Big 12 Preview Part 2: Best Games of 2013
By Marshall Weber
The Big 12 has no shortage of great games this year...but what will be the premier game each week? Here's an early guess...
August 31st, TCU vs LSU
Picking the Big 12 opener is not only a no brainer, but it should also be a great game. A rematch of an incredible 2012 contest, the Mountaineers head to Norman for the first time since joining the Big 12 and will be looking for some sweet revenge against the Sooners.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Mountaineers 30, Sooners 42.
Some of the seedier OU and West Virginia fans are able to find common ground and swap meth recipes. Magnets, bitch!
Runner Up: Texas at BYU
September 14th, Ole Miss at Texas
Since 2000 the Cowboys have gone 3-10 against the Sooners. Last year's Bedlam game was as good as any fan could ask for as the Sooners barely escaped an overtime loss in Norman.
2013's trip to Stillwater won't be so easy for the Sooners. I hate the term, but 2013 will be a "rebuilding year" for the Sooners and, like I stated above, the Cowboys will be in full gear and looking to take advantage of this.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Sooners 14, Cowboys 35.
Oklahoma State closes out 2013 with a dominating performance at home against their biggest rival to win the Big 12 Championship. Depending how Ohio State or Oregon/Stanford finishes, the Cowboys could have a very realistic shot at going to the National Championship.
The Big 12 has no shortage of great games this year...but what will be the premier game each week? Here's an early guess...
August 31st, TCU vs LSU
This is pretty much a given. Oklahoma State and Mississippi State is a somewhat close second, but it's pretty hard to beat The Cowboys Classic.
The Cowboys Classic has only been around since 2009, but both TCU and LSU will be playing in it for their second time. TCU and LSU each won their first Cowboys Classic against Oregon State and Oregon respectively. Both teams should be in the Top 25 and it will be the premier Saturday night game for all the country to see on ESPN. The Horned Frogs will try to get early bragging rights for the Big 12, but the Devonte Fields-less Frogs will have their work cutout for them against one of the SEC's best.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Tiger 17, Frogs 20.
Verrett and the secondary capitzalize on Metternberger's mistakes and a late Oberkrom field goal gives TCU the win. Frog fans ironically chant "S-E-C". This chant is favorable to the Jacquizz Rodgers chant from 2010 when fans rhymed Jacquizz with a certain bodily excrement.
Runner Up: Oklahoma State vs. Mississippi State (Reliant Stadium, Houston)
September 7th, West Virginia at Oklahoma
The Cowboys Classic has only been around since 2009, but both TCU and LSU will be playing in it for their second time. TCU and LSU each won their first Cowboys Classic against Oregon State and Oregon respectively. Both teams should be in the Top 25 and it will be the premier Saturday night game for all the country to see on ESPN. The Horned Frogs will try to get early bragging rights for the Big 12, but the Devonte Fields-less Frogs will have their work cutout for them against one of the SEC's best.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Tiger 17, Frogs 20.
Verrett and the secondary capitzalize on Metternberger's mistakes and a late Oberkrom field goal gives TCU the win. Frog fans ironically chant "S-E-C". This chant is favorable to the Jacquizz Rodgers chant from 2010 when fans rhymed Jacquizz with a certain bodily excrement.
Runner Up: Oklahoma State vs. Mississippi State (Reliant Stadium, Houston)
September 7th, West Virginia at Oklahoma
Picking the Big 12 opener is not only a no brainer, but it should also be a great game. A rematch of an incredible 2012 contest, the Mountaineers head to Norman for the first time since joining the Big 12 and will be looking for some sweet revenge against the Sooners.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Mountaineers 30, Sooners 42.
Some of the seedier OU and West Virginia fans are able to find common ground and swap meth recipes. Magnets, bitch!
Runner Up: Texas at BYU
September 14th, Ole Miss at Texas
After their sloppy 2012 loss to Texas in Oxford last year, Ole Miss will be looking to piss off the Austin crowd and walk out of DKR with an upset.
They can do it too. As I've stated before, Texas can be weird about early non conference games. Especially at home. The Ohio State loss was understandable, as they went on the National Championship that year. But UCLA in 2010 was a different story and it deflated the Longhorns for the rest of the season as they went on to finish 5-7. Ole Miss lies somewhere in between these two teams but with a heap of talent coming in and Hugh Freeze in his second year, the Rebels could very well walk out of Austin victorious.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Rebels 34, Horns 35.
