Is this the year of the steer?  All signs are pointed in that direction.  The Big 12 North is, yet again, playing second fiddle to the mighty South division.  If you would have told me that there were 3 undefeated teams in the Big 12 at this point in time before the season, I would have guessed OU, Mizzou, and Texas Tech.  Man! What an #### I am. 

Texas Tech has yet to be tested by a top-25 team.  Sure, Nebraska took them to OT in Lubbock (Where I was in attendance), but Nebraska is lucky to be considered top-60.  Unless something really changes for Tech on defense and special teams, the Red Raiders are will not be heading towards the Big 12 Championship game this year (or for some time to come).

Oklahoma State has been underachieving for years now.  They have always played a decent out-of-conference schedule.  They have one of the best receiving corps out there.  These boys block like old school Nebraska receivers used to back in the day.  There is no wonder why they are doing so well on the ground.  I have seen it time and again.  When a team can control the clock and can play better than average defense week in and week out, success seems easy.

Texas has awakened, and the boys are they ready to play.  If the Longhorns can keep it together, then they will only be tested by the aforementioned teams.  Tech can only beat Texas if the Red Raiders are able to play better on defense.  Much better.  I have my doubts that Tech will even beat KU. 

I know it is early, but this Texas/Oklahoma State game is for supremacy in the Southern division.  I like the way OSU matches up with the big bad Longhorns.  The winner in this one becomes the one to beat.  OSU could give life to the Sooners with a win. 

(For WarBeagle a good football fan who happens to like Colorado)

Why are BCS teams still afraid to schedule decent OOC (out-of-conference games)?  What is the deal here?  I am of the oldskewl belief that, win or lose, playing good teams makes your team better.  There is no reason for a good team in a BCS conference not to schedule two good opponents OOC.  Period!  

It is embarrassing to fans of good teams to watch their team pummel Western Kentucky, Southeastern Louisiana, and Buffalo (sorry Turner) in consecutive weeks.  There was a strategy before the advent of the BSC, but now it is moot. Teams in a BCS conference will get an automatic bid to a BCS game if they win their conference.  It is as easy as that.  A two-loss LSU proved that to be true last year and rightfully so, they were in the National Championship game. However, there is a reason to schedule nothing but patsies if you are a Non-BCS conference team.  Example:  2007 Hawaii.  I’m not trying to pick on the Warriors.  I understand that Hawaii has been efforting to schedule better teams as of late, but who can not say that Hawaii was exposed last year in the BCS game? 

Here are my thoughts on the OOC scheduling for the Big 12 this year.  I am looking at the strength of the scheduling team, FBS (Div-1A), and current success of the scheduled team.  I am not factoring in past schedules.  In case you missed my other grades here are the links: ACC, Big 10(+1), SEC, Pac-10, and Big East.

Colorado – Colorado State, Eastern Washington, West Virginia, Florida State.  Colorado has managed to make their OOC schedule rather competitive.  The rivalry game with Colorado State is always a tough game for Colorado.  Eastern Michigan is a tune up game, and Eastern Washington is a patsy.  West Virginia made minced-meat of the vaunted Oklahoma defense last year, but we must remember that Colorado also handed OU a loss last year.  This year's WVU may not be quite as good as last year's with out R-Rod there.  Florida State is loaded with talent and controversy.  Grade: A

Baylor – Wake Forest, Northwestern State, Washington State, Connecticut.  Baylor has a monster OOC schedule, but I think it may have been an accident.  WF and UCONN are quality teams as of late, but PAC-10 Spoiler Washington State is not a patsy.  Northwestern State is though.  I am willing to overlook the Northwestern State game because it is Baylor we are talking about.  Baylor will need to play better than they have in the past in order to get to conference play 1-3.  Grade: A

Oklahoma – Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Washington, TCU.  Chattanooga is a patsy and should not be on the schedule.  Cincinnati has improved and they are coming off a stellar season, but for Oklahoma they should be no problem.  Washington is a BCS conference team that may have a good game a few times a year, but they have not been consistently good since the early to mid 90’s.  TCU is one of the most consistently good non-BCS conference teams out there.  When I see TCU on an OOC schedule, I consider that a decent test for any team.  The problem I have with this schedule is the Cattanooga game.  You are OU.  Schedule Div-1 teams.  Grade: B-

Nebraska – Western Michigan, San Jose State, New Mexico State, Virginia Tech.  Nebraska must subscribe to the philosophy that supports only scheduling one quality team OOC.  Very disappointing, but with the way the Huskers played defense last year some of these game should be closer than expected.  You have to give Nebraska credit for the VA Tech game.  VA Tech has been in the Top-10 consistently over the past decade.  That game is certainly a great OOC game.  The pass-happy Aggies from NMSU have a legitimate shot at an upset here if the Blackshirts don’t turn it around.  Any other year, for Nebraska, Western Michigan and (Do you know your way to) San Jose State would be considered patsies, but Nebraska can’t take any team for granted anymore.  Grade: B- (that is all VA Tech)

