Quarterback week
As if the Texas-Oklahoma game wasn't shaping up to be the game of the year of the week...
ESPN has expectedly broken down this game from all angles, but none is more important than this look at Texas QB Colt McCoy. The junior has transformed himself into the second-best quarterback in the conference (behind only Missouri's Chase Daniel) and has done everything to this point to make sure he's in New York for the Heisman ceremony in December.
Also:
- Pat Forde broke down the quarterback situation in the entire Big 12.
- Seth Wickersham, ESPN's most underrated writer, tackled an unusual project in which he says Missouri's back-up quarterback might have a better chance at the NFL than the starter.
Look, I don't need to plug the Big 12 any more than I already do. But to not realize there is something special happening a bit west of here is ludicrous. What's more, it's developing into some great Saturday action where scoreboard bulbs are needing to be replaced by the week.
Who knows if I'll do this every week, but I couldn't resist posting predictions for the Big 12 games this week (in order of importance):
- Kansas State at Texas A&M: The Aggies are figting Baylor and Iowa State for the honor of being the worst team in the conference. Kansas State is looking to vent some frustration after getting beat down by Texas Tech. K-State 41, TAMU 20.
- Iowa State at Baylor: The winning team gets that all important leg up on recruiting some back-up offensive lineman from Louisiana. Baylor 27, Iowa State 24.
- Colorado at Kansas: I don't even want to know how much KU coach Mark Mangino ate after going through a stressful victory in Ames. I cringe at the pressure he put on the Waffle House staff. Kansas 52, Colorado 30.
- Nebraska at Texas Tech: As my buddies over at SportsJournalists.com have pointed out, Mike Leach might just see if he can score 70 this week. He'll come close. Texas Tech 63, Nebraska 34.
- Oklahoma State at Missouri: Sadly, some idiot (READ: national commentator) is going to say one of these teams' defenses got exposed because of the sheer number of times both teams reach the end zone. But guess what, that same idiot will turn around and say how good the offenses are. Missouri 45, Oklahoma State 36.
- Texas vs. Oklahoma: It's put-up or shut-up time for both teams. Not only does the winner of this game earn the No. 1 ranking, it gives the nation another chance to see some of the best football around. Texas 42, Oklahoma 41.