They can do it too. As I've stated before, Texas can be weird about early non conference games. Especially at home. The Ohio State loss was understandable, as they went on the National Championship that year. But UCLA in 2010 was a different story and it deflated the Longhorns for the rest of the season as they went on to finish 5-7. Ole Miss lies somewhere in between these two teams but with a heap of talent coming in and Hugh Freeze in his second year, the Rebels could very well walk out of Austin victorious.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Rebels 34, Horns 35.
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Still loves to party. Still hates Reggie Bush.
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Ole Miss comes out firing and dominates most of the game. Ash leads a comeback and the Rebels are unable to get the two-point conversion on their last drive. The game is on LHN, many flock to the bars. DWIs rack up and the city of Austin is able to get Vince Young out of bankruptcy.
Runner Up: TCU vs Texas Tech
Runner Up: TCU vs Texas Tech
September 21st, Kansas State at Texas
This should be Texas' year to break their K-State curse and beat the Wildcats at home in Austin.
But then again you never know, since 2007 Kansas State is 4-0 against the Longhorns and 7-4 all time. Snyder may have Mack Brown's number, but this is Texas' year to break this curse.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Wildcats 21, Horns 38.
But then again you never know, since 2007 Kansas State is 4-0 against the Longhorns and 7-4 all time. Snyder may have Mack Brown's number, but this is Texas' year to break this curse.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Wildcats 21, Horns 38.
Mack Brown finally ends his Synder drought. While shaking hands, the two coaches talk about the how much they adore the "Blurred Lines" video.
Runner Up: West Virginia vs Maryland
Runner Up: West Virginia vs Maryland
September 28th, Oklahoma at Notre Dame
In one of Manti Teo's best games, the Irish beat the Sooners in the trenches 30-13. The 2012 contest in Norman was arguably Notre Dame's most dominating performances all year.
2013 will be a very different game. Both teams are losing key players and Notre Dame will be without quarterback Everett Golson and will likely have to rely on Tommy Rees. Texas A&M may have Johnny Football, but the Irish have Tommy Turnover and it will be interesting to see how he reacts without someone like Golson or Gunner Kiel behind him.
Neither team will be as good as they were in 2012, but a game in South Bend between two of the most storied college football programs should be a real treat to watch.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Sooners 17, Irish 24.
The game's mostly a snoozer until the fourth quarter where most of the scoring happens. Brian Kelly contemplates making a home invasion joke at Stoops' expense, but instead critiques him on his acting skills. Hilarity ensues.
October 5th, TCU at Oklahoma
2013 will be a very different game. Both teams are losing key players and Notre Dame will be without quarterback Everett Golson and will likely have to rely on Tommy Rees. Texas A&M may have Johnny Football, but the Irish have Tommy Turnover and it will be interesting to see how he reacts without someone like Golson or Gunner Kiel behind him.
Neither team will be as good as they were in 2012, but a game in South Bend between two of the most storied college football programs should be a real treat to watch.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Sooners 17, Irish 24.
The game's mostly a snoozer until the fourth quarter where most of the scoring happens. Brian Kelly contemplates making a home invasion joke at Stoops' expense, but instead critiques him on his acting skills. Hilarity ensues.
October 5th, TCU at Oklahoma
Aside from (maybe) Notre Dame, the Sooners didn't play a tougher defense in 2012 than the Horned Frogs. Kenny Stills certainly didn't have a tougher matchup than going against Jason Verrett, as OU's best wideout was seemingly non-existent during that game. The 2012 contest in Fort Worth also saw an attempted comeback by the Frogs but was thwarted by a holding call in the end-zone.
The last time the Frogs played in Norman was 2008 and lost handily 35-10 to a Sooner team that went on to play in the National Championship. Before that though, the Frogs beat Oklahoma in Norman in 2005, a game that is still the biggest home upset for the Sooners during the Stoops era. Despite the mythos of TCU playing in Norman, the 2013 and the Frogs will more than likely be the favorite in this early October contest.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Frogs 45, Sooners 31.
