CFN Big 12 Week 2 Game Picks

Big 12 WEEK 2 Picks

Oklahoma vs Florida State
The game of the week in the Big 12 brings the Seminoles into Normal for a rematch of the 2000 BCS National Championship. Oklahoma showed they have work to do in the secondary last week. If they haven’t shored up the mistakes from the Utah State, OU will struggle with FSU’s Christian Ponder and a tough, experienced offensive line. OU hasn’t lost in Norman in 31 games. The Seminoles change this in a shoot-out, 35-31.

Nebraska vs Idaho
Taylor Martinez will start his second game for Nebraska. Idaho can score in bunches, but this is still expected to be one of the top defenses in the country. The secondary should have a good test against the Vandals, who passed for over 300 yards a game in 2009. Still, the Cornhuskers come away with a resounding win, 42-7.

Colorado at California
Colorado gets a preview of life in the Pac-10. They won’t like it anymore than life in the Big 12. Last week was a fluke against an embarrassing Colorado State team. We’ll find out that CU will be no better off in the Pac-10 than they are in the Big 12. California wins easily, 35-10.

Iowa State at Iowa
Iowa State was impressive in handling a very good Northern Illinois team last week. This week marks the first of numerous tests for the Cyclones. Paul Rhoads remains one of the most underrated coaches in the Big 12, and will have his team in the game against a Big 10 contender in Iowa. Rivalry games are weird (see Texas and Texas A&M from 2009), and anything can happen. If Iowa sticks to a Big 10 gameplan (run the ball and put me to sleep), then ISU has a chance if they can keep in close. Iowa pulls out the victory, but it will be closer than people think, 27-17.
Missouri State at Kansas State
FCS opponents vs Kansas State – seems about right. The Wildcats live on these opponents, and it cost them a bowl appearance last year. KSU wins easily – no analysis is warranted when you play teams from the FCS: 38-10.

Georgia Tech at Kansas
Turner Gil has been speaking about the positives following last week’s 6-3 loss. Instead of welcoming an easy win into Lawrence, his Jayhawks will face the triple wishbone offense of Georgia Tech, the ACC Champion of 2009. The Yellow Jackets should run all over a weak Jayhawks defense. Assuming Kansas’s offense hasn’t improved in 7 days, this could get ugly quickly. KU’s only hope is Georgia Tech fails to wake up for an early morning start…don’t bet on it. Georgia Tech hands Gil his 2nd loss in as many games, 28-3.

McNeese State at Missouri
Mizzou playing an FCS team? Fine. They’ll win – 52-10.

Buffalo at Baylor
Baylor needs this win to establish some winning credentials as they shoot for a bowl game in 2010. Unlike last year, they don’t need Robert Griffin III to go down with injury early in the season. Because of this, Briles will pull RG3 early, and Buffalo will make the score appear closer than it really is. Baylor wins, 31-20.

Troy at Oklahoma State
Kendall Hunter wowed folks last week with 257 yards rushing in the new OSU spread. It seems Mike Gundy’s play calling replacement knew what strings to pull. OSU will continue to impress on their way to a September 25 showdown with Texas A&M. Hunter couldn’t be stopped by WSU, he won’t be slowed up by Troy. KH runs for over 150 yards, and Okie State wins easily, 42-14.

Wyoming at Texas
They’ll need to establish a consistent running game and find out what Garrett Gilbert can do passing the ball before heading to Texas Tech next week, so don’t expect Texas to go easy on Wyoming, even after learning of the death of one of the Cowboys’ players this week. A subpar performance versus Rice had UT coaches making some running back changes and questioning the fire of their players – those questions will be answered Saturday. GG tosses over for over 225 yards and 2 TD’s, while the running game breaks out with Tre Newton topping 100 yards this week. The defense will be stout, and may well pitch a shutout. Texas wins before Lubbock, 55-10.

La Tech at Texas A&M
The Aggies welcome the 2nd weak opponent of the season, but at least LaTech is an FBS school. Jerrod Johnson and Christian Michael appeared to pick up where they left off in 2009 last week against SFA, piling up 49 points. It will be impossible to gauge the strides made on the defensive side of the ball until that OSU game, but beating up on weaker opponents is a good way to build confidence in a unit that sorely needed it after the 2009 defensive debacle. Aggies win 42-9.

Texas Tech at New Mexico
TTU almost blew it against SMU. Don’t expect the same thing against a New Mexico team that gave up 59 points last week. In the first half. Taylor Potts may throw for 300 yards before halftime, giving us a chance to see backup Sticks Sheffield this week. Tech will build confidence as they prepare to welcome Texas next week. TTU 66-10.