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2010 Sep 06
BIG 12 RANKINGS: Week One
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No. 1 Nebraska
Last Game: Beat Western Kentucky 49-10
Summary: Already, health is an issue for the Huskers, who are missing two starting linebackers - one for the season - and watching the offensive line slowly thin its herd once again. Not a good sign when a guy like Marcel Jones can't play to start the season. For one game, Taylor Martinez looked the part of a dynamic, explosive athlete. Zac Lee looked the part last year, too of a dynamic, explosive passer. Didn't come to pass.
Coach Quote: "It's not like we have to dramatically change what we're doing offensively for any of them. That's a good situation." - Bo Pelini on his quarterbacks
Next Game: Idaho. The Vandals will be a stiffer challenge in all ways for NU.
No. 2 Oklahoma
Last Game: Beat Utah State 31-24
Summary: The Sooners needed an all-star performance from running back DeMarco Murray to stave off the average Aggies as OU quarterback Landry Jones threw two interceptions and the Oklahoma secondary looked like a bunch of high-schoolers.
Coach Quote: "We had guys in position that are there that lose track of the football, turn their back on the quarterback, can't make a play. Those kinds of things should be natural. And their guys who have done it before." Bob Stoops on his secondary.
Next Game: Florida State. Stoops' brother, Mark, is FSU's new DC. But the real trouble is the Noles high-powered offense led by quarterback Christian Ponder.
3. Texas A&M
Last Game: Beat Stephen F. Austin 48-7
Summary: The Aggies overcame some sluggish offensive play in the first half to cruise in the second half despite a conservative game plan. The defense allowed just 266 total yards while A&M racked up 539 total yards. Good balance, good night, and much of it without linebacker Von Miller.
Coach Quote: "We're still a work in progress but I thought we tackled well and chase the ball real well. That was a marked improvement." - Mike Sherman on the Aggies' defense.
Next Game: Louisiana Tech
No. 4 Texas
Last Game: Beat Rice 34-17
Summary: The Longhorns didn't look good at all on offense, taking 46 carries to gain 200 yards against an average Owl defense at best. Garrett Gilbert wasn't spectacular, but he shouldn't have to be; if UT had recruited offensive linemen and running backs better, it wouldn't be struggling to figure out a power running game. On the flip side, the defense gave up 219 yards.Texas is a work in progress.
Coach Quote: "We compared him to Vince Young's first start and Colt McCoy's first start and Garett was comparable." - Mack Brown
Next Game: Wyoming.The Pokes run a high-octane spread.
No. 5 Missouri
Last Game: Beat Illinois 23-13
Summary: After getting thoroughly outcoached in the first half, Missouri's braintrust rededicated itself to the running game, started bringing down an extra guy to stop the Illini's one-dimensional offense and outscored Illinois 20-0 in the second half. Defensive end Aldon Smith notched two sacks. Slot receiver T.J. Moe is a keeper: 13 catches for 101 yards. So is tight end Michael Egnew. Take note: Illinois is not a good team, and probably had one player in its starting 22 better than Mizzou's comparative option.
Coach Quote: "It wasn't about Illinois, it was about us." Gary Pinkel
Next Game: McNeese State. Cue the beatdown.
No. 6 Colorado
Last Game: Beat Colorado State 24-3
Summary: Excellent performance from the Buffaloes' defense, which gave up just 245 total yards and held the Rams to 1-of-12 on third-down conversions. Picked off three passes, too. Quarterback Tyler Hansen was solid, throwing for 192 yards and a touchdown.
Coach Quote: "They did a nice job in all phases. Got sacks. Got turnovers. Controlled the running game. Didn't give up big plays. Pretty solid effort by those guys." - Dan Hawkins, on CU's defense
Next Game: At California. The Golden Bears have one of the Pac-10's best passing offenses.
No. 7 Kansas State
Last Game: Beat UCLA 31-22
Summary: Huge win for the Wildcats, who would have won this game by 14 points if not for some untimely turnovers. Running back Daniel Thomas, as KSU's primary weapon, rolled to 234 yards despite the Bruins knowing he'd get the ball. UCLA isn't as good as the name on the side of the helmet suggests, and Carson Coffman's cautious performance - 11 completions for 66 yards - won't work in conference season.
Coach Quote: "Daniel played like Daniel does." - Bill Snyder on Thomas
Next Game: Missouri State. Another big game for Thomas.
No. 8 Texas Tech
Last Game: Beat SMU 35-27
Summary: The Red Raiders were lucky that the Mustangs played so poorly for most of the first half and handed Tech four turnovers, because it looked Tech hit a wall in the fourth quarter and tried to coast on fumes to victory, which it did. Whiffing on 3 fourth-down conversions didn't help. Taylor Potts completed 34 of 53 passes for 359 yards, but there was again some trademark accuracy.