Stoops eats crow and stops calling Gary Patterson "Chip Kelly"
Runner Up: Kansas State at Oklahoma State
October 12th, Oklahoma vs Texas
The last time the Frogs played in Norman was 2008 and lost handily 35-10 to a Sooner team that went on to play in the National Championship. Before that though, the Frogs beat Oklahoma in Norman in 2005, a game that is still the biggest home upset for the Sooners during the Stoops era. Despite the mythos of TCU playing in Norman, the 2013 and the Frogs will more than likely be the favorite in this early October contest.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Frogs 45, Sooners 31.
Stoops eats crow and stops calling Gary Patterson "Chip Kelly"
Runner Up: Kansas State at Oklahoma State
October 12th, Oklahoma vs Texas
Really a no-brainer here. There are maybe a few (if any), annual games that are better than The Red Rivalry. The Sooners were utterly dominant in the 2012 game and made a very talanted Texas team look like a bottom feeder in the Sun Belt.
Texas hasn't won in Dallas since 2009 when they had Colt McCoy and were National Championship bound. There's no denying that Bob Stoops has gotten the better out of Texas and Mack Brown during his reign, but 2013 will be Texas' year to end their three year drought.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Sooners 28, Horns 45.
Longhorn fans leave the Cotton Bowl with a smile on their face for the first time this decade. Another OU scapegoat is caught on television and becomes the next "Crying Oklahoma kid"and ABC also goes full perv again and only shows co-eds in the crowd. This is followed by Horn fans constantly checking their watches for the next month and declaring a certain team "still sucks".
Runner Up: Baylor at Kansas State
October 19th, TCU at Oklahoma State
Texas hasn't won in Dallas since 2009 when they had Colt McCoy and were National Championship bound. There's no denying that Bob Stoops has gotten the better out of Texas and Mack Brown during his reign, but 2013 will be Texas' year to end their three year drought.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Sooners 28, Horns 45.
Longhorn fans leave the Cotton Bowl with a smile on their face for the first time this decade. Another OU scapegoat is caught on television and becomes the next "Crying Oklahoma kid"and ABC also goes full perv again and only shows co-eds in the crowd. This is followed by Horn fans constantly checking their watches for the next month and declaring a certain team "still sucks".
Runner Up: Baylor at Kansas State
October 19th, TCU at Oklahoma State
Thanks to the friendly folks down in Bryan-CS, TCU returns to Stillwater in 2013 in a rematch of a 2012 contest were they were completely dominated in the second half.
The good news for the Frogs is that they will be deeper and will not have to rely on an injured Trevone Boykin to carry the offense. The bad news for the Frogs is that they have to play in Stillwater again. The Frogs proved they could handle the crowd last year, but the Cowboys will also be better in 2013 and will likely be the higher ranked team when this match-up comes about. The Cowboys also have a bye week to prepare for the Frogs, but more importantly they will have an extra week to rest...something the Frogs really could've used last year.
Bottom line is that the games that TCU, Texas, and Oklahoma State play against each other will more than likely determine the conference champion. This might be the most important Big 12 game all year.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Frogs 24, Cowboys 31.
The good news for the Frogs is that they will be deeper and will not have to rely on an injured Trevone Boykin to carry the offense. The bad news for the Frogs is that they have to play in Stillwater again. The Frogs proved they could handle the crowd last year, but the Cowboys will also be better in 2013 and will likely be the higher ranked team when this match-up comes about. The Cowboys also have a bye week to prepare for the Frogs, but more importantly they will have an extra week to rest...something the Frogs really could've used last year.
Bottom line is that the games that TCU, Texas, and Oklahoma State play against each other will more than likely determine the conference champion. This might be the most important Big 12 game all year.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Frogs 24, Cowboys 31.
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Don't just stare at it.
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T. Boone Pickens misses his team's biggest game of the year because he's in New York having lunch with Patrick Bateman and Timothy Bryce at Texarkana. Then he mysteriously goes missing.
Runner Up: Texas Tech at West Virginia
October 26th, Texas at TCU
October 26th, Texas at TCU
Like the game above, this match-up is sure to have very large implications for the Big 12. Texas comes to Fort Worth for the first time since the good ol' Southwest Conference days and will be looking to stomp the pesky Frog team that completely shut down their offense last Thanksgiving.
