SB Nation Big 12 Roundtable -- What Was That? Edition
by ccmachine on Oct 21, 2009 11:54 PM CDT
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Fresh off a rout of Texas A&M our Kansas State blog (Bring On The Cats) is hosting this week's SBN Big 12 Roundtable. You should know the drill by now, critique my answers and add your own in the comments section. Make sure to check back with BOTC to get the roundup.
1. Though not true of everyone -- Texas continued its "just take care of business" approach -- Saturday shook a lot assumptions we had about some teams. What, if anything, can you say with confidence about your team?
I can confidently say two things about the Sooners right now. One, they are the best three loss team in the country and second they have the best defense in the Big 12. Looking at Oklahoma's three losses they are five points away from being 6-0. Yes, I know that a 1 point loss is the same as a 1,000 point loss in the W/L column and that there are no stats or rankings to moral victories but even with all the injuries that OU has suffered this year they've been very close.
With all due respect to the Texas Longhorns, I'm giving the edge to Oklahoma as the best defense in the Big 12. Both units were outstanding in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday but the Sooners were up against a first team offense while the Longhorns were relegated to playing the equivalent of Oklahoma's junior varsity offense.
2. Two weeks ago, we discussed whether the divide between K-State, Iowa State and Colorado and the rest of the conference was widening. After the North's total faceplant in "referendum" weekend, do we need to ask if the gap between the divisions is continuing to widen?
I don't think that we need to "ask" because it's pretty clear that it's not getting any narrower. I was shocked at the Texas Tech/Nebraska score. Not that the Red Raiders won but the margin of victory. Anyone who said that they saw that coming is lying! The problem is that at this point I would say that the Red Raiders are third in the South behind Texas and (gulp) Oklahoma State while the Huskers are one of the frontrunners for the North. Add to this Missouri's loss at Oklahoma State and you see that right now there's a Grand Canyon sized gap between the two divisions.
3. Speaking of that question two weeks ago, does Saturday's 3-0 showing by the three teams originally discussed -- K-State, Iowa State, and Colorado -- change your answer to that question, or was it just a random weekend where those three teams beat teams who weren't as good as we thought?
I think that you have to say that those three schools have shown significant improvement. Iowa State played a Baylor team that wasn't complete due to injuries but even at that you can clearly see that this Cyclones team has improved. Without looking for words that sound nicer, Texas A&M is just a bad football team but even at that the destruction laid upon the Aggies by Kansas State is just impressive. Then there's the Kansas loss at Colorado. You can spin that however you want but that was a game that the Jayhawks couldn't afford to lose and had no business losing.
4. Next weekend, we see an interesting matchup of suddenly desperate teams in Lawrence, Kansas. Which team needs that game worse? Oklahoma, to show that they're not going to pack it in and have a disastrously bad season, or KU, to show that they are still in the running for the North division?
The loss in Boulder certainly hurt the Jayhawks as far as the Big 12 North title goes but with Missouri and Nebraska still on the schedule Kansas would still be in the hunt even with a loss to the Sooners on Saturday.
Right now the world is looking at the Sooners and calling them what they are, a .500 team with an 0-3 record against ranked opponents. A loss on Saturday would move them below .500 with an 0-4 record against ranked teams. It would also put OU out of the Top 25 for the first time since the 2005 season. However, a win at Kansas would at least give the perception that things are heading in the right direction and that the ship is still floating. It may not be sailing but at least it isn't sinking!
5. After a low-scoring, fumble-ridden -- I seriously think the guys on the sidelines handling the footballs were eating fried butter from the Texas State Fair, thus greasing the pigskin -- win in the Red River Shootout, Texas has continued its "just win, baby" season. You're on the spot, right now: Do the Longhorns play for the national title in Pasadena this January?
Can I ride the fence on this one? Part of me wants to say yes just for the opportunity to see them go up against Florida or Alabama. After seeing the Longhorns play on Saturday I'm convinced that either of those teams would beat the Longhorns by at least two touchdowns. Yes, my sick and twisted hatred of Texas goes so far that I'd put them in a BCS Championship game just to see them get pummeled.
However, the logical side of me says that the Longhorns are going to stub their toe along the way and drop a game. This Texas team hasn't been impressive enough, as of yet, to overcome a regular season loss and still play for a championship.
