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Big Number Country - Big XII Preview, Week 11
November 12, 2010 | By Alexander Miraski
The other shoe finally dropped for Dan Hawkins.
After allowing Kansas to overcome a 28 point fourth quarter deficit, Colorado fired Hawkins. Assistant coach Brian Cabral will take over on an interim basis for the rest of the season.
Much like at Minnesota, this move was not a question of if, but when. Hawkins never had a winning record in his tenure at Colorado, and at times has looked out of his depth coaching in a major conference.
I admit I thought it was a good move to hire Hawkins from Boise State. He helped build that program and left it in a good position to make the next step to national prominence. I thought he would be able to translate the success from Boise State to a bigger stage.
However, Hawkins never could recruit the talent to compete with the conference’s established powers. This rant probably didn’t help him in the eyes of fans and administration.
Colorado will now look to make a big splash as the school begins play in Pac-12 next season, but it may be unable to lure a big name as it is hamstrung by the amount of the buyout due to Hawkins.
I have no idea which way this search will go, but I hope the one rumor I heard this week is untrue.
Do not bring back Bill McCartney.
I know he led the Buffaloes to the national championship in 1990, but he hasn’t been on the sidelines in more than 15 years. It’s safe to assume he would be as out of his depth as Hawkins was. It’s time to stop leaning on the success of the past to please the fans, who would rather blaze a new trail anyway.
Last time I was with you, way back in week 7, my record was 5-1 against the spread, bring my season total over .500 to 19-18.
Saturday’s games
Kansas State at Missouri (-13) - Missouri really needs this game after losing two straight following the big win against Oklahoma. Kansas State is playing well, but still playing quarterback roulette, and beating Texas this season isn’t that big of an accomplishment. The Wildcats will lean heavily on the Daniel Thomas and the running game to control the clock, but I think Missouri will get a bounce back performance from Blaine Gabbert and the Tigers offense. Lay the points.
Iowa State at Colorado (+2.5) - Iowa State has been up and down all season, and it needs this win to become bowl eligible. The Cyclones should be able to beat Colorado based on their performance against Nebraska last week. The question is whether or not the coaching change provides an emotional lift for the Buffaloes. My guess is that Colorado will play better than they did against Kansas, but its strength, a running game led by Rodney Stewart, just does not match up well against a defense that is fairly solid against the run. Lay the points as the Cyclones win by a touchdown.
Texas Tech at Oklahoma (-15) - Oklahoma has been unbeatable at home this season, so this game comes at a good time for the Sooners coming off the loss to Texas A&M last week. With Taylor Potts back behind center, Texas Tech should be able to move the ball effectively, but I don’t expect the defense to hold up as well against the Sooners as it did against Missouri. Based on recent results, it should be a closer game than the spread indicates, so take the points, but I don’t think Oklahoma will lose the game outright at home.
Kansas at Nebraska (-35) - Cornhusker fans can breathe easy, as Taylor Martinez will be back for this game, and that alone should keep Nebraska from facing any challenge from the Jayhawks. There is no way Kansas will be able to mount a comeback this week like they accomplished against Colorado. The Cornhuskers control their fate in the North division and there will be no letdown here. It’s a huge number though, so I’ll say take the points, as the game goes into cruise control in the second half.
Oklahoma State at Texas (+5) - If you want to win the South division, you need to win the games you should, and this is one of those games for Oklahoma State. Normally, a road game in Austin is not a game that should be considered a gimme, but Texas is destined for at best a 6-6 record this season. The Cowboys offense will go through Kendall Hunter in this one, and Texas doesn’t have the offensive firepower to trade scores. Oklahoma State wins for only the second time at Texas, this one by two touchdowns. Lay the points.
Big XII Game of the Week
Texas A&M at Baylor (+3) - When turnovers are limited, good things happen. Texas A&M knows that now, after changing quarterbacks from the turnover prone Jerrod Johnson to Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill has limited his mistakes and was able to put in a solid performance in the upset of Oklahoma. Now the Aggies face Baylor, who is looking to stay in the race for a high profile bowl game. Baylor can score points, but the defense is still a work in progress, and has given up too many points this season. Expect a shootout. Lay the points, as the final margin of victory will be about six.
Posted November 12, 2010 7:00 PM