Thursday, September 2, 2010

2010 season kicks off

Opening night!

Iowa State is the first Big 12 team in action as the Cyclones take on the Huskies of Northern Illinois out of the MAC -- 7 p.m. on Fox Sports Net.

This could actually be one of the more competitive games of the night. Northern Illinois is coming off back-to-back bowl game appearances, though they dropped both (South Florida in 2009, and Louisiana Tech in 2008). But this team has challenged some quality opponents -- a 7-point victory at Purdue last season, an 8-point loss at Wisconsin in the '09 season opener and a 4-point loss at Tennessee in 2008.

The Cyclones will be looking to Austen Arnaud and Alexander Robinson to assert themselves as premier players in the Big 12 -- difference-makers capable of winning the close games that get a program to the next level. And with Iowa State's tough schedule, they'll need to make some noise immediately.

Head coach Paul Rhoads has a giant hole to fill on defense with the departure of Jesse Smith, Iowa State's first-team All-Big 12 linebacker who led the league in tackles last year with 135 -- ranking 13th in the entire nation. The Iowa State two-deep depth chart now lists a junior, four sophomores and a true freshman at its three linebacker positions. Northern Illinois boasts a 1,000-yard rusher -- senior Chad Spann -- who will look to take advantage.

Other games of note tonight involving Big 12 opponents:

Southern Mississippi at South Carolina -- 6:30 CT ESPN
Kansas will travel to Hattiesburg on Sept. 17 to face the Golden Eagles.

Pittsburgh at Utah -- 7:30 CT on Versus
Utah visits Iowa State on Oct. 9.

Rhode Island at Buffalo -- 6 CT
Buffalo begins the post-Turner Gill era; they'll face Baylor next Saturday in Waco.


Interesting read here on the behind-the-scenes of Nebraska's decision to leave the Big 12.

And here's what it got them.

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