Big 12 Preview - October 22, 2005

Welcome to the Real Analysis. On this page, you'll be able to find my weekly predictions and insight at to all the major college football games, or at least as many as I can get to in a given week. I may even, on occasion, throw in random articles on the state of the game or particular observations. It already being Thursday evening, I'll try my best to get to as many games as I can.

For starters, we'll go by conference, hitting all major conferences (Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-10, ACC, and, of course, the SEC). Any ranked teams not from those conferences will also be included.

Big 12

Nebraska at Missouri - Though Nebraska's overall record is good, and they did everything but officially beat Texas Tech, they are currently tied atop the weak Big 12 North with Missouri and Colorado. This game may prove important down the stretch for the right to get blown out by Texas in the Big 12 Powder-Puff game. Regardless, lets get to the match-up. Both barely beat a decent Iowa State team, who's big win was against Iowa as they plummeted from the rankings. Regardless of Iowa's resurgence, Iowa State is just not that good--plain and simple. So those wins cancel out. Nebraska's only other noteworthy performance was the aforementioned loss to Texas Tech, who we still don't know is for real. Missouri, on the other hand, has not even come close to beating a quality team. This game is basically a push, but I am going to go with my gut and pick Missouri. QB Brad Smith has not exactly been the superstar he was hoped to be, but he may be enough to overcome the Nebraska defense. Experience does wonders, especially playing at home. Nebraska 20 - Missouri 24.

Oklahoma State at Iowa State - "Must Watch TV" as the battle of the cellar dwellers gets played out this weekend. Who's bottom member is weaker, the north or the south? Experience and the media say the north is weaker, but in this particular case, they are wrong. Oklahoma State hasn't even looked good winning. Iowa State has not only been tested more, but it is the better team on the whole. Oklahoma State 21 - Iowa State 34.

Texas A & M at Kansas State - Has there been a bigger disappointment than Texas A&M and Reggie McNeal? Preseason hype, heisman talk, and championships aside, Texas A&M is still a good team. Sadly, they just don't play like it. The losses at Clemson and Colorado are respectable losses, though. Kansas State has not beaten a quality team and has a 22-point loss to Oklahoma to its credit. This one shouldn't be close. Texas A&M 41 - Kansas State 13.

Texas Tech at Texas - This is the first true test of the year for Cody Hodges and the Red Raiders. If nothing else, they have proven they would go undefeated in Division-IAA. Only a gift from Nebraska keeps Texas Tech this high in the polls, and there is plenty of doubt in the football world as to their legitimacy. But honestly, that's the case every year with Texas Tech. The question before every big game is, "Can Mike Leach's offense beat the (fill-in-the-blank)'s defense?" Well I am certainly not going to buy into the hype or turn a blind eye to history. The answer is always "No." Make that a resounding "NO!" Texas Tech will score some points, but so will Texas. The only difference is that Texas will score more of them. Texas Tech 21 - Texas 34.

Kansas at Colorado - Kansas is currently at the bottom of the Big 12 North while Colorado is tied for first. Things can change, but they won't. Colorado has looked solid, with its two losses coming at #6 Miami and at #2 Texas. They didn't look particularly good in either game, but the blowout against Texas A&M shows that this team is more than enough for the lowly Jayhawks. Kansas has lost its last two after playing a close game against Texas Tech. Colorado, meanwhile, just got demolished by Texas 42-17. Kansas' slide continues as Colorado works out some frustration. Kansas 13 - Colorado 31.

Baylor at Oklahoma - Does anyone else find it funny that this may be the second best game in the Big 12 this weekend? Oklahoma has fallen off the face of the earth, and Adrian Peterson can only carry them so far. Baylor, meanwhile, has surprised many this year. They are 4-2 with close losses at Texas A&M and against Nebraska. With Peterson's ankle still ailing and QB Rhett Bomar still not finding his groove, Oklahoma could be in for a long day. Look for Baylor to gang up against the run (not that that's rocket-science against the Sooners), and force Bomar to make some plays. Baylor is playing great team football and would love the chance to kick Oklahoma while its down. Coaches have probably used as motivation the fact that they've been outscored 125-12 in their past three meetings. That stings...even if you are Baylor. Baylor 19 - Oklahoma 17.

This concludes the weekend analysis of the Big 12. Look for the Big Ten next.