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2010 Sep 20
Big 12 Rankings, Week Three
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Week three of the Big 12 rankings shakes out a few unknowns - but leaves more questions, too.
No. 1 Nebraska
Last Game: Beat Washington 56-21
Summary: A terrific, dominating performance in a hostile atmosphere against a team with plenty of talent. Two years ago, Oklahoma beat the Huskies 55-14 in Seattle. That Sooner bunch played for the national title. Et tu, Big Red?
Coach Quote: "Across the board our guys are playing pretty well. You have one breakdown, and your plays aren’t going to work. You have to have execution across the board. We’ve had that up front." Bo Pelini on Nebraska’s offensive line
Next Game: South Dakota State.
No. 2 Oklahoma
Last Game: Beat Air Force 27-24
Summary: It’s a good thing OU was able to run out the last four minutes of the game clinging to a 3-point lead. The Sooners were gassed against the Falcons’ diverse, punishing option offense. It prompts the question: Why don’t more teams with an athletic disadvantage run the triple option? It forces opposing defenses to execute again and again and again. While it might not work in the pros…last I checked…college wasn’t the pros. DeMarco Murray continues to shine for Oklahoma. Quite a player.
Coach Quote: "You don’t want to play them. I don’t see a bunch of people with their hand up in the air wanting to play them." - Bob Stoops on Air Force
Next Game: At Cincinnati. The Bearcats are in the midst of a rebuilding year. OU should coast.
No. 3 Texas
Last Game: Beat Texas Tech 24-14
Summary: This is an offense in serious distress, repeatedly saved by a terrific defense. UT held the Red Raiders to just 144 yards. That’s borderline amazing on the road. Garrett Gilbert has taken his lumps and stayed upright, but he plays like the sophomore he is, simple as that. The Longhorns’ running game still stinks thanks to the lack of a top-notch running back. That’s what happens when you insist on guys committing a full year before their Signing Day instead of waiting to see how players pan out over the summer. But the defense - wow. Will Muschamp must be wondering - when do I get to coach this whole team? He practically is right now.
Coach Quote: "I was not going to get fired over the call, very honestly. And a young guy will…I’m not coaching from fear. I’m coaching to be aggressive and try to win the game and not sitting around worrying anymore about what somebody’s going to think about it." - Mack Brown on his decision to go for it on fourth down when leading 17-14. It worked; UT scored a touchdown.
Next Game: UCLA. The Bruins are offensively challenged, but occasionally surprising on defense. UT’s one-dimensional attack will struggle.
4. Texas A&M
Last Game: Beat Florida International 27-20
Summary: I was blasted at the beginning of the year for daring to suggest that Jerrod Johnson wasn’t the Big 12’s best quarterback, much less player. After Johnson threw four interceptions Saturday vs. the Panthers, I feel a little vindicated. A&M throws too much and relies on its terrific running back duo of Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray too little. They - along with the Aggies’ defense, which gave up just 232 yards - saved Mike Sherman’s bacon. Bill Callahan South would have gone on execution row if FIU had wont that game.
Coach Quote: "He didn’t report any injuries. He did get hit a couple times obviously within those six sacks. Pretty good hit in the first half. He’s very resilient that way." - Mike Sherman. Bill Callahan? Nah.
Next Game: Bye. A&M has two weeks to prepare for Oklahoma State
No. 5 Missouri
Last Game: Beat San Diego State 27-24
Summary: Lucky Tigers! Mizzou played sloppy and unfocused in the first half vs. San Diego State, spit the bit in the fourth quarter, and, with a little help from the zeebs, bailed itself out with a long touchdown reception by T.J. Moe in the final minute. The officials missed a blatant block in the back by Missouri receiver Jerrell Jackson - it took out the two Aztecs in pursuit of Moe. Mizzou continues to struggle in limiting big plays (75 and 93-yard runs for touchdowns) and consistently call running plays. The Tigers have a better offensive line than they give themselves credit for.
Coach Quote: "We’ve got to run the ball a little bit more. Numbers-wise, that would be good to do." Gary Pinkel
Next Game: Miami (Ohio). The Redhawks have a defense that could concern Missouri.
No. 6 Oklahoma State
Last Game: Beat Tulsa 65-28
Summary: The Cowboys’ offense is hitting on all cylinders, and the non-conference schedule is cooperating with bad defenses like the Golden Hurricane, which might be the nation’s worst. Still - OSU is better on offense than I thought - a school-record 722 yards on Saturday - and good enough on defense. The Pokes are set to face several tests down the road.
