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October 18, 2009
I find it difficult to believe the Big 12 North is anything more than an average division — at best — after this weekend's slate of football games.
For more on this idea, plus my reaction on Texas beating Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, check out the latest edition of ConferenceChatterTV:
Back to the North. Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri all went home with losses on Saturday.
In fact, this division is so messed up that the updated standings look like this:
- Kansas State: 2-1 Big 12, 4-3 overall
- Colorado: 1-1, 2-4
- Kansas: 1-1, 5-1
- Nebraska: 1-1, 4-2
- Iowa State: 1-2, 4-3
- Missouri: 0-2, 4-2
Kansas State will play host to Colorado next week in a game that will have implications on first place in the North.
Two weeks ago, K-State and Colorado looked like two of the worst teams in any BCS conference.
The Buffaloes and the Wildcats vying for first place in the North is like the Chiefs and Raiders facing each other more than halfway through the NFL season for first place in the AFC West. Just doesn't feel right.
Week 7 of the college football season was easily the most surprising week in the Big 12. The only question: What was the most surprising development?
I present to you this week's list of nominees:
1. Colorado 34, Kansas 30
Before this weekend, Colorado looked like the worst team in the North, while Kansas was undefeated and looking at 6-0 with Oklahoma coming to town. A quarterback change later and the Buffaloes saved their season and knocked the Jayhawks out of first place.
2. Kansas State 62, Texas A&M 14
This is my choice. What in the name of Bill Snyder got into K-State? Two weeks ago, the Wildcats lost by 52 points at Texas Tech. A week later, they obliterate A&M by 48? This isn't adding up.
K-State running back Daniel Thomas
To put this craziness into perspective, let's break it down. K-State has faced five FBS opponents this season (Louisiana-Lafayette, UCLA, Iowa State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M).
K-State's sack total in four FBS games against Lafayette, UCLA, ISU and Tech: 2
K-State sack total vs. A&M: 6
K-State's rushing TDs in four previous FBS games: 4
K-State's rushing TDs vs. A&M: 6
K-State's turnovers in four previous FBS games: 8
K-State's turnovers vs. A&M: 0
Interceptions thrown by A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson all season, before Manhattan: 0
Interceptions thrown by Johnson at K-State: 3
And A&M was favored.
3. Texas Tech 31, Nebraska 10
In their first conference home game of the season, the Huskers looked rather anemic on offense. Their receivers dropped passes and the dreaded two-quarterback system (Zac Lee, Cody Green) was put into effect. The two-quarterback system is a sign of a team that lacks an offensive identity.
Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee throws against Tech
Just a week ago, Nebraska mounted a memorable 27-point, fourth quarter comeback against Missouri. Nebraska coach Bo Pelini awarded the Blackshirts to his defense. After this weekend, the Huskers look about as average as the rest of the North.
Texas Tech's victory put into perspective the superiority of the South division. Yeah, I know, K-State's victory over A&M. But come on. Nebraska, at home, with all the hype back and a No. 15 ranking, losing to Tech, maybe the third-best team in the South? And Nebraska didn't just lose. Anyone who watched that game knew Tech pummeled Nebraska. It makes the North look bad.
4. Sam Bradford injured again in UT's 16-13 win over OU
I had a feeling the Red River rivalry would lack the offensive firepower from last year's 45-35 UT victory. As an observer, though, I was stoked to see Colt McCoy vs. Sam Bradford one more time. A week ago, Bradford threw 49 passes against Baylor. I thought he was healthy. He only lasted one possession against Texas before he re-injured his throwing shoulder. I'd be surprised to see Bradford play for Oklahoma the rest of the season.
Onto the awards from the bizarre week 7 that was:
Player of the week: Tyler Hansen, Colorado
The Buffaloes needed a spark on offense after benching the ineffective Cody Hawkins. Hansen, who accounted for 209 yards and two scores, gave them the boost of energy they lacked. Hansen is more mobile than Hawkins and can extend plays when pressure arrives in the backfield. He looked a whole lot like an earlier version of Todd Reesing. Hansen saved Colorado's season. Had the Buffs lost, they would have been 0-2 in the conference and 1-5 overall. Being 1-1 and 2-4 is a lot different.
