Big Red Network is hosting this week's Big 12 Roundtable, so thanks to BRN, let's get to those questions.
What has been the biggest surprise of the Big 12 season so far? The home loss to Arkansas State by Texas A&M, the impressive scores by Kansas State and Iowa State, or something else?
Without a doubt, the Texas A&M loss to Arkansas State. One of my clients and one of my Dad's closest friends, both who were at the game, said it was the worst game that they had ever seen and they both lived through the 60's and 70's.
Should the ankle injury to Jeremy Maclin concern Missouri fans and does it alter the Tigers chances at a division or conference title? Or do his 65 all-purpose yards and a touchdown (on just 6 touches) tell us that he’s fine?
He's fine. There's no reason why Missouri is going to run the risk of hurting Maclin, especially with a game against SE Missouri State. Missouri was going to win that game with or without Maclin, there's no way Missouri allows Maclin to play if he isn't healthy. He's fine.
Many people thought this could be the year that Texas Tech finally breaks through and wins the Big 12 South or at least finishes in the Top 10. Do their performances after two games change your perception of them at all or does this look like a team that can get to a BCS bowl game?
Yes, I think there's quite a divided fanbase here in Raiderland. There are those who very disappointed in the defense thus far, that the numbers of yards given up the first two games is disconcerting. There there is the contingent that believes that Texas Tech is making gradual steps towards improvement. I'm not sold that this team is a BCS bowl team, but things can change very quickly. If the offense starts clicking and the defense picks up their play these last two games, then I'll feel much better heading into conference play.
Oklahoma has put together some strong performances so far and should be favored in every game they play. But Bob Stoops’ teams have shown themselves to be vulnerable to an upset from time to time. Is this team going to go 13-0 (regular season plus BCS championship game) or will they get knocked off (and if they get upset, who gets ‘em)?
The Sooners will lose a game, somewhere along the way, but I'm not sure where. OU has struggled on the road in the past, but their toughest road games are at Baylor, K-State, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State. That's do-able. If I had to pick one of those game, give me the OSU Cowboys.
After two games, what can you say with confidence that you really know about your team?
Good question. It's been a couple of years, but I feel pretty comfortable saying the ground game has finally emerged as a viable offensive threat. Nothing would make me happier than to see the current trend of the Texas Tech offense running for over 100 yards a game. The running combination of Baron Batch and Shannon Woods is impressive and both of those guys are running with conviction and purpose. Neither one of these guys is what you think when you you think of a typical Texas Tech running back (Batch is 5'11"/200 and Woods is 5'11"/194) and they're both powerful runners. I know that either one or both of these guys are going to perform admirably throughout the season.
With two games down, how would you re-rank the divisions?
North
- Missouri
- Kansas
- Colorado
- Kansas State
- Nebraska
- Iowa State
South
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Texas Tech
- Oklahoma State
- Texas A&M
- Baylor