Best Big XII nonconference matchups

By John Hillman  |   Monday, August 18, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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Big XII nonconference games have morphed into little more than glorified exhibitions. For the most part, coaches and athletic directors schedule financially hungry, undermanned teams to collect an easy victory.

Last season, Kansas rolled through Central Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo and Florida International by a 214-23 margin. No one can argue with the Jayhawks’ strategy as their early success propelled them into a BCS bowl.

This year, Big XII fans can view mismatches such as Massachusetts at Texas Tech, Sam Houston at Kansas and South Dakota State at Iowa State. A few gems appear on the nonconference slate, however. These games listed in chronological order offer some exciting alternatives to the usual bland Big XII bill of fare.

1. Wake Forest at Baylor (Aug. 28) – This contest kicks off the 2008 Big XII season in a nationally televised Thursday evening broadcast. The Bears hold a 4-0 advantage over the Demon Deacons, but the teams haven’t met since 1961.

Art Briles makes his Baylor coaching debut against No. 23 Wake Forest. If he pulls an upset, the Bears might be the conference’s surprise team. Otherwise, it could be just another long football season for Baylor, which hasn’t posted a winning record since 1995.

2. Missouri vs. Illinois (at St. Louis – Aug. 30) – In 2007, the Tigers held off an Illini rally and escaped with a 40-34 win. Missouri rode its season-opener momentum to capture the Big XII North title and earn a Cotton Bowl berth.

Tiger quarterback Chase Daniel rates as everyone’s favorite to win offensive player of the year, and No. 7 Missouri expects to repeat as the North champion. Quarterback Juice Williams and receiver Arrelious Benn can create offensive fireworks for 19th-ranked Illinois, but graduation cost the Illini defense dearly. Look for another high-scoring affair in this Labor Day weekend border-state rivalry.

3. Kansas at South Florida (Sept. 12) – This game will prove if Kansas deserves its No. 13 ranking. The Jayhawks venture outside the Sunshine State for a Friday night matchup with the No. 21 Bulls on ESPN.

Except for leading rusher Brandon McAndrew, Kansas returns all of its offensive weapons -- including quarterback Todd Reesing -- from last year’s 12-1 team that defeated Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe gives the Bulls both a passing and running threat.

4. Iowa State at Iowa (Sept. 13) – Many consider the Cyclones the Big XII’s worst team, but they’ve managed to beat the Hawkeyes seven times in the last 10 meetings, including a 15-13 last-second upset in 2007. Pundits rate Iowa’s offensive and defensive lines to be among the best in the Big 10, and the sting of last year’s underperformance lingers. But intrastate rivalries create great opportunities for the unexpected.

5. Miami at Texas A&M (Sept. 20) – Last year’s 34-17 Hurricane victory opened the door for Dennis Franchione’s departure. The pressure now shifts to new Aggie head coach Mike Sherman with A&M president Elsa Murano, who attended high school in Miami, requesting a win.

If the Big XII has a dark horse in the stable, it’s probably colored maroon. The Aggies possess solid running backs in Jorvorski Lane and Mike Goodson and a savvy quarterback in Stephen McGee. Some see the Hurricanes as one of the nation’s most improved teams. With Javarris James, Graig Cooper and Sam Shields pacing Miami’s offense, the prediction might hold true.

6. TCU at Oklahoma (Sept. 27) – In 2005, the last time the Horned Frogs visited Norman, they left with a 17-10 win. On paper, the fourth-ranked Sooners appear much better than TCU, but Oklahoma has already suffered a number of minor injuries in August workouts.

The Horned Frogs, who struggled in conference play last season, return eight offensive starters (led by quarterback Andy Dalton). If TCU starts strong with a conference win against New Mexico in the season opener, the Horned Frogs might surprise the Sooners again.




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About John Hillman

John Hillman graduated from Baylor University in 1974 with a BBA in accounting and earned an MBA from Baylor in 1987. He worked for accounting firms until 1982 when he became the chief financial officer for an independent insurance claims adjusting service, a position he still holds today....
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