After last week's lengthy post on the conference standings at the midway point, I won't rehash a lot of the info included -- but please feel free to run through the remaining schedules listed there if you're so inclined.
However, it is worth noting at this point which teams still have a shot at making the Dec. 4 Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington's Cowboys Stadium without having to depend on the outcomes of other games. Some teams are certainly surprises this late in the season, and others were expected. First, let's take a look at the current standings:
BIG 12 STANDINGS
NORTH DIVISION
Big 12 All
SOUTH DIVISION
Baylor 4-1 7-2
In the North -- Nebraska and Iowa State, alone, have the inside track to the Jerry Jones Dome. After this weekend, though, only one of these two teams will possess that advantage, since they meet in Ames on Saturday. Missouri is certainly still alive in the race and would benefit from any slip-up by the Big Red, and I'd put K-State in the "It would take a miracle" category.
In the South -- It's a similar race here as the top three teams -- Baylor, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State -- each have a path to the division title. Even more exciting, each of these teams must still play the other two in coming weeks, starting with Baylor's trip to Stillwater this Saturday. And believe it or not, Texas A&M is still very much alive in the race with two conference losses and upcoming contests against both Oklahoma (Saturday) and Baylor (Nov. 13), though the Aggies would need Oklahoma State to stumble.
Again, there are four Saturdays left, but it's always good to know what's on the line -- especially if you're still angling for that Baylor vs. Iowa State championship and its automatic BCS berth! Yep -- it's November, and I just said that. What a season it's been ...
Week 10
Baylor at Oklahoma State --11:30 a.m. CT Saturday on FSN -- The first of the South's deciding games should be as entertaining as it gets offensively. Both schools rank in the top 10 nationally in total yards and both like to sling the ball around. I'd say one advantage the Bears have is their defense, of all things. Baylor's given up 23.1 points per game, while the Pokes have yielded 28.5. But the game is in Stillwater, and Baylor is facing its second-consecutive road test. We'll discover right away whether Art Briles' team spent too much time celebrating its hard-fought win over Texas last week. The Cowboys also get WR Justin Blackmon back from suspension -- and they certainly missed him last week against Kansas State.
Colorado at Kansas -- 1 p.m. CT Saturday on the radio -- This may be the first time I concur that a game is better off not on TV. It could be ugly. It could also be KU's last chance at a conference win, though the Buffaloes are also winless in the Big 12. And ... well, there's not much else to say. This is a battle for the basement -- and a good reminder to test your smoke detectors there and elsewhere in the house ahead of the annual "fall back" to Standard Time from Daylight Saving Time early Sunday morning.
Nebraska at Iowa State -- 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday on ABC -- You wouldn't think to call this game the "deciding matchup" for the Big 12 North, but that's exactly what it is. The Cornhuskers roll into Ames for their last-ever meeting with the Cyclones as conference foes. Last year, Nebraska had more turnovers than points in a 9-7 loss in Lincoln that propelled Iowa State to a 6-6 record and a berth in the Insight Bowl (which it won against Minnesota). And State's QB Austen Arnaud and RB Alexander Robinson didn't even play in that game because of injury. Nebraska has been much more consistent -- and prolific -- on the road this season, but Iowa State has rejuvenated its season with back-to-back wins.
Oklahoma at Texas A&M -- 6 p.m. CT Saturday on FSN -- The Aggies walloped Texas Tech last week behind junior QB Ryan Tannehill, who got the start over senior Jerrod Johnson, who in turn was a dark horse Heisman candidate to begin the season, remember? Oklahoma pounced on A&M in the last meeting, building a 42-10 halftime lead with 28 unanswered points in the second quarter, and cruised to a 65-10 final score. This Sooners team, however, has been unable to close the door on most opponents. If Mike Sherman can keep his club within striking distance late in the game, the Aggies certainly have a shot to pull off the upset.
Texas at K-State -- 7 p.m. CT Saturday on ESPN2 -- The Kansas State Wildcats are probably one of the last teams that Texas coach Mack Brown wants to see right now. Losers of four out of their last five ballgames, the Longhorns now face a 'Cats team that has beat them the last two times they've met and taken two out of three in Manhattan during Big 12 play. Talent-wise, Texas outmatches K-State at nearly every position, save running back. Brown essentially threw his coaches and players under the bus for being unprepared against Iowa State and Baylor, but a poor showing in this tough road game will fall squarely on his shoulders.
Missouri at Texas Tech -- 7 p.m. CT Saturday on ABC -- Both losers last week, the Tigers and Red Raiders will get after it in Lubbock in this prime time tussle. Tommy Tuberville yanked QB Taylor Potts for Steven Sheffield last week in the A&M loss, so it'll be intriguing to see if Potts remains on a short leash in this start. Missouri needs a win here, of course, but the pressure of national title contention has been lifted from the players' minds, as well as from head coach Gary Pinkel. That should allow Mizzou to remain loose, and free to play its own game. But just as Nebraska pinned 24 points on the Tigers early, Tech is definitely capable of a similar ambush. And Jones AT&T Stadium can be an intimidating venue in the darkness of a West Texas night.
Enjoy the games!
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