For the past several years, if the casual observer wasn’t an alumnus or fan of either of the teams playing in the Big 12 Championship, here’s guessing it was a pretty boring night of television.
In the last seven years, the conference title game between the North and South has been decided by an average of 33 points per game.
Regardless, I sense most of our regular visitors to KUSports.com — many Kansas University football fans — will tune in on Saturday to watch Nebraska tangle with Texas at 7 p.m. on ABC.
Especially if it’s a close game.
This year, it should be.
For my thoughts on this year’s Big 12 Championship, check out the latest episode of ConferenceChatterTV below:
I don’t sense a clobbering of any sort by the two-touchdown favorite Longhorns on Saturday in Arlington, Texas.
My reasoning is quite simple. The best defense in the country not named Florida or Alabama (read: Nebraska) will keep the deficit close.
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Here’s a few things to keep in mind before catching the game:
Texas will win if…
Senior quarterback Colt McCoy completes at least 70 percent of his passes for 300 yards and three total touchdowns.
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Hard to believe, but McCoy will be playing in his first-ever Big 12 Championship game. He’s already the winningest college quarterback ever. But he’s yet to take the Longhorns to the promised land like Vince Young did in 2005. If McCoy wins two more games, he could go down as the best football player to ever play at Texas.
Nebraska needs a huge game from:
Senior nose tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Texas (12-0 overall, 8-0 Big 12) has trouble establishing a consistent running game. I don’t see the Longhorns being able to run on the Huskers’ front four. If Suh can put UT’s McCoy on the turf and rattle him out of the pocket like he did with Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert, Nebraska will have a chance to win.
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Stat of the day:
11.08.
It’s the average amount of points Nebraska allows per game, good for third in the country.
The Huskers (9-3 overall, 6-2 Big 12) have won five straight games. In that five-game stretch, the defense has created 14 turnovers.
History watch: Texas
Big 12 Championship appearances: 5 (including this year)
Big 12 Championships: 2
Last title: 2005 (obliterated Colorado, 70-3, in Houston)
History watch: Nebraska
Big 12 Championship appearances: 5 (including this year)
Big 12 Championships: 2
Last title: 1999 (beat Texas, 22-6, in San Antonio)
Texas and Nebraska have met in the Big 12 title game two times before. Nebraska won in 1999, while the Longhorns prevailed, 37-27, in the first Big 12 title game in 1996.
NFL Draft preview
The following players will have a chance to go in the first round of next April’s NFL Draft:
Ndamukong Suh, NT, Nebraska: Will be Top 5 pick; probably the best player in college football; second on team in sacks with 7.5, but when he’s double-teamed and doesn’t even play off the edge, that’s pretty darn impressive; 19 quarterback hurries, 10 passes defended and three blocked kicks; not much he can’t do; currently No. 1 on ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper’s Big Board.
Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas: Could be Top 20 pick; can play linebacker or defensive end; leader of a Top 10 Texas defense that allows only 15.42 points per game and ranks third in the country in sacks with 38; currently No. 21 on Kiper’s Big Board.
Colt McCoy, QB, Texas: Could go toward end of first round; thrown for 27 TDs, 9 INTs this season; NCAA’s all-time winningest quarterback with 43 wins; dual threat and can run as well (175 rushing yards last week at Texas A&M); currently No. 25 on Kiper’s Big Board.
Bowl scenarios:
If Texas wins, it will likely play in the BCS Championship.
If Texas loses, it will likely play in the Orange Bowl (BCS).
If Nebraska wins, it will play in the Fiesta Bowl (BCS, automatic qualifier).
If Nebraska loses, it will likely play in the Holiday Bowl.
Prediction:
Texas 24, Nebraska 21
What do you guys think?
As always, discuss.
