Big 12: Week 1 (David Ubben)

[jj-cyclones]

Big 12 predictions: Week 1 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN

TCU 24, Baylor 21: This is my pick of the week. Come back later today for a video where I explain the pick.

SATURDAY

No. 21 Missouri 31, Miami (OH) 17: The RedHawks are underrated, and don't command a lot of respect ... until they take the field. The Tigers' offense will have a few kinks to work out, but will go home with a 1-0 record.

Iowa State 24, Northern Iowa 10: A rocky start for the new quarterback in Ames, too, but the Cyclones get the job done and Shontrelle Johnson loudly makes his presence known.

Kansas 27, McNeese State 17: Not sold on Kansas' ability to put up big points just yet, but there won't be an FCS embarassment this time around. Right? Right??

Kansas State 41, Eastern Kentucky 10: The Colonels will have nightmares of Collin Klein running the zone read all the way back to Kentucky.

No. 9 Oklahoma State 62, Louisiana-Lafayette 24: Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon will be rocking ballcaps on the sideline for a front-row seat to the fourth quarter.

Texas Tech 55, Texas State 17: This game? Well, it's ... it's not going to be good. Seth Doege will make sure the entire Bobcats defense is 100 percent sure how to dougie by game's end.

No. 1 Oklahoma 41, Tulsa 27: This one's close for a half, and it's not pretty, but G.J. Kinne forces the issue late and the Sooners get away clean. Damaris Johnson is badly missed.

Texas 34, Rice 13: Texas shows a lot of promise in this one, but on the back of its running game. It's only Rice, so scale back your expectations on this solid performance.

SUNDAY

No. 9 Texas A&M 34, SMU 24: Like Miami (OH), SMU is way underrated. The SEC talk isn't a distraction for the Aggies, but SMU's offense is. The Ponies get in a couple early shots against a maturing front seven, but the Aggies take control in the second half. (No, SMU, you can't get in the Big 12 by winning this game.)

Rocky start and a 24-10 victory, I'll take it...

 

[reignofthetiger]

Overall I like his picks this week, but I think Jantz surprises (in a good way)

also, Baylor will beat TCU.

 

[cycloneG]

Overall I like his picks this week, but I think Jantz surprises (in a good way)

also, Baylor will beat TCU.

I agree that Jantz is going to surprise but I think it's going to be with his legs instead of his arm. I also think Baylor beats TCU. RGIII is going to tear them apart.

 

[jj-cyclones]

A 14 point win in his first game in front of 50,000 plus? That will be a surprise imo...

There will be some first game nerves to work out.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

Baylor will not beat TCU. Write it down. The Tank is going to make RGIII wish that he didn't play football after he blows him up a couple of times. :yes:

 

[delt4cy]

Baylor will not beat TCU. Write it down. The Tank is going to make RGIII wish that he didn't play football after he blows him up a couple of times. :yes:

I'm by no means a Badger apologist, in fact I despise them. I still cannot figure out why they abandoned the downhill running game when they were clearly overpowering and undersized TCU D.

 

[CyCo]

Overall I like his picks this week, but I think Jantz surprises (in a good way)

also, Baylor will beat TCU.

Even with some first game jitters, I hope - expect - this team to come out and execute from the start.

Also, TCU is a well-oiled machine...I think they beat Baylor.

 

[Ficklone02]

I would hope we could win by more than that. TCU beats Baylor.

 

[synapticwave]

I like all these predictions...pretty much going with the favorites across the board this week. If there is an upset I hope it's A&M

As for ISU winning, I won't really care too much about the score since I expect there to be a few big mistakes that could lead to defensive or special team's points in either direction. I'll be watching for 4 things:

1) How good does the OLine block.
2) How good are the running back's (especially SJ) on pass protection.
3) How much pass pressure does the Dline get.
4) How much separation our WRs get on their routes.

If we win these, we could be in a for a good year.

 

[cycloneworld]

I'm really hoping we put up more than 24 points against a good 1AA team. Granted its only the first game of the season but we will need to score more than that to be competitive for the next 11 games.

 

[Cyclonz]

Last year the defense was the big surprise in the 27 - 10 opener win over Northern Illinois. This year I say the offense is the surprise and we score 38 to 48 points in a big win.

 

[jj-cyclones]

I'm really hoping we put up more than 24 points against a good 1AA team. Granted its only the first game of the season but we will need to score more than that to be competitive for the next 11 games.

I agree, clones need 40 plus points in this one...

 

[awd4cy]

I think some of you people that seem to think that RGIII is going to destroy TCU and Baylor is going to win are forgetting how amazing TCU's defense is. I think it is very unlikely Baylor wins this and I don't care if TCU is only returning 5 starters on defense.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

I'm by no means a Badger apologist, in fact I despise them. I still cannot figure out why they abandoned the downhill running game when they were clearly overpowering and undersized TCU D.

Agreed. I follow Wisconsin a little bit and they made a huge mistake in that game by abandoning the running game. That being said... I was completely impressed with Tank Carder. That kid is a human missile.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

I think some of you people that seem to think that RGIII is going to destroy TCU and Baylor is going to win are forgetting how amazing TCU's defense is. I think it is very unlikely Baylor wins this and I don't care if TCU is only returning 5 starters on defense.

This game is simple to pick. TCU has a far better D then that of Baylor. Even if TCU and Baylor are a push offensively TCU still has a huge advantage.

 

[BasedClone]

I will be a little disappointed if we don't put up more points but I won't complain, we'll learn a lot about our team on Saturday.

Also, you can't argue Ubben's pick.