Saturday’s Big 12 games encapsulated

By Eric Sorrentino     Nov 27, 2010

No. 14 Oklahoma (9-2) at No. 10 Oklahoma State (10-1), 7 p.m.

Line: Oklahoma State by 21/2

Fun facts: The stakes of today’s Bedlam matchup have never been higher. The winner likely will represent the South in the Big 12 Championship game next Saturday in Arlington, Texas. Oklahoma State has never won the Big 12 South. Oklahoma has represented the South in the Big 12 title game in six of the past eight seasons. Oklahoma leads the all-time series, 80-17-7. The Sooners have won the past seven meetings. ESPN’s College Gameday will be on hand in Stillwater tonight.

Player to watch: Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon. If there’s a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender in the Big 12 this season, it’s Blackmon, the most dominant receiver in the country. Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and Oregon running back LaMichael James are likely ahead of Blackmon in the race.

The sophomore OSU receiver has exceeded all expectations this season. That’s kind of the thing: There were barely any expectations of him on a national scale. Blackmon’s name was absent from just about every preseason All-Big 12 list. The guy came out of nowhere, to the point that it still seems like all-world receiver Dez Bryant lines up for coach Mike Gundy’s Cowboys on Saturdays. Young receivers need to ask Blackmon how he trained before the season, because his offseason improvement is probably one of the best efforts in the history of the Big 12. Last season as a freshman, Blackmon caught 20 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Nice for a freshman, sure, but nothing special. This season, Blackmon leads the country with 1,560 yards (156 receiving yards per game) and 17 touchdowns. Imagine having this guy on your fantasy team on Sundays. There’s going to be a lot of offensive firepower at Bedlam tonight. Blackmon is probably the most lethal of any weapon on either side of the ball.

Key matchup: Oklahoma defense vs. Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden. The Cowboys’ junior quarterback has had the best season of any signal caller in the conference. If Oklahoma wants to win tonight, it should look back to OSU’s one loss this season. It was against Nebraska, on Oct. 23, in Stillwater. Weeden, who has completed at least 22 passes in every other game this year, only completed 18 against Nebraska. Weeden also completed his lowest percentage of passes (51.4) against the Huskers. The Oklahoma State offensive line does an incredible job of protecting Weeden, to the point where he could sit back with a lemonade in the pocket before making his reads. He’s only been sacked once in the past four games. In that time, Weeden’s tossed nine touchdowns and only one interception. The Sooners’ defensive line must apply pressure to Weeden and at least get that lemonade out of his hands. Force him to leave the pocket.

Kansas State (6-5) at North Texas (3-8), 3 p.m.

Line: Kansas State by 141/2

Fun facts: The last time these two teams met, Kansas State routed North Texas, 45-6, in 2008 in Manhattan. Before that, K-State beat UNT, 54-7, in 2005 in Manhattan. North Texas is only 13-57 dating back to 2005.

Big 12 player to watch: Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas. A line of 150 rushing yards and a pair of scores could be on the low end for what the K-State back could accumulate today. North Texas gives up 167 rushing yards per game and has allowed 18 touchdowns on the ground in 11 games this season.

Key matchup: None. If K-State doesn’t win by at least two scores, it probably doesn’t belong in a bowl game this season.

Houston (5-6) at Texas Tech (6-5), 7 p.m.

Line: Texas Tech by 10

Fun facts: Houston defeated Texas Tech, 29-28, last season when it scored the winning touchdown with 49 seconds left on the clock. It was the Cougars’ first-ever victory over a Big 12 opponent.

Big 12 player to watch: Texas Tech running back Baron Batch. Yes, the Red Raiders are a pass-first team, but Batch’s eyes should light up when he takes a look at Houston’s rush defense, which surrenders a whopping 217 yards on the ground per game, fifth-to-last in the country.

Key matchup: Houston pass offense vs. Texas Tech pass defense. The Cougars can fling the ball around the field. They are seventh in the country in pass offense, with 316 yards through the air per game. Chances are the Cougars will have their opportunities against a Texas Tech defense that allows 293 yards in the air per game, third-to-last in the country. This game could very well be a shootout.

Saturday’s Big 12 games encapsulated

By Eric Sorrentino     Nov 20, 2010

Kansas State (6-4) at Colorado (4-6), 1 p.m.

