College Football 2011: Predicting the Outcome of Every Big 12 Heavyweight Bout

The Big 12's big boys shouldn't disappoint this fall.

Most expect big things out of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. Each has been ranked in the top 10 of most early top 25 rankings, they have incredible returning quarterbacks and all three teams split the Big 12 South title last year.

I think Missouri will be right in the thick of the conference title race as well, and I have a feeling Texas will improve from last season's debacle. I'm not ready to include Texas Tech and Baylor in there just yet, so forgive me Red Raider fans (and the city of Waco), but your teams are on the sidelines for this.

It's time to stir the pot and make some predictions.

The focus will be on the first five teams, so let's go at it.

Sept. 24: Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts after throwing a pass interception against the LSU Tigers during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald M

Kyle Field should be amped for this Big 12 opener.

The Aggies start out with SMU, then have an open date before facing Idaho. Then come the Cowboys, who will probably still be adjusting to new offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

This is the first of a tough three-game stretch for the Aggies, who then face Arkansas at Cowboys Stadium, followed by a road trip to Lubbock. Both offenses can hum when they're operating at their best, but I'm going to give a slight edge to Cyrus Gray and Ryan Tannehill here.

Last year, Oklahoma State escaped with a 38-35 victory on a 40-yard field goal by Dan Bailey as time expired. Tannehill didn't even play in the game, and Gray had only five carries. 

Prediction: Texas A&M, 49-42

Sept. 24: Oklahoma vs. Missouri

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws the ball against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Peters

The Sooners' Big 12 opener comes a week after their trip to Tallahassee to face Florida State.

I think that game will be pivotal here, because obviously a win will give them plenty of confidence and momentum. If Oklahoma gets upset, or wins the game ugly, the pressure mounts because they'll have just a week to fix mistakes.

I'll go with the Sooners here though, simply because this is in Norman (where they are 66-2 under Bob Stoops), and they will have a more experienced quarterback.

Regardless of what they may say, there will be some payback woven in after last year's 36-27 loss in Columbia.

Prediction: Oklahoma, 42-21

Oct. 8: Oklahoma vs. Texas

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Ryan Broyles #85 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs after a catch against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Pet

Any Oklahoma or Texas fan who predicts this as a blowout needs medical attention.

There have been some lopsided games, but usually the Red River Rivalry is close, highly-competitive and is decided really on a handful of key plays.

The pressure's on for Garrett Gilbert to produce in the early part of the Longhorns' schedule, but I wouldn't be shocked either if Mack Brown uses one of the backups in this game. Texas will bottle up Sooners quarterback Landry Jones, but I think your playmaker here will be wide receiver Ryan Broyles.

Prediction: Oklahoma, 24-17

Oct. 15: Texas vs. Oklahoma State

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STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 05: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon #81 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before the college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defe

What's incredible is that Texas usually plays out of its mind the week after the Oklahoma game.

I think Mack pulls out a page from the Simms-Applewhite quarterback controversy days and starts one of his backups in this game, then throws Gilbert back in at the start of the third quarter. 

This isn't your same old Cowboys though, and Oklahoma State will pull away in the fourth quarter. Texas doesn't have anyone to shut down Justin Blackmon, and the electric receiver will burn them either on a big reception from Brandon Weeden or a kickoff return.

Prediction: Oklahoma State, 42-28

Oct. 22: Oklahoma State at Missouri

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BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 31: Head coach Gary Pinkel of the Missouri Tigers leads his team against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on October 31, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado. Missouri defeated Colorado 36-17. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

I think this is when Missouri will be extremely dangerous.

It was this same time last year when the Tigers knocked off Oklahoma, and playing at home again will be critical here.

The talent will be impressive to watch. While many will focus on Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon, Missouri's got nine starters coming back on offense and eight on defense. Whoever becomes the Tigers' starting quarterback should also be in a groove by this point too.

My gut says to go with the Cowboys, but I also know an upset when I see one.

Prediction: Missouri, 49-45 (OT)

Oct. 29: Missouri at Texas A&M

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Mike Sherman, head coach of Texas A&M, joins players in a post-game singing of the Aggie War Hymn following Texas A&M's 24-17 win over the University of Texas at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Au

The problem Missouri had last year was following up a big win with another one.

After beating Oklahoma last year, the Tigers lost to Nebraska (31-17) and then to Texas Tech (24-17).

It looks like a scheduling quirk, because Missouri will return to Kyle Field for a second straight year to face the Aggies. Last year, Missouri won 30-9, but this was PT (pre-Tannehill). I just can't picture another blowout, but I do see another Tigers loss.

Prediction: Texas A&M, 38-31

Nov. 5: Texas A&M at Oklahoma

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COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 23: Roy Finch #22 of the Oklahoma Sooners rushes against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

I could be wrong, but something tells me this will definitely be a night game.

This could very well be a matchup of two undefeated teams, and the Aggies do have the athletes to match up with the Sooners.

My question for Oklahoma is, do they once again make it hard on themselves, like they did early on against Nebraska last year in the Big 12 Championship game and against Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl? Or do they play ferocious, inspired football like they did against Oklahoma State?

Prediction: Oklahoma, 42-21

Nov. 12: Missouri vs. Texas

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Mack Brown of the Texas Longhorns yells during a game against the UCLA Bruins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

It wasn't long ago when this game produced some incredible performances from Chase Daniel and Colt McCoy.

Here's what I think will happen with Texas: You'll see flashes of brilliance throughout the year, and the Longhorns will keep learning the new offense/defense that's being put in place. You'll keep thinking they're getting closer and about to put it all together.

This will be that game.

Prediction: Texas, 31-28

Nov. 24: Texas A&M vs. Texas

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of Texas A&M during the game against University of Texas in the first half at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)

The 'Horns will be the underdogs, but they'll give the Aggies fits at Kyle Field. In the end, Ryan Tannehill's legend will continue to grow, and he'll play the hero.

Prediction: Texas A&M, 37-31 (2 OT)

Nov. 26: Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State

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STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Bob Stoops (L) of the Oklahoma Sooners talks with head coach Mike Gundy (R) of the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Imag

Last year's Bedlam game was one of the most entertaining I'd seen in a while.

Neither team let up, both coaches kept going for it and Oklahoma wound up victorious, 47-41. I have no reason to believe it won't be any different this year.

Both teams get up for this game, but it's always been especially funny to see Oklahoma State play like it's their Super Bowl. That's been their approach back to the days when Les Miles was still there. They could be dreadful to very average, but when that game came along, they would play like they could beat anyone in the nation.

I'll give Oklahoma State credit for one thing, the Cowboys are beginning to recruit some exceptional talent. That used to not be the case. The facilities are first class, the recruiting keeps improving and the program is becoming a proven winner.

Now they just need to take that next step and knock off a powerhouse.

Prediction: Oklahoma, 48-42