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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