Line: Kansas State by 2

Fun facts: Colorado leads the all-time series, 44-20-1. The home team has won the last three matchups.

Player to watch: Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein. The sophomore saw significant action for the second week in a row and responded with 141 rushing yards, and an additional 65 yards passing, plus a score. The speedy Klein now has 268 rushing yards in the last two games. Only problem is, he can’t get in a groove because K-State coach Bill Snyder continues to play quarterback Carson Coffman as well. In fact, the two quarterbacks switched in and out between plays, not just in between series. Coffman played poorly against Missouri, throwing an interception, losing two fumbles and taking four sacks. How will Snyder divide the snaps this week? Klein seems to be more effective, but Snyder may want to see Klein prove he can throw the ball more consistently before he takes over the job full-time.

Key matchup: Colorado pass rush vs. Kansas State passing attack. If and when K-State is forced to pass, will the Wildcats be able to convert key third-down situations? Colorado interim head coach Brian Cabral had his fingerprints all over the Buffaloes’ 34-14 victory against Iowa State last week in Boulder. Colorado produced eight sacks under the leadership of Cabral, the former CU linebackers coach who made his head coaching debut last week in place of recently-fired Dan Hawkins. K-State is 83rd in the country, giving up 2.40 sacks per game. Far from ideal when you consider how much the Wildcats run the ball with Daniel Thomas and Klein.

Weber State (6-4) at Texas Tech (5-5), 2 p.m.

Line: None

Fun facts: Weber State, a lower-level FCS team in the Big Sky Conference, has played one BCS conference team this season. In the season opener, Weber State fell, 38-20, to Boston College (5-5 overall, 3-4 ACC).

Big 12 player to watch: Texas Tech receiver Lyle Leong. The senior is quietly having an outstanding year, hauling in 58 catches for 725 yards and 15 scores (second in country behind Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon, who has 16). Leong should have his way with Weber State.

Key matchup: Texas Tech passing attack vs. Weber State secondary. It’s going to be a long day for the Wildcats if they can’t contain Taylor Potts and the Red Raiders passing attack, which is 12th in the country (fourth in Big 12) with 296 yards in the air per game.

Florida Atlantic (4-5) at Texas (4-6), 2:30 p.m.

Line: Texas by 21

Fun facts: Florida Atlantic, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, is on a three-game winning streak. The Owls have seen BCS competition this season. Florida Atlantic faced Michigan State on a neutral field in Detroit and lost, 30-17, on Sept. 11. Michigan State is now 9-1 and No. 11 in the country. The last time Florida Atlantic faced Texas, it was destroyed, 52-10, in 2008 in Austin, Texas.

Big 12 player to watch: Texas linebacker Keenan Robinson. Florida Atlantic does not move the ball on offense. The Owls are 112th in rushing offense, 78th in passing offense and 110th in total offense. They also give up 2.67 sacks per game, 97th in the country. Not pretty. Look for the junior Robinson to have opportunities all over the field today.

Key matchup: Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert vs. Florida Atlantic defense. An area of strength for Florida Atlantic is defending the pass. The Owls surrender only 180 yards through the air per game, 17th in the country. In his last three games, Gilbert has thrown seven interceptions and only one touchdown. Look for the sophomore to improve against an inferior opponent today.

No. 15 Missouri (8-2) at Iowa State (5-6), 6 p.m.

Line: Missouri by 11

Fun facts: Missouri leads the all-time series, 59-34-9. The Tigers have triumphed in the last three meetings, and in six of the past seven.

Player to watch: Iowa State quarterback Jerome Tiller. The sophomore will be thrust into action today because Cyclones starting quarterback Austen Arnaud injured his knee and will miss the remainder of the season. Tiller filled in nicely last week, completing 12 of 19 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. Throwing on Missouri shouldn’t be overwhelming for Tiller. The Tigers allow 222 yards per game, 73rd in the country. If the Cyclones spring an upset, Tiller will likely have to spark a huge play or two. Running back Alexander Robinson (848 yards, nine TDs) can’t do it all himself.

Key matchup: Missouri rush offense vs. Iowa State rush defense. In the past three weeks, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel has dialed up a slew of running plays for quarterback Blaine Gabbert. That wasn’t the case early in the season. In the first seven games, Gabbert registered only 41 rushing attempts. He actually has 41 attempts in the last three games. Iowa State has struggled against the run this season, allowing 191 yards on the ground per game. Should Gabbert, De’Vion Moore, Henry Josey and Kendial Lawrence get going on the ground, it’s going to be a long day for ISU.

