All eyes turn north this weekend for what could be the final regular season game ever between Nebraska and Texas. Husker fans have had this game circled on the schedule since last December's late-game defeat against Texas in the Big 12 Conference Championship. Texas fans are focused on this game because of the parting shots NU took at their conference brethren--notably the Longhorns--when fleeing the Big 12 this summer for the Big Ten.
Here we go...
Nebraska over Texas. Home field advantage will win out but, take note Husker fans--this will be a hollow victory given that you'll journey to Dallas in December and lose to Oklahoma in the conference championship.
Missouri over Texas A&M. The story lines here are many: Can A&M eliminate the costly turnovers, particularly from QB Jarrod Johnson? Is Blaine Gabbert truly healthy enough to start? How does MU handle its first true road game, in one of the loudest stadiums in the conference? And, what happens to MU's season if they don't win this one given a slate of Oklahoma, at Nebraska, and at Texas Tech coming up in the next month? My prediction is predicated on MU's ability to force turnovers and thus keep the field short for Gabbert and mates. It should be a close one--MU by three.
Colorado over Baylor. These are two teams coming off losses and questions on each side of the ball--CU on offense and Baylor on defense. Baylor is improved but have yet to show an ability to win on the road in the Big 12. Another close one--and another win for the Big 12 North.
Oklahoma over Iowa State. Will OU be looking ahead to next week's game at MU? I doubt it. Iowa State gave up 68 points, at home, to Utah in its last outing. Tomorrow will be another offensive explosion for the visiting team.
Oklahoma State over Texas Tech. The Big 12's two top-rated quarterbacks square off in this one--Taylor Potts for Tech and Brandon Weeden for OSU. Balls will be in the air all night, meaning this could be a long, long game. Tech will win by a TD.
South Carolina over Kentucky. Yes, the game's at Kentucky. And, yes, South Carolina is bound to be down a bit after last week's upset of Alabama. But, this Gamecock team is too good and the ol' ball coach will have his kids ready. The Gamecocks should continue rolling.
Wisconsin over Ohio State. Alabama went down last week. This week it's Ohio State's turn. I remain skeptical of OSU's credentials and think the Badgers pull off my upset special for this Saturday.
Arkansas over Auburn. This could be the game of the day tomorrow--#7 Auburn versus #12 Arkansas in Fayetteville. If Auburn wins this one, then they must deal with visiting LSU next weekend. They won't win both games, thus my prediction that the Hogs will win a very close contest tomorrow.
Iowa over Michigan. Is the "Denard Robinson for Heisman" bandwagon losing steam? The Wolverines lost last week and will be hard-pressed to rebound against the Hawkeyes' defense. This will likely be a low-scoring affair.
Oregon State over Washington. Let's give it up for Mike Riley, a coach who flies under the radar but consistently has the Beavers ranked and in the hunt for the Pac-10 championship. And, he does it by recruiting kids to the small town of Corvallis. Oregon State will confine Jake Locker and win another close one in Seattle.
Season record thus far: 50-15 (77%)
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