Friday, August 31, 2012

The Thing You Never Knew You Needed But Now Can't Live Without - Week 1

Welcome to the first college football Saturday of the year!  Take it in.  Live it up.  All is right in the world again.  Here's your guide to all the Big 12 games this weekend plus a few handpicked goodies that I'll be watching.

Big 12 Schedule


See you next week, TCU.  

11:00 a.m. FX: West Virginia vs. Marshall
I'm not as crazy about West Virginia as the rest of the Big 12 bloggers, but this should be a fun introduction to the Mountaineers.  Plus, it's the first Big 12 game of the year.  Prediction: 42-21, West Virginia.

2:30 p.m. FSN: Iowa State vs. Tulsa
Tulsa is actually favored to win this one, but I think Iowa State will pull away in the 4th quarter.  A Paul Rhoads team is always fun to watch and the QB and linebacker play will be good for K-State fans to pay attention to.  Prediction: 28-21, Iowa State.

6:00 p.m. Jayhawk TV: KU vs. South Dakota State
This one is not actually on a channel that most people can see, which is frustrating.  KU is the biggest question mark of the league and I'm excited to see what Weis has put together.  Prediction: 17-7, KU.  UPDATE: Cox appears to be carrying the game on WIBW. Yay!

6:00 p.m. FCS: OSU vs. Savannah State
Have you heard how bad Savannah State is?  They are really, really, really bad.  Freshman Wes Lunt should have a great game, but unfortunately it won't prove anything.  Hopefully no one gets hurt in this cupcakiest of cupcakes.  Prediction: 52-7, OSU.

6:00 p.m. FSN-SW+: Texas Tech vs. Northwestern State
Texas Tech is pretty shaky in openers, so this one might be close into the 4th quarter.  I have no idea how many channels you have to get to get to FSN-SW+, but if you get it, check in on the 4th quarter and see how Seth Doege's doing.  Prediction: 35-30, Texas Tech.

6:10 p.m. K-State HD.TV: K-State vs. Missouri State

I've already previewed this game, but if you decide you want to watch it after all, it's just $9.95 and you get K-State HD content for a month.  Go ahead and treat yourself.  It's just one click awayPrediction: 35-7, K-State. 

7:00 p.m. Longhorn network: Texas vs. Wyoming
Other than KU, Texas is the team that I'm most curious about.  So naturally, the game is on the Longhorn network.  Will David Ash make it through the whole game healthy?  Will he throw an interception?  Will he get sacked?  Will he be able to move the ball?  How good are the running backs?  Will the much-heralded defense preserve a shut-out?  I'd take this game over the OU game any day.  Prediction: 24-10, Texas. 

9:30 p.m. FSN: Oklahoma vs. UTEP
I would love nothing more than to come home from the K-State game, eat a bunch of pancakes, and watch OU sweat their way through this game with UTEP.  I think OU is overrated this year (and most other years) and I'm interested to see how Mike Stoops handles the downgrade to assistant coach on his brother's team.  Landry Jones shouldn't really be tested against UTEP, but I'm curious to see if he's as good a quarterback without Ryan BroylesPrediction: 31-14, OU. 

Sunday, 5:30 p.m. FSN: Baylor vs. SMU
This one should be pretty exciting, and not just because it's college football on Sunday.  Baylor has to replace RGIII, Terrance Ganaway, and Kendall Wright from last year's 10 win squad.  SMU... is also pretty good?  During all the realignment brouhaha last year, they openly petitioned for Big 12 membership and were very quickly dismissed.  This one could get chippy.  Prediction: 30-27, Baylor.

Best of the Rest


 Al Golden and his merry band of speedsters come to town next weekend.  Watch them closely, Cat fans.  The cheap orange tie has powers we can't yet understand.

2:30 p.m. ABC or ESPN2: Nebraska vs. Southern Miss
Southern Miss lost their super coach Larry Fedora to North Carolina, so don't expect the Golden Eagles to give Nebraska too much trouble.  This will be a good one to check in on instead of watching the TERRIBLE commercials on FSN.  FSN commercials are the living worst.  Prediction: 35-17, Nebraska.

2:30 p.m. ABC or ESPN2: Miami vs. Boston College
This is probably a better 2:30 commercial option for K-State fans.  Al Golden begins his second year as head coach of the Hurricanes, with junior quarterback Stephen Morris leading a group of 15 freshmen.  It's the old battle of recruiting vs. coaching and it holds significant implications for the Cats.  I'll probably switch off quarters between this one and the Iowa State game.  Keep an eye on Miami - they're not your average non-conference foe.  Prediction: 30-20, Miami.

6:00 p.m. ESPN: Clemson vs. Auburn
Auburn and Clemson really hate each other, for some reason I can't remember.  Maybe it has something to do with trees?  Or is that Auburn and Alabama?  Either way, Clemson is without Sammy Watkins and Auburn still has Gene Chizik to deal with.  Lots of offense, questionable coaching, general good times.  Oh, and Brent Venables is now the defensive coordinator for Clemson, so that's something.  Probably be a good one to check in on during halftime of the K-State game or in the 4th quarter if the score is close.  Prediction: 28-24, Auburn. 

7:00 p.m. ABC: Michigan vs. Alabama
Michigan just suspended their top running back and defensive end.  If Alabama only has Denard Robinson to worry about, it's over before it even begins.  It's really a shame to see Bama face off against one of the more dynamic (read: crazy) offenses in college football.  Saban's just going to shut them down and then get field goals all night.  Sigh.  Prediction: 17-7, Alabama.

3 comments:

betsyann said...

You are so at your best during football season. A joy to read.

Kristin @ Baker Bettie said...

Hey Susan! I didn't know you were a blogger! Great post. I am so excited for football to get started. Mostly because it gives me lots of reasons to cook game day kinds of food. I'm definitely not as informed as you about football, but I do love to watch!

~Kristin (Smith) Hoffman

Susan said...

Bets- Thanks! Lots more to come this season. :)

Kristin - Yes! This is my first season without grad school and wedding planning since 2007, so I'm finally getting back to blogging.