Big 12 Week 1 Breakdown
The first couple of weeks in college football may be primarily blowouts, but those sure beat the football-less days of summer! For the Big12 faithful, there are some good games on the schedule:
Baylor vs. 22 TCU
This season is very important to the Baylor Bears. If they can do well enough, then they may have bargaining power to move conferences. With the current shaky nature of the Big12, a good football program means a lot. Having a good football season may be the difference between staying in a BCS conference and moving to a middle-of-the-pack conference like Conference USA.
To win football games, you need to score points, but those are hard to come by against TCU’s stifling defense. They have talent all over the defensive side of the ball. With a linebacking corps led by senior Tank Carter, and a secondary lead by senior Greg McCoy, it will be hard for Robert Griffin and company to move the ball for the Bears, even with their prolific passing offense.
Predicted winner: TCU
12 Texas A&M vs. SMU
Aggie QB Ryan Tannehill has a lot to prove in his first year as a full-time starter. After playing wide receiver for about two years, he replaced Jerrod Johnson as the starting quarterback. Teams now know that he is a huge threat. If Tannehill can post the same kind of numbers that he did in his starts last season, the Aggies will be a dangerous team.
SMU has their own talented quarterback, though. Kyle Padron can sling the ball around all game. He may throw for 4,000 yards this year and has plenty of receivers that can help him achieve this goal. The problem with SMU’s offense is the inability to put points on the board. Yards don’t necessarily mean points and they didn’t last year for the Mustangs. On the defensive side of the ball, SMU runs the 3-4 scheme well. If they can force more turnovers, they will greatly improve on their 7-6 record from last year.
Predicted winner: Texas A&M
18 Texas vs. Rice
Texas missed a bowl game last year for the first time in a long time. While they still have quarterback questions, they have not fallen below Rice University. The Longhorns will have a lot to prove in September and will need to show the country that they deserve their own network. A good way to do that would be starting the season in winning fashion.
Predicted winner: Texas
24 Missouri vs. Miami (OH)
The Missouri Tigers will be a good team this year despite losing QB Blaine Gabbert to the NFL. If the Tigers can get good quarterback play from James Franklin, then they could be the dark horse to win the Big12.
Predicted winner: Missouri
2 Oklahoma vs. Tulsa
There will be nothing exciting about this game. Oklahoma is one of the best teams in the country. Tulsa might make some noise in C-USA, but not in week 1.
Predicted winner: Oklahoma
Texas Tech vs. Texas State
Texas Tech has been a passing team for a long time. Texas State’s defense won’t be able to keep up.
Predicted winner: Texas Tech
9 Oklahoma State vs. Louisiana- Lafayette
Oklahoma State is capable of scoring tons of points in a short amount of time. Louisiana-Lafayette will be out of this game before halftime.
Predicted winner: Oklahoma State
Iowa State vs. Northern Iowa
Iowa State doesn’t score a lot and they don’t move the ball well. They should be on upset alert this week. This win won’t come easily.
Predicted winner: Iowa State
Kansas vs. McNeese State
The Big12’s worst team is at least getting more experience. Many of Kansas’ team leaders are young, so they should be on the rise.
Predicted winner: Kansas
