Breaking down the Huskers v. Sooners

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, left, looks for a receiver as Kansas linebacker James Holt (12) moves in during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. Bradford passed for an Oklahoma record 468 yards and had three touchdowns passes to help the No. 4 Sooners bounce back from their first loss by beating No. 16 Kansas 45-31. (AP)

This Saturday marks the revival of a storied rivalry that has produced two games known as “Game of the Century” and has been the key to multiple national championships. Yes, Saturday finally marks the return of the Nebraska-Oklahoma rivalry. Oklahoma currently holds a 43-37-3 advantage over Nebraska in the team’s storied rivalry.

This year has another sub-plot with two Youngstown, OH., natives coaching the two teams — heck they both went to the same high school.

Bob Stoops has had amazing success at Oklahoma since taking over in 1999 and has led them to national prominence since.

On the other sideline will be Bo Pelini, Nebraska’s first year head coach who served as Stoops’ defensive coordinator in 2004 after Frank Solich was fired at Nebraska.

These two have a history, and are great friends. However, don’t expect Saturday’s game to be friendly — Nebraska-Oklahoma games rarely are. Sure the fans will be respectful before and after the game — both fans are some of the classiest in the nation — but it’s always hotly contested during the game itself.

Oklahoma yet again is one of the nation’s best — coming into the game ranked fourth nationally — and will face a steadily improving Nebraska team. But alas it’s time to break down this game position by position.

Texas is class of the Big 12

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, left, evades Oklahoma State safety Andre Sexton during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, in Austin, Texas. Texas won 28-24.(AP)

At this point in time it’s pretty easy to choose the No. 1 spot on my Big 12 rankings. There’s just no way that Texas doesn’t get the nod, they’ve earned it.

This past weekend Colt McCoy led the No. 1 Longhorns to an outstanding 28-24 win over No. 6 Oklahoma State. I came away from watching this game thinking two things:

1. Colt McCoy is a completely different player from last year, and he doesn’t let mistakes faze him. Texas is scary, especially since they’ll get McCoy and leading receiver Jordan Shipley back next season.
2. Oklahoma State is the real deal. They came to play and nearly beat the Longhorns. It was a very impressive game from Mike Gundy’s kids.

McCoy went 38-45 for 391 yards, two touchdowns and one interception

Re-organizing the Big 12?

Texas Tech safety Darcel McBath (7) is tackled by Kansas running back Jake Sharp (1) following an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008. Texas Tech defeated Kansas 63-21. (AP)

While checking Tim Griffin’s great Big 12 blog today I came across a post about re-organizing the Big 12. It’s an intriguing idea that is being brought up.

Griffin shares the re-organization idea of Omaha World-Harold reporter Lee Barfknecht.

It’s pretty apparent that there is a difference in talent and money spent between the North and the South. Currently the South has four teams in the Top-10, while the North has one team in the Top-25.

Nebraska comes back, beats Baylor

Nebraska's Nate Swift runs for a 53-yard touchdown reception against Baylor in the second half of their NCAA college football game on Saturday Oct 25, 2008 in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska beat Baylor 32-20. (AP)

For the first time since 2003, the Nebraska Cornhuskers rebounded from a half-time deficit to win a football game.

The Baylor Bears came to Lincoln on Saturday and played a heck of a game, pushing Nebraska to the limits. Most of the pregame hype was focused on freshman quarterback Robert Griffin, and it was all well placed.

Baylor's Robert Griffin (10) runs for a 47-yard touchdown against Nebraska in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday Oct. 25, 2008 in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska beat Bayor 32-20. (AP)

Griffin is a great specimen at quarterback, and will be scary once he matures into his role on the Bears football team. As is, his immense athleticism helped him rush for 121 yards — 99 of those in the first quarter — and lead the Bears to a very respectable showing in Lincoln.

