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So, we are one week into the Big 12 season. We have seen upsets, blowouts, shockers, and I’m already hungry for more! Luckily we only have to wait 3 more days! However, the fact that we still have 11 more weeks of this newly born college football season didn’t stop the headlines and the announcers from making ridiculous predictions and claims. So, without further ado, allow me to slice up some of these crazy predictions that are floating around.
Texas may be better than I thought, but hold your Bevo
Get it? Instead of your horses, it’s your Bevo. It’s funny, I can feel your laughter from here. Anyway, Texas looked a lot better than I though they were going to be this year, but let’s pump the brakes for a second. They aren’t a 4-8 team like I predicted (at least not after that game), but it was in Austin with a deafening home crowd, against a Notre Dame team that is known be be fairly over-rated. Yes, their new freshman QB can throw some dimes, and yes, Swoopes lived up to his name (18-wheeler). On the other hand, Notre Dame is a good team, but I don’t know if they are No. 10 in the country good. They are clearly not the same team that they were last year. Texas looked pretty good, at least offensively, but I’m not going to buy any “return to national prominence” stock quite yet. Hearing people say “Texas is back” made my blood boil, it was one game, 11 more to go. However, being a Tech fan (clearly), I’m glad that our defense is improved, because it looks like we are going to need it.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Texas somehow jumped all the way up to the #11 team in the country. I was absolutely repulsed. They go from an un-ranked team to nearly top 10 because of a week 1 win? That makes me sick. I guess the bright side is that there aren’t many places for them to go but down. See you in Lubbock, I’ll be looking forward to it.
Oklahoma is fine
First, let’s have another good laugh. As of right now, Kansas has a better record than Oklahoma. Shocking right? Well, let’s kill two birds with one stone here. For starters, I don’t expect anything from Kansas this year, hopefully that’s not a surprise to anyone. They had a good win against Rhode Island Saturday, but hopefully they don’t get too cocky about that. It was their first win since 2014, and they rushed the field, just to put the icing on the cake. Good for them, I hope they can win another game before I graduate college.
Now back to the headline. Unlike Texas, Oklahoma lost to a good Houston team that is probably under-rated. That could end up being the game that puts Houston in the Big 12. Even though it was a pretty decisive win, I am not expecting Oklahoma to fall off the metaphorical cliff anytime soon (even though I wish they would). However, it does open the door for teams like Oklahoma State, Texas, and yours truly. It might take a chunk out of Oklahoma’s confidence and morale, or it might lite a fire underneath them for the rest of the season. That being said, I wouldn’t count them out just yet.
What happened to TCU?
Not gonna lie, I didn’t watch a single snap of this game, but when I heard that they gave up 41 against South Dakota State my mind was blown. That’s quite surprising for a Gary Patterson defense. They still managed to put up 59 without 3 of their offensive stars, and they came out with the W, but the final score certainly wasn’t what I was expecting. My initial thoughts is that TCU, like Oklahoma, will be fine. They will find a way to tighten up their play in time for the meat of their schedule. Despite their seemingly slow start, they will end up being contenders in the Big 12.
Last but not least...
Texas Tech will go 12-0, and win the Big 12. Relax, I’m obviously kidding, but that just proves my point. Sunday night you would have thought that Texas was ready to make a run at the national title. At least that is what everyone who opened their mouth made it seem like. In all seriousness, and maybe a little bit of bias, I think Tech will be a contender for the conference title. Now that the big dogs of Oklahoma have suffered an early loss, the rest of the Big 12 can smell a little bit of blood in the water. As for Tech, next weeks contest against Arizona State will set the tone for the rest of the season. We will have a better idea of how good our new and improved defense actually is, and it will be our toughest opponent until we play Oklahoma in Lubbock on October 22nd.
I’m excited for whats to come for Texas Tech football, but I definitely have a little nervous energy in me for Saturday’s match up in Tempe. It’s sure to be a fun one to watch.