The conference season kicks off with a pair of league games this Saturday -- Iowa State vs. Kansas State in Kansas City, and Texas visits Texas Tech. All other Big 12 teams are in action against nonconference foes for Week 3.
Each of the four teams participating in these early conference matchups will play a mid- or late-season nonconference game. This is the type of scheduling done in the SEC and, to a lesser extent, in the ACC. And it could be a sign of things to come as the Big 12 plans its future schedules as a 10-team conference.
For fans, it's a mixed bag. Sure, there's the appeal of high-intensity, meaningful league games in September, but the tradeoff comes later in the season, when it's Cupcake City in the midst of conference races -- for example, Weber State visits Texas Tech on Nov. 20, and Florida Atlantic plays Texas in Austin on the same day. K-State actually closes out its season a week later at ... North Texas?
For Big 12 programs, however, there are several appealing factors. With a nine-game conference slate, these mid-season nonconference games would provide a chance to rest key players between slugfests with traditional opponents. The games also offer a "guaranteed" win for homecoming, when alumni return to campus to re-live the glory days while opening their wallets for local businesses and the university. And for middle-of-the-road teams, a win can reinvigorate players and coaches in a final push for the all-important goal of bowl eligibility. (Do you think Kansas would have preferred to play one last season in the middle of its seven-game losing streak to end the year? Or Colorado as it dropped five of its last six?) The only way these conditions are met, however, is by ensuring that the nonconference opponents are of the no-threat variety. It certainly doesn't make for the best fan experience, but wins are wins, and you take what you can get -- at any point in the season.
It would be my guess that this is the future of Big 12 scheduling.
Week 3
Kansas at Southern Mississippi -- FRIDAY -- 7 p.m. CT on ESPN -- Both teams enter this matchup in Hattiesburg with 1-1 records. The Golden Eagles were trounced by a top 25 South Carolina team in the opener and then beat up an FCS opponent. Kansas did the exact opposite -- losing to an FCS team before downing Georgia Tech. So what to expect here? Who knows ... Nothing should be a surprise. Kansas' defense has been fairly consistent, though, and that could be what puts the Jayhawks over the top.
Iowa State vs. Kansas State (in Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium) -- 11 a.m. CT on FSN -- If anything, FARMAGEDDON II should be entertaining, but it would be hard to top last year's drama. Iowa State trailed by seven late in the fourth quarter and scored a touchdown with 32 seconds left. But the Wildcats blocked the extra point for the 24-23 win. The Cyclones need this one to keep their bowl hopes alive. Yeah, it's only Week 3, but that's the reality in Ames.
Hawaii at Colorado -- 12:30 p.m. on FCS -- Colorado is once again on the brink. At this point in the past couple seasons, the Buffaloes have essentially collapsed. Head coach Dan Hawkins simply can't afford that, or last week's 52-7 debacle against California will prove to be his final game against a Pac-10 team.
Nebraska at Washington -- 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC/ESPN 2 -- The Cornhuskers make their first appearance on national TV and it's a good test. Washington QB Jake Locker is a bonafide NFL draft prospect and should move the ball, which even Western Kentucky and Idaho were able to do in Lincoln. Nebraska's redshirt-freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez must successfully step up his game -- and do so early. And while he's gotten away with running for miles in the first two games of the season, an ability to throw the ball accurately will be needed against the Huskies. And the Cornhuskers need to hold onto the ball -- they've fumbled 10 times so far, and lost five of them.
Air Force at Oklahoma -- 2:30 p.m. CT on FSN -- Always good to see the Big 12 in action against one of the service academies. If anything, these young men come to play -- and play hard. The Falcons run a triple-option offense that frustrated BYU last week, and their best athletes line up on defense. The Sooners need to avoid a letdown after last week's smothering of Florida State, or they could end up in a Utah State-like nail-biter.
Baylor at TCU -- 3:30 p.m. CT on Versus -- We'll know a lot more about the Bears after this game. Is this the same old Baylor, doomed to repeat the disappoints of the past? Or are there positive signs that can be built upon in later Big 12 play? Believe it or not, there's a lot of bad blood between these former Southwest Conference rivals. Many in the TCU camp feel their school should have been one the Big 12's inaugural members back in 1996, and that Baylor politicked its way in at the expense of the Horned Frogs. This is their third meeting since then, and Baylor is winless.
Tulsa at Oklahoma State -- 6 p.m. CT -- NO TV -- This matchup should single-handedly keep the scoreboard light bulb market afloat. And you won't see a down unless you're among the 60,000 in Boone Pickens Stadium. What a shame. This could very well come down to key plays on special teams or turnovers, since neither squad has shown a penchant for defense so far this season.
Florida International at Texas A&M -- 6 p.m. CT -- NO TV -- The Panthers actually put up a good fight against Rutgers last week in a 19-14 loss. But the Aggies should unleash another offensive onslaught as Jerrod Johnson & Co. head into a bye week.
San Diego State at Missouri -- 6 p.m. CT on FSN PPV -- Well, at least it's on TV! The Tigers and Aztecs enter at 2-0, and this game could end up being rather competitive. San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley was a 3,000-yard passer in 2009, and leading rusher Ronnie Hillman already has five touchdowns. Missouri is still trying to find a go-to running back, but it may end up being a committee position.
Texas at Texas Tech -- 7 p.m. CT on ABC -- What a nightcap! The Longhorns return to Lubbock for the first time since Harrell to Crabtree in the closing seconds ended Texas' national championship hopes in 2008. Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville gets his first taste of Big 12 conference play, and he's got the crowd on his side -- lucky guy. For Mack Brown and Texas, this game is a critical test of the offense's ability to move the ball in a hostile environment. And the defense must contend with a Tech offense stacked with returnees from last year's 34-24 Texas win in Austin. Is it payback time again?
If you've got a question or a contribution to the conversation, e-mail us at thebig12thisweek@gmail.com or jump in on the comments section of this post.
Have a great weekend!
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