Last Minute Football Notes

This is the final weekend in Big 12 Conference play and the north title is still on the line. Colorado needs a win against Nebraska or an Iowa State loss to secure a rematch with Texas for the Big 12 title and Iowa State needs a Colorado loss and a win over Kansas to advance to the championship game.

Big 12 Power Rankings
1. Texas – Can finish with the best season of the Mack Brown era.
2. OU – Staying put because of official blunder.
3. Iowa State – The Cyclones are now big Husker fans.
4. Colorado – Beat Nebraska and get Texas for a reward.
5. Texas Tech – Don’t blame them, blame the refs.
6. Nebraska – Has a chance to play spoiler agains Buffs.
7. Kansas – Has to beat Iowa St. to become bowl eligible.
8. Texas A&M – Horrible season could get much better with a win over Texas.
9. Kansas State – Not going bowling but Snyder went out with a win over Mizzou.
10. Missouri – Upset victims yet again.
11. Baylor – Bears have a chance to not finish in the cellar.
12. Oklahoma State – Lost all the ground from the Texas Tech win with a loss in Waco.

Big Game
Texas @ Texas A&M
The Longhorns need this win to continue their race to the Rose Bowl. The Aggies need this win to become bowl eligible. Texas is the better team, better coaching and better talent, but College Station is not an easy place to win. Its not out of the question to see an Aggie upset but it is unlikely. The fact that this is a rivalry game and that A&M needs to win to become bowl eligible could keep it close. USC had their close call. Will Texas have theirs?

A&M could pull off the upset if…
• They find a way to generate offense. Courtney Lewis is a solid running back and McNeil is a run threat at quarterback. The Longhorns will be focusing on stopping the running game so look for some play-action passing and look for the tight ends to have a huge role.
• Their linebackers can contain Vince Young. I have said this every time I do a Texas preview. He is going to get his passing yards but they have to contain him to prevent him from beating them with his feet. A passing Vince Young is easier to beat than a running/passing Vince Young. USC may be the only team in the country capable of doing this.
• They take advantage of turnovers. Texas is usually good for two or three turnovers. If a team is able to capitalize on those turnovers they could push Texas to the limits.

Texas should win if…
• They don’t get caught looking ahead. This shouldn’t be a problem for an experienced team but it does happen. College station is one place where lack of focus will get you beat.
• They take care of the football. As long as Texas doesn’t give A&M opportunities their defense should make scoring difficult for the Aggies.
• They stick to the game plan. So far this season not a single team has been able to knock the Longhorns off their game plan. As a result they are 10-0.

Prediction: Longhorns 38/Aggies 17

Possible Upset
Nebraska @ Colorado Colorado has had an amazing season and need this victory to secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship game. The Huskers are still needing that one quality victory to solidify their season. This could be it! I believe Nebraska has the ability to play with Colorado and make the game interesting. They must avoid the slow start that has plagued them in games this season. They longer the Huskers stick around the better their chances are of pulling off the upset.
Prediction: Huskers 28/Buffalos 27

Must Win
Iowa State @ Kansas
The Jayhawks are one victory away from becoming bowl eligible and the Cyclones could back door into the Big 12 Championship game, with some help from Nebraska. This game becomes much bigger with a Husker upset on Friday.
Prediction: Iowa State 24/Kansas 13

Bedlam Series Turns 100

Saturday marks the 100th time the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys play each other in football. Both teams have been on a learning curve this season and both are coming off heartbreaking losses last week.

OSU is just outmanned in this game. They haven’t played good on the road once this season and after last week’s debacle in Lubbock the Sooners will be out for blood. This is a game that could get away from OSU quickly.

For OU this game could be the difference between San Diego or San Antonio for a bowl game.
Prediction: OU 45/OSU 17