Power Poll -- Rank 'em according to who you think would win on a neutral site
1. Texas
2. Oklahoma State
3. Texas Tech
4. Kansas
5. Nebraska
6. Oklahoma
7. Missouri
8. Kansas State
9. Iowa State
10. Colorado
11. Baylor
12. Texas A&M
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on your power poll ranking
with Baylor and A&M at the bottom, does that change which division is stronger? or close the gap? (assuming a division is all 6 teams)
Does that make the race to escape the bottom of the north more or less interesting?
On the Longhorns chances of a NC game
they have NOT been outstanding. They have been just good enough. But some times those are the kinda teams that keep grinding out unimpressive wins. Personally I still think if it’s close between a Big 12 south team, and anyone else, the anyone else team will end up with the NC game bid. Mostly because of strength of schedule, as the Big 12 and the South have not been particularly great.
Think about it…..OU could screw texas out of the national championship game, just by continuing to be mediocre!
Now could that be Boise St or TCU? I’d personally love to see that. What about Iowa? Or USC?
In Response
I think that it indicates that the gap between the bottoms of the two divisions are closer but clearly not at the top. Yes, it makes the battle to not finish last a lot more interesting, at least in the North.
As for Texas, based on the way they’ve played, I would say that an undefeated Iowa team would get in above an undefeated Texas team and an one loss USC team would get in over a one loss Texas team.
Might be a bowl game we could actually win!
And we would break our bowl game losing streak. Hell! Isn’t it nice to look at the bright side of a sh***y situation?
Texas in BCS Championship
I have to say that I think Texas will get to the BCS Championship almost guaranteed. Alabama will knock off Florida (I really, really hope!!!!) or Florida will knock off Alabama, then that leaves whomever is left, then Texas, Boise State, Cinci, and then USC.
If TX, Boise State, and Cinci go undefeated, I definately believe that TX is the pick for the championship game. Boise State is overrated. I believe this to be the case after I saw their lackluster performance against Tulsa. Cinci I don’t know much about. Texas’ strength of schedule is MUCH better than those two. USC is personally despise and I wouldn’t be surprised that if TX loses one, then USC jumps all the way up to the number two spot because they are such media darlings! The puss8#s are in the PAC 10! I do believe it possible that TX stubbs their toe along the way.
My matchup is Alabama v. Texas in the MNC Game, with Alabama the clear favorite.
no love for TCU?
I actually respect the Mtn West Conf. They have quality teams in BYU and Utah, and an upset machine in Air Force. If TCU runs the table, I’d like them to have a shot. But, they’ll need help.
Also you left out Iowa. If they go undefeated, I think they are in, even over an undefeated Texas team, if UT wins out.
I agree Texas hasn't played exceptionally well
However, there is no way an undefeated Iowa jump and undefeated Texas.
-Iowa is averaging 24 points a game and giving up 15 points a game. They have 1 ranked win over Penn State, and if they were to run the table, Ohio State would end up unranked.
-They also have 2 UGLY wins over FCS-Northern Iowa )which they were damn lucky to win that game at home), and a 3 point win over Arkansas State at home. Texas hasnt looked all that impressive the past 2 games, but they have beaten two teams that are in the driver’s seat in their conference. (UTEP and ULM). Not that it means much, but comparing it to the likes of squeaking out wins against N. Iowa and Arky St, it sure looks better.
-Also keep in mind that Iowa’s last game is November 21st, with not CCG in the Big 10-11.
That means Texas gets 3 more games to play after Iowa finishes their regular season (KU, Aggie, Big 12 CCG) to sway the voters’ minds.
Don’t get me wrong, Iowa is having a GREAT season so far, but keep in mind that Minnesota was 7-0 at this point last year and they ended up dropping their last 6 games. As bad as the Big 12 is this year, the Big 10’s reputation is worse and has already preceeded them.
Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.
You might be missing the power the B10
has with the press and the rest of the CFB world. You do state your case well but the B10 commissioner does indeed have a powerful sway in the CFB world. UT playing in the B12 CCG will not be a big deal this year the way the North is shaping up. Only if KU and NU both trounce OU will the North look good, Playing a weak opponent in the CCG isn’t going to carry a lot of weight. I could be wrong but so could anyone else in this situation.
Don't count out OU
Texas often finds a way to choke. From a Kstate fan, I know. Everyone thinks they will win in Stillwater, but OSU is due. I thought OU might lose 3 this year because of the brutal schedule, just not this early. I hope they find some consistency on offense and win out. After last year, you should know strange things happen. Remember 2003 Kstate was 4-3 and 0-2 in the big 12 and we ran the table. I don’t even care that they beat us (kstate) next week. Just beat the crap out of KU this week and keep winning. Good luck!
Wildcat for life
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