Oklahoma and Texas each had less than stellar openers against mid-major programs, and the Sooners have even more reason to worry with Florida State headed to Norman on Saturday afternoon. Missouri rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to dispatch the Illini, who looked surprisingly comfortable and confident behind redshirt-freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase. Texas Tech worked through some hiccups to hold off SMU on the strength of their defense and the energy-sapping sunshine of West Texas, while Iowa State put down Northern Illinois in a must-win situation against a 2009 bowl team. For the rest of the league it was tune-up time ... except, that is, for the Jayhawks ...
The Lone Loss
What to say about this one? An enigma? Not according to the North Dakota State faithful. The program has taken out FBS opponents like Minnesota and Central Michigan in recent years, so they knew it could be done. THEY are the ones building on success in this equation. That fact actually makes things worse for the Jayhawks, who failed to prepare for a team that clearly shows zero fear of any opponent and knows what it takes to win. A disappointment? Without question. Kansas can point to their defensive performance as a positive, but the complete embarrassment on the offensive side of the ball overshadows all. And a look at the rest of the upcoming schedule likely does little at this point to ease anyone's concern about the state of Kansas football. What happens next? Oh yeah, you play Georgia Tech this weekend. A lot will be determined about the KU program when it takes the field against the defending ACC champs Saturday. It's not a must-win situation by any means, but the Hawks must at least look like they could win the Missouri Valley -- which they did not last week.
On the Bright Side
We can count some KU fans among our readers -- and they know how to party. The folks over at Team Tailgate have clued us in. You can check them out here! This is the home of the Grilled Krispy Kreme, among other delicacies for each and every mealtime. And how about that minivan?
Some highlights from seasons past:
Tasty.
Delicious.
It's also important to recognize what can happen when you arrive early -- like, hours early -- you get a visit from Fox Sports' Samantha Steele:
I wonder if they realized this would be the high point of their gameday experience ... Well done, fellas.
WEEK 2
Lots on tap this weekend, both in the Big 12 and elsewhere, so here's something to help plan your weekend.
Georgie Tech @ Kansas -- 11 a.m. CT on Fox Sports Net -- On the surface, it's a much better choice than San Jose State at Wisconsin on ESPN, though Georgia at South Carolina on ESPN 2 should be programmed on your remote for a quick look-in.
Idaho @ Nebraska -- 11:30 a.m. CT on Fox Sports Net Pay-Per-View -- a final tune-up before the Huskers travel to Washington on Sept. 18.
McNeese State @ Missouri -- 6 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Net Pay-Per-View -- The Tigers deserve this one after playing a tough rivalry game in Week One.
Now for these two pay-per-view games, the $39.95 purchase price may not appeal to a lot fans. But it's certainly worth crunching the numbers a little further. Allow me to demonstrate:
( 4 buddies x $10 per buddy) + grill + cooler of beverages = SUCCESS
Florida State @ Oklahoma -- 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC or ESPN 2 Standard Definition -- Safe to say national championship aspirations are on the line here. As we've already seen with Boise State and Virginia Tech, the loser is out of the chase. Yeah, it's a little confusing in case you have HD. Just 8 percent of the country will NOT get this game on ABC, but if you tune in on the non-HD feed of ESPN 2 (or your standard ESPN 2 on basic cable), you can watch it.
Colorado @ California -- 2:30 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Net -- This is a future conference game for these two. The Buffs looked pretty good against Colorado State, and this step-up in competition should tell us even more.
Iowa State @ Iowa -- 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC or ESPN 2 -- Well for places like Kansas City, Omaha, the Twin Cities and the entire state of Wisconsin, this is your matchup in high definition. But that's not all bad, since it could be one of the better showdowns in this rivalry's recent past.
Wyoming @ Texas -- 6 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Net -- Man, tough game for the Wyoming Cowboys, who have dealt with tragedy this week after one player was killed and several others injured in a car crash early Monday. A tough spot for the Longhorns, as well. Texas has announced that they'll honor the Cowboys' lost teammate with a performance from the school's band during the game. It might seem a little trite to some, but I think it's a touching tribute from an opposing program that could have chosen the easier path of doing nothing.
Buffalo @ Baylor --6 p.m. CT on Fox College Sports -- This should actually be a pretty good matchup for the Bears, and an excellent gauge of Robert Griffin's progress.
Louisiana Tech @ Texas A&M -- 6 p.m. CT -- NO TV -- Doh! We'll see -- or, rather, read and hear -- whether the Aggies are able to duplicate their success against Stephen F. Austin last week. Jerrod Johnson is getting this team prepared for a difficult stretch that begins with a visit to Stillwater on Sept. 30 followed by a rematch with Arkansas in Cowboys Stadium on Oct. 9. Florida International is up next week.
Troy at Oklahoma State -- 6 p.m. CT -- NO TV -- Doh doh! -- The Cowboys were a scoring machine last week. I can't believe I'm saying it, but Troy should be more of a challenge than Washington State. But if Kendall Hunter and Justin Blackmon can combine for eight touchdowns again? No problem.
Missouri State at Kansas State -- 6 p.m. CT -- NO TV -- Come on Big 12 Network, where are you? Missouri State head coach Terry Allen has coached against the Wildcats seven previous times -- once at Northern Iowa, five at Kansas and once at Missouri State. He's won one of these games. Any guess? Go Panthers -- Sept. 16, 1989 -- Bill Snyder's first season in Manhattan. He's been pissed ever since.
Texas Tech at New Mexico -- 7 p.m. CT -- The Mtn. -- Nope, I don't get this one, either. Oh mercy, New Mexico. Oregon beat you 72-0 last weekend. I guess that more than anyone, the Lobos are happy Mike Leach is elsewhere.
Enjoy!
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