However, the story of the game was Nebraska’s senior wide receiver Nate Swift. Swift entered the game needing 7 catches to tie Johnny Rodgers for first place on Nebraska’s All-Time Receptions list, and Swift caught 11 for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

In the first quarter the Huskers seemed to be lack-luster at best, and allowed Baylor — and particularly Griffin — to put up big plays

Breaking down Nebraska vs. Baylor

Baylor's quarterback Robert Griffin runs for a 58-yard touchdown past Washington State's Mike Graise in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, in Waco, Texas. (AP)

This week brings a match between two improving teams — one is getting back to where it is used to be, the other reaching for new untouched heights. That’s right, it’s week eight, and that means that Baylor is heading to Lincoln to take on the Huskers.

The Huskers must be wary of this Baylor Bears team — especially freshman quarterback Robert Griffin. Some people downplay the Bears, and say it should be a cake walk — and although I think the Huskers will come out on top, it may be closer than people had imagined.

Anyway, on to the breakdown:

Tebow tabs McCoy

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) is pursued by Missouri defender Ziggy Hood, right, during the first quarter of their NCAA football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. Texas' Charlie Tanner assists on the play. (AP)

Current Heisman Trophy holder and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has come out and said he thinks that Colt McCoy has his support for the award this year.

I think it is a little early to be saying who deserves the votes, although you can speculate on who deserves it so far.

McCoy definitely leads my list of Heisman contenders — just the numbers he’s putting up and the way he’s played against top notch teams — but he has far from locked it up. Heck there are a host of players in the Big XII who deserve to be talked about for the award at this juncture.

First BCS standings released

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) rushes for a touchdown as he is defended by Missouri's Stryker Sulak, right, during the first quarter of their NCAA football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. (AP)

The Bowl Championship Series truly starts mattering this week as the rankings were released today for the first time this season. There are no surprises as to who is in the top three, and these rankings — along with all others — point to a good showing by the Big XII (South). There are four Big XII South teams represented in the top ten of the ranking.

Here’s the top ten in the rankings:

Huskers dominate Cyclones

The Huskers stormed into Ames, Iowa yesterday and downgraded the Cyclones to a mere light shower.

Nebraska traveled to face Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium and the Huskers dominated the Cyclones from start to finish. The Huskers out-gained the Cyclones 548-218 in total yards and never looked fazed against this sub-par team.

Nebraska's Quentin Castille (19) is congratulated at the bench after scoring a second half touchdown against Iowa State in an NCAA college football game, Saturday Oct. 18, 2008 in Ames, Iowa. Nebraska beat Iowa State 35-7. (AP)

The Huskers played a nearly perfect first half in going up 21-0 by halftime. Joe Ganz threw for 283 yards on 21-24 attempts in the first half, he also threw for a touchdown to Nate Swift in the first half — Ganz finished the game 27-37 for 328 yards and a TD. While Marlon Lucky exerted his dominance in the second quarter in running for two touchdowns.

Swift, however, was the story of the first half

Breaking down Huskers vs. Cyclones

Iowa State's Austen Arnaud, right slips past Baylor's Jason Lamb, left in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 in Waco Texas. (AP)

This week Nebraska travel to Ames, Iowa to play the Cyclones of Iowa State. This will be an intriguing game to watch, seeing as Iowa State is a team that is rebuilding just like the Huskers.

The Huskers come off an encouraging, yet heart-breaking loss to Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas last weekend and Iowa State comes off a demoralizing defeat at the hands of Baylor in Waco, Texas last weekend.

So without further ado, here’s a breakdown of positions for tomorrow’s clash.

Huskers take a big step forward

It’s over in Lubbock, and it ended unlike I could have ever imagined. Yes Nebraska did lose to Texas Tech, however they didn’t deserve to lose this game. The Red Raiders finished out the game with a 37-31 win in overtime, seeing the Huskers to a 3-game losing streak.

Nebraska's Quentin Castille (19) scores a touchdown against Texas Tech's Marlon Williams during their college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (AP)

Nebraska was able to drive on the Tech defense all day and actually was able to outgain Tech 471 total yards to 421 yards. However, Tech was able to get the job done in overtime where Nebraska committed their first and only turnover of the game to seal the win for the Red Raiders.

Throughout the game, the story for Texas Tech was the big play – none sticking out in my mind more than in the fourth quarter on a fourth-and-four where Armando Marillo let Michael Crabtree get open behind him for a 43-yard pick up that