Big 12 Preview Week 6

Last weeks Big 12 schedule was centered around one game, The Red River Shootout.  After the Sooners dominated most of the game, Texas made a come back and it would’ve gotten interesting if not for a muffed punt by Texas with about a minute to go.  There were some surprises last week as well.  Baylor beating Kansas wasn’t a surprise, but a final score of 55-7 was.  Iowa State jumped out to a big lead against Texas Tech, only to watch the Red Raiders come back and tie it up.  The Cyclones went on to put up 52 points and held TTU to 38. 

Week 5 Highlights

Jerrod Johnson filled up the stat sheet last week, both positively and negatively.  He threw for 409 yards and 5 TD, but also threw 4 interceptions and lost a fumble that was returned for a TD.  I’m still waiting on the 2009 version of Jerrod Johnson to show up in 2010.

The Baylor Bears had about as perfect of a game as any team could hope for.  Bears QB Robert Griffin is so talented, it’s laughable.  He completed 72 percent of his passes, threw for 380 yards and 3 scores.  He also had 64 yards on the ground and another score.

The Colorado Buffaloes pulled off what many considered to be any upset, beating the Georgia Bulldogs 29-27.  AJ Green made his return for the Dawgs in this game, but the running of Buffs RB Rodney Stewart was the biggest story.  This pint sized back rushed for 149 yards, averaging 7.8 per carry.

What to Watch for in Week 6

Nebraska heads to The Little Apple for what could be the last time.  The fans in purple will be rockin and ESPN will be in the house as well.  I like the Wildcats to keep this game close because of A) Daniel Thomas running thru the weak Husker run defense B)play action passes to some talented receivers, especially Chris Harper and C) Bill Snyder coaching in his house.  This will be a very tight game, IF the Wildcats can keep Taylor Martinez under control.

Look for the Colorado Buffaloes to try to run the ball down Mizzou’s throat, a la San Diego State.  The Buffs have the right ingredients to make this a game with a big talented offensive line and a very quick running back in Rodney Stewart.  If Mizzou gets out to a quick lead, this game won’t be close.

Baylor and Texas Tech meet in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday.  This game will be full of explosive scoring. but very little defense.  I could see over 80 combined  points in this game.  If nothing else, catch a few plays while Baylor has the ball, because Griffin is well worth it.

Ranking the Big 12

1. 1. Oklahoma Sooners
2. 2. Nebraska Cornhuskers
3. 3. Missouri Tigers
4. 4. Kansas State Wildcats
5. 5. Texas Longhorns
6. 6. Oklahoma State Cowboys
7. 7. Texas A&M Aggies
8. 8. Baylor Bears
9. 9. Iowa State Cyclones
10. 10. Texas Tech Red Raiders
11. 11. Colorado Buffaloes
12. 12. Kansas Jayhawks                                       

Week 6 Predictions

Nebraska @ Kansas State     I like K-State in a tight one, 23-20

Oklahoma State @ LA Lafayette    I like Okie St in a route 51-17

Baylor @ Texas Tech from Dallas     I’ll take the Bears in a shootout, 44-40

Colorado @ Missouri       Mizzou wins big, 38-14

Arkansas @ Texas A&M from Jerry’s Palace in Dallas     Arkansas wins 33-24

Utah @ Iowa State     Upset Alert!!!  I’ll take the Cyclones, 20-14

Written by Jason Madson @isbnJMAD on Twitter

PGWU Heisman Watch

Every Week we will be giving out the top 5 Heisman candidates based on their performance so far in the season.  Last weekend gave us some strong showings, from some of the top candidates.  Michigan Wolverines QB Denard Robinson continues to seperate himself from the rest of the pack.  Terrelle Pryor took a step back with average play and an injury, LaMichael James had a huge week in a very important Pac 10 game..  Here are the top 5 Heisman candidates for this week.  They are ranked in reverse order.

5th Cameron Newton QB Auburn Tigers

He has carried the Tigers on his super-sized shoulders to a 5-0 record, both throwing and running the football.  His mix of accuracy, a big time arm and mobility are 3 of the biggest reasons Auburn is undefeated.

4th Daniel Thomas RB Kansas State

This do it all running back has the odds stacked against him every week, but he still manages to get his yards and big plays.  This former QB is a pro at running the Wildcat for HC Bill Snyder.

3rd DeMarco Murray RB Oklahoma Sooners

Did you see him tip toe the sidelines against Texas last Saturday?  He is a do it all player for the Sooners who deserves more pub.

2nd Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada

I know this is probably way too high for many peoples liking, but he is as good as they come with the ball in his hands.  He should lead his team to an undefeated record when the Wolfpack face Boise State later in the season.

1st Denard Robinson Michigan Wolverines

I really don’t need to say much about this phenom.  He is the Heisman winner right now and if his season continues this way, it will be impossible to overlook Mr. Robinson.

PGWU Podcast: Week 4

This week we discuss the legal troubles at Florida, talk about the big stories in each conference in The Breakdown, make our selections in the PGWU Pick’Em segment and finish the show off with the World Famous Prospect Quick Fire. Enjoy!

Big 12 Happenings

How many of you thought that the Kansas Jayhawks were going to beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets last week?  Not me. What about the Oklahoma Sooners rolling the Florida State Seminoles?  I actually did see this one happening(listen to the podcast people).  My point is that crazy things happen every week in this great conference.  There are quite a few big games this week and the conference kicks off with 2 pretty good games in their own right.