No. 16 Oklahoma (8-2) at Baylor (7-4), 7 p.m.

Line: Oklahoma by 71/2

Fun facts: Baylor has never beaten Oklahoma. The Sooners lead the all-time series, 19-0. In Big 12 play this season, Oklahoma is 3-0 at home, 0-2 on the road and 1-0 in neutral locations.

Player to watch: Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones. The sophomore had one of his best games last week against Texas Tech, completing 22 of 29 passes for 317 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. But can he put up similar numbers on the road? OU has only played three road games this season, but finishes up its schedule with two (today at Baylor, next Saturday at Oklahoma State). If Oklahoma wants to play in the last Big 12 Championship before Nebraska and Colorado bolt the conference, the Sooners must win their final two regular season games away from home.

Key matchup: Oklahoma rush offense vs. Baylor rush defense. The Sooners ran the ball with authority last week to open up the pass for Jones. OU rambled for 246 yards on the ground at an average of 5.6 yards per attempt. When OU’s running attack is working, Jones isn’t under as much pressure to make plays. He only threw 29 times last week, yet still went over 300 yards with five scores. In OU’s two Big 12 losses this year, Jones threw 50 times at Missouri and an absurd 59 times at Texas A&M. In both games, the Sooners didn’t eclipse 100 yards on the ground. Running the ball will be critical for OU today.

No. 9 Nebraska (9-1) at No. 18 Texas A&M (7-3), 7 p.m.

Line: Nebraska by 21/2

Fun facts: Nebraska leads the all-time series, 10-3. The Aggies won the last battle, 36-14, in 2007 at Nebraska. The Huskers need one more victory this season to clinch the Big 12 North. A&M started the conference season 0-2, but now finds itself 4-2 with an outside chance of winning the Big 12 South.

Player to watch: Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez. The red-shirt freshman did not look 100 percent in his return from an ankle injury last week against Kansas. He ran 11 times for 71 yards, but held up on a few runs and didn’t appear to go all out for extra yardage like he typically does. It didn’t really matter because Nebraska’s defense held Kansas to 87 total yards, KU’s lowest offensive output since 2001. Texas A&M’s offense is quite a bit better, though. The Aggies have a new-found spark since Ryan Tannehill took over at quarterback. They’re 4-0 since the junior replaced Jerrod Johnson. In that time, A&M is averaging 41.25 points per game. There should be more than 23 total points scored today — NU beat KU, 20-3, last week — so Martinez may have to step it up today and not rely as much on the defense.

Key matchup: Nebraska rush offense vs. Texas A&M rush defense. If A&M wants to continue its winning streak in front of a prime-time audience, it will have to contain Nebraska’s three-headed rushing monster of Martinez, Roy Helu Jr. and Rex Burkhead. The Aggies are 13th in the country in rush defense, allowing only 112 yards on the ground per game. Seems impressive, but a big reason for that is because teams pass on A&M at will. The Aggies are 102nd in pass defense. Nebraska likely won’t care about these splits and will try to pound the ball anyway. It will be up to A&M to contain it.

Saturday’s Big 12 games encapsulated

By Eric Sorrentino     Nov 13, 2010

Kansas State (6-3) at No. 20 Missouri (7-2), 11:30 a.m.

Line: Missouri by 13

Fun facts: Missouri leads the all-time series, 59-31-5. The Tigers have won the past four matchups. Before that, K-State had won the previous 10 in the Big 12 era.

Player to watch: Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert. In the Tigers’ last two games, both losses, Gabbert has completed only 40 percent of his passes. And most of the completions are short, easy passes that aren’t going for much yardage. Gabbert’s average yards per completion this season is 6.4, but the last two weeks, he’s combined for 3.95 yards per completion. Kansas State is last in the Big 12 in rushing defense, so Missouri may have a game plan that doesn’t primarily involve Gabbert. But the junior must get back on track for the Tigers to break their losing streak.

Key matchup: Kansas State rush offense vs. Missouri rush defense. K-State started sophomore Collin Klein at quarterback last week against Texas and it added a new dimension to the Wildcats’ already splendid rushing attack. Only problem is, Klein is not a gifted passer. Texas knew K-State was going to run the ball last week (Klein attempted a whopping four total passes) and UT still couldn’t stop the Wildcats from 261 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. If Klein gets the nod again, it will be up to Missouri’s defensive linemen to control the line of scrimmage. It should be obvious what’s coming.

