Write On Sports LLC - "Big 12" by Tyler Clifton

Big 12

2007-08-30 22:56:15 | By: Tyler Clifton

What an opening weekend it will be on the gridiron, and I can't wait!

I'll begin with the Big 12, and although the conference can't be mentioned in the same breath as the SEC, it has a chance to make an early statement with two head-to-head matchups on national TV. Oklahoma State makes a trip between the hedges to Georgia, while Kansas State heads to the plains of south Alabama to face Auburn.

Both will learn early on where they stand, but they won't be able to contain the speed and talent of the home teams and will head back west with 0-1 records. That said, Georgia better look out, as the Bulldogs were lucky to come out alive against Colorado last year, but it took their quarterback to do it. Yes, Matthew Stafford, who hails from the state of Texas.

Speaking of Texas, the Longhorns host Arkansas State, and those who don't have a ticket to the game should save their money from ordering Pay Per View for a possible ticket in early October against Oklahoma. The Indians can only hope to contain Texas in this one. Arkansas State's conference rival North Texas travels to Norman, Okla. to face the Sooners, who remember their season-opening loss a year ago to TCU and won't let it happen again. The Horned Frogs were a better team than the one OU faces Saturday, but look out for Mean Green first-year head coach Todd Dodge, who has plenty of tricks up his sleeve and has the potential to become one of the good ones in the college game. TCU will begin 2007 much like it did in '06. This time it will be against Baylor, who will begin the year much like it does most others with a loss.

Nebraska is looking to lick its wounds from last year's Cotton Bowl loss to Auburn (yes another loss to the SEC). The Cornhuskers are the team to beat in the Big 12 North, and it's time for Bill Callahan to start winning, as he did so mostly with Frank Solich's recruits in the past.

Texas A&M hosts Division I-AA Montana State and looks to avoid the upset Colorado couldn't against the Bobcats last season. The Aggies have high hopes with head coach Dennis Franchione, whose job was likely saved with last year's upset of Texas. The Buffaloes play their annual opener in Denver against rival Colorado State and still aren't the same team as in years past. The Rams will take advantage. In other games, Missouri will beat Illinois in St. Louis, and Kansas will defeat Central Michigan. Texas Tech should dismantle SMU Monday.

Big 12 Prediction for Week 1: 7-4.

Big Games in Big 12

Sept. 1 Oklahoma State at Georgia; Kansas State at Auburn

Sept. 8 TCU at Texas; Miami at Oklahoma

Sept. 15 USC at Nebraska

Sept. 22 Texas Tech at Oklahoma State

Sept. 29 Kansas State at Texas

Oct. 6 Oklahoma at Texas (Dallas)

Oct. 13 Texas A&M at Texas Tech

Oct. 20 Texas A&M at Nebraska

Oct. 27 Nebraska at Texas

Nov. 3 Texas A&M at Oklahoma

Nov. 10 Texas Tech at Texas

Nov. 17 Oklahoma at Texas Tech

Nov. 23 Texas at Texas A&M

Nov. 24 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma

The Jim Harbaugh era begins at Stanford in a hurry with its season opener against UCLA. The Cardinal will learn firsthand what they must do to compete in the Pac-10 this season after a loss to the Bruins.

Washington State travels to Wisconsin and will be humbled by the Badgeers.

Poor, poor Idaho, who must endure the wrath of No. 1 Southern California, a team aching to get back to the national championship game.

Washington travels cross country to Syracuse Friday and steals a win away from the Orange in their opener and comes home happy. Houston finds it tough to come away with a win at Oregon, as the Quack Attack tame the Cougars.

The state of Arizona will be split in half when it comes to emotions, as the Wildcats fall short at BYU, while the Dennis Erickson regime at Arizona State gets off to a good start with a win against San Jose State.

The biggest game of the opening weekend is Tennessee at California. The Pac-10 isn't in the same class as the SEC, but there's no such thing as perfection. The Volunteers embarrassed the Bears at home in front of a national audience last year, and although Cal might not want to admit it, revenge is in order. The Volunteers fall on the road.

Pac 10 Prediction for Week 1: 6-3.

Big Games in Pac 10

Sept.4 1 UCLA at Stanford

Sept. 8 Oregon at Michigan

Sept. 15 Ohio State at Washington

Sept. 22 Oregon State at Arizona State

Sept. 29 California at Oregon

Oct. 6 Arizona at Oregon State

Oct. 13 Washington State at Oregon

Oct. 20 California at UCLA; Southern Cal at Notre Dame(2)

Oct. 27 Southern Cal at Oregon

Nov. 3 UCLA at Arizona

Nov. 10 Southern Cal at California

Nov. 17 California at Washington

Nov. 22 Southern Cal at Arizona State

Nov. 24 Oregon at UCLA

Dec. 1 UCLA at Southern Cal

In the Big 10, Alabama-Birmingham is humbled in its season opener at Michigan State, and Illinois loses to Missouri in St. Louis. It will be the conference's only loss in an easy first weekend of September. Minnesota gets 2007 off on the right note with a win at home against Bowling Green, as does Wisconsin against Washington State and Indiana against Indiana State.

The wins continue, with Iowa beating Northern Illinois in Chicago, and Penn State easing past Florida International in Happy Valley. Michigan will do the same with Appalachian State, as will Northwestern against Northeastern.

Purdue gets a road win in its opener at Toledo, Ohio State eases past Youngstown State. The schedule is a rather weak one to say the least.

Big 10 Prediction for Week 1: 10-1

Big Games in Big 10

Sept. 8 Oregon at Michigan

Sept. 22 Penn State at Michigan

Sept. 29 Michigan State at Wisconsin

Oct. 6 Ohio State at Purdue

Oct. 13 Penn State Homecoming vs. Wisconsin

Oct. 20 Michigan State at Ohio State

Oct. 27 Ohio State at Penn State

Nov. 3 Wisconsin at Ohio State

Nov. 10 Michigan at Wisconsin

Nov. 17 Ohio State at Michigan

In the SEC (often criticized for its so-called weak schedules), Georgia and Auburn highlight the week with wins against quality Big 12 teams.

The third team in Alabama, Troy, loses at Arkansas, home of my Heisman Trophy pick Darren McFadden, and Ole Miss sneaks a win at nearby Memphis.

Steve Spurrier and his South Carolina team win another home opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, while life isn't so sweet for Tennessee with a loss at California.

The Nick Saban era at Alabama begins with a win against Western Caroliina. Western Kentucky falls to defending national champ Florida, and Eastern Kentucky loses at Kentucky. Vanderbilt takes care of its home field with a win against Richmond.

SEC Prediction for Week 1: 9-1

Big Games in SEC

Sept. 8 Virginia Tech at LSU

Sept. 15 Tennessee at Florida

Sept. 22 Georgia at Alabama

Sept. 29 Auburn at Florida

Oct. 6 Florida at LSU; Georgia at Tennessee(2)

Oct. 13 Auburn at Arkansas

Oct. 20 Tennessee at Alabama; Auburn at LSU(2)

Oct. 27 Florida at Georgia

Nov. 3 LSU at Alabama

Nov. 10 Auburn at Georgia; Arkansas at Tennessee(2)

Nov. 24 Alabama at Auburn; Arkansas at LSU(2)

It's the first week of the season, so don't laugh if many of these decisions were no brainers. It will get better as the season progresses. Rest assured, Saturday will mark the first of many exciting college football weekends. Hopefully the cool fall weather (at least out here) will follow it soon. The entire country has already begun to soak it all in, and until Saturday, let the games begin.

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