 21

Baylor at Nebraska - 11:30am: Nebraska has been here before. Early kickoff, at home, mobile quarterback. The Huskers are improved over their second game of the season they played against San Jose State and they'll need to be because this isn't your older brother's Baylor Bears. I fully expect the Huskers to prevail on Saturday morning, however I don't think it will be easy. I'm confident that the coaching staff is taking Baylor seriously, and they should. Most of the players of the roster have never played Baylor, and most of the Bears have never been to Lincoln. In front of 85,000+, it will be their first game in front of a huge crowd. We'll see how their freshman star does on Saturday.

Nebraska 38 - Baylor 21

So last week Ohio State bit me in the ass, and I suppose they'll probably do the same this week since they're in my next pick as one of my two out of conference matchups.

#3 Penn State at #9 Ohio State - 7pm: Maybe it's because I've seen this before. Maybe it's because the entire college football watching population has seen this before. Ohio State, once again, is poised to win the Big 10 and get a crack at the national title for the third year in a row. I'm going to pick Penn State because I think they are the better team. If these two played on a neutral field, Penn State would be the clear favorite. Since it's in Columbus and at night, the Buckeyes will probably win. Please God, please don't let the Buckeyes win this game. Consider it an early Christmas present for yours truly.

Penn State 31 - Ohio State 28

#7 Georgia at #13 LSU 2:30pm: Good Lord I'm really getting tired of picking a Big 10 game then an SEC game, but there just isn't anything out there that has two ranked teams playing each other. So, we'll make the best of it. I know that the Tigers got their pants pulled down in front of America two Saturday's ago, and had a gritty comeback win in Columbia, South Carolina but I really like them back in Death Valley this Saturday afternoon. What? An afternoon game in Baton Rouge? Hope that's not a bad omen for the Bayou Bengals. Georgia's inexperienced offensive line on the road will be a liability, however it's hard to bet against Mark Richt's road record in the SEC, which is one of the best over the last seven seasons he's been head coach of the Bulldogs. Still, LSU in this one.

LSU 24 - Georgia 13