The Weekly Buzz

There are two really interesting match-ups this week, with two ranked teams from the North playing two ranked teams from the South. Until one of the underdog North teams can consistently take down a Texas or Oklahoma, they will continue to be teams that get looked over for bowl games and not gain the recognition they feel they deserve.

Texas Tech @ Texas A&M » The Red Raiders were a few key plays away from coming off a disappointing loss last week. It probably sobered them up to the possibility that anyone can win at anytime in this league. Texas A&M was able to get their highest point total of the year against an porous Kansas State defense last week. And they are the best pass defense in the league, but allowing 33 points a game negates that statistic. Tech should bounce back with 600 yards of production to defeat A&M 45-20.

Nebraska @ Iowa State » Don't look past anyone in this league. The Cyclones are dangerous this year. But they are susceptible to turnovers (which they get back many times) and their passing efficiency ranks as one of the lowest in the Big 12. We know what Nebraska is capable of when they focus, and I think their running game is going to be intense this week. The first half may be a little scary for fans, but the Huskers should pull out ahead 38-24.

Baylor @ Oklahoma State» The Cowboys are a seriously dangerous team averaging 508 yards/game. They've surpassed Missouri as the best scoring offense in the league as well. But they have to be careful. They're going against a Baylor team that is winning the turnover battle in the Big 12, a task that's not easy to do. The Bears look much better than in past years, enough so that they probably won't end up at the bottom of the Big 12. Even so, they are out classed this week and should fall 51-20.

Kansas @ Oklahoma » I would hate to play the Sooners this week. They were really amped up for the Texas game only to be let down pretty hard. This will be Reesing's first test against Oklahoma and it will be entertaining to see him perform. The weakness in this match up will be in the form of the Jayhawk's running game, where they need to take the pressure off the quarterback. Oklahoma is great at getting pressure with their front four, but so is Kansas. Boomer Sooner, 41-27.

Kansas State @ Colorado » This is the second hardest game to predict this week. Cody Hawkins will probably be playing for the Buffs, but his production to this point has been very average. Fans are calling for Dan Hawkins to bench his son now. In a quarterback driven Big 12, the Wildcat's Josh Freeman is the guy the pressure is really on. He almost has to win game by himself and this is the last game they have a real chance to win before this next three game stretch against Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri (and hopefully make it four game with Nebraska on the end of that). This is a team I think is on the downward slide, while Colorado seems to be swinging upwards. I still think the Buffs have a season more to go. Wildcats win 33-30.

Missouri @ Texas » This may be the game where Colt McCoy takes over the national spotlight as a front-runner for the Heisman. With the way the Longhorn's front four gets pressure, I wouldn't be surprised to see Chase Daniel throw a pair of picks this game. Missouri has all of the pressure on them right now because if they win this game, they probably clinch the North. If they lose this game, it opens the door for Kansas to have a shot. Texas and the Tigers both have prolific offenses, but the tough as nails defense of the Longhorns should win it in the end, 40-35.