Texas – Florida Atlantic, UTEP, Arkansas, Rice.  Texas likes to keep their OOC games close to home with UTEP and Rice.  Both of which are bad teams, very bad.  When this game was scheduled, I am sure that Florida Atlantic was considered just as bad as UTEP or Rice, but what a difference a few years makes.  FAU is not a bad team.  Not real good, but not bad.  Arkansas is an old SWC rivalry we all miss.  This year without McFadden, Texas should be able to handle the Razorbacks easily.  I am sure Arkansas will be up for this one.  Grade: C (only because FAU has turned it around)

Texas A&M – Arkansas State, New Mexico, Miami, Army.  Like Nebraska, there is only one team on this schedule that is of any worth competing with a BCS conference school.  New Mexico did shut out Nevada in a bowl that was created just for them last year.  Arkansas State is a patsy.  Army is a mismatch, but there is Miami.  They are talent-laden and needing to make a comeback in a big way.  Grade: C- (that is all Miami’s potential)

Missouri – Illinois, Southeast Missouri State, Nevada, Buffalo.  Mizzou has scheduled a monster by accident with Illinois.  How great was that game last year!?!  Nevada is improving, but they still can’t hang with the big boys.  SM St and Buffalo are patsies (sorry Turner).  Missouri is set up really nice to repeat as the Big 12 North Champs, but it has nothing to do with their OOC scheduling.  Grade: D (that is all Illinois)

Iowa State – South Dakota State, Kent State, Iowa, UNLV.  Iowa State has not had much of a team for quite a while now.  I don’t really blame them for going so soft, but it is disappointing when they can’t even beat the patsies on their schedule.  South Dakota State should lose, but nothing is for sure.  Iowa should win, but the Hawkeyes are having problems with the law in Iowa City.  UNLV and Kent State have legitamate shots at getting a win over a BCS conference opponent here with ISU.  ISU did come on strong at the end of last season, but there is no indication that they will carry that momentum into this year.  Grade: D

 Kansas – Florida International, Louisiana Tech, South Florida, Sam Houston State.  Kansas tried really hard not to schedule any real tests OOC, but they got unlucky with South Florida.  I guess 3-4 isn’t too bad.  I will all but guarantee you that when South Florida was added to the schedule, they had never been ranked #2 in the country.  Neither was Kansas.  They both had spectacular years last year and I will be looking forward to this game.  La Tech can score a bit, but they are still a patsy along with Sam Houston State and FIU.  FIU is the only Florida team to get a bad rap from me.  Grade: D- (dumb luck getting South Florida on the OOC schedule.)

Kansas State – North Texas, Montana State, Louisville, Louisiana-Lafayette.  Louisville without Brian Brohm is no good at all.  They proved that last year’s pre-season hype was just that.  All these teams are patsies this year.  K-State should change their mascot from the Wildcats to the Scaredycats.  North Texas is ok sometimes.  With the way Louisville played defense last year, KSU has a legit shot to get an OOC win over a BCS opponent.  Grade: F

Texas Tech – Eastern Washington, Nevada, Southern Methodist, Massachusetts.  Congratulations!  We have a winner!  The Red Raiders have managed to win the patsy lottery in their OOC scheduling.  They were the only team to manage to avoid another BCS conference team and not get unlucky enough to get a team that has any potential at having a good season.  The best team, by far, is Nevada.  PEA-YOU!!  This is very disappointing because they will have a great season and contend for the Big 12 this year.   They will have to defend a constant onslaught of criticism over their OOC schedule.  It serves them right.  I am acutally getting physically ill looking at their OOC schedule.  I'm going to go barf now.  Grade: F-

    Move over Les Miles, you got some company. 

Texas Tech's head coach, Mike Leach, is either a genius or a complete tool.  Whatever the case, he has cajones the size of my head.  (I have a pretty big head like Mr Macky in South Park, Umm-Kay.)

My rather sizeable hat's off to Coach Leach.  Any coach willing to take 2 safeties and go down by 14 by the end of the first half is ok in my book of sel####efeating imploders.  That makes Miles' decision at the end of the LSU/Auburn game seem reasonable and safe.  Mike Leach will be my favorite coach to watch next year.  Bo Pelini being the only exception.

I just trying to figure out how much Kharma and luck Leach used up in the second half against Virginia.  That is of course assuming that Kharma and luck are finite and measurable.  OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler OldSkewler

Cornfused?  Let me help.

The most important week of college football for the Big XII is this week 11/17/07. 

The results of this week's match-ups will truly decide if the Big XII is in the National Championship Game.

(9-1)Oklahoma @ (7-4) Texas Tech

                                       VS.

(3-8) Iowa State @ (10-0) Kansas

                                     VS.

(9-1) Missouri @ (5-5) Kansas State

                             VS.