Coach Quote: "We should have won that game a little bit sooner than we did...we just found a way not to make a play. We put our defense in a tough situation." - Tommy Tuberville.
Next game: At New Mexico, which lost 72-0 to Oregon.
No. 9 Baylor
Last Game: Beat Sam Houston State 34-3
Summary: Ho-hum opener for the Bears except for this: Quarterback Robert Griffin was back on the field and just as dangerous as ever, amassing 301 total yards. Baylor would have scored more if not for 10 penalties for 100 yards. The defense held the Bearkats to 197 total yards. This was the worst of the Big 12 opening-week opponents.
Coach Quote: "We weren't near as good as we think we're going to be or can be and we got a win out of it."
Next Game: Buffalo. Should be another easy meal for Griffin.
No. 10 Iowa State
Last Game: Beat Northern Illinois 27-10
Summary: A much closer game than the final score would suggest, as ISU forced two key turnovers in the second half - and got a roughing-the-passer penalty at just the right time to keep a touchdown drive alive. Austen Arnaud was, again, inconsistent, throwing two interceptions, but halfback Alexander Robinson ripped off a 63-yard touchdown run that flashed all his old skills.
Coach Quote: "Our defensive coordinator's trademark is the ability for his defense to turn the ball over." - Paul Rhoads
Next Game: at Iowa. Jitters will be important to overcome. Arnaud's been a total disaster vs. the Hawkeyes, throwing six interceptions and generating 8 points over two games Rhoads even admitted Monday that he's worried that Arnaud would press in Iowa City.
No. 11 Oklahoma State
Last Game: Beat Washington State 65-17
Summary: OSU thumped an awful Cougar team that most pundits agree is the worst team in a BCS conference. Kendall Hunter returned to form with 257 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Coach Quote: "If Kendall's running the football effectively, we'll certainly give him that opportunity. If we need to throw more passes, we'll throw more passes."
Next Game: Troy. A better team and a much better defense.
No. 12 Kansas
Last Game: Lost to North Dakota State 6-3
Summary: Yeesh. KU had no spark on offense and fumbled away its best chances to tie or win the game. It was precisely the debut Turner Gill's few critics were worried about: Great integrity. Absolutely no production on the field. The Jayhawks looked confused as to their offensive identity. They will reevaluate the quarterback position this week and choose between Kale Pick and Jordan Webb.
Coach Quote: "We gotta do a better job of teaching. We gotta get the right people in the right place to make plays for us." - Turner Gill
Next: Georgia Tech. Could get (really) ugly.
No. 1 Nebraska
Last Game: Beat Western Kentucky 49-10
Summary: Already, health is an issue for the Huskers, who are missing two starting linebackers - one for the season - and watching the offensive line slowly thin its herd once again. Not a good sign when a guy like Marcel Jones can't play to start the season. For one game, Taylor Martinez looked the part of a dynamic, explosive athlete. Zac Lee looked the part last year, too of a dynamic, explosive passer. Didn't come to pass.
Coach Quote: "It's not like we have to dramatically change what we're doing offensively for any of them. That's a good situation." - Bo Pelini on his quarterbacks
Next Game: Idaho. The Vandals will be a stiffer challenge in all ways for NU.
No. 2 Oklahoma
Last Game: Beat Utah State 31-24
Summary: The Sooners needed an all-star performance from running back DeMarco Murray to stave off the average Aggies as OU quarterback Landry Jones threw two interceptions and the Oklahoma secondary looked like a bunch of high-schoolers.
Coach Quote: "We had guys in position that are there that lose track of the football, turn their back on the quarterback, can't make a play. Those kinds of things should be natural. And their guys who have done it before." Bob Stoops on his secondary.
Next Game: Florida State. Stoops' brother, Mark, is FSU's new DC. But the real trouble is the Noles high-powered offense led by quarterback Christian Ponder.
3. Texas A&M
Last Game: Beat Stephen F. Austin 48-7
Summary: The Aggies overcame some sluggish offensive play in the first half to cruise in the second half despite a conservative game plan. The defense allowed just 266 total yards while A&M racked up 539 total yards. Good balance, good night, and much of it without linebacker Von Miller.
Coach Quote: "We're still a work in progress but I thought we tackled well and chase the ball real well. That was a marked improvement." - Mike Sherman on the Aggies' defense.
Next Game: Louisiana Tech
No. 4 Texas
Last Game: Beat Rice 34-17
Summary: The Longhorns didn't look good at all on offense, taking 46 carries to gain 200 yards against an average Owl defense at best. Garrett Gilbert wasn't spectacular, but he shouldn't have to be; if UT had recruited offensive linemen and running backs better, it wouldn't be struggling to figure out a power running game. On the flip side, the defense gave up 219 yards.Texas is a work in progress.
Coach Quote: "We compared him to Vince Young's first start and Colt McCoy's first start and Garett was comparable." - Mack Brown
Next Game: Wyoming.The Pokes run a high-octane spread.