The major difference will be in the special teams and will help the Frogs earn their sweetest home victory in years.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Frogs 31, Horns 27.
Case McCoy sings a medley of Mariah Carey songs at half-time. The crowd erupts in praise after he finishes with "Always be my Baby"
Runner Up: Texas Tech at Oklahoma
November 2nd, Oklahoma State vs Texas Tech
The major difference will be in the special teams and will help the Frogs earn their sweetest home victory in years.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Frogs 31, Horns 27.
Case McCoy sings a medley of Mariah Carey songs at half-time. The crowd erupts in praise after he finishes with "Always be my Baby"
Runner Up: Texas Tech at Oklahoma
November 2nd, Oklahoma State vs Texas Tech
Offense times a billion. I see this being a shootout and one of the most fun Big 12 games this year. The series has been pretty even over the last decade, but this game is statement for playing in Lubbock against Kingsbury.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Cowboys 49, Red Raiders 53.
The Red Raiders catch the top 5 Cowboys sleeping. Despite putting up a bunch of points, the Cowboys aren't able to make a comeback. Kliff lays some serious post-game pipe.
Runner Up: West Virginia at TCU
November 9th, Oklahoma at Baylor
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Cowboys 49, Red Raiders 53.
The Red Raiders catch the top 5 Cowboys sleeping. Despite putting up a bunch of points, the Cowboys aren't able to make a comeback. Kliff lays some serious post-game pipe.
Runner Up: West Virginia at TCU
November 9th, Oklahoma at Baylor
By this point in time, Lache Seatstrunk could very well be at the top of the Heisman race. This early November game is the Big 12's best game for that week and will likely be nationally televised.
Thank God for RGIII, eh? Since the formation of the Big 12, Baylor has an astonishingly horrible 1-16 record against the Sooners. The 2011 game in Waco was one of the best individual regular season performances in college football history. The performance pretty much sealed RGIII's Heisman. With the parity and plethora of great quarterbacks in contention for the Heisman, voters will be looking for something different. That's Lache.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Sooners 34, Bears 42.
Not only does Seastrunk dazzle, but Baylor puts the heat on TCU, OK State, and Texas as the Bears are now tied for first in the Big 12. With another possible Heisman winner, citizens of Waco are pleased that they're finally being remembered for something other than the Branch Davidians.
Thank God for RGIII, eh? Since the formation of the Big 12, Baylor has an astonishingly horrible 1-16 record against the Sooners. The 2011 game in Waco was one of the best individual regular season performances in college football history. The performance pretty much sealed RGIII's Heisman. With the parity and plethora of great quarterbacks in contention for the Heisman, voters will be looking for something different. That's Lache.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Sooners 34, Bears 42.
Not only does Seastrunk dazzle, but Baylor puts the heat on TCU, OK State, and Texas as the Bears are now tied for first in the Big 12. With another possible Heisman winner, citizens of Waco are pleased that they're finally being remembered for something other than the Branch Davidians.
Runner Up: Texas Tech at Kansas State
November 16th, Oklahoma State at Texas
November 16th, Oklahoma State at Texas
The Longhorns won a wild one last year in Stillwater and the 2013 meeting in Austin should be just as exciting.
Despite having a 24-4 all time record against Oklahoma State, the 2012 match-up ended Texas' two year drought against the Cowboys. It was one of David Ash's best games as he went 30-36, 304 yards and threw for 3 touchdowns. The game also ended in controversy after Joe Bergeron's two yard touchdown run was upheld by officials after an alleged fumble in the endzone.
There will be more on the line for both teams in 2013 as both teams should be neck and neck for the Big 12 title late in the season. For Texas, it's really going to come down to the leadership of David Ash. They know he can be a great quarterback, but they also know he can be streaky. Ash won't be able to play like he did against Kansas or TCU if the Horns want to win this one. But if Ash does rise to the occasion, Texas could take the Big 12 after this game.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Cowboys 35, Horns 24.