Kansas travels to Hattiesburg, MS to square off with the Golden Eagles from Southern Miss.  This is a national tv game on Friday night.  How will the Jayhawks handle their emotion in this game after the huge upset victory over Georgia Tech?  I like the Kansas redshirt freshman qb Jordan Webb a lot, he reminds me of a young Todd Reesing.  Georgia Tech only threw a handful of passes last week,  look for Southern Miss to be a bit more balanced.  How will the Jayhawks defend big play WR DeAndre Brown?  My pick  is SoMiss 24 KU 21

Baylor travels to TCU this weekend in what should be an easy victory for the Horned Frogs.  TCU just too much firepower on both sides of the ball for this one to be close.  I absolutely love the Bears QB Robert Griffin though, he is a special player.  I’m curious as to how good the Bears would be if he made the switch to WR and Nick Florence got the go at QB?  Just a thought.  Baylor also runs the 3-4 Defense and have a stout NT to anchor it in Phil Taylor, he could be popular come NFL Draft time. My pick is TCU 34 Baylor 16

Oklahoma hosts the Air Force Falcons this week in what should be a tune up game for the Sooners.   Landry Jones had one hell of a game last Saturday.  My pick of Landry Jones as a Heisman darkhorse isn’t looking so bad afterall.  The Sooner Defense gets a ton of credit after that beating they put on Christian Ponder and the Seminoles offense too.  I’m feeling better about picking Boomer Sooner to go undefeated and play in the National Championship game. This game is over by halftime.  My pick is OU 52 Air Force 13

Oklahoma State hosts Tulsa in what should be an extremely high scoring and entertaining game if nothing else. Brandon Weeden has done a very admirable job stepping in for Zac Robinson.  I like how he handles the Okie St offense.  Kendall Hunter has already rushed for almost twice as many yards as he did last year.  Justin Blackmon has become Weeden’s top target so far this year and Josh Cooper is a legit #2 WR.  The word defense won’t be used much in this game as I expect a very high scoring battle.  My pick is Okie St 45  Tulsa 41

Texas travels to Lubbock to battle Texas Tech.  Red Raiders HC Tommy Tuberville gets the opportunity to battle his former defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.  I’d love to see the Red Raiders come out with an attacking D and put some pressure on the young Longhorn QB Gilbert.  I’m not as high on Gilbert as most, he isn’t elite.  Foswhitt Whittaker will get the start at  running back for the Longhorns this week.  Tech should lean on running back Baron Batch as much as possible.  Texas has an elite group of defensive backs, led by Curtis Brown. My pick will be announced on the podcast, so check it out Friday morning.

Texas A&M hosts FIU this week in what could be a lot closer game than most people think.  The Aggies have a tru star at QB in Jerrod Johnson.  He is about as good as they come.  He should be able to pick apart the FIU 3-4 defense, if his OLine gives him time.  The Aggies are loaded at WR this season, so expect them to spread it out all year.  Running back Christine Michael has had a good start to the year, but he needs more consistancy in his game.  Keep an eye on true freshman left offensive tackle Luke Joeckel this season, he is going to be a very good player.  FIU has a star DL named Tourek Williams, he could cause the Aggie OL some trouble with his quickness. My pick is TAMU 31 FIU 17

Colorado welcomes Hawai’i this week.  The Buffs were crushed last week by the Cal Bears 52-7, but htat is what happens when you lose the turnover battle 5-0.  This team has 3 good offensive weapons in Rodney Stewart, Scotty McNight and Toney Clemons.  The Warriors have a talented group of offensive weapons led by QB Bryant Moniz.  He is a dual threat qb, but when he throws it goes to WR’s Kealoha Pilares, Royse Pollard and Greg Salas a lot.  I don’t like the Buffs chances here.  My pick is Hawai’i 37 Colorado 24

Iowa State meets Kansas State at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.  This game has been dubbed “Farmageddon” by some across the midwest due to the agriculture schools at both Universities.  This game is going to be heavy on the ground.  Both teams have issues at the QB postion, but htey both feature a good running back.  Daniel Thomas is going to have a huge game this week, as he does every week I guess.  The Cyclones will lean on Alexander Robinson to get some chunks on the ground.  This has potential to be a close low scoring game.  My pick is KState 24 Iowa State 16

Missouri hosts San Diego State on Saturday night.  This should be another Big 12 warmup for the Tigers, but the Mizzou defense could be in for a test.  SDSU has some very good weapons in QB Ryan Lindley, running back Ronnie Hillman, WR Vincent Brown and big play threat DeMarco Sampson.  Look for MU QB Blaine Gabbert to get the ball to TJ Moe and Michael Egnew a lot.  Henry Josey should see more carries this week as well. The Tigers have far superior athlets than do the Aztecs, so I could see them hanging around through the first half, but this won’t be a game when it’s final.  My pick is Mizzou 48 SDSU 17

Nebraska travels to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies.  I’m very excited to see this game for manyreasons.  How will Jake Locker do against the Cornhusker defense and vice-versa.  After last weeks turnover /fumble fest for the Huskers, how will they bounce back versus stiffer competition?  If needed can NU QB Taylor Martinez throw the ball if the run isn’t there?  These are all questions that will be answered this weekend as I believe this game is going to be very close.  My pick will be announced on the podcast, so check it out Friday morning.

Written by Jason Madson @isbnJMAD on Twitter