The fate of the Big XII in the National Championship game hinges on the outcomes of this weeks' games.  If *Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri win this week against their respective opponents, then the Big 12 is assured a representative in the National Championship Game. 

*Oklahoma has to beat Oklahoma State on 11/24 in order for Oklahoma to be considered for the NC game.

All right, everyone has made it through the first 3 weeks of games this year.  We are now starting to see some strengths and weaknesses come into the light.  It is early yet, but with a couple games under the belts of this years' teams, we can start to classify some teams with potential and some without.

With that being said, I am still full of questions.  I am like that annoying guy that sits in the front of the class and keeps everyone late because there is no end to the stupid questions spewing from his mouth. 

Texas A&M/Miami - Which one of these two teams is further up the road to regain the winning traditions their fans are used to seeing?  Will that once vaunted aTm defense be able to stop the underachieving Miami offense?  Can the Miami offense execute?  How many Hurricanes does it take to bring down big Javorskie Lane?  Probably too many.  If it were in College Station, I would like the Aggies.  Flip a coin.  Heads=aTm Tails=Miami.

North Carolina/South Florida - How long can the Bulls keep it going?  Can the Tarheels leave Florida with a 2-2 record?  Will the week off for the Bulls keep them from a let-down game?  How much talent do they have in South Florida?  I like the Bulls to edge-out the Tarheels in this one.

East Carolina/West Virginia - Can the ECU defense come up with an answer to the mighty Mountaineer offense?  Is the heat that West Virgina been taking over not dominating others well founded?  WV should win this one 9 times out of 9, but I have a feeling that it will be closer than the 25 points the experts in Vegas believe it to be.

Wyoming/Ohio - Which 2-1 team will prevail?  Don't you have to like match-ups like this one?  Both are teams that are playing for nothing more than the chance to go to a bowl game at the end of the season.  No day one NFL draft picks.  No chance at a BCS.  Possibly a chance to play for their respective conference championships.  I know I am in the minority, but I love games like these.

Penn State/Michigan - How many home games can a team start with?  Can Joe Pa get that big, stinky, flea-infested, mangy #### off his back?  Will this Michigan team rise to the challenge this week?  How can Michigan lose 3 home games in the same week?  Stay tuned.  Joey P. should come out ahead, but anything is possible in college football.

Texas Tech/Oklahoma State - What is up with Okie State?  If the strongest part of OSU's team is the offense, how can they even stand a chance in this one?  How many pass plays will be in this one?  Which of these two teams have to battle it out with the Aggies for third place in the conference's Southern division?  Oklahoma State should be better than they are right now.  I have faith that this OSU squad will put it together at some time during the year, just not this week.  I have to give the nod to the Leach's pass-happy bunch from Lubbock. 

Kentucky/Arkansas - Can the Wildcats keep the magic while on the road?  Can Arkansas play to the expectations of their fans?  Will that Razorback defense be too much for Kentucky's QB Woodson?  Will Kentucky survive to be in the polls next week?  How bad will that heartbreaking loss to the Tide affect the Hogs' season?  My pea-sized brain says Arkansas, but my heart is with the Cats on this one.

New Mexico State/Auburn - How bad is Auburn?  I ask this question every week and every week the answer is really, really bad.  Will Hal Mumme's offense steal the show?  I would hope that Auburn wouldn't lose this one, especially at home.  But, NMSU did beat UTEP and played the Lobos tough.  The Lobos did just beat the Arizona Wildcats, and Hal Mumme used to coach the Wildcats of Kentucky.  Coincidence?  I think not.  Upset city, baby!  (That is why I am the Village ####.)

Georgia/Alabama - After the huge win against Arkansas, how will the Tide fair against a seemingly good Georgia team?  Can Saban rally the boys to defend his home turf against the Bulldogs?  Just how good are these boys from Georgia?  Will the loss to SC kill the spirit of the Dawgs?  This is a good interdivisional match-up from the SEC.  I like Georgia to show Alabama what a let-down game feels like.

Iowa/Wisconsin - How bad is Iowa?  How good is Wisconsin?  I don't think you can gauge how good/bad Iowa is when they play Iowa State.  So, the Hawkeyes lost in Ames to a seriously inferior team.  The Badgers have not really dominated the way they were expected.  I think it is another good match-up.  Wisconcin should win but the Hawkeyes make it an exciting game for sure.

And Finally!!!

South Carolina/LSU - How good is this batch of boys the old ball coach has playing for him?  How can LSU not win?  Will the stout defense slow down the LSU offense?  Has LSU shown what they can really do?  I am afraid for South Carolina that LSU hasn't even begun.  I am not that stupid to count Spurrier out.  I am sure that he has something up his mighty sleeve that will give LSU fits for a while, but Pelini has too much for the Gamecock offense.  16.5 points? I like LSU until they show some kind of weakness.  So far, I haven't seen any.