Weekend Previews - Nov 15

This week is a bit of a downer after three weeks of top 10 teams playing one another. Let’s get to the previews:

Texas at Kansas – the Longhorns last visit to Lawrence was highlighted by two TDs in the last 4:11 by the Horns and Mangino claims of a conspiracy to get the Longhorns into the BCS. The Jayhawks are reeling from recent losses to OU, TT and NU, with the only salve being the victory against Kansas State. Texas is looking for “style points” a politically correct term to say, “hoping to mercilessly run up the score to woo voters” as the most difficult potion of their schedule is behind them and the Red Raiders and Sooners are playing more high profile games in the next two weeks. The Longhorns will be playing with their third string center, courtesy of injuries combined with Burk Burnett’s dismissal due to racial slurs on a facebook site. Kansas D isn’t even up to Big 12 standards. Prediction: Texas

Nebraska at Kansas State – these games were something to behold in the early days of the Big 12 North. Now, not so much. The first ten games in this series after the Big 12 started in 96 went 5-5, with Nebaska outscoring KSU 295-291. Nebraska outscored KSU 94-34 the last two years, and were so enamored with their coach they fired him. Kansas State hasn’t beaten a team with a winning record this year, and the Bugeaters are 6-4. Prediction: Nebraska

TAMU at Baylor – if Baylor beats TAMU, there’s one voter in the Big 12 that had it correct in the preseason, and the Bears would likely finish fifth in the South division. The Right Revered Robert had his worst game of the season last week against Texas. He’s likely to rebound against a Wrecking Crew defense that is only wrecking the alumni base. Against common foes (OU, OSU, ISU), Baylor has a scoring deficit of 61-93, while TAMU’s scoring deficit against those common foes is 105-157. Prediction: Baylor

Missouri at Iowa State – with a Tiger W and a Jayhawk loss to Texas, Missouri could clinch the Big 12 North prior to the Border War contest later this month. The Cyclones have lost their last eight. This one will be nine. Prediction: Mizzou

Boone State at Colorado – in one of the most misleading stats I’ve found so far, Colorado is 5-1 in home games this year, with the only loss being to Texas. Their last four victories at home have been by a combined margin of 15 points. Those Ws have been against juggernauts Eastern Washington, West Virginia, Kansas State and Iowa State. I’m sure the pundits at ESPN are calling this a trap game for OSU, as it lies between the Texas Tech loss last week and their Bedlam rivalry game the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Plus, they want you to tune in and watch. I still see the Pokes winning this one. Prediction: Boone State