Iowa State (5-5) at Colorado (3-6), 12:30 p.m.

Line: Iowa State by 21/2

Fun facts: Colorado leads the all-time series, 48-15-1. The home team has won the previous six decisions.

Player to watch: Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins. How will the senior quarterback respond after his father, former CU coach Dan Hawkins, was fired earlier in the week? Better yet, how will the Buffaloes respond after squandering a 28-point, fourth-quarter lead to Kansas?

Key matchup: ISU running back Alexander Robinson vs. CU rush defense. After being held in check at the start of the conference season, Robinson has gone over 100 yards rushing in his past three games. ISU is 2-1 in that time; the one loss was a 31-30 overtime heartbreaker to Nebraska. If Robinson gets going against Colorado the same way Kansas running back James Sims did last week (123 yards, 4 TDs), the Cyclones would have a solid chance of winning on the road. ISU is 1-3 in road games this season.

Texas Tech (5-4) at No. 19 Oklahoma, 2:30 p.m.

Line: Oklahoma by 15

Fun facts: Oklahoma leads the all-time series, 12-5. The home team has won the previous six matchups. OU is 6-1 against Tech at home in the Big 12 era.

Player to watch: Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts. Potts was benched in last week’s 24-17 Tech victory over Missouri, but he replaced an ineffective Steven Sheffield and led the Red Raiders to three touchdowns and 188 yards passing in three quarters. Potts will most likely get the start today against an Oklahoma team he torched last season in Lubbock, Texas. Potts threw for 388 yards and two scores in Tech’s 41-13 drubbing of OU in 2009. Playing in Norman, however, is a different scenario altogether. The Sooners own a 35-game home winning streak, top active streak in the country.

Key matchup: OU red zone offense vs. Texas Tech red zone defense. Texas A&M stopped OU three times from one yard out of the end zone last week, a huge reason the Aggies pulled off the upset in College Station, Texas. When the Sooners get scoring opportunities like that today, they must come away with points.

No 23 Texas A&M (6-3) at Baylor (7-3), 6 p.m.

Line: Texas A&M by 3

Fun facts: Texas A&M leads the all-time series, 66-31-9. The Aggies have won four of the past five meetings. Baylor’s lone win in that time came in 2008, a 41-21 decision in Waco, Texas.

Player to watch: Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Since the junior has been involved with the offense and taken over for Jerrod Johnson, the Aggies are 3-0 and have scored 41 points per game. With the Aggies now suddenly ranked and the Big 12 South up for grabs (Oklahoma State leads at 4-1; A&M is 3-2), don’t expect a change any time soon.

Key matchup: Texas A&M defense vs. big-play ability of Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin. In Texas A&M’s victory over Oklahoma last week, the Aggies limited big plays. The Sooners didn’t register a run more than 17 yards and didn’t register a pass longer than 29 yards. If A&M can limit the dual-threat Griffin in the same kind of way, it would have a nice chance of winning on the road. The Aggies are 1-1 on the road this season.

No. 12 Oklahoma State (8-1) at Texas (4-5), 7 p.m.

Line: Oklahoma State by 6

Fun facts: Texas leads the all-time series, 22-2. The Longhorns have won 13 of 14 meetings in the Big 12 era.

Player to watch: Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden. You don’t hear much about Weeden for Heisman campaigns, but the Cowboys signal caller’s stats are as good as anyone’s. The junior’s 26 touchdown passes are tied for first in the country, and his 2,983 passing yards (331 per game) rank second in the country. The Cowboys’ 46.33 points per game are tops in the Big 12 and third in the country. Oklahoma State has never won the Big 12 South, but Weeden is a primary reason the Cowboys are in position to challenge for their first crown.

Key matchup: Texas QB Garrett Gilbert vs. Oklahoma State pass defense. Texas has lost three straight games, and in that time, Gilbert has thrown three touchdown passes and nine interceptions. If there’s an area of weakness with Oklahoma State, it’s the pass defense, which gives up 272 yards per game, second-worst in the Big 12 and 113th in the country. Gilbert must have more success throwing the ball and cut down on the interceptions for the Longhorns to win at home, where they find themselves in a rare position of being the underdog. UT is only 1-3 at home this year.

Saturday’s Big 12 football games encapsulated

By Eric Sorrentino     Oct 14, 2010

No. 24 Missouri (5-0) at Texas A&M (3-2), 11 a.m.

Line: Texas A&M by 31/2

Fun facts: A&M leads the all-time series, 7-2. Missouri won the last matchup, 40-26, in 2007 in Columbia, Mo.

Player to watch: Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson. The senior has tossed nine interceptions in his last three games. The Aggies have turned the ball over 18 times this season, the second-worst mark in the country.

Key matchup: Johnson vs. Missouri defense. The Tigers will enter Saturday’s game ranked No. 3 in the country in scoring defense, surrendering only 11.20 points per game. Missouri is 12th in the country with 14 turnovers created. If MU can force Johnson into more bad decisions, it will have a solid chance at a road win.

Texas (3-2) at No. 5 Nebraska (5-0), 2:30 p.m.

Line: Nebraska by 91/2

Fun facts: Texas leads the all-time series, 9-4. The two teams met last December in the Big 12 Championship, with Texas prevailing on a (literally) last-second field goal, 13-12, to advance to the BCS Championship. Nebraska cited UT’s mighty athletic budget as a primary reason it left to join the Big Ten. Furthermore, Nebraska made a video for this game before the season even started with the catch phrase, “Wear Red. Be loud. Beat Texas.”

Player to watch: Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez. The red-shirt freshman has run wild on several slower and smaller defenses this season. The Corona, Calif., native averages a first down (10.84 yards, tops in country) every time he registers a rushing attempt. But will Martinez find holes against a UT defense that will be the fastest the Cornhuskers has seen all year?

Key matchup: Martinez vs. UT defense. For Texas to win, the Longhorns must limit the Nebraska ground game, which ranks second in the country with 337.60 yards per game. Martinez accounts for roughly 43 percent of those yards (147 per game).

No. 22 Oklahoma State (5-0) at Texas Tech (3-2), 2:30 p.m.

Line: Texas Tech by 31/2

Fun facts: Texas Tech leads the all-time series, 21-13-3. The home team has won the previous eight times.

Player to watch: Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon. In a game that has shootout written all over it, Blackmon figures to see his share of looks. The sophomore leads the country in receptions per game (9.40), receiving yards per game (149.60) and touchdown catches (11). Texas Tech’s pass defense surrenders 279 yards per game through the air. Feast time for Blackmon.

Key matchup: Will the OSU or TTU pass defense step up? As bad as Tech’s pass defense is (114th out of 120 Div. I teams), only one Big 12 team is statistically worse: Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have been lit up for 290 yards per game through the air (118th in country). Idea for Saturday: First to 100 wins.

Iowa State (3-3) at No. 6 Oklahoma (5-0), 6 p.m.

Line: Oklahoma by 24

Fun facts: Oklahoma leads/dominates the all-time series, 67-5-2. The Sooners have won their past 33 games in Norman, a program record. It’s also the best current streak in the country.

Player to watch: Oklahoma receiver Kenny Stills. The true freshman caught his first touchdown of the season two weeks ago against Texas. He’s caught 13 passes in his last three games, and is emerging as Landry Jones’ second option behind Ryan Broyles. As the season gets deeper, Stills figures to mature and see more opportunities in the red zone.

Key matchup: OU running back DeMarco Murray vs. ISU rush defense. The Cyclones give up 201 yards per game on the ground, second-worst in the Big 12. It’s tough to completely shut down OU’s passing attack, but if the Sooners mix an effective Murray with Jones through the air, Iowa State won’t have much of a chance at the upset.

Baylor (4-2) at Colorado (3-2), 6 p.m.

Line: Baylor by 1

Fun facts: Colorado leads the all-time series, 9-6. The Buffaloes won the last matchup, 43-23, in 2007 in Waco, Texas.

Player to watch: Colorado quarterback Tyler Hansen. The junior struggled last week against Missouri (15-of-21, 117 yards, three sacks) and was pulled in favor of Cody Hawkins (16-of-25, 133 yards, INT, sack). Coach Dan Hawkins insisted Hansen was still his guy and named him the starter for Saturday’s game against Baylor. Monitor the situation, though, because Hansen probably doesn’t have as long a leash as he once had.

