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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1. 2012
FOOTBALL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
BIG 12 PREDICTIONS
FARZIN VOUSOUGHIAN
fvousoughian@kansan.com
NO. 24 OKLAHOMA STATE 5-2 (3-1) VS. NO. 2 KANSAS STATE 8-0 (5-0)
Since Oct. 13, Oklahoma State has allowed only four offensive touchdowns in its last 12 quarters of game play. Coach Mike Gundy knows that the Cowboys' defense will have to work extra hard and the offense must continue to light up the scoreboard if they want to beat Kansas State.
But stopping Collin Klein and K-State is a tall order. The Wildcats went six-of-six in their red zone scoring last week against Texas Tech. Klein's versatility has helped K-State remain undefeated. He's yet to be stopped by a defense as defensive coordinators are trying to figure out a way to slow him down.
Although it would be huge for Oklahoma State to get a big win in Manhattan, K-State is motivated to hold on to its high ranking.
KSU wins, 42-27
IOWA STATE 5-3 (2-3) VS. NO. 12 OKLAHOMA 5-2 (3-1)
Oklahoma is coming off its second loss at home this season. The Sooners have lost to two unbeaten teams. Quarterback Landry Jones wants to get off to a fast start and set his team back on track.
Iowa State picked up a win last week against Baylor, but has a bigger opponent to take on this week. While Cyclones fans would like to see the team get a winning streak going, the Cyclones are last in the Big 12 in total offense and will face an Oklahoma team ranked first in the Big 12 in total defense.
With that head-to-head matchup, Oklahoma should have this game in the bag.
OU wins, 38-3
NO. 23 TEXAS 6-2 (3-2) VS. NO. 18 TEXAS TECH 6-2 (3-2)
In-state rivals clash as both schools hold identical records going into Week 10.
After Texas lost two straight games, it bounced back the last two weeks and barely edged out Baylor and Kansas. Although head coach Mack Brown was happy with a win, the Longhorns know they will have to prepare better for Texas Tech.
Texas Tech's passing game, which is led by Seth Doege, is very strong and ranked third in the nation. The Red Raiders climbed high in the rankings and are trying to find consistency and finish higher before the season is over.
The difference-maker in this game will be Texas Tech's turnovers, which has committed 10 giveaways this season. Since Texas is one of the top scoring teams in the conference, it will take advantage of anything given to it.
UT wins, 31-21
TCU 5-3 (2-3) VS. NO. 21 WEST VIRGINIA 5-2 (2-2)
Big 12 newcomers made some first impressions but have declined throughout the season. TCU has lost three of its last four while West Virginia is on a two-game losing streak and didn't play last week.
All eyes will be on quarterback Geno Smith, who was the favorite to win the Heisman but has been rusty the past couple of games. The Mountainiers still have a strong passing game yet no defense to reward the offense for its efforts.
This gives young quarterback Treone Boykin, who is expected to play after suffering a knee injury last week, a chance to have a good game early in his career. Coach Gary Patterson has always stressed the importance of defense to his team as they have a challenge before them with Smith trying to rebound.
While TCU's defense is superior, Smith will be poised to win. It's felt like forever for him and his team-mates since they last won.
WVU wins, 45-30
FOOTBALL
Edited by Madison Schultz
New SEC additions providing more offensive firepower
ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Southeastern Conference's first expansion since 1991 has added not only new travel and experiences for newcomers Texas A&M and Missouri, but also the rest of the league.
The new look of the SEC isn't limited to the changes in its
geography, though, as the Aggies have remained one of the top offenses in the country, shaking up things in a league long known for defense.
The Aggies are third in the nation in scoring (45.5 ppg) and tied for fifth in total offense (542.88 ppg). It's nothing new for first-year Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, whose Houston team topped the country
in scoring and total offense last season.
Despite that success in Conference USA, many doubted he could replicate it in a league where five teams finished in the top 10 nationally in defense last season.
Sumnil was matter-of-fact when asked if he ever questioned whether his offense could succeed in the SEC.
"If we didn't think it could work, we wouldn't run it," he said.
Still, he understands why people were reticent to believe this offense could put up huge numbers against much tougher competition. Especially in a conference where no team has finished in the top 5 nationally in scoring since Florida was fourth in 2008, or total offense since the Gators finished second
in 2000.
"People have the right," Sumnilin said. "We're the new guys in the league so I don't see that as derogatory or anything like that. You're always going to be skeptical of anything that's new or that you don't know about."
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Auburn coach Gene Chizik saw just how powerful A&M's offense could be on Saturday in the 63-21 A&M win. Texas A&M had 34 first downs, 671 yards and scored touchdowns on seven of eight possessions with quarterback Johnny Manziel before he was replaced after the first possession of the third quarter.
"I think that his is a different type of offense," Chizik said. "They are spread, no-huddle offenses that
are obviously difficult to defend. Some are very different others. This one is very unique."
deliver your message and do it with accurate information, it definitely speeds up the process. He does that as well as anybody."
"We're in the best league in the country for football and as new guys to the league we've got to prove ourselves.
Sumlin believes some of Texas A&M's success comes from his team having a chip on its shoulder because of those who expected the Aggies to fail in their move from the Big 12 to the SEC.
"We do have something to prove," he said. "I've said that from the beginning, we're in the best league in the country for football and as new guys to the league we've got to prove ourselves. I think our guys understand that, I think as coaches we understand it."
Mississippi State defensive coordinator Chris Wilson, who worked with Sumlin at Oklahoma from 2005-07, is one person in the SEC that isn't a bit surprised by Sumlin's success at A&M. No. 17 Mississippi State hosts 16th-ranked A&M on Saturday.
trips to places like Austin,
KEVIN SUMLIN
Texas A & M Coach
The Aggies have enjoyed the travel that has come with the move as well. They've switched in-state
"Kevin is a guy who knows what he wants to do. He's got a great plan," Wilson said. "The biggest thing is he's a good communicator — communicating with his coaches, with the administration and with the players. That makes a good teacher. And when you can
Lubbock and Waco for jaunts to Oxford, Miss. and Auburn, Ala. They'll travel to Starkville, Miss. this week before next Saturday's visit to Tuscaloosa, Ala.
"Every one of these games is
new to these guys and I think last week was a prime example of being excited to play," Sumil said. "We're going places we've never been and guys are excited to go there."
Georgia coach Mark Rich has also enjoyed the change in scenery that came with adding the new teams this season.
"In life, change is good sometimes," he said. "You start doing the same thing over and over again, and sometimes that can be tiresome."