3afan
11-23-2005, 07:56 AM
http://www.collegefootballnews.com/Big_12/2005_Predictions/Big12.htm
Texas (10-0) at Texas A&M (5-5) 12 pm ET CBS
Why to watch: 2005 has been a major disappointment for Texas A&M with inconsistent play, horrible defense, and no clutch performances over the current three-game losing streak with blowouts to Iowa State and Texas Tech and a loss to Oklahoma. The Aggie nation has become grouchy over the overall fall from grace under head coach Dennis Franchione and are desperately looking for something to get excited about. Beating Texas would surely do the trick. Not only would a win over the Longhorns be a big-time rivalry win, it would make Texas A&M bowl eligible and all but screw up plans for the USC-Texas national title game. However, Texas has been unstoppable facing every challenge by simply steamrolling over it. This team is much, much better than you think it is.
Why Texas might win: Yeah, the Big 12 sucks this year and yeah, Texas hasn't exactly faced a murderers row of teams since beating Ohio State on September 10th, but try out this fun stat. Take away the 25 points scored against Ohio State, and Texas is averaging 53 points per game, with the win in Columbus the only time it hasn't scored more than 42 points. In the last four games, the Texas machine is rolling for 57 points per game. Everyone knows UT can run the ball, but the passing game is also rolling with Vince Young ranking second in the nation in passing efficiency and the team ranking 36th in the nation in passing. The A&M pass defense is currently the worst in America allowing 319 yards per game.
Why Texas A&M might win: Has Texas faced a team that can run the ball? No, not just put up some decent numbers, like Rice, but really run the ball. Ohio State wasn't quite rolling with Antonio Pittman and Troy Smith. Missouri's ground attack is decent thanks to Brad Smith, while Oklahoma didn't have a healthy Adrian Peterson. A&M has to line up and smash Texas in the mouth with Jorvorskie Lane and, to a lesser extent, Courtney Lewis, while Reggie McNeal has to shake off his ankle injury and provide a bit of a rushing threat. A&M has to be able to control the tempo and keep momentum on its side. If the ground game isn't rolling, A&M is in big trouble.
Who to watch: This could be the final game in the good, but unfulfilling career of Reggie McNeal. He's the school's all-time leading passer and statistically, its greatest quarterback, but he regressed this year after a magnificent 2004. He's not as accurate as he was, he's throwing more picks, he's not running as well, and it seems like he has been buried under the weight of having to carry the team all by himself. Unfortunately, he'll be at far less than 100% with an injured ankle suffered against Oklahoma and will want this game so badly that he might try to do too much. He can't match Vince Young big play for big play, but if he's cool, calm and efficient, he might be able to keep this close.
What will happen: Texas is simply playing too well. After the emotion of the first few minutes dies down, the explosive Longhorn offense will go on a run and end the drama in the first half.
CFN Prediction: Texas 45 ... Texas A&M 23
Nebraska (6-4) at Colorado (7-3) 3:30 pm ET ABC
Why to watch: It's not exactly the bitterest of rivalries, but it's growing into a yearly big showdown and a Thanksgiving weekend tradition. Colorado can win the Big 12 North with a win over the Huskers, while Iowa State and Missouri will have their Big Red pom-poms out hoping for a Nebraska win to send the North race into a little bit of chaos. Nebraska's mediocre season can take a big turn up with a win and the possibility of an eight-win season, but it'll have to come up with one of its best games of the year to avoid a 3-5 conference record. Colorado has had two weeks to stew over the nail-biting loss to Iowa State, but a win and a rematch with Texas would make everything all better.
Why Nebraska might win: Despite all the inconsistencies on both sides of the ball, Nebraska still leads the nation in sacks. The Colorado offensive line has been fine and went on a long stretch without allowing a sack, but it has given up six in the last three games. While the Buff running game should do just fine, the offense is a lot better when Joel Klatt is effective. He doesn't have to throw for a ton of yards for Colorado to win, but he has to be efficient and accurate. He can't be either on his back.
Why Colorado might win: Nebraska's run defense hasn't stopped anyone over the last month. Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State ran wild combining to average 246 rushing yards, while Adrian Peterson helped OU rush for 180 yards and three touchdowns. Colorado's offense has been balanced, and more often than not, reliant on QB Joel Klatt, but it's more than equipped to pound the ball if it needs to. Meanwhile, Nebraska has become as one-dimensional as it gets becoming a pure passing team. Since Colorado is second in the nation in run defense, don't look for anything on the ground from the Huskers.
Who to watch: Can Nebraska do anything to get Cory Ross moving again? The 5-6 senior was a key cog early in the season with two 100-yard rushing days in his first three, and then his production dropped off the map with a 93-yard day against Baylor his only game of note. To be fair, he's been a little banged up, but the Husker passing game isn't good enough to carry the entire team and it needs its diminutive star to make a big statement in his final regular season game.
What will happen: It won't be a 62-38er, but expect a lot of scoring and a good, efficient Colorado performance to seal its spot in the Big 12 title game.