Despite having a 24-4 all time record against Oklahoma State, the 2012 match-up ended Texas' two year drought against the Cowboys. It was one of David Ash's best games as he went 30-36, 304 yards and threw for 3 touchdowns. The game also ended in controversy after Joe Bergeron's two yard touchdown run was upheld by officials after an alleged fumble in the endzone.
There will be more on the line for both teams in 2013 as both teams should be neck and neck for the Big 12 title late in the season. For Texas, it's really going to come down to the leadership of David Ash. They know he can be a great quarterback, but they also know he can be streaky. Ash won't be able to play like he did against Kansas or TCU if the Horns want to win this one. But if Ash does rise to the occasion, Texas could take the Big 12 after this game.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Cowboys 35, Horns 24.
Oklahoma State continues their rampage since being upset in Lubbock. However, Mack Brown wins the comeback war and tells Gundy he loved him as one of the inmates in Orange is the New Black.
Runner Up: TCU at Kansas State
November 23rd, Baylor at Oklahoma State
The Brooding Baptists beat a very good Oklahoma State team last year in Waco. But even with Lache Seastrunk, Baylor's going to have a very tough time keeping up with the Cowboys in 2013.
Oklahoma State should be in full swing by this point and will have all their minor flaws worked out. Regardless of who the quarterback is, Oklahoma State will be competing for a chance to play in Pasadena for the National Championship. Full speed ahead.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Bears 28, Cowboys 49.
The real battle is deciding who was the more unappealing town; Stillwater or Waco.
Runner Up: Oklahoma at Kansas State
Oklahoma State should be in full swing by this point and will have all their minor flaws worked out. Regardless of who the quarterback is, Oklahoma State will be competing for a chance to play in Pasadena for the National Championship. Full speed ahead.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Bears 28, Cowboys 49.
The real battle is deciding who was the more unappealing town; Stillwater or Waco.
Runner Up: Oklahoma at Kansas State
November 30th, Texas Tech at Texas
Texas Tech will shine brightest when least expected. The Red Raiders made it interesting last year in Lubbock, but fell short to the Longhorns 31-22.
It was unfortunate for Tech, because they were coming off a thrilling triple overtime win in Fort Worth and a complete beat down by K-State in Manhattan. Being tired and slipping from your groove never helps when you're playing a team that's finding there's. I also wasn't a fan of their uniforms that game. I respect the meaning behind them, but it looked as if a flamboyant Confederate solider designed a uniform for the Southern team in the US Army All American Bowl. But to each their own.
I have a feeling the "playing at home every year on Turkey day" will backfire again and The Thanksgiving Curse will continue.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Red Raiders 34, Horns 30.
Kliff and company seize the opportunity to play in front of a large national audience and gives a Cotton Bowl bound UT their third and final loss of 2013.
Runner Up: TCU at Baylor
December 7th, Oklahoma at Oklahoma State
It was unfortunate for Tech, because they were coming off a thrilling triple overtime win in Fort Worth and a complete beat down by K-State in Manhattan. Being tired and slipping from your groove never helps when you're playing a team that's finding there's. I also wasn't a fan of their uniforms that game. I respect the meaning behind them, but it looked as if a flamboyant Confederate solider designed a uniform for the Southern team in the US Army All American Bowl. But to each their own.
I have a feeling the "playing at home every year on Turkey day" will backfire again and The Thanksgiving Curse will continue.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Red Raiders 34, Horns 30.
Kliff and company seize the opportunity to play in front of a large national audience and gives a Cotton Bowl bound UT their third and final loss of 2013.
Runner Up: TCU at Baylor
December 7th, Oklahoma at Oklahoma State
Since 2000 the Cowboys have gone 3-10 against the Sooners. Last year's Bedlam game was as good as any fan could ask for as the Sooners barely escaped an overtime loss in Norman.
2013's trip to Stillwater won't be so easy for the Sooners. I hate the term, but 2013 will be a "rebuilding year" for the Sooners and, like I stated above, the Cowboys will be in full gear and looking to take advantage of this.
Stupid, Meaningless Prediction: Sooners 14, Cowboys 35.
Oklahoma State closes out 2013 with a dominating performance at home against their biggest rival to win the Big 12 Championship. Depending how Ohio State or Oregon/Stanford finishes, the Cowboys could have a very realistic shot at going to the National Championship.
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