Why Oklahoma will not win the National Championship in 2011

So I know you have all heard by now that Oklahoma is #1 overall in all polls so far.  I have honestly learned that you cannot rely on the preseason polls for the most part.  While I have to admit, most of the Top 25 teams tend to stay about the same every single season, they are almost never right about who is number at the end of the season.  Oklahoma will play their second game at Florida State (a team who has been waiting to rip open a top 5 team).  It seems the loss of Bobby Bowden has not hurt expectations of the Seminoles as they are once again a Top 10 team preseason even though they barely finished in the Top 25 last season.  Well Florida State will already have two games under their belt while Oklahoma will just have one.  So what does this mean for Oklahoma?  It could be nothing honestly and Oklahoma could come out and stomp on Florida State but my gut tells me this is going to be a huge win for the ACC and a catastrophe for the Big 12.  If Oklahoma loses to Florida State early on, I cannot imagine a scenario in which Oklahoma can get back into the National Championship spotlight.  We have seen in years past that early losses really are not that big of a deal as long as it happens before the BCS polls come out.  Even if they somehow manage to get past #6 Florida State  with #21 Missouri right after, they will still need to get past a hot and bothered #8 Texas A&M along with long time rival #9 Oklahoma State (@ Oklahoma State).  This does not bode well for a quarterback who takes a pounding at times.  To be honest with you I would not be surprised if A&M showed us something special this season because of how angry they are with the rest of the country.  I cannot imagine how it feels to be an Aggie fan right now with the fate of your school or alma mater set in stone.  I will make a bold prediction right now in saying that Oklahoma will not play in the, let alone win, the National Championship this season.

To All the Texas A&M Fans Out There:

Hello Aggies how are you doing on this fine afternoon?  Not too angry about the Longhorn Network I hope?  What I find funny is that no one had a problem when Texas was making more than $80 Million per season through their football team alone yet now fans are in uproar since they signed a TV contract with ESPN.  If Texas A&M leaves you can almost be guaranteed that the University of Texas will go independent.  If Notre Dame and BYU can go independent and Texas has 10 times the recruits both schools pick up, there really isn’t any reason they would not be able to go independent.  Aggies going to the SEC would be one of the worst moves they could possibly make.  I realize that there might be a little bit more money involved for you but consider this before you decide to make this move.  This could be your schedule if you move to the SEC:

Texas A&M Possible SEC Schedule

Team	Current Ranking	Last Years Record
SMU	NR	7-7 (6-2)
Texas	24	5-7 (2-6)
Arkansas	14	10-3 (6-2)
LSU	4	11-2 (6-2)
Ole Miss	NR	4-8 (1-7)
Auburn	19	14-0 (8-0)
Alabama	2	10-3 (5-3)
Missouri	21	10-3 (6-2)
Florida	23	8-5 (4-4)
Georgia	22	6-7 (3-5)
BYU	NR	7-6
Mississippi State	20	9-4 (4-4)

2009-2010 Big 12 North and South Predictions

I will start out by reviewing what is in my opinion to be the roughest toughest part of any conference in the NCAA.  The 2nd place Longhorns look to take it all this season, but with the intensity of their schedule at this point could lead a sleeping giant in Oklahoma State.  I know that you boomer sooner fans out there are not going to like what I have to say, but I just dont think its your year boys.  I am hoping not at least.  WE (My fellow Longhorn fans) crushed you once and will do it again.  Some key games to look at this season are the following (all times are Central Standard Time):

• September 5th
  • (9) Oklahoma State vs. (13) Georgia ABC at 2:30PM
• September 12th
  • (22) Iowa at Iowa State 11:05AM

• September 19th
  • (2) Texas at Texas Tech ABC at 7:00PM CST
  • (24) Nebraska at (7) Virginia Tech ABC at 2:30PM
• October 8th
  • (24) Nebraska at Missouri ESPN at 8:00PM
• October 17th
  • (2) Texas vs. (3) Oklahoma ABC at 11:00AM
• October 24th
  • (3) Oklahoma at (25) Kansas TBA
• October 31rst
  • (2) Texas vs. (9) Oklahoma State TBA
• November 14th
  • (24) Nebraska at (25) Kansas TBA
• November 28th
  • (9) Oklahoma State at (3) Oklahoma TBA

These are the games that I am looking for and will hopefully be able to attend all of them.  We will see though it depends on ticket prices and what not.  If I do, you can be sure that I will be uploading pictures soon after.  You know how we roll at SidelineBlog.  Anyways, if you guys know of any other games you would be interested in seeing let me know and I will try to find out how you can watch them when they come up.  Here are my quick predictions in case you were wondering.

