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College football is a funny sport. One week a team is staring down the barrel at a shot for the national title and the next hoping to get into the Cotton Bowl (no disrespect to the fine people that run the Cotton Bowl).
It's what I like about college football. Every game counts. Players can't just slack off on a Saturday. Coaches can't just rest their star player heading into the playoffs. There isn't “we'll get next time.”
The Big 12 has two teams on both sides of the division that have a legimit shot at winning the confrence in 2010. In the North, Nebraska and Missouri should battle to the very end with the two hooking up on Oct. 30th. In the South, it will come down to Texas and OU as normal. It's a shame that their matchup is so early in the season.
With kickoff about three weeks away, it's time to break down the Big 12 game of the week all the way up to the Big 12 title game.
Week #1 – SMU at Texas Tech
It easy for college football fans to overlook this game. The Red Raiders are 16-1 in home openers and have beaten SMU 13 straight times, but this is a new look Mustangs.
Behind third year head coach June Jones, SMU is coming off their first bowl win in 25 years. Tech is wishing the Tommy Tuberville era could start off a little easier than a matchup against the Run & Shoot.
If SMU knocks off Texas Tech, don't be surprised.
Week #2- Florida State at Oklahoma
Talk about two heavyweights getting it on early in the season. Oklahoma has National Title dreams and Florida State new head coach Jimbo Fischer would love a big win in game No. 2.
Oklahoma is 4-1 all-time in the series, with their last meeting coming in the 2000 Orange Bowl when the Sooners held FSU to just two points to win the National Title.
Week #3- Texas Tech at Texas
After homes games against Rice and Wyoming, Texas sophomore quarterback Garrett Gilbert will get his first real test of the season against Tech.
Two years ago, this rivalry was renewed with a last second touchdown by Michael Crabtree. Many of the faces in that game are gone, but both set of fans haven't forgotten.
Week #4- Oklahoma at Cincinnati
Talk about a tough non-conference schedule for Bob Stoop and OU. After scheduling Florida State in week two, the Sooners will head to Cincinnati in a game where both teams should be ranked. To start the season, the Bearcats are just outside the Top 25 and will more than likely be 3-0 heading into this game.
Brian Kelly might have bolted for Notre Dame, but Cincy still feels they can get it done. In the series only prior game, OU jumped out to an early lead, cruising to a 52-26 victory in 2008.
Week #5- Oklahoma vs Texas (Harvey's game of the year)
The Red River Shootout never gets old and should be for the Big 12 south once again. One of these days the Big 12 will get smart and move this game towards the end of the year.
For the first time in three years this won't have two quarterbacks named Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy. With a win in 2009, Texas set up a direct path to the National Title game. Can OU do the same this year? If they knock off the Longhorns and don't stumble against Florida State or Cincinnati in their non-conference schedule, look for Bob Stoops and the Sooners to go back to the National Title game.
Week #6- Baylor vs Texas Tech (to be played in Dallas)
It's not the heaviest of hitters, but this game should have a major impact on both team's seasons. Baylor will be looking to get a bowl game with Tech looking to finish right behind OU and UT.
It will also have a major impact on recruiting. Both teams target many of the same kids and type of players. It's always nice to tell a recruit, “why do you want to go there? We beat them!”
Week #7- Texas at Nebraska
This game will have a lot of hype no matter what, but could even be better if Texas beats OU in week five. Not only is it a rematch of last season's barn burner for the Big 12 championship, but a possible Big 12 title game preview.
Even if Texas loses to Oklahoma, this game could feature two top 10 teams. Nebraska's schedule is almost a cake walk to Texas (sorry Washington). They should be undefeated.
Week #8- Oklahoma at Missouri
It feels like the Sooners are on this list often, but after being picked by the media to win the conference, Oklahoma has a big “x” marked on their back.
OU's schedule might get easier after Texas, but the crew will finish the season with four of their final six games on the road. It starts with a trip to Columbia, where the high-power quarterback Blaine Gabbert waits.
The Tigers aren't getting any preseason hype, but if Nebraska stumbles, they will more than likely win the Big 12 North. Returning eight starters on both sides of the ball, a win against OU could provide some major momentum heading into the next week.
Week #9- Missouri at Nebraska
If Gary Pinkel and the Tigers want to win the Big 12 North, they have to find a way to beat Nebraska in Lincoln. Last season, Mizzou was in control, up 12-0 after three quarters. But, had a major collapse losing 27-12.
Blaine Gabbert is already on the map, but could cement himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the game with back-to-back solid weeks against Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Week #10- Oklahoma at Texas A&M
Is Texas A&M ready to beat the likes of OU in a game with some importance? Probably not. But, the Sooners have struggled in the last twenty years in College Station.
The Aggies have dropped the last seven contests to Bob Stoops and crew, with the average score being 50-17. Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson might be the best in the Big 12, but will need a major performance in a possible prime time game to knock off OU.
Week #11- Texas A&M at Baylor
This could be Baylor's last chance at getting bowl eligible. Oklahoma comes to town the following weekend, so a win against Texas A&M is crucial.
Baylor has struggled with A&M, going 2-21-1 since 1986. Not exactly numbers that sing hope. But, the Bears might be catching the Aggies at the perfect time. Texas A&M should still be licking their wounds from the previous week against the Sooners.
Also see week No. 6.
Week #12- Nebraska at Texas A&M
It could be the Cornhuskers' final true test going into the Big 12 title game. With a trip to Colorado the following week, Nebraska needs to find a way to go into a hostile environment and get a win.
For Texas A&M it will be a chance to improve their bowl pecking order. The Aggies would love nothing more than to deny Big Ten bound Nebraska a chance to play in Dallas against the Big 12 South winner.
Week #13- Texas A&M at Texas
Throw records out the window when these two teams square off. It will be the schools 117th meeting dating back to 1894.
If Texas either beats OU or the Sooners struggle, a trip to the Big 12 title game could be on the line for the Longhorns.
For the Aggies, a win against their biggest rival is always a plus. The last time they beat Texas was in 2007.
