Oklahoma plays game of week; Cowboys dominates Arizona
By Krista Pirtle
Sports Writer
1 Oklahoma
The College Gameday setup is down at Florida State, where the Seminoles have been talking about this game all summer long. The big question is: has Oklahoma been talking about this game all summer long?
If the Sooners do not acknowledge the threat from Florida State, they will be vulnerable for a loss. Last season in Norman, OU dominated Florida State 47-17. The high-tempo Sooner offense had the Florida State defense looking to the sideline to figure out what to do.
This is Oklahoma’s first true test of the season. Can the Sooners live up to the hype of their No. 1 ranking? This game will depend on Florida State’s ability to keep up with the fast-paced Sooner offense.
8 Oklahoma State
A stellar performance by senior quarterback Brandon Weeden led his team over Arizona 37-14 last week. Weeden threw for 397 yards and two touchdowns but one interception on the evening.
Junior wide receiver Justin Blackmon was unsurprisingly Weeden’s favorite target as he received for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore running back Joseph Randle rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns. The breakdown of the offense favors the pass game by 200 yards (197 rushing to 397 passing.)
The Cowboys travel to take on Tulsa at 9 p.m. on Saturday. If the Cowboys can do what they did last week, they could be 3-0.
9 Texas A&M
What do you get when you mix a top-ranked football team, hopes for the SEC and denial together? Texas A&M. This mixture will prove deadly as the Aggies host Idaho at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Passion for a different atmosphere of college football is propelling A&M this season. Saturday will be a sure win for A&M. The Aggies look at their season like SMU was an extension of their preseason, allowing them more time to add to their schemes. A&M held SMU to no scores in the second half of its season opener two weeks ago, leaving room to improve its defensive stand in the first half.
This easy victory for the Aggies will provide them with the practice they need to face their next two opponents, Oklahoma State and Arkansas.
19 Baylor
The season is “starting” for the Baylor Bears this weekend in Waco. After an ecstatic victory under the lights of Floyd Casey Stadium two weeks ago, Baylor has taken last week to heal and prepare for the 2011 season.
Saturday the Bears face Stephen F. Austin. One main concern is Baylor’s focus: the team does not need to look beyond an easy W against SFA. Losing focus during that game will bring about a prime opportunity for an upset by SFA.
Saturday will prove a great time for the Bears to strengthen the depth of their team and increase the defense’s knowledge.
23 Texas
Don’t worry. If you heard “McCoy to Shipley” several times during their close win, 17-16, over BYU last weekend, you were not mistaken.
Sophomore quarterback Case McCoy and freshman wide receiver Jaxon Shipley are following in their brothers’ footsteps. Junior quarterback Garrett Gilbert, the starter for the evening, did not last a full quarter as his accuracy is not up to head coach Mack Brown’s standards. McCoy threw for 57 yards. His favorite target was Shipley, who recorded 39 yards.
Freshman running back Malcolm Brown ran the ball for 68 yards. The offense acquired a measly 289 total yards and two touchdowns, scored by senior running back Cody Johnson by runs of 1 and 4 yards.
Last season, UCLA humiliated Texas in Austin with a 34-12 upset. This season the Horns want to avenge their loss, but they won’t be able to unless their offense solidifies itself.
Missouri
Dropping from the polls this week was Missouri, which suffered a loss on the road to Arizona State 37-30. The Tigers recorded 501 total offensive yards, with sophomore James Franklin throwing for 319 yards and two touchdowns.
Sophomore wide receiver Marcus Lucas led in receptions with 87 yards. The ball was never thrown deep in the secondary for Mizzou as the longest reception for the night was 49 yards. The run game also needs some work as sophomore tail back Henry Josey led with 84 yards and a touchdown.
Missouri hosts Western Illinois, which will provide an opportunity for Franklin’s arm to be strengthened for more options downfield. The Tigers’ run game will be presented with a great opportunity to improve as well.
Texas Tech
Coach Tommy Tuberville referred to his team as “a gumball machine because you never know what you are going to get.”
His Red Raiders hit the road for the first time this season to face New Mexico. Like half of the Big 12, Tech was off this previous week.
In its first game of the season, the Red Raider secondary held Texas State to only 79 rushing yards. Last week, New Mexico gained barely any ground against Arkansas (52-3.)
The sum of the inability of New Mexico to rush and the strength of the Texas Tech secondary finds the Raiders a win for the weekend.
Iowa State
The Cyclones are coming off an unexpected win against in-state rival Iowa in triple overtime 44-41. Iowa State accumulated 473 total offensive yards but had three fumbles on the night.
Junior quarterback Steele Jantz led his troops with 279 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Darius Reynolds was the lead receiver for Jantz with 85 yards and two touchdowns. The rush game has expanded for the Cyclones as sophomore Shontelle Johnson ran the ball for 108 yards.
Iowa State plays at 7 p.m. Friday at UConn, which rummaged a loss last weekend against Vanderbilt, 24-21. The Huskies had four turnovers, including three interceptions, earning only 193 offensive yards. If the Cyclones can keep up the intensity and momentum on the road, they could find themselves 3-0 Saturday morning.
Kansas
A high scoring matchup last weekend favored the Jayhawks against Northern Illinois 45-42.
Sophomore quarterback Jordan Webb threw for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns, 70 of those yards to junior wide receiver DJ Beshears for 2 touchdowns. Running the ball was sophomore running back James Sims with 110 yards and 2 touchdowns as well. As a whole, Kansas recorded 534 offensive yards.
This weekend the Jayhawks hit the road for the first time to face Georgia Tech, which has a more experienced and mature offense. This game will be the toughest yet for Kansas. The ability of the young gun Webb to lead the Jayhawks over a more mature Georgia Tech team seems shaky, especially on the road.
Kansas State
After an embarrassingly tough victory week one over McNeese State, 10-7, the Wildcats had a bye week to get things together before hosting Kent State at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Sources said the offensive struggle Kansas State has is due to the limited playbook. After a generous amount of time for practice and preparation, the Wildcats’ playbook has had plenty of time to expand its threats.
Even with seemingly little confidence in the offense, Kansas State should be able to win this game. If not, the Wildcats need to look for more places to blame than their offensive playbook.
