Big Twelve review; Top Twenty-five; Weekly predictions….Ohio State/Penn State & Stanford/Notre Dame….

SOONERS WIN IN CLOSE FIGHT WITH THE ARMY

A resurgence of the Texas Longhorns, a close shave by the Oklahoma Sooners, and a discombobulation of the Oklahoma State Cowboys by the Texas Tech Red Raiders highlight last weekends Big Twelve Football action.

Oklahoma was taken to overtime before it’s defense finally put the Army offense away in a 28-21 nail biter in Norman.  The Sooner stoppers could not keep the Black Nights from dominating the clock as the visitors ran the ball play after play, getting first down after first down, in long cross country drives. With the balance of the final quarter left, Army shut the door on the Sooners with a goal line stand on the one foot line.   The West Point team then pressed OU’s worn out defense, looking to go 99 yards with the score tied to win the game.  Army almost took their drive to fruition but fell short in the end as OU intercepted a pass deep in Sooner territory.  OU then drove deep into the belly of Army’s homeland but missed a short chip shot field goal by Austin Seibert that forced the overtime.  OU got the ball first and scored easily.  Another interception closed out the game.  OU was damn lucky to walk away with a win in this one.  The Sooners were not adequately prepared to defend Army’s wishbone Saturday night.  Army game plan to pull out the upset was spot on, but it was not to be.  A good win on a night that could have been a sorry ass loss for the Big Red of the South.  OU must be living right, Lincoln Riley and Mike Stoops included..  This historic game was one for he ages.

Texas was too much for TCU as Tom Herman’s Horns played their best game in two years under the head coach.  Texas was solid on both sides the ball and with a win this week at Kansas State, a nice set-up for the Red River Shootout in  a week will be a magnificent meeting of two excellent teams. Texas has finally made significant progress in their play.

Texas Tech came to Stillwater, got the win over the Pokes, and departed with much more respect. Oklahoma State proved that when you are not ready to play in this league, bad things can happen.  Tech is better than expected and OSU needs to regroup.  They will.  One opinion is that OSU will have more difficulty in winning against the better teams as of their quarterback situation. Taylor Cornelius is satisfactory at best and that will hurt them more often than not.  As for Tech, their freshman signal callers will continue to improve and the Oklahoma, TCU, West Virginia game are winnable.

Baylor’s win over Kansas was expected.  West Virginia’s win at home over Kansas State was also.  With Iowa State beating Akron in Ames, the Cyclones get that first win and showed they are not as bad as their 1-2 start.

Big Twelve Ranking

1. Oklahoma

2. West Virginia

3. Texas

4. Texas Tech

5. Texas Christian

6. Iowa State

7. Oklahoma State

8. Baylor

9. Kansas State

10. Kansas

Big Twelve Predictions  (Last week 4-2 , Season 23-11)

Oklahoma 42 and Baylor 24

Oklahoma State 38 at Kansas 17

Texas Tech 38 and West Virginia 37

Texas 27 at Kansas State 13

TCU 31 and Iowa State 28

Fred’s Top Twenty-five

1. Alabama

2. Ohio State

3. Georgia

4. Clemson

5. Oklahoma

6. LSU

7. West Virginia

8. Stanford

9. Penn State

10. Notre Dame

11. Kentucky

12. Auburn

13. Washington

14. Michigan

15. Univ. Central Florida

16. Texas

17. Oregon

18. Duke

19. Texas Tech

20. California

21. Wisconsin

22. BYU

23. Miami (Fla.)

24. Syracuse

25. South Florida

Ohio State, Stanford, and Ole Miss to win this week

Predictions for the week:

Thursday, Sept. 27

Miami (Fla) 24 and North Carolina 21

Friday, Sept. 28

Colorado 38 and UCLA 21

Saturday, Sept. 29

Alabama 70 and Louisiana 0

Texas Aggies 59 and Arkansas 10

Boston College 28 and Temple 20

Clemson 27 and Syracuse 18

Buffalo 21 and Army 20

Indiana 48 at Rutgers 21

Michigan State 32 and Central Michigan 0

NC State 29 and Virginia 21

UCF 38 and Pittsburgh 21

Georgia 50 and Tennessee 13

Louisville 28 and Florida State 21

Purdue 39 at Nebraska 19

Michigan 37 at Northwester 13

Mississippi State 23 and Florida 17

Washington State 37 and Utah 29

Duke 38 and Virginia Tech 17

Kentucky 24 and South Carolina 21

Stanford 29 and Notre Dame 27

Ohio State 24 and Penn State 21

Washington 24 and BYU 18

Ole Miss 41 and LSU 29

Oregon 52 and California 28

Arizona State 42 and Oregon State 18

Arizona 28 and USC 20

Feature Photo:

Junior cornerback Parnell Motley attempts to catch the ball in the game against Army Sept. 22.

Caitlyn Epes/The Daily

Secondary Photo:  Kentucky beats Miss. State (USA-Today photo)