Big 12 insider: Starting league games just the way the Big 12 likes it
By BLAIR KERKHOFF
The Kansas City Star
When it comes to conference games, the Big 12 trails the nation.
Every other league has kicked off. Heck, Auburn is playing its fourth Southeastern Conference game at Vanderbilt this weekend.
But the Big 12’s second season opens Saturday, the first of six straight weekends in which all 12 knock heads.
And it’s the better way, more NFL-like. Exhibition season is over. Teams have a better idea of where they stand and didn’t risk a conference loss for that knowledge.
The way many softly schedule nonleague games, it’s like a preseason anyway, and those padded records have helped push the Big 12 to the top of the polls. Four teams are rated in the top 10 and six in the top 25 partly because they haven’t beat on each other.
That’s going to start happening now. Don’t be shocked if one or two of the five ranked teams that hit the road Saturday comes home a loser. It’s happened in the Southeastern Conference, Pacific-10 and the others. Upsets will happen in the Big 12.
A September conference game could happen in the future with an irresistible offer from television. But the Big 12 has no plans to change.
“Schools have the opportunity to move games, but it has to make sense to everybody,” said Big 12 senior associate commissioner Tim Allen, who handles conference scheduling. “Programs want to have at least two or three games under their belts before conference begins.”
All games Saturday1. MISSOURI AT NEBRASKA (8 p.m. on ESPN): Will this be the Tigers’ first victory in Lincoln since 1978, or Bo Pelini’s first great moment as the Cornhuskers’ permanent head coach? The winner is the one that gets more stops, and that’s been a problem at times for both. The Cornhuskers were so bad defensively in this game last year, QB Chase Daniel likened them to a high school team. Somehow, word of that slight got back to Lincoln. Ball control is vital for Nebraska. Staying poised in a charged atmosphere is a key for MU.
2. TEXAS AT COLORADO (6 p.m. on FSNKC): The Buffaloes shocked Oklahoma in this spot last year. But Colorado is operating short-handed on the offensive line, and where that was Sam Bradford’s first major road test as a college player, Colt McCoy (below) is a three-year veteran playing his best ball right now. And Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins is getting a little testy. “I think it’s awesome we’re 3-1 and beat one of the best teams in the country (West Virginia) and people are asking ‘What’s wrong with your program?’ ”
3. KANSAS AT IOWA STATE (11:30 a.m., Versus): After going six quarters without a touchdown, the Cyclones’ offense finally caught fire in the second half of the loss at UNLV. Quarterback Austen Arnaud thinks Iowa State will need to score at a frenzied pace to keep up with the Jayhawks. “We have to score 30 to 40 points to win this game because Kansas is going to score at will,” Arnaud said. “It kind of reminds me of going to Texas Tech last year. They were going to score regardless.” With those comments, Arnaud probably didn’t make many friends with his defense.
4. TEXAS TECH AT KANSAS STATE (2:30 p.m., Chs. 2, 9): The last time these teams met, the Red Raiders won 59-20 in 2005. It may take 59 points to win this one. All the elements are present for a shootout. K-State’s defense has allowed an average of 543 yards the last two games, Tech’s offense is humming and Wildcats quarterback Josh Freeman is posting big numbers. And Tech, despite tying for the national lead with 10 interceptions, has been torched for about 250 passing yards per game.
5. OKLAHOMA AT BAYLOR (11:30 a.m., FSNKC): Electrifying Bears quarterback Robert Griffin will have his moments but not nearly enough to overcome an experienced Sooners defense. “This isn’t the same old Baylor,” Oklahoma wide receiver Manny Johnson said. He’s right, but it is the same old Oklahoma, a national championship contender.
6. TEXAS A&M AT OKLAHOMA STATE (6 p.m.): The Aggies were supposed to be the league’s premier rushing team with Mike Goodson and Jorvorskie Lane. Instead, it’s the Cowboys who lead the nation in rushing at 340 yards per game. Goodson has rushed for only 87 yards in the last three games. A&M has won the last four in the series, but look for that run to come to a screeching halt.