Coach Quote: "We need to tackle better, we need run the football better in short yardage and we need to defend the vertical passing game." - Mike Gundy on what OSU can do better.
Next Game: Bye week. Two weeks to prepare for a big home game with Texas A&M.
No. 7 Kansas State
Last Game: Beat Iowa State 27-20
Summary: The Wildcats are more or less a one-man show, that performer being Daniel Thomas. But what a show he puts on - another 181 yards vs. the Cyclones. He occasionally frees up quarterback Carson Coffman to find some open receivers on the playaction pass. The Wildcats’ defense wisely shut down ISU’s running game and forced Austen Arnaud to beat them. Which, naturally, Arnaud couldn’t do.
Coach Quote: "He can put his pads down and run hard. He was good at that this past week. He can just do a lot of things." - Snyder on Thomas
Next Game: Central Florida. Arguably the best defense KSU will face in September. Certainly the fastest.
No. 8 Texas Tech
Last Game: Lost to Texas 24-14
Summary: The Red Raiders had every opportunity to steal this win - and its offense laid an egg while its defense melted down with foolish personal foul penalties. Quarterback Taylor Potts hurt his hand and played like it; it remains to be seen whether head coach Tommy Tuberville would allow Sticks Sheffield to replace Potts on the field. Tuberville is known to be stubborn with his offense - to the detriment of the offense. But 144 yards - that’s not Texas Tech football. Somewhere, Mike Leach had to be laughing.
Coach Quote: "We just didn’t do that well. Texas had a lot to do with that….we didn’t make plays. We just didn’t have any rhythm. We have to go back to the drawing board on our running game." - Tommy Tuberville.
Next game: Bye week. Tuberville said he’d prefer to play.
No. 9 Colorado
Last Game: Beat Hawai’i 31-13
Summary: After getting booed off the field at halftime, the Buffaloes did a curious thing: They rallied from a 13-0 deficit for a runaway win. Was that UH finally getting gassed in the altitude after a two-week roadtrip stateside? Perhaps. But CU’s defense did a better job on Hawai’i than USC did. And the Buffaloes finally got the running game untracked.
Coach Quote: "I was pretty intense. It was….but you can’t just come in there and yell and scream." - Dan Hawkins, on CU's halftime adjustments.
Next Game: Bye week. Georgia looms Oct. 2. A win there - and things could get interesting.
No. 10 Baylor
Last Game: Lost to TCU 45-10
Summary: Well, that was a whoopin. The Horned Frogs racked up 558 yards, held the Bears to just 263. Robert Griffin III looked slow and bit unsure of himself as a runner. As a passer, Griffin is almost too smart with the ball; he’ cautious as a passer, too reticent to press defenses downfield. The Bears’ defense couldn’t handle TCU’s offense, but few defenses can.
Coach Quote: "We got caught in an atmosphere where we might have pressed a little. But I think all that stuff will work itself out…we‘ll be judged after 12 games, not after three. That’s the main thing." - Art Briles.
Next Game: at Rice. Winnable. And BU needs to win if it wants to vie for a bowl bid.
No. 11 Iowa State
Last Game: Lost to Kansas State 27-20
Summary: The Cyclones had a perfect chance to tie the game when running back Alexander Robinson broke free down the middle of the field, wide open for a touchdown. Austen Arnaud overthrew him by 10 yards. Ballgame. No matter what else ISU does, it won’t significantly progress until Arnaud gets better - or graduates. He just isn’t the answer in the pinch. Paul Rhoads called it a “tougher throw than you think,” but a “ball that’s got to be thrown accurately.”
Coach Quote: "We’re not loaded with star players. The defensive line falls under that. We haven’t tackled great…when you face guys like Daniel Thomas, they can exploit you in a hurry." - Rhoads on his defense.
Next Game: Northern Iowa. Don’t sleep on the Panthers in that game. UNI knows how to hang with Iowa schools.
No. 12 Kansas
Last Game: Lost to Southern Mississippi 31-16
Summary: Back to reality. Kansas looked disorganized, gassed and a step slow against the Golden Eagles. The lines just can’t compete on a weekly basis, even if the Jayhawks have some decent skill players. Quarterback Jordan Webb couldn’t handle a blitz and missed wildly on occasion. He’ll get better, though.
Coach Quote: "It was the first time on the road, first time to see how your guys would respond, react to certain things. With the inexperience at quarterback and the other positions we have, it showed up a little bit. But I did see our guys continue to compete throughout the football game." - Turner Gill
Next: New Mexico State. KU needs to win this one. The Aggies are an awful team.
