Last Minute Football Notes

It seems as if there are only two elite teams in the Big 12 Conference and they square off against each other this week. There also seems to be a log jam in the middle of the pack and there are two teams who will play for the cellar dweller spot. It also appears that the north has no prayer against the south for the conference championship. It should be an interesting weekend of Big 12 football.

Big 12 Power Rankings
1. Texas – Looks like Tech could be their final test on the way to the Rose Bowl.
2. Texas Tech – Will have to play their absolute best to prove they are an elite team.
3. Nebraska – Should be undefeated.
4. A&M – Ahead of OU because of better offense.
5. OU – Can't keep winning with defense alone, the offense has got to get better.
6. Colorado – Shouldn’t be punished too much for losing to Texas.
7. Missouri – Overtime win against Iowa State could boost Tigers confidence.
8. Baylor – A win at Oklahoma would be huge for struggling Bears.
9. Kansas State – Disappeared in the second half against Tech.
10. Kansas – Hands down the worst offense in the conference.
11. Iowa State – Where did that team that beat Iowa?
12. Oklahoma State – Has a long way to go.

Big Game
Texas Tech @ Texas
I think this is the biggest game in the history of this series. The Longhorns are on their way to Pasadena and no one would love to detour them more than the Red Raiders. This should be an entertaining game as Mike Leach and Texas Tech look to gain a little national respect.

Tech is in Trouble if …
• Vince Young is running the ball. Last year Young ran for 158 yards and four touchdowns.
• If Cody Hodges doesn’t have time to throw the ball. The Longhorns will bring blitzes from all angles.
• They cannot control the clock. The Red Raiders will have to keep Vince Young off the field.
• If Texas has more than 200 yards rushing.

Texas is in Trouble if …
• Charles does not play. With Adrian Peterson injured, Charles is the best running back in the conference and the Longhorns will need him.
• If they can’t contain Taurean Henderson. He could be the best all-around back in the conference.
• Cody Hodges has time. Hodges has completed more than 71 percent of his passes (199-for-280) for 2,531 yards with 24 TDs and only six interceptions.
• They suffer any injuries. One knock on the Longhorns is that they are not deep at key positions, especially quarterback.
Prediction: Texas 38/Tech 24

Must Win
Nebraska @ Missouri
Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska are all tied with Colorado at 2-1 in conference play. That is why this is a must win because either the Huskers or the Tigers will fall out of the face for the north.
Prediction: Nebraska 24/Missouri 13

Possible Upset
Texas A&M @ Kansas State
A&M is coming off a big win against a bad team and Kansas State is coming off a bad loss to a good team. This is always a recipe for an upset.
Prediction: Kansas State 24/A&M 21

Game No One Cares About
OSU @ Iowa State
Definitely the two worst teams in the conference which is surprising because of good starts to the season, the loser of this game may not win again this year.
Prediction: No one cares!

Other Big 12 Games

Kansas @ Colorado
The Buffs were thumped by the Longhorns last week and take on another stingy defense this week. Fortunately for them the Kansas offense has forgotten what a goal line looks like; it has been that long since they scored a touchdown.
Prediction: Colorado 24/Kansas 3

Baylor @ Oklahoma
The Sooners have the chance to do something that they have not done all season, win two in a row. The Bears are bringing their best team in years to play and they should keep it close. The Sooners will need another amazing performance from their defense and I think they will get it.
Prediction: OU 24/Baylor 10