Key matchup: Colorado offense vs. Baylor defense. Pretty broad matchup, yes. But the Buffaloes failed to score any points in last week’s 26-0 disappointment at Missouri. Baylor’s defense didn’t show much in last week’s 45-38 loss to Texas Tech in Dallas. It seems Colorado would have chances to score on Saturday. If not, the Buffaloes are in trouble.

Saturday’s Big 12 games encapsulated

By Eric Sorrentino     Sep 17, 2010

Iowa State (1-1) vs. Kansas State (2-0) (Kansas City, Mo.), 11 a.m.

Line: Kansas State by 4

Fun facts: The Cyclones and Wildcats will meet in Arrowhead Stadium for the second straight year to complete a two-year deal. Each Big 12 school will receive $1.8 million from the Kansas City Chiefs for playing the two games at Arrowhead. Kansas State won last year’s meeting, 24-23.

Player to watch: K-State receiver Brodrick Smith. The sophomore transfer from the University of Minnesota caught six passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns last week against Missouri State. Will Smith emerge as the leading receiver of a relatively unknown Wildcats passing game?

Key matchup: Daniel Thomas vs. Iowa State defense. If the Cyclones want to avenge last year’s loss, they’ll have to stop the K-State machine that is Thomas. The running back topped 200 rushing yards two weeks ago and has scored four TDs this season.

No. 8 Nebraska (2-0) at Washington (1-1), 2:30 p.m.

Line: Nebraska by 31/2

Fun fact: The Nebraska defense, which ranked No. 1 in the country in scoring defense last year, has at least three interceptions in four of its last seven games.

Big 12 player to watch: Cornerback Prince Amukamara. The Nebraska senior cornerback will face a stern test against Washington quarterback Jake Locker. Both players should be high picks in next year’s NFL Draft.

Key matchup: Locker vs. Nebraska secondary. Locker, a senior who could be drafted No. 1 overall next April, has five touchdown passes against zero interceptions in two games. The Huskers defense has picked off six passes in two games. Can they pick off Locker?

Hawaii (1-1) at Colorado (1-1), 2:30 p.m.

Line: Colorado by 111/2

Fun facts: Colorado was the third-most-penalized team in the country last season. This year, the Buffaloes aren’t faring much better. CU has drawn 19 flags in two games, which ranks 111th out of 120 Div. I teams. Hawaii already has proven it can win on the road, as evidenced by its 31-28 victory at Army last week. With Colorado’s embarrassing 52-7 loss at California, it’s somewhat curious the Buffaloes are favored by double digits.

Big 12 player to watch: Cornerback Jimmy Smith. The Colorado senior figures to be tested against an electric Hawaii passing offense that ranks second in the country with more than 400 yards per game. It should be interesting to see how Smith, considered a potential first-round draft pick next year, responds to the challenge.

Key matchup: Colorado secondary vs. Hawaii QB Bryant Moniz. For as much as the Warriors throw the ball (an average of 42.5 times per game), they have yet to be intercepted this season.

Air Force (2-0) at No. 7 Oklahoma (2-0), 2:30 p.m.

Line: Oklahoma by 171/2

Fun fact: After a suspect performance against Utah State, the Oklahoma defense greatly improved against Florida State, limiting future first-round draft pick Christian Ponder to 113 yards and two interceptions.

Big 12 player to watch: Quarterback Landry Jones. Consistency is on the line in this game, and that’s what the sophomore QB will need if OU is to compete for a Big 12 Championship. Jones rebounded from a mediocre week 1 with a sizzling 30-of-40 performance with 380 yards and four scores against Florida State.

Key matchup: Oklahoma run defense vs. Air Force rushing attack. No secret here: Air Force likes to run. The Falcons have eclipsed 60 rushing attempts in each of their victories over Northwestern State and BYU. If Air Force can’t establish its ground game, OU’s home winning streak will extend to a nation’s-best 33 games.

Baylor (2-0) at No. 4 TCU (2-0), 3:30 p.m.

Line: TCU by 22

Fun facts: Baylor and TCU met in 2007, with the Horned Frogs prevailing, 27-0, in Fort Worth, Texas. The last time TCU faced a Big 12 foe was in 2008, when it lost to Oklahoma, 35-10, in Norman, Okla.

Big 12 player to watch: Quarterback Robert Griffin. How will the do-it-all sophomore fare against the vaunted Horned Frogs defense that ranked first in the country in total defense (239.69 yards given up per game) last year and is in the top 10 again this year?

