In Other Big 12 Action
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September 4, 2006 by
While most Husker fans had their eyes on Lincoln Saturday, there was a lot happening elsewhere in the conference during the first football weekend of season. What did we learn from watching other games and results? Well, it was a rough weekend for some other Big 12 North teams, OU broke in a new QB, Baylor showed signs of life, and the returning national champs probably won't go quietly.
New North Coaches Stumble Out of the Gate
Yes, Nebraska rolled over Louisiana Tech, Kansas clobbered Northwestern State, and Missouri cruised past the Murray State Racers (Chase Daniel played very well, by the way). But, there were some not-so-pretty games for the other schools in the North. Iowa State needed triple overtime to get by Toledo. To be fair, Toledo is a good ball club, who won a bowl game last year. Still, ISU's defense looked lousy in the win. The real shame for the division came in games against 1-AA opponents.
NU's "annoying little cousin" - Kansas State - was flat out-played by division 1-AA Illinois State, but still managed to squeak out a win - 24-23. The Mildcats were out-gained and beaten in nearly every statistical category by the fearsome Redbirds, except the scoreboard. KSU got two special teams touchdowns, and Illinois State failed to connect on a two-point conversion to end the game. Perhaps ironically, this game marked the changing of the guard for KSU as Bill Snyder was on hand to watch the debut of "the coach formerly known as Prince"...and have the stadium named after him. Only losing to a 1-AA opponent would have been more embarrassing. And, if they want to know what THAT feels like, they could just ask Colorado.
In the debut of "Hawk Love", new coach Dan Hawkins' Colorado Buffaloes lost to 1-AA Montana State, 19-10. CU looked like crap on toast in a game where they managed just 10 points and quarterback James Cox was 8-22 passing for only 110 yards. Without some impressive goal-line stands by the Buffs that forced Montana State's four field goals, the score would have been much worse, too. I liked what Hawkins accomplished in Boise. But, this has to really hurt for a team still bruised by the 70-3 washout against Texas last year, and who still has to face Colorado State, Arizona State, and Georgia out of conference. Good luck with that, fellas.
OU Gets A Scare, UT Looks Loaded
While it is easy for the 1-AA losses to make the North out to be the leauge punching bag, the South isn't exactly perfect either. OU hardly looked unbeatable in winning their home-opener against UAB, 24-17. Before Adrian Peterson took a swing pass to the house against the Blazers, the Sooners trailed UAB by a field goal in the third quarter. Individually, Peterson and Sooner linebacker Rufus Alexander look like the two most talented players in the conference, no kidding. But, Paul Thompson looked to be the liability folks thought he might be, throwing two interceptions. But, there were signs of life, too. Thompson looked comfortable in stretches of the game, and threw some very nice balls for two touchdowns. This "gut it out" performance could be typical of the Sooners this year, as they ride Peterson and a defense to 9-10 wins. By the way, Brady Quinn's performance against Georgia Tech left the barn door wide open for the Big 12's best candidate - Peterson - to make an early charge for the Heisman trophy.
The University located in the Republic of Texas began life after Vince on Saturday. And you know what? They're gonna be okay. Thank God, I know we were all worried about them. Colt McCoy got a touchdown on his second college completion, and UT rolled over North Texas, 56-7. McCoy ended up with 178 yards and a couple of touchdowns throwing, and added one rushing on a QB sneak. And, if McCoy is the only issue for the Longhorns, I think they are primed for another real run at the conference and national title, because they looked absolutely loaded everywhere else. Running back, wide receiver, offensive line, the whole defense – you name it. It's alarming. Sure, it was North Texas. And they'll be tested in other weeks. The clash with Ohio State looms large, and I'm looking forward to the game in Lincoln. But, any idiot expecting a big drop off in Austin had better think twice.
In the rest of the South, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M all rolled past inferior opponents looking to cash big checks. And in a game I was curious about, Baylor hung around with preseason #22 TCU on Sunday, 17-7. Can this be the year that Guy Morris gets the Bears to take a step forward to a winning season? Maybe. The Bears premiered their new throw-first offense, and got 286 passing yards from quarterback Shawn Bell. But, they still just managed 7 points.
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Steve Sep 04 06
It's noteworthy how teams that gave Nebraska the most trouble (even if they weren't at the top of the rankings last year) came out faster than teams the Huskers beat.
Namely, Missouri and Kansas looked very solid and CU, KSU, and ISU all looked soft. The Tigers and Jayhawks outscored the Huskers last year by a greater margin than the Sooners, and now they have an easier time in their openers. I'm glad those teams are coming to Lincoln. They may not be the creampuffs everyone thought they were.
Kelly Sep 05 06
I guess I would be the idiot who thought there would be a big drop off in Austin - I wish I had been right, they looked tough! Maybe a little sloppy though.
USC also looked like world-beaters. I hope we can get some pressure on JD Booty because we are going to have a hard time matching up with all those big receivers.