North

1. Nebraska
2. Kansas
3. Missouri
4. Colorado
5. Iowa State
6. Kansas State

South

1. Texas
2. Oklahoma State
3. Oklahoma
4. Baylor
5. Texas Tech
6. Texas A&M

Jump on the Texas band wagon! Next stop…Oklahoma State!

I dont think anyone was expecting the pounding that Missouri took today.  I ordered pizza at 7-0 and by the time it got there (30 min later) it was already 35-0 Texas.  College football fans are leaving their teams all across America to join the Texas Bandwagon group.  I would like you to know that they are not currently accepting BYU fans, it just wouldnt be right.  Colt Mccoy went 29-32 (better than 90%) passing.  For all of you who said their defense was overrated, I hope you were watching the game, because they only allowed 3 points in the first half against a team who is always scoring.  The game tonight never materialized with Mccoy at the reigns.  He just took over the first half and by halftime we were wondering if they were going to invent some mercy rule.  They really should after seeing some of the games this weekend.  Tulsa put up 77 tonight against UTEP which is 25 more than Texas was able to score.  They also put more up than Texas against Rice putting 63 points on them.  The only question I see with Tulsa is their schedule strength.  They could run the table which would be very interesting to see how far they make it up the poll.  So far they havent even reached Top 25 status although I am pretty sure that all changes this week.  How do you argue with stats like these:

Completions: 29
Attempts: 32
Yards: 337
Completion Percentage: 90.6 %
Longest: 38
Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 0
Passer Rating: 199.71
Rushing Attempts: 11
Rushing Yards: 23
Average: 2.1
Longest: 9
Touchdowns: 2

All of this against the #11 team in the nation who was, until last week, considered to be the best of the Big 12 and the country.  I can only imagine what it would have been like if Missouri had won last week.  I am however, glad that they were able to get two solid wins against two major teams in a row.  I am interested in seeing what the injuries are after this game, because I kept noticing Longhorn players heading over to the sideline.  I hope to see you next week when the Longhorns take on the #8 team in the nation in Oklahoma State (the team that took out Missouri last week).

College Football – Week 8 – Games to watch

Thursday, October 16th

6:30PM Central on ESPN [HD]
Florida State at North Carolina State   (W) Florida State

Look for Florida State to come out with a stronger offense than they have had in the past.  I would watch out for their quarterback Christian Ponder as he has proved that he can run the ball in a scramble averaging 6.7 yards on the ground.  Another low scoring SEC team.

Friday, October 17th

7:00PM CST on ESPN [HD]
Hawaii at #15 Boise State  (W) Boise State

After starting the season 1-3, the Warriors of Hawaii have gotten back to .500 running through Fresno State and Louisiana Tech.  I dont think they have enough on defense for Kellen Moore and his 1300+ yards of passing this season.

Saturday, October 18th

Saturday brings us a whole score full of games to watch.  I am quite excited about this weekend to be honest with you.

11:00AM CST on FSN [HD]
#7 Texas Tech at Texas A&M (W) Texas Tech

In the Big 12 anything is possible, and if anything it should be a decent game, but look for Graham Harrell to try to let his throwing do the talking for him as he tries to get back into the running for the Heisman.

11:30AM CST on Raycom [HD]
#22 Vanderbilt at #10 Georgia (W) Georgia

Although Georgia is coming off of a loss to Alabama at home and a poor showing at home last week with Tennessee, I cannot put my trust in a quarterback who has actually run further than he has thrown.  I have heard rumors of Mackenzi Adams taking over but wont believe it till I see it.  With Adams at the reigns, this team becomes a little more dangerous in the passing game.

2:30PM CST on ABC [HD]
#16 Kansas at #4 Oklahoma (W) Oklahoma

With Kansas having a loss against the best team they have played, I have yet to see Tood Reesing’s full potential and I have to assume that Oklahoma is going to roll over them.  Kansas is by far considered the most overrated team this season. Reesing and Sam Bradford of Oklahoma have similar stats so it should be interesting to see if the Sooner’s defense can stand up to Reesing because I know he is a stud.

2:30PM CST on ABC [HD]
#12 Ohio State at #20 Michigan State (W) Michigan State

Michigan State has been throwing up stats that are just rediculous.  They also have not really played anyone either.  Their only loss has come to a great Cal team.  Look for Chris Wells to play hard and fast in this one.

3:30PM CST on ESPN [HD]
Michigan at #3 Penn State (W) Penn State

In order to make a bowl game this season, Michigan needs to step it up hardcore if they want any chance at the second half of their hard schedule.  I want to put some trust in Threet, but after losing to Toledo, I just cant seem to muster any.  Plus, Penn State just put up 48 on Wisconsin (ouch).

7:00PM CST on ABC [HD]
#11 Missouri at #1 Texas (W) Texas

What can I say?  Hook em’

7:00PM CST on ESPN [HD]
#13 LSU at South Carolina (W) South Carolina

I am sorry, but to me, South Carolina has been producing far more offensively than LSU.  I really don’t think South Carolina is going to have a problem with the running game of LSU.  Call me crazy but I am feeling bold tonight.

Texas Will be undefeated by the time they get to Oklahoma.

You heard it here first.  I am telling you right now that the Texas Longhorns are going to blow through the Arkansas game (I dont care how bad you think it is to just breeze through a game especially against the SEC) and will have a hard fought nose to nose battle with the Buffaloes of Colorado.  Texas is coming off a 52-10 victory against Rice while Arkansas got embarrased by Alabama.  I have been talking to quite a few people who have been quite adamant about Arkansas putting it to Texas, but I am here to tell you right now, that I will shut my blog down if Texas loses to Arkansas, because if Texas loses, then Hell must be freezing over and I need to get on the first Google space craft out of here.

The real question here is whether or not Cody Johnson is the man behind Colt Mccoy.  Will he be lining up in the Running Back position or will one of the other numerous running back choices come in?  I will be the last person to tell you that Texas has a great running back situation because they dont.  I would love to see them have a guy who ran for 200 plus yards a game, but they do have depth.   Colt Mccoy is the leading rusher at 194 yards and averaging about 8 yards a carry.   Cody Johnson, Vondrell McGee, and Foswhitt Whittaker will surely be sleeping a lot less before game day as Mack Brown has stated that its going to be a game time decision.   When it comes to the SEC and Big 12 I only have one solid answer for you…

2008 Big 12 Conference Leaders

Passing
G. Harrell, – Texas Tech 1573 Yards
C. Daniel, – Missouri 1412 Yards
T. Reesing, – Kansas 1397 Yards

Rushing

K. Hunter – Oklahoma State 449 Yards
D. Washington – Missouri 361 Yards
R. Griffin – Baylor 334 Yards

2008 SEC Conference Leaders

Passing
M. Stafford – Georgia 919 Yards
J. Snead – Ole Miss 844 Yards (PS…was 3rd string QB for Texas in 2006)
C. Dick – Arkansas 831 Yards

Rushing
K. Moreno – Georgia 455 Yards
G. Coffee – Alabama 404 Yards
C. Scott – LSU 394 Yards

Basically what I am trying to say is…Bring it Arkansas…

Kansas State vs. Louisville Predictions

Kansas State will be going for a 3rd victory in a row tonight coming off their 69-10 route of Montana State. Now, I know how all of you feel about the level of schedule this year for Kansas State but having lived in Montana, I can tell you how big football is up there. Montana State is held in high regard and I was very surprised in how hard they fell. Kansas State is averaging 57 pts. per game this season so far and I think its going to be another high flying offensive reel of a game tonight. Louisville has not impressed me at all this season not being able to get it done against Kentucky and coming out with just 2 points total. They did however slaughter a seasoned Ohio Valley Conference Tennessee Tech team in impressive form 52-10. With both squads coming off large victories, look for Louisville to get it done on the ground and Josh Freeman of Kansas State to get it done through the air. I am giving Kansas State the victory and I am going to go with 37-14. I think there will be more offense, but I am going to go more conservative for my first pick.