Sleeper alert: Hubert Anyiam, Oklahoma State
Anyiam, filling in the No. 1 wide receiver role for the ineligible Dez Bryant, has caught a touchdown in his last two games. Saturday against Missouri, Anyiam broke out with 10 catches, 119 yards and a score.
Here's the latest Sorrentino Scale to close this entry. The number in parentheses is what the team was ranked last week.
- 1 (1). Texas (6-0, 3-0): If UT survives next two games (at Mizzou, at Oklahoma State), there's a decent chance it goes undefeated.
- 2 (2). Oklahoma State (5-1, 2-0): Cowboys doing a nice job of protecting home field in Big 12 play.
- 3 (7). Texas Tech (5-2, 2-1): How's four spots for a climb? Steven Sheffield may have won the QB job from Taylor Potts.
- 4 (5). Oklahoma (3-3, 1-1): Kind of odd OU rises a spot with a loss, but that speaks to the mediocre level to which many Big 12 teams are playing.
- 5 (4). Kansas (5-1, 1-1): Could have really been in driver's seat in North.
- 6 (3). Nebraska (4-2, 1-1): Next two games (vs. Iowa State, at Baylor) favorable.
- 7 (10). Kansas State (4-3, 2-1): Who knew?
- 8 (6). Missouri (4-2, 0-2): Doesn't get any easier next week (vs. UT).
- 9 (12). Colorado (2-4, 1-1): Was change at QB all the Buffs needed to be decent?
- 10 (11). Iowa State (4-3, 1-2): 'Clones breaking plethora of losing streaks this season.
- 11 (8). Baylor (3-3, 0-2): Amazing how much Robert Griffin means to this squad.
- 12 (9). Texas A&M (3-3, 0-2): Back in the cellar again. I thought 2008 was behind Aggies.
That should be all for now, friends. As always, discuss.
Comments
njjayhawk (anonymous) says...
The entire Big 12 looks like imposters, with Texas, the Big 12 flagship this year, looking no better than average on the national stage. And KSU? Let's hold our accolades for a few weeks - A&M is no benchmark to gauge performance. But I do think the Mildcats will be menacing to KU, and may well represent a significant hurdle for KU in a few weeks in Manhattan. MU? A joke - they look like the center ring act at a football circus.
October 19, 2009 at 5:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dirtybirdman (anonymous) says...
njjayhawk - I think we better ease up on the trash talk of the other programs in the Big 12. We may be lucky to finish 6-6. Our schedule does us no favors, and where other teams have shown improvement and growth, it looks as if we have gone backwards if the previous two games are any indication. Having to play come from behind football is not a good sign going into the meat of the Big 12 schedule.
October 19, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PikesPeakSmitty (anonymous) says...
Njjayhawk, I agree with all you said.
Dirty.. it's ok to trash Mizzery and K-State (especially MU), regardless of records and strength of schedule.
I highly doubt Texas will be playing for the national title.
I hate how the press thinks USC is underrated. Didn't they get blown out by a cupcake?
i want to see a Boise St. vs. Cincinnati title game... everyone would be screaming then for a playoff system.
October 19, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oklahawk58 (anonymous) says...
PikesPeak:
I second your vote for the mid-level championship. We have to legitimize the "national champions" title, and a playoff is the only way to do that. Even if it's only four teams. We could keep the bowls and play the playoff too, making the Rose Bowl or one of the other big ones the Championship still. The semi-final could be in mid-December. That would eliminate the two-month wait from a team's last game of the season to its bowl game.
October 19, 2009 at 12:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkjoe98 (anonymous) says...
The fact that Kstate is technically in first place right now (and a chance to really be in first place after next week) is an embarrassment to the Big XII north.
October 20, 2009 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )