College Football Rankings Week 2: Ranking the Big 12 Teams
Well, we know a lot more about the teams form the Big 12 after week two. Kansas dispelled their FCS demons and upset #15 Georgia Tech. Oklahoma destroyed the Seminoles of Florida State by 30, in what many pegged as an upset for the Sooners, including me. Other teams, were not as impressive. Colorado played future conference foe California, and got killed 52-7, and Oklahoma State needed a late fumble to survive a scare against Troy. So, where do the Big 12 teams rank after week two?
BTW: If you do not know the story about Tyrone Fahie, the Nebraska player in the photo, look it up it is a pretty good story.
12. Colorado
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Getting blown out 52-7 will get you at the bottom of the list, which is where Colorado finds themselves. Tyler Hansen threw three picks, in just a terrible day for the Buffaloes. The Colorado offense played against a much better offense than they did against Colorado State. The offense stalled, and punted giving California good field position and they scored, often. Penalties continue to be an issue for the Buffaloes as they gave up 75 yards on 9 penalties. If Dan Hawkins wants to have a wining season, they are going to need to improve the offense and limit the penalties. The defense cannot stop the opposing offense every time if they start with good field position, but the defense needs to improve overall as well. Giving up 52 points is embarrassing to any defense and the Buffaloes should take this loss to heart and improve their effort.
Week 3: Hawaii
Prediction: Loss, unless the altitude really messes with the warriors, Hawaii's passing attack will be too much for the Buffaloes.
11. Iowa State
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Iowa State's loss to the Hawkeyes drops them a spot in the rankings. The Hawkeyes controlled the game and it was over by halftime. Arnaud threw three picks that helped lead to the Cyclones defeat. The game would have been a shutout had it not been for the touchdown in garbage time by the Cyclones. I said it last week that Iowa State needed to limit their turnovers. Two of those picks were deep in the Hawkeyes territory and could have got Iowa State back in it. Iowa State needs to get there running back if they want to win games, they cannot rely on Arnaud's arm to get them through games as we saw against Iowa, 20/44 for 197 yards and one TD three INTs. Iowa took away the running dimension of the game and was able to control Iowa State because of it. The defense also needs to step it up and force some turnovers and stop teams from running over them.
Week 3: Kansas State @ Arrowhead
Prediction: Loss, unless the defense can force some mistakes from K-State's terrible QB and somehow contain Thomas, I do not see them winning this one
10. Kansas
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Wow. One week after losing to an North Dakota State, Turner Gill and the Jayhawks pulled off the second biggest upset off the weekend (JMU over #13VT is #1). Kansas made the right plays to pull off the upset, and Gill made the right choice in making Jordan Webb the starter. Webb threw for 179 yards and 3 TD's with one pick. The defense held firm on Georgia Tech's final drive to seal the deal at 28-25. Freshman RB James Sims looked great rushing for 101 yards and a TD. While the offense improved, the defense needs to improve, they cannot give up 400+ yards every game and still expect them to win. They could be ranked higher for upsetting a ranked team, but they still lost to an FCS school last week. We'll get a better idea of how Kansas is going to be the rest of the year, after they have their first road test against Southern Mississippi.
Week 3: @ Southern Mississippi
Prediction: Win, I think that Gill has instilled belief and teamwork into this team and they will be a lot better because of it, defense has to improve though if they want to win.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
9. Baylor
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Robert Griffin continues to be impressive, he threw for 297 yards for two TD's and an INT, as the Bears blew out the Bulls. The defense allowed 325 yards, but only six points. Finley and Salubi got some work in at running back, and they both did an all right job rushing for 76 and 41 respectively. The Bears have looked spectacular against bad teams, but unfortunately next week they head to #4 Texas Christian. This will be a true test to see how much the Bears have improved under Art Briles. The defense needs to improve if they want any chance at this game. If they can pull off the upset I have no doubt they will finally get to a bowl game.
Week 3: @ TCU
Prediction: Loss, I just do not see the Bears pulling off the upset against the Horned Frogs.
8. Oklahoma State
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I am dropping Oklahoma State in the rankings, because they almost blew it big time. They blew out the worst team in a BCS conference last week in Washington State, but almost lost to Troy this week. Brandon Weeden threw for 348 yards with two TD's and 2 INT's. If it wasn't for Troy fumbling four times, including three deep into Oklahoma State's territory, this game could have been a whole lot different. The Cowboys had a total of 522 yards, but also 12 penalties for 139 yards. The Cowboys got very lucky that Troy's QB fumbled on their last drive. The secondary is a cause for concern, as the Cowboys got torched threw the air, which is a problem considering they play pass happy Tulsa next week. Kendell Hunter did look good today, rushing for 157 yards and two TD's. I did say last week, that Tulsa would score more than Washington State, but I was not expecting it to be this close.
Week 3: Tulsa
Prediction: Loss, Oklahoma State's young defense and weak secondary are torn apart by Tulsa.
7. Missouri
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Not much to talk about here. The tigers blew out the Cowboys 50-6. Blaine Gabbert threw for 220 yards and a TD and the running backs got 189 yards on the ground. The defense played well, picking off three passes and recovering two fumbles. They played an FCS school, so yeah, it is kindof hard to judge them. The Tigers overall played well, they need to improve on ball control, gave up two fumbles, and less penalties, 8-85. Should the Tigers have moved up? Possibly, but they did not really do anything to make me feel like they should move up. Sure it was a blowout, but its McNesse State.
Week 3: San Diego State
Prediction: Win, Missouri's cupcake walk continues with MWC opponent SDSU, which they should win
6. Texas Tech
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Texas Tech killed New Mexico, which really should not surprise you. Tech rolled up 52 points on 462 yards of offense, 310 threw the air and 152 on the ground. Potts continues to prove he should be the starter. I am surprised how much Texas Tech has spread out their running game instead of just using Baron Batch. While they have blown the Lobos, they gave up 442 yards, with 336 coming through the air. Not good for Tommy Tuberville's D. The defense picked off two passes, but they should not have given up that much yardage. They can not be giving up that much yardage to teams like Oklahoma and Texas if they want to compete in the Big 12 South race. Next week, the Red Raiders play host to the #5 Longhorns, the last time they hosted Texas ended up in a huge upset. While lightning strike twice in Lubbock?
Week 3: Texas
Prediction: Win, My upset of the week, the Longhorns have not given up over 300 yards yet this season, but they have not faced an offense like Texas Tech. With Texas having a young QB, and tend to start slow against teams, something that you do not want to do against Texas Tech. I like the Red Raiders chances.
5. Kansas State
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Kansas State is going to drop a spot in the rankings, due to the fact that they gave up 24 points to an FCS school. Carson Coffman finally had a good night throwing the ball, and Daniel Thomas was as good as ever. The defense, however, allowed 447 yards, sad. While the Wildcats piled up the offense on the Missouri State Bears, it remains to be seen how they do against a good defense, yes UCLA's defense is bad. We have yet to seen what Carson Coffman can do against a good defense either. The Wildcats get two more games before facing Nebraska and the blackshirts defense, which will be their first offensive test against a talented defense. But first, they have to get past the Cyclones in the Big 12 opener.
Week 3: Iowa State @ Arrowhead
Prediction: Win: Kansas State will still be good on offense, and the defense will be good enough to win against the Cyclones.
4. Texas A&M
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Jerrod Johnson had 399 total yards in the Aggies rout of the Bulldogs, 349 through the air, with 4 passing TD's. Christine Michael also added 107 yards on the ground. The Aggies started off slow, but they stepped up and crushed Louisiana Tech. The defense improved from last week only allowing a total of 269 yards, 208 passing and 61 rushing. The Aggies biggest area of concern is that they had four fumbles, they need to work on that, as well as penalties 8-76. If they fix those two areas, they could very well be the Big 12 champion. Not much else to say, they did well this game and have minor errors to fix. They play one more cupcake in FIU, before traveling to Stillwater to open Big 12 season against Oklahoma State.
Week 3: Florida International
Prediction: Win, Aggies are not going to lose this one
3. Texas
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I was right, Texas's defense improved since last week allowing only a touchdown to the Wyoming Cowboys, however they gave up more yards to the Cowboys than the Owls and they caused no turnovers. Garrett Gilbert looked good throwing for 222 yards and a TD. However, it is the running backs that need to improve. While the Longhorns ran for 167 yards, no back established themselves as a breakaway threat. Newton, who was impressive against the Owls, disappeared against the Cowboys, only getting 23 yards. Johnson has been an average running back, averaging 55 yards in each game. Whittaker had a very impressive run against Wyoming, breaking several tackles on his way to the endzone. One of these backs needs to prove they are a breakaway threat for the new Longhorns running game to be effective, and that just in short yardage situations. The defense must cause more turnovers next week against Texas Tech if they want to win.
Week 3: @ Texas Tech
Prediction: Loss: Texas has issues getting out of the gate, which is not something you can do against the Red Raiders. While Texas has only averaged 1.5 points in the first quarter, Texas Tech has managed 14. I think lightning strikes twice in Lubbock.
2. Nebraska
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The Huskers celebrated their 500th home win against Idaho, wining 38-17. Taylor "T-Magic" Martinez continues to lead the offense on his legs as the Cornhuskers racked up 360 on the ground and 111 through the air. The offense's biggest problem was the fact that they fumbled eight times and lost three, as well as throwing a pick. They need to cut down on these turnovers. The defense was called an embarrassment last week, but this week they stepped it up. Harassing Idaho's QB with seven sacks and five INT's, two returned all the way to the house. While the score makes it closer than it is, both of Idaho's TD's were on either the second or third string, nothing the Huskers should worry about. Next week they head to Seattle for their marquee non-conference game this year versus Washington.
Week 3: Washington
Prediction: Win, Jake Locker has not played a defense like the Huskers and will throw some costly picks and Washington's defense is not exactly the greatest, so I doubt they will keep the Huskers from scoring, there is a possibility of a loss if the secondary is not able to halt the Huskies passing game, or the young linebacking core has issues, or if Martinez makes rookie mistakes on his first road trip at a stadium known for it's noise.
1. Oklahoma
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I 'll admit, I was wrong. Oklahoma fixed their defensive problems, and Landry Jones had a career day, throwing for 380 yards and 4TD's, with no INT's. DeMarco Murray only had 51 yards and 2 TD's, I really thought he would crack 100 yards. Ryan Broyles caught 124 yards and a TD, as he continues to impress. While the Sooners were definitely the most impressive team last week, did they actually play a good team in Florida State? Florida State went 7-6 last year, but three of those games were won in the final minutes, without those wins, Florida State would have gone 3-9, with no bowl win over West Virginia; and is Mark Stoops really a good defensive coordinator? He did almost nothing to help his brother out at Arizona, and the last high profile game we saw him coach in was against Nebraska, a 33-0 shutout. While Oklahoma should feel good about his win, and they deserve to, I think that this win proved that Florida State was overrated, along with the rest of the ACC. Oklahoma needs to switch gears now that they play the top running game in the country when they host Air Force. That is the one type of team they have not played yet. We should be able to judge how Oklahoma will do this season based on how they play against the Falcons.
Week 3: Air Force
Prediction: Win: Oklahoma should definitely win this, but it might be closer than people think if the Falcons are able run consistently against the Sooners D, which has yet to have been challenge in the run game
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