See also: A closer look at Helu's 65-yard gem and Dennard's Pick Six
No. 1 Nebraska
Last Game: Beat Washington 56-21
Summary: A terrific, dominating performance in a hostile atmosphere against a team with plenty of talent. Two years ago, Oklahoma beat the Huskies 55-14 in Seattle. That Sooner bunch played for the national title. Et tu, Big Red?
Coach Quote: "Across the board our guys are playing pretty well. You have one breakdown, and your plays aren’t going to work. You have to have execution across the board. We’ve had that up front." Bo Pelini on Nebraska’s offensive line
Next Game: South Dakota State.
No. 2 Oklahoma
Last Game: Beat Air Force 27-24
Summary: It’s a good thing OU was able to run out the last four minutes of the game clinging to a 3-point lead. The Sooners were gassed against the Falcons’ diverse, punishing option offense. It prompts the question: Why don’t more teams with an athletic disadvantage run the triple option? It forces opposing defenses to execute again and again and again. While it might not work in the pros…last I checked…college wasn’t the pros. DeMarco Murray continues to shine for Oklahoma. Quite a player.
Coach Quote: "You don’t want to play them. I don’t see a bunch of people with their hand up in the air wanting to play them." - Bob Stoops on Air Force
Next Game: At Cincinnati. The Bearcats are in the midst of a rebuilding year. OU should coast.
No. 3 Texas
Last Game: Beat Texas Tech 24-14
Summary: This is an offense in serious distress, repeatedly saved by a terrific defense. UT held the Red Raiders to just 144 yards. That’s borderline amazing on the road. Garrett Gilbert has taken his lumps and stayed upright, but he plays like the sophomore he is, simple as that. The Longhorns’ running game still stinks thanks to the lack of a top-notch running back. That’s what happens when you insist on guys committing a full year before their Signing Day instead of waiting to see how players pan out over the summer. But the defense - wow. Will Muschamp must be wondering - when do I get to coach this whole team? He practically is right now.
Coach Quote: "I was not going to get fired over the call, very honestly. And a young guy will…I’m not coaching from fear. I’m coaching to be aggressive and try to win the game and not sitting around worrying anymore about what somebody’s going to think about it." - Mack Brown on his decision to go for it on fourth down when leading 17-14. It worked; UT scored a touchdown.
Next Game: UCLA. The Bruins are offensively challenged, but occasionally surprising on defense. UT’s one-dimensional attack will struggle.
4. Texas A&M
Last Game: Beat Florida International 27-20
Summary: I was blasted at the beginning of the year for daring to suggest that Jerrod Johnson wasn’t the Big 12’s best quarterback, much less player. After Johnson threw four interceptions Saturday vs. the Panthers, I feel a little vindicated. A&M throws too much and relies on its terrific running back duo of Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray too little. They - along with the Aggies’ defense, which gave up just 232 yards - saved Mike Sherman’s bacon. Bill Callahan South would have gone on execution row if FIU had wont that game.
Coach Quote: "He didn’t report any injuries. He did get hit a couple times obviously within those six sacks. Pretty good hit in the first half. He’s very resilient that way." - Mike Sherman. Bill Callahan? Nah.
Next Game: Bye. A&M has two weeks to prepare for Oklahoma State
No. 5 Missouri
Last Game: Beat San Diego State 27-24
Summary: Lucky Tigers! Mizzou played sloppy and unfocused in the first half vs. San Diego State, spit the bit in the fourth quarter, and, with a little help from the zeebs, bailed itself out with a long touchdown reception by T.J. Moe in the final minute. The officials missed a blatant block in the back by Missouri receiver Jerrell Jackson - it took out the two Aztecs in pursuit of Moe. Mizzou continues to struggle in limiting big plays (75 and 93-yard runs for touchdowns) and consistently call running plays. The Tigers have a better offensive line than they give themselves credit for.
Coach Quote: "We’ve got to run the ball a little bit more. Numbers-wise, that would be good to do." Gary Pinkel
Next Game: Miami (Ohio). The Redhawks have a defense that could concern Missouri.
No. 6 Oklahoma State
Last Game: Beat Tulsa 65-28
Summary: The Cowboys’ offense is hitting on all cylinders, and the non-conference schedule is cooperating with bad defenses like the Golden Hurricane, which might be the nation’s worst. Still - OSU is better on offense than I thought - a school-record 722 yards on Saturday - and good enough on defense. The Pokes are set to face several tests down the road.
Coach Quote: "We need to tackle better, we need run the football better in short yardage and we need to defend the vertical passing game." - Mike Gundy on what OSU can do better.
Next Game: Bye week. Two weeks to prepare for a big home game with Texas A&M.
No. 7 Kansas State
Last Game: Beat Iowa State 27-20
Summary: The Wildcats are more or less a one-man show, that performer being Daniel Thomas. But what a show he puts on - another 181 yards vs. the Cyclones. He occasionally frees up quarterback Carson Coffman to find some open receivers on the playaction pass. The Wildcats’ defense wisely shut down ISU’s running game and forced Austen Arnaud to beat them. Which, naturally, Arnaud couldn’t do.
Coach Quote: "He can put his pads down and run hard. He was good at that this past week. He can just do a lot of things." - Snyder on Thomas
Next Game: Central Florida. Arguably the best defense KSU will face in September. Certainly the fastest.
No. 8 Texas Tech
Last Game: Lost to Texas 24-14
Summary: The Red Raiders had every opportunity to steal this win - and its offense laid an egg while its defense melted down with foolish personal foul penalties. Quarterback Taylor Potts hurt his hand and played like it; it remains to be seen whether head coach Tommy Tuberville would allow Sticks Sheffield to replace Potts on the field. Tuberville is known to be stubborn with his offense - to the detriment of the offense. But 144 yards - that’s not Texas Tech football. Somewhere, Mike Leach had to be laughing.
Coach Quote: "We just didn’t do that well. Texas had a lot to do with that….we didn’t make plays. We just didn’t have any rhythm. We have to go back to the drawing board on our running game." - Tommy Tuberville.
Next game: Bye week. Tuberville said he’d prefer to play.
No. 9 Colorado
Last Game: Beat Hawai’i 31-13
Summary: After getting booed off the field at halftime, the Buffaloes did a curious thing: They rallied from a 13-0 deficit for a runaway win. Was that UH finally getting gassed in the altitude after a two-week roadtrip stateside? Perhaps. But CU’s defense did a better job on Hawai’i than USC did. And the Buffaloes finally got the running game untracked.
Coach Quote: "I was pretty intense. It was….but you can’t just come in there and yell and scream." - Dan Hawkins, on CU's halftime adjustments.
Next Game: Bye week. Georgia looms Oct. 2. A win there - and things could get interesting.
No. 10 Baylor
Last Game: Lost to TCU 45-10
Summary: Well, that was a whoopin. The Horned Frogs racked up 558 yards, held the Bears to just 263. Robert Griffin III looked slow and bit unsure of himself as a runner. As a passer, Griffin is almost too smart with the ball; he’ cautious as a passer, too reticent to press defenses downfield. The Bears’ defense couldn’t handle TCU’s offense, but few defenses can.
Coach Quote: "We got caught in an atmosphere where we might have pressed a little. But I think all that stuff will work itself out…we‘ll be judged after 12 games, not after three. That’s the main thing." - Art Briles.
Next Game: at Rice. Winnable. And BU needs to win if it wants to vie for a bowl bid.
No. 11 Iowa State
Last Game: Lost to Kansas State 27-20
Summary: The Cyclones had a perfect chance to tie the game when running back Alexander Robinson broke free down the middle of the field, wide open for a touchdown. Austen Arnaud overthrew him by 10 yards. Ballgame. No matter what else ISU does, it won’t significantly progress until Arnaud gets better - or graduates. He just isn’t the answer in the pinch. Paul Rhoads called it a “tougher throw than you think,” but a “ball that’s got to be thrown accurately.”
Coach Quote: "We’re not loaded with star players. The defensive line falls under that. We haven’t tackled great…when you face guys like Daniel Thomas, they can exploit you in a hurry." - Rhoads on his defense.
Next Game: Northern Iowa. Don’t sleep on the Panthers in that game. UNI knows how to hang with Iowa schools.
No. 12 Kansas
Last Game: Lost to Southern Mississippi 31-16
Summary: Back to reality. Kansas looked disorganized, gassed and a step slow against the Golden Eagles. The lines just can’t compete on a weekly basis, even if the Jayhawks have some decent skill players. Quarterback Jordan Webb couldn’t handle a blitz and missed wildly on occasion. He’ll get better, though.
Coach Quote: "It was the first time on the road, first time to see how your guys would respond, react to certain things. With the inexperience at quarterback and the other positions we have, it showed up a little bit. But I did see our guys continue to compete throughout the football game." - Turner Gill
Next: New Mexico State. KU needs to win this one. The Aggies are an awful team.
See also: A closer look at Helu's 65-yard gem and Dennard's Pick Six
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