No. 5 Missouri
Last Game: Beat Illinois 23-13
Summary: After getting thoroughly outcoached in the first half, Missouri's braintrust rededicated itself to the running game, started bringing down an extra guy to stop the Illini's one-dimensional offense and outscored Illinois 20-0 in the second half. Defensive end Aldon Smith notched two sacks. Slot receiver T.J. Moe is a keeper: 13 catches for 101 yards. So is tight end Michael Egnew. Take note: Illinois is not a good team, and probably had one player in its starting 22 better than Mizzou's comparative option.
Coach Quote: "It wasn't about Illinois, it was about us." Gary Pinkel
Next Game: McNeese State. Cue the beatdown.
No. 6 Colorado
Last Game: Beat Colorado State 24-3
Summary: Excellent performance from the Buffaloes' defense, which gave up just 245 total yards and held the Rams to 1-of-12 on third-down conversions. Picked off three passes, too. Quarterback Tyler Hansen was solid, throwing for 192 yards and a touchdown.
Coach Quote: "They did a nice job in all phases. Got sacks. Got turnovers. Controlled the running game. Didn't give up big plays. Pretty solid effort by those guys." - Dan Hawkins, on CU's defense
Next Game: At California. The Golden Bears have one of the Pac-10's best passing offenses.
No. 7 Kansas State
Last Game: Beat UCLA 31-22
Summary: Huge win for the Wildcats, who would have won this game by 14 points if not for some untimely turnovers. Running back Daniel Thomas, as KSU's primary weapon, rolled to 234 yards despite the Bruins knowing he'd get the ball. UCLA isn't as good as the name on the side of the helmet suggests, and Carson Coffman's cautious performance - 11 completions for 66 yards - won't work in conference season.
Coach Quote: "Daniel played like Daniel does." - Bill Snyder on Thomas
Next Game: Missouri State. Another big game for Thomas.
No. 8 Texas Tech
Last Game: Beat SMU 35-27
Summary: The Red Raiders were lucky that the Mustangs played so poorly for most of the first half and handed Tech four turnovers, because it looked Tech hit a wall in the fourth quarter and tried to coast on fumes to victory, which it did. Whiffing on 3 fourth-down conversions didn't help. Taylor Potts completed 34 of 53 passes for 359 yards, but there was again some trademark accuracy.
Coach Quote: "We should have won that game a little bit sooner than we did...we just found a way not to make a play. We put our defense in a tough situation." - Tommy Tuberville.
Next game: At New Mexico, which lost 72-0 to Oregon.
No. 9 Baylor
Last Game: Beat Sam Houston State 34-3
Summary: Ho-hum opener for the Bears except for this: Quarterback Robert Griffin was back on the field and just as dangerous as ever, amassing 301 total yards. Baylor would have scored more if not for 10 penalties for 100 yards. The defense held the Bearkats to 197 total yards. This was the worst of the Big 12 opening-week opponents.
Coach Quote: "We weren't near as good as we think we're going to be or can be and we got a win out of it."
Next Game: Buffalo. Should be another easy meal for Griffin.
No. 10 Iowa State
Last Game: Beat Northern Illinois 27-10
Summary: A much closer game than the final score would suggest, as ISU forced two key turnovers in the second half - and got a roughing-the-passer penalty at just the right time to keep a touchdown drive alive. Austen Arnaud was, again, inconsistent, throwing two interceptions, but halfback Alexander Robinson ripped off a 63-yard touchdown run that flashed all his old skills.
Coach Quote: "Our defensive coordinator's trademark is the ability for his defense to turn the ball over." - Paul Rhoads
Next Game: at Iowa. Jitters will be important to overcome. Arnaud's been a total disaster vs. the Hawkeyes, throwing six interceptions and generating 8 points over two games Rhoads even admitted Monday that he's worried that Arnaud would press in Iowa City.
No. 11 Oklahoma State
Last Game: Beat Washington State 65-17
Summary: OSU thumped an awful Cougar team that most pundits agree is the worst team in a BCS conference. Kendall Hunter returned to form with 257 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Coach Quote: "If Kendall's running the football effectively, we'll certainly give him that opportunity. If we need to throw more passes, we'll throw more passes."
Next Game: Troy. A better team and a much better defense.
No. 12 Kansas
Last Game: Lost to North Dakota State 6-3
Summary: Yeesh. KU had no spark on offense and fumbled away its best chances to tie or win the game. It was precisely the debut Turner Gill's few critics were worried about: Great integrity. Absolutely no production on the field. The Jayhawks looked confused as to their offensive identity. They will reevaluate the quarterback position this week and choose between Kale Pick and Jordan Webb.
Coach Quote: "We gotta do a better job of teaching. We gotta get the right people in the right place to make plays for us." - Turner Gill
Next: Georgia Tech. Could get (really) ugly.
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