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Big Number Country, Big XII Preview, Week 6

October 7, 2010  |  By Alexander Miraski

I don’t really know how to comment on these, but Kansas head coach Turner Gill has instituted some interesting rules for his players this season. I can understand the need to instill discipline in a team that was lacking any under Mark Mangino, but how much is too much?

I don’t know if an opposite sex curfew during the week is really going to help anyone tackle better or pick up a blitz better on game day. We’ll see if these work out in the long run, but for now I remain skeptical.

In other news, Texas has a week off to digest the fact they are unranked in the AP poll for the first time since 2000. If you want to take it further and move outside of the conference as well, it’s been since 1960 since the AP poll has been without at least one of Texas, Notre Dame, Penn State, or USC. Texas will look to make a case for inclusion again against Nebraska next week.

Thursday’s game

Big XII Game of the Week

Nebraska at Kansas State (+11.5) - A battle of two unbeatens that could go a long way in determining the winner of the Big XII North. The WIldcats have had a strong start to the season, and the season opening victory against UCLA is starting to look like a bigger win. They boast one the conference’s better running backs in Daniel Thomas, but Thomas was slowed in the last game against Central Florida. He faces an even bigger test against the Cornhuskers defense this week.

The key to the game will be WIldcat quarterback Carson Coffman. He’s had an up and down start to the season, but if he can make a few plays early with his arm, it might open up some holes for Thomas. Unfortunately, that probably won’t be the case, but the Kansas State defense holds Taylor Martinez in check as well. Martinez ends up making enough plays to win, but only by a touchdown. Take Kansas State with the points.

Friday’s game

Oklahoma State at Louisiana-Lafayette (+24) - After watching the way the Oklahoma State offense looked against Texas A&M last week, this game should not be close at all. The only thing that could stop Oklahoma State is if they forget their helmets on the bus. Louisiana-Lafayette allowed a fairly mediocre Georgia team without wide receiver A.J. Green to score 55 points in the season opener, which must have Oklahoma State salivating. Brandon Weeden continues his strong start to the season, and the Cowboys win handily. Lay the 24.

Saturday’s games

Baylor vs Texas Tech (-2.5) in Dallas - This is a turning point game for both teams. Texas Tech is looking to avoid going 0-3 in conference play and rebound from an embarrassing loss last week, while Baylor is trying to prove it belongs in the upper echelon of the conference and can compete in the Big XII South. The Baylor offense has looked very good so far, and if Texas Tech plays defense the way it did against Iowa State, Robert Griffin III should have a huge day. Playing at the Cotton Bowl should help Baylor as well, as it won’t be a true road game. Tommy Tuberville is left wondering what has gone wrong in the last month and Baylor wins by 7.

Arkansas at Texas A&M (+6) - If the Aggies have any hope of beating Arkansas, they can not give Razorback quarterback Ryan Mallett additional chances by turning the ball over. That falls squarely on the shoulders of quarterback Jerrod Johnson, who in the last two games, has committed nine turnovers, including a fumble that was returned for a touchdown against Oklahoma State. If he protects the ball, the offense has a chance to move and score some points. The Arkansas defense is still pretty good and has had a week off to prepare. Expect Mallett to rebound from a shaky second half against Alabama, while Johnson again makes a mistake at an inopportune time. Arkansas wins on the road. Lay the points.

Utah at Iowa State (+6) - Earlier this season, Iowa State was unable to contain Iowa’s offense. That offense is definitely not a dynamic as that of Utah, a not very encouraging sign for the Cyclones’ chances this week. Truthfully, I don’t see the Iowa State defense stopping the Utah offense, and I don’t think the Iowa State offense is dynamic enough to go point for point with the Utes, despite the presence of running back Alexander Robinson. If the Cyclones weren’t coming off an impressive victory against Texas Tech, I think the number would be even larger. Utah wins big and stays undefeated.

Colorado at Missouri (-12.5) - This turned out to be a decent matchup after the Buffaloes surprisingly beat Georgia last week. Colorado will ride a lot of momentum into this game, but momentum only gets you so far. This is still a team that got steamrolled by California. The Missouri offense is most likely better than that one, and their defense has been stingy as well. The good feeling for Colorado doesn’t last long and Missouri never lets them into the game. Lay the points and take the Tigers. Blaine Gabbert and Co. prove they can contend for the Big XII North.

Lazy Saturday: Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas

Record

Last Week

Straight Up: 3-2; Against the Spread: 1-4

Overall

Straight Up: 24-3; Against the Spread: 10-15

Posted October 7, 2010 10:00 AM