It could go either way, but I'd take the Aggies over the streaky Gamecocks.
No. 5: Oklahoma State VS Kentucky
On the heels of a tough decision, this game comes as a relief. They are teams headed in opposite directions this year. While OK State seems to have figured out the spread offense, returning QB Zac Robinson and his gaudy numbers on offense, the Wildcats are still reeling from last year's 3-5 finish.
The Cowboys replace 13 starters, just like the Wildcats, but momentum and leaders are on the Cowboys' side. Robinson gives the offense an identity, and Jeremy Broadway, Dez Bryant, and Brandon Pettigrew give him talented targets.
On the other hand, the 'Cats lose the amazing Andre Woodson at QB and might struggle to regain their touch on offense after losing a lot of skill players. The same squad that put up decent numbers in the SEC last year might struggle this time around.
Both defenses should be decent. Kentucky returns good experience and talent, while OK State will attempt to use an influx of juco talent in D-coordinator Tim Beckman's second year on the job.
Simply put, OK State is the better team this year, and the rankings reflect that. They stand at 41, while Kentucky lumbers in at 63. The specfics might change in other polls, but show me a poll where the Cowboys are behind Kentucky.
No. 6: Baylor VS Vandy
Who really cares about this game? Both teams are outside or around the top 80 in the country, and both perennially get beaten up on.
Well, Baylor brings in successful former Houston coach Art Briles to spice up the offense with his explosive gameplan, and Vandy takes some momentum into this season after beating South Carolina on the road and Ole Miss at home. Both fan bases will have hope coming into this season.
I give this game to Baylor simply based on potential. Briles should give the team a new look, and they return 13 starters on both sides of the ball, while Vandy only returns nine starters.
Neither will be good, but Baylor will be better.
So there you have it. I have the Big 12 South going 4-1-1 against the SEC East.
But here's the thing—I obviously have a Big 12 bias, and I am hardly Kirk Herbstreit. I'd love to hear what die-hard SEC fans have to say about this, and I hope I will.
I'd also like to add that I don't think that the Big 12 is better then the SEC. I think that overall, the SEC is the best conference in the nation, followed closely by the Big 12, then the Pac-10. But I do believe my statement that the Big 12 South is the hardest division to play in.
I'm Peter Fleischer. Thanks a lot for reading.
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