CFN Prediction: Colorado 38 ... Nebraska 27
Texas (10-0) at Texas A&M (5-5) 12 pm ET CBS
Why to watch: 2005 has been a major disappointment for Texas A&M with inconsistent play, horrible defense, and no clutch performances over the current three-game losing streak with blowouts to Iowa State and Texas Tech and a loss to Oklahoma. The Aggie nation has become grouchy over the overall fall from grace under head coach Dennis Franchione and are desperately looking for something to get excited about. Beating Texas would surely do the trick. Not only would a win over the Longhorns be a big-time rivalry win, it would make Texas A&M bowl eligible and all but screw up plans for the USC-Texas national title game. However, Texas has been unstoppable facing every challenge by simply steamrolling over it. This team is much, much better than you think it is.
Why Texas might win: Yeah, the Big 12 sucks this year and yeah, Texas hasn't exactly faced a murderers row of teams since beating Ohio State on September 10th, but try out this fun stat. Take away the 25 points scored against Ohio State, and Texas is averaging 53 points per game, with the win in Columbus the only time it hasn't scored more than 42 points. In the last four games, the Texas machine is rolling for 57 points per game. Everyone knows UT can run the ball, but the passing game is also rolling with Vince Young ranking second in the nation in passing efficiency and the team ranking 36th in the nation in passing. The A&M pass defense is currently the worst in America allowing 319 yards per game.
Why Texas A&M might win: Has Texas faced a team that can run the ball? No, not just put up some decent numbers, like Rice, but really run the ball. Ohio State wasn't quite rolling with Antonio Pittman and Troy Smith. Missouri's ground attack is decent thanks to Brad Smith, while Oklahoma didn't have a healthy Adrian Peterson. A&M has to line up and smash Texas in the mouth with Jorvorskie Lane and, to a lesser extent, Courtney Lewis, while Reggie McNeal has to shake off his ankle injury and provide a bit of a rushing threat. A&M has to be able to control the tempo and keep momentum on its side. If the ground game isn't rolling, A&M is in big trouble.
Who to watch: This could be the final game in the good, but unfulfilling career of Reggie McNeal. He's the school's all-time leading passer and statistically, its greatest quarterback, but he regressed this year after a magnificent 2004. He's not as accurate as he was, he's throwing more picks, he's not running as well, and it seems like he has been buried under the weight of having to carry the team all by himself. Unfortunately, he'll be at far less than 100% with an injured ankle suffered against Oklahoma and will want this game so badly that he might try to do too much. He can't match Vince Young big play for big play, but if he's cool, calm and efficient, he might be able to keep this close.
What will happen: Texas is simply playing too well. After the emotion of the first few minutes dies down, the explosive Longhorn offense will go on a run and end the drama in the first half.
CFN Prediction: Texas 45 ... Texas A&M 23
Nebraska (6-4) at Colorado (7-3) 3:30 pm ET ABC
Why to watch: It's not exactly the bitterest of rivalries, but it's growing into a yearly big showdown and a Thanksgiving weekend tradition. Colorado can win the Big 12 North with a win over the Huskers, while Iowa State and Missouri will have their Big Red pom-poms out hoping for a Nebraska win to send the North race into a little bit of chaos. Nebraska's mediocre season can take a big turn up with a win and the possibility of an eight-win season, but it'll have to come up with one of its best games of the year to avoid a 3-5 conference record. Colorado has had two weeks to stew over the nail-biting loss to Iowa State, but a win and a rematch with Texas would make everything all better.
Why Nebraska might win: Despite all the inconsistencies on both sides of the ball, Nebraska still leads the nation in sacks. The Colorado offensive line has been fine and went on a long stretch without allowing a sack, but it has given up six in the last three games. While the Buff running game should do just fine, the offense is a lot better when Joel Klatt is effective. He doesn't have to throw for a ton of yards for Colorado to win, but he has to be efficient and accurate. He can't be either on his back.
Why Colorado might win: Nebraska's run defense hasn't stopped anyone over the last month. Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State ran wild combining to average 246 rushing yards, while Adrian Peterson helped OU rush for 180 yards and three touchdowns. Colorado's offense has been balanced, and more often than not, reliant on QB Joel Klatt, but it's more than equipped to pound the ball if it needs to. Meanwhile, Nebraska has become as one-dimensional as it gets becoming a pure passing team. Since Colorado is second in the nation in run defense, don't look for anything on the ground from the Huskers.
Who to watch: Can Nebraska do anything to get Cory Ross moving again? The 5-6 senior was a key cog early in the season with two 100-yard rushing days in his first three, and then his production dropped off the map with a 93-yard day against Baylor his only game of note. To be fair, he's been a little banged up, but the Husker passing game isn't good enough to carry the entire team and it needs its diminutive star to make a big statement in his final regular season game.
What will happen: It won't be a 62-38er, but expect a lot of scoring and a good, efficient Colorado performance to seal its spot in the Big 12 title game.
CFN Prediction: Colorado 38 ... Nebraska 27