Big XII RoundUp: Week 5

Anyone who doesn't think the Big XII (primarily the South) is the best league in football this year just isn't watching. Though they didn't get the nod yet (as expected), we now have proof that three teams in this conference have (or have had) legitimate claims for the #1 spot in the land. Factor in three more ranked teams and you've got one impressive league. On that same note, the College Football Guys put together a post on Big XII teams as famous women. Not too shabby, though the Paris Hilton comparison is a pretty rough insult.

**Quick aside** Why does the Big XII and it's TV affiliates hate Kansas? Kickoff for the Texas game has been announced as 11:30 am. Fuck me in the goat ass! That officially makes it every single league home game as either an 11:00 or 11:30 kickoff. Add in ISU and possibly MU and that is simply ridiculous. Also worth noting that with OU @ 2:30 and NU @ 1:30, they will not play one night game during the entire league schedule. Unless they make the Big XII Championship, that is. **Second update** - KU/MU has been announced as 11:30 as well. Fuckin A!

1. Texas Tech (9-0, 5-0) – beat Texas 39-33. There's really no point in rehashing what happened here. If you care enough about college football to actually be reading this blog, then you already know. If you're Tech, you control your own destiny with how far this season goes and that's all you can ask for, especially nine games in. Up next: OSU comes to Lubbock for another primetime game. And honestly, I'm leaning Cowboys right now. Tech has been great, but after seeing how KU ran on them, I think Kendall Hunter has a big day in him

2. Texas (8-1, 4-1) – lost @ Tech 39-33. I'm sure they're disappointed, especially with how it ended, but there's no shame in getting through that gauntlet with only one loss. The real agony will be if a three way tiebreaker happens and OU is the beneficiary (which could easily happen). Up next: A visit from the Robert Griffin's.

3. OSU (8-1, 4-1) – beat ISU 59-17. It's a shame that such a good team has such a good stadium and it's never full. I was a late comer on their bandwagon, and I still wonder how they'll handle Tech's offense but I would suggest keeping them off the field as long as possible. Up next: A trip to Lubbock.

4. Oklahoma (8-1, 4-1) – hammered Nebraska 62-28. It took them all of 5:33 to score 28 points. To Nebraska's zero. That has to be some kind of record, right? Despite a much improved effort from their D I'm leaving them at forth because of the 16 carries for 157 yards from Roy Helu, Jr. A week after allowing J-Free to fall just short of 500 on them, this defense still looks like shit. They'll have their chances to prove me wrong, though. Up next: A visit to Aggieland.

5. Methzouri (7-2, 3-2) – squeaked by @ Baylor 31-28. I'm leaving them fifth purely on what they did to Colorado and Nebraska and what I'm sure they're about to do to KSU and ISU. But I'm no longer convinced they're the undisputed 5 team in this league. Kudos for making enough plays (namely the INT) to win the game, but this defense is still dire. Up next: An enjoyable senior day for the Chase's against Ron Prince's "defense."

6. Kansas (6-3, 3-2) – humiliated KSU 52-21. Similarly, they're staying here because you can't put too much stock into one game. That's exactly what I wanted to see and exactly what the team needed, but it was still just K-State. Go to Nebraska and handle the Bugeaters and I'll truly believe we've got a chance at the north. Up next: a chance to win in Lincoln for the first time since 1968.

7. Nebraska (5-4, 2-3) – depantsed @ Oklahoma 62-28. And yet they still won the time of possession. But man is this an awful defense. The stats probably don't support it, mostly because of the offensive game planning, but I haven't seen anything from them to make me think they're any better than a year ago on that side of the ball. And also, how is this game not televised? It's probably the only competitive game outside of Lubbock. Up next: A chance at revenge after getting 76 hung on them last year.

8. Baylor (3-6, 1-4) – lost a heartbreaker to MU 31-28. What a bad time for that first INT, Mr. Griffin. I know the record doesn't support this ranking, but I'll again ask; who below them do you think they would not beat? Up next: A trip to Austin. It never ends.

9. KSU (4-5, 1-4) – debased @ Kansas 52-21. And it wasn't that close. They get this spot solely for the win in College Station. I don't know what the administration is thinking, but personally, I can't get enough of Ron Prince. The more the merrier, despite what Mack Brown says. Up next: Chase Day in Columbia.

10. Texas A&M (4-5, 2-3) – beat Colorado 24-17. In what was likely their last win of the 2008 season. If they allowed Colorado to score 17 and nearly hit 400 yards, I don't even want to know what Oklahoma is about to do to them. If Sam Bradford still wants a shot at the Heisman, this could be a fun week to show it. Up next: Oklahoma comes to town.

11. Colorado (4-5, 1-4) – lost @ A&M 24-17. And the regression has never been more evident. I'm doubting Hawkins is getting much pressure from the CU administration just yet, but it will come quickly if things don't change by next year. Up next: Back to Boulder for a date with next on this list, ISU.

12. ISU (2-7, 0-5) – escaped alive from OSU 59-17. But that's about all they did. How in the shit is their game in Boulder televised? I mean, really? Will Iowa State and Colorado fans even be watching that game? You've got some work ahead of you, Gene. Up next: Boulder.

For those interested, I had another rough week picking games; 5-1 TGS and 3-3 ATS. On the season, that's now 23-7 TGS and 15-15 ATS. Hopefully I can turn things around these last few weeks, because this has not been my brightest showing.