It's hard to believe that we are already half-way through the college football season. Now that I think about it, it's more depressing than anything. So much has taken place that my thoughts right now are almost the complete opposite of what they were 2-3 weeks ago. I’ll try my best to express my thoughts on this season without it seeming like I am just living in the moment, but it won't be easy.
Let's begin with who I believe is the biggest surprise in the Big XII this season, the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Before hosting the Sooners, they ranked at the top in most defensive categories which would have to be a first for a program that is primarily known for having a high scoring offense. It wasn't their performance against OU that convinced me, it was how they took Geno Smith, who at that point looked like he was on a mission to win the Heisman with no questions asked, and just made him look like your average Joe holding the Mountaineers to just 14 points! Granted, the defense didn't look as sharp against TCU but it is undeniable that this Texas Tech team is light years ahead of where they were last year. My heart has me pulling for Tech to win out and force a 3-way tie if necessary. My head says they will lose 1 or 2 more games though.
Now, let's move onto the two top ranked Big XII teams in the BCS with the Oklahoma Sooners and Kansas State Wildcats. I'll start by addressing the Sooners and how they have looked since my last entry when they lost to Kansas State. Oklahoma right now looks nothing like the team that struggled at UTEP and lost to Kansas State. This team looks confident, poised, and on a mission to fight their way not just to a Big XII title, but back into the National Title picture. This starts with Landry Jones who over the past 3 weeks has looked nothing like he has since Broyles left. Landry Jones is finally stepping up and stepping up early in games making the right throws and hitting his receivers in stride. Since his embarrassing performance against Kansas State, Landry Jones has 7 TDs to only 1 INT. This improvement is undeniable and does give me hope for the rest of this season, but I am still not ready to buy in 100% just yet. He's had too many "Why would you do that?!" games for me to simply forget them all after 3 solid performances. Oklahoma's offensive line play has also stepped up and in a huge way. In the last three games they have only allowed 2 sacks after allowing 6 in the first 3 games! Talk about improvement! I see the Sooners finishing 11-1 or 10-2 this season.
Now all of this improvement will be for nothing for National Title implications if Kansas State doesn't lose two games. With one loss, Kansas State owns the tiebreaker between them and Oklahoma and in this scenario I just don't see anyway Oklahoma can play for a national title without winning their conference despite what happened last year with Alabama. Kansas State is beatable as I saw it with my own eyes when Oklahoma lost to them at home several weeks ago. Oklahoma played their worst football of the season against them but Kansas State managed to only pull out a 5 point victory. I have a hard time believing they will go undefeated despite all of the hype around them after dismantling a West Virginia team that was exposed a week ago in Lubbock. I'm not entirely sure which teams will step up and beat them but in a year where the Big XII looks as competitive as ever with the exception of a worthless Kansas squad, I wouldn't be surprised if they were upset a couple of times. I see K-State finishing 10-2.
Now for a quick summary of each of the other Big XII teams:
Baylor: High powered offense with no defense. They have almost taken on the role of Texas Tech of old. I expect them to go 6-6.
West Virginia: After Texas Tech was able to slow down their offense in Lubbock, Kansas State had no problem mimicking that same style and holding West Virginia to 14 points again. I'll admit to hopping on the West Virginia and Geno Smith bandwagon early, but I see this West Virginia squad losing 4 games.
Iowa State: This is the most competitive I have seen Iowa State since I have been a college football fan. Surprisingly, the player I thought would allow them to take off, Jared Barnett, is holding them back. With all of the pieces there, they are one quarterback away from being a legitimate team. I do expect them to battle for bowl eligibility but end up 5-7. 6-6 if they're lucky.
Kansas: Lol.
Texas: David Ash showed so much promise to start the season, but after a disaster in Dallas, I believe he only looked so good because he was playing against defenses that seem no better than scout team defenses. I can see them dropping 2-3 more games against Tech, Kansas State, and possibly TCU.
TCU: I still am not sure how to evaluate TCU. They got embarrassed at home to Iowa State but just last week were able to hang with a very improved Texas Tech squad. Their remaining schedule has Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Kansas State, Texas, and Oklahoma respectively. I really have no idea how they'll finish but I'm going to predict they end the season 7-5.
Oklahoma State: It was announced Sunday evening that J.W. Walsh, a freshman QB who has been nothing but impressive since taking over for starting QB Wes Lunt, will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury. With Gundy not announcing a starter for the next game between Wes Lunt and Clint Chelf, I just don't feel confident that the Cowboys season is going to end well. Especially, since there are question marks all over the place for their defense. OSU's schedule doesn't get easier until Baylor. This could be a season Gundy wants to forget. I predict a 6-6 season. Best case scenario, 8-4.
