FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I decided to focus on the Big 12 this week, since CFFA's main body (okay, the ten guys that I eat with) are very fond of certain teams in the Big 12.

Real quick, Navy was off, Air Force beat San Diego State, and as I predicted, Army got its first home win.

Texas Vs Oklahoma

All week long it was how bad Oklahoma was going to run up the score on Texas with all their superior talent, and set up for a national championship. Oklahoma this, Oklahoma that, everything is better in Oklahoma, Sam Bradford for president...

But, as they say...

That's why they play the game. Oklahoma came out great, its offense looking almost unstoppable. The problem was that it was almost too good, as although Oklahoma had the lead at half by a point, their defense had been on the field for 19 minutes.

The second half would be telling as Texas wore down the Oklahoma defense and managed to slow down the Oklahoma offense. Don't get me wrong, Sam Bradford had a heck of a day, but it just wasn't enough. Texas did get the better of a couple of questionable calls. In the end, Oklahoma probably lost because they had gotten away from the run. The loss of linebacker Ryan Reynolds didn't help either, as Texas essentially threw, ran and all out targeted the void in which he left. It was however, one of the best games that I have seen in awhile. These two teams were clearly the best two in the Big 12, as unfortunately only one will play in the "championship" game...

Ref Calls

The Red River Rivalry is one of the most intense in college sports. That said, I understand that the referees want to keep the players in line so that things do not deteriorate.  However, I have never seen so many quick calls. Colt McCoy gets a soft hand on his back, 15 yard personal foul. Oklahoma Punter Mike Knell gets a pinkie on his knee, flops, pretends to be hurt, 15 yard personal foul. At first I tried to defend the calls. After being derided as "the referee union chief," I finally admitted that these refs were going to call anything remotely close to roughing the passer, roughing/running into the kicker, late hit, or hit out of bounds.

So...Can Oklahoma still win the Big 12? BCS?

Oklahoma has a tough road ahead of them, at home versus #16 Kansas, Nebraska ,#7 Texas Tech and then on the road at Kansas State, Texas A&M, and #17 Oklahoma State. Yeah, pretty much the toughest slate except for...

Texas,

Who has a tough three game stretch of their own with an angry Missouri team, an Oklahoma State team who just beat Mizzou and then in Lubbock to face Texas Tech. It gets a bit easier sandwiching a road game at Kansas between Baylor and Texas A&M at home. Bottom line is that Texas will lose at least one game, probably two. If they do lose two, Oklahoma would need to win out to get into the Big 12 Championship. This would be tough, but not impossible as Texas relied on McCoy to run the ball way too much to stay injury free with their slate of games coming down the stretch. I say Texas losses two, Oklahoma losses one more with Texas getting in the Championship with the head to head victory.

But, what about Texas Tech

Lost in all the Red River madness was the fact that Texas Tech was lurking in the background, just waiting for one of the two front runners to get knocked off. Graham Harrell, Michael Crabtree and the rest of the Red Raider offense can score 50 points on just about anyone. The Red Raider defense can give up 50 points to almost anyone. Currently Tech, Texas and Oklahoma State are tied above the Big 12 South.

Okay, you didn't really think that I was seriously going to say that they could win the Big 12 South did you? They're not; I'll give them Texas A&M to go 7-0, before dropping at least two of the four in what might be the toughest stretch in college football: on the road versus Kansas, back home for Texas and Oklahoma State before going back on the road versus Oklahoma. I'll be nice and say that they will beat Baylor to finish up the year.

Oklahoma State

Who are these Cowboys? When no one was looking they managed to be tied with Texas and Tech for tops in the South. With a win next week in Stillwater, they will be 7-0 (3-0). Then you realize that they beat A&M and Baylor (next week), and their other wins were over Missouri State, Washington State, Troy, and Houston. Clever! Texas, Tech, and Oklahoma will be watching. Still, they might have a chance with the cannibalism in the South...these Cowboys are my sleeper.

Texas A&M,

Remember when this school used to have a good football team? I do, but I am closing in on 30, so the iPod generation needs to see some Aggie wins or they will not know that Texas-Texas A&M used to decide the Southwestern Conference, and not just an afterthought of the Red River Rivalry. Losing to Arkansas State to start the season was bad. The win over New Mexico was solid, escaping at home over Army was suspect. The Aggies will play Iowa State to see who the worst team in the Big 12 will be.

Baylor

They should have never gotten into the Big 12. Imagine if TCU was here...The Big 12 would unquestionably be the best conference in football. Don't be fooled by the three wins, they beat a FCSer and a hapless Washington State team. I will change my tune if Robert Griffin, who beat out Miami transfer Kirby Freeman can lead Baylor to a Big 12 Championship, or least a win over OK State or Texas Tech.

On to the North...

Missouri

A call sign by the name of Hulk Hogan had me sold on Missouri. I had my Heisman ballot all filled out and ready to mail in. Okay, I don't actually have one, but if I did, he was the man, but then he goes out and stinks up the joint. Losing to Oklahoma State, isn't nearly as bad as it looked on paper, despite how badly I bashed their weak schedule, with the Cowboys being ranked #17.  The reality is that Mizzou is still very much in control if its destiny having to only play Texas vice Texas, Oklahoma, and Tech for Kansas. Even if Mizzou loses to Texas next week, they finish out conference playing K-State, Colorado, Iowa State and Baylor to pull even, or even one conference loss behind Kansas before the season ending showdown. So Brooke, don't pull the ejection lever just yet, oh wait, I mean get ready for water entry in that Helo, your Tigers have an easy schedule to make up for a bad week or two.

Kansas

Todd Reesing might be the most underrated quarterback in the nation. He better be with a trip to Norman to play against a pissed Oklahoma team. If you are a Jayhawk fan hope that Mizzou loses to Texas and pray that your team can come up with a win at home over Tech to have a realistic chance of playing Mizzou in the season finale for a trip to the Big 12 Championship game.

Kansas State

Manhattan, KS, is a quaint little town. I have spent a lot of money at the local establishments. Tubbys comes to mind. Ron Prince has done a nice little job following Snyder. Thing is that Mark Mangino is about two hours down I-70 and he has elevated Kansas to state football superiority. This has to change if Kansas State wants to win in the Big 12. Let's forget about beating Oklahoma. Beat Kansas in Lawrence, and Mizzou in Columbia and hope for both to lose and K-State could steal the division. If not, Tubbys has nice drink specials.

Colorado

I grew up in the mile high city and remember what used to be a dominant program. Bill McCartney built a juggernaut that featured players like Darian Hagan, Kordell Stewart, Eric Bienemy, Alfred Williams and more. Okay, now they really aren't much of a serious contender anymore. Dan Hawkins, of Boise State fame, looks to turn thing around, as he has had some success. Maybe in a few years, but for now they need wins over Kansas State, and Nebraska to become Bowl Eligible. My prediction: 6-6

Nebraska

I remember when the Huskers cam to town as well. All the red was just annoying. Thing was, the Colorado-Nebraska game usually decided the Big 8 (yeah, dating myself) or Big 12 North title. Not so much as of late as the North Champ was either a way to further impress voters as the championship game has been very lopsided. Bo Pelini has Nebraska on its way back.

Iowa State

Seneca Wallace had the Cyclones playing some good ball a few years back. Unfortunately he plays in Seattle now as the Cyclones are settling in to the bottom of the North. Between Iowa and Iowa State, I cannot figure out why one of these schools can't come up with a consistently good program..A&M might be their best chance to get a third win.

Predictions..

Mizzou takes the North, Sam Bradford and Oklahoma survive the South. The Sooner nation beats Mizzou in the championship game.

The CEO