Key matchup: TCU rushing attack vs. Baylor D-line. The Horned Frogs have piled up 10 rushing touchdowns in only two games. TCU has won 41 straight games under coach Gary Patterson when the Horned Frogs rush for at least 167 yards. If Baylor wants any chance at an upset, it must stop the run.

San Diego State (2-0) at Missouri (2-0), 6 p.m.

Line: Missouri by 15

Fun fact: San Diego State hasn’t had a winning season or bowl appearance since 1998.

Big 12 player to watch: Running back Henry Josey. With Derrick Washington kicked off the team and Kendial Lawrence out last week due to a shoulder injury, the freshman Josey torched McNeese State for 112 yards and three touchdowns — on only seven carries. Lawrence should return Saturday, and De’Vion Moore is still a factor, but keep an eye on Josey. It’s going to be tough to keep the Arlington, Texas, native off the field if he keeps finding the end zone at that rate.

Key matchup: San Diego State running game vs. Missouri D-line. SDSU freshman running back Ronnie Hillman galloped for 150 yards and four scores last week in the Aztecs’ 41-21 victory over New Mexico State. Safe to say New Mexico State doesn’t have anyone as disruptive as Missouri sophomore D-end Aldon Smith, however.

Florida International (0-1) at Texas A&M (2-0), 6 p.m.

Line: Texas A&M by 271/2

Fun facts: How’s this for a rough nonconference schedule? Last season, Florida International faced Alabama and Florida. No wonder the Golden Panthers went 3-9. FIU faced Kansas University in the 2008 opener and lost, 40-14, in Lawrence. The Golden Panthers are 0-1 after a 19-14 loss to Rutgers last week.

Big 12 player to watch: Wide receiver Jeff Fuller. The junior caught 10 passes for 160 yards and a score last week.

Key matchup: None. The Aggies should dominate this game any way you look at it. Keep an eye on A&M’s ball security, however. The Aggies lost four fumbles in the first half last week against Louisiana Tech.

Tulsa (1-1) at Oklahoma State (2-0), 6 p.m.

Line: Oklahoma State by 61/2

Fun facts: Like offense? This game should produce plenty of it. Tulsa ranks fourth in the country in total offense (562 yards per game), while Oklahoma State (533) is eighth.

Big 12 player to watch: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon. He’s only a sophomore, but Blackmon is developing into the Cowboys’ No. 1 receiver. After eight receptions for 125 yards and three touchdowns in week 1, Blackmon stepped up for 10 catches, 132 yards and two touchdowns last week. He could be the best receiver no one knows about.

Key matchup: Oklahoma State discipline vs. itself. The Cowboys were fantastic on offense against Troy, but the Trojans stayed in the game in large part because of 12 Oklahoma State flags for 139 yards. The Cowboys must improve this statistic before Big 12 play.

No. 6 Texas (2-0) at Texas Tech (2-0), 7 p.m.

Line: Texas by 3

Fun facts: Texas leads the all-time series, 44-15. It could be said Texas isn’t as exciting on offense in 2010. No Colt McCoy, Jordan Shipley or Quan Cosby. No air-raid passing clinics. And, so far, no blowouts either. The Longhorns beat Rice, 34-17, in week 1 and took care of Wyoming, 34-7, last week.

Before you write the Longhorns off, though, consider coach Mack Brown’s 2010 philosophy on offense: run the ball more to open up the pass for sophomore quarterback Garrett Gilbert. It’s only two games, but Texas has not committed a turnover, and UT has not allowed a quarterback sack. You won’t lose a whole ton of games that way.

Player to watch: Gilbert. It will be the first time the Texas sophomore has started a Big 12 game. How will he handle himself? The Longhorns have a front-heavy schedule with Oklahoma (Oct. 2, Dallas) and Nebraska (Oct. 16, Lincoln, Neb.) looming, so Gilbert is going to have to grow up fast if UT wants to match last season’s undefeated conference record.

Key matchup: Texas Tech rush offense vs. Texas rush defense. We know about Tech’s aerial prowess. Taylor Potts was an absurd 46-of-62 for 420 yards and three scores in last year’s meeting, but Texas still won, 34-24, in Austin. Tech has to find some sort of ground game to pull off the victory and keep the UT defense off balance.

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