No 14 Oklahoma State (5-1) at Baylor (3-3), Saturday, 12:30 pm (Versus).

Line: Oklahoma State by 9 1/2.

Series record: Oklahoma State leads 15-12.

Last meeting: 2008, Oklahoma State 34-6.

Whats at Stake

Oklahoma State is trying to get to 3-0 in the Big 12 for the second year in a row before its next game at home against No. 3 Texas, the only other Big 12 team still without a loss in conference. Baylor has a 19-game losing streak against ranked teams since 2004 and is 1-12 against Oklahoma State since the inception of the Big 12.

Key Matchup

Oklahoma State RBs vs. Baylor defense. The Cowboys are second in the Big 12 with 184 yards rushing per game, and Baylor is last in the league in rushing defense, allowing 183 yards per game. The Cowboys Keith Toston has rushed for 217 yards in two Big 12 games.

Players to Watch

Oklahoma State: Sophomore WR Hubert Anyiam. With Dez Bryant missing his third game after lying to the NCAA, Anyiam had 10 catches for 119 yards and one touchdown last week against Missouri.

Baylor: Senior LB Joe Pawelek is set to start his 40th consecutive game, the longest streak by a non-special teams player since 2005. Paweleks 369 career tackles are the most among active FBS players.

Facts Figures

Oklahoma State has allowed only two sacks, the fewest in the country. … In three games (two starts) against Baylor, Cowboys QB Zac Robinson has completed 33 of 46 passes (72 percent) with four TDs and no interceptions. He has run 40 times for 291 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and three TDs. … Baylor is 7-0 under Art Briles when allowing 21 points or less – 0-11 when allowing more than 21. Oklahoma State averages 38 points a game and its lowest total this season is 24.

Iowa State (4-3) at Nebraska (4-2), Saturday, 12:40 p.m. Eastern (FSN)

Line: Nebraska by 17 1/2.

Series Record: The schools disagree over a disputed field goal in the 1907 game. Nebraska claims it leads 85-16-2; Iowa State says Nebraska leads 84-17-2.

Last Meeting: 2008. Nebraska 35, Iowa State 7

Whats at Stake

Nebraska is at a critical point after an embarrassing home loss to Texas Tech. The Big 12 North race is wide open, but the margin of error is narrowing. The Huskers really need this one for their mental health. Iowa State ended an 11-game Big 12 losing streak last week, but its asking a lot for the Cyclones to win in Lincoln for the first time since 1977.

Key Matchup

Nebraska offensive line vs. Iowa State front seven. Huskers coach Bo Pelini says he wants to see more power out of the running game, and the line has been called out for not being physical enough. Iowa State MLB Jesse Smith averages a Big 12-leading 11 tackles per game.

Players to Watch

Iowa State: RB Alexander Robinson. Robinson wasnt scheduled to practice until late in the week because of a nagging groin problem, but he said he expects to play. He ran for 83 yards in just over a half against Baylor last week. The Big 12s leading rusher will face his toughest test against a defense thats allowing fewer than 100 yards a game on the ground.

Nebraska: QBs Zac Lee or Cody Green. Pelini has said hell wait until shortly before the game to pick a starter. Lee has struggled for most of the past two games. Hes looking for redemption after his flat, if not poor, performance against Texas Tech. The freshman Green has appeared in four games but would be making his first start.

No. 3 Texas (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) at Missouri (4-2, 0-2), 7 p.m. Saturday CDT

Line: Texas by 13 1/2

Series Record: Texas leads 16-5 and has won 6 of 7 since beginning Big 12 play in 1996

Last Meeting: 2008, Texas won 56-31.

Whats at Stake

Texas is 6-0 for a second straight season and chasing a national title again. Texas is 30-4 vs. Big 12 North since 1998. Missouri is two-time defending champion in Big 12 North but coming off consecutive defeats to start conference play headed into homecoming game. Tigers were shut out in second half of 33-17 loss at Oklahoma State last week, dragged down by four turnovers.

Key Matchup

Missouri offense vs. Texas defense: Sophomore QB Blaine Gabbert was hobbled by a sprained ankle the last two weeks and Tigers have faltered in both games. Missouri had 393 yards total offense against Oklahoma State, but only 80 in the second half.

Players to Watch

Texas: QB Colt McCoy cleared to play Monday despite bruised right thumb that will likely lose nail. D.J. Monroe leads nation with 42.7-yard kickoff return average. S Earl Thomas leads nation with five interceptions.

Missouri: WR Danario Alexander coming off career-best nine receptions for 180 yards.

Facts and Figures

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel is 0-4 against Texas while Longhorns Mack Brown is 5-0 against Missouri. … Missouris lone victory over Longhorns in Big 12 play was 37-29 on homecoming in 1997. …Texas won last meeting in Columbia, Mo., 51-20, on Oct. 1, 2005. … Texas has won at least four straight games following Red River Rivalry game vs. Oklahoma in nine of last 10 years.

No. 24 Kansas (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) vs. No. 25 Oklahoma (3-3, 1-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Line: Oklahoma by 8.

Series Record: Oklahoma leads 67-27-6

Last meeting: 2008, Oklahoma 45-31.

Whats at Stake

With three losses, Oklahomas hopes for a national title are shredded but the Sooners could salvage their season by winning out. For Kansas, victory means a giant step toward what the Jayhawks hope will be their first Big 12 North title. Their great passing trio of QB Todd Reesing and receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier are all seniors.

Key Matchup

Kansas WR Dezmon Briscoe vs. Oklahoma cornerback Brian Jackson. The two are from rival high schools in Dallas and Briscoe in last years game humbled the Sooner secondary with 12 receptions for a school-record 269 yards.

Players to Watch

Oklahoma: RB DeMarco Murray. He had eight catches for 116 yards last week in loss to No. 3 Texas and gives the Sooners the ability to stretch the field, a key since Heisman-winning QB Sam Bradford is out and there has been no consistent outside threat by the receiving corps.

Kansas: QB Todd Reesing. There may be better NFL prospects than the high-energy 5-foot-11 senior, but nobody is better at extending a play. Kansas all-time leading passer threw for more than 400 yards against Iowa State in his previous home game. Having the top two receivers in school history does not hurt.

Facts Figures

Reesing and his offense rolled up 491 total yards last year at Oklahoma but the Sooners amassed 674, including 468 through the air. … ABC will televise from Lawrence for only the second time in 11 years. … It will be Oklahomas first appearance in Lawrence since 2001. … Kansas coach Mark Mangino was an assistant at Oklahoma from 1999-2001, and offensive coordinator his last two years. … Oklahoma has won the last five meetings between the two. … Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, in his 11th season, is 33-4 vs. the Big 12 North and 5-0 vs. Kansas.

Texas AM (3-3, 0-2 Big 12) at No. 21 Texas Tech (5-2, 2-1), Saturday, 7 p.m. EDT

Line: Texas Tech by 21.

Series record: Texas AM 34-32-1.

Last meeting: 2008, Texas Tech 43-25.

Whats At Stake

Texas Tech and Texas AM each are on three-game streaks. The Aggies have lost three straight and are in desperate need of a win, having lost 62-14 at Kansas State last week. The Red Raiders have won three straight, routing the Wildcats 66-14 two weeks ago and then winning with surprising ease at Nebraska.

Key Matchup

Texas AMs pass defense against Texas Techs high-powered offense. Texas Tech may be without QB Steven Sheffield (foot), but it wont matter if its Taylor Potts playing quarterback. Techs passing offense is No. 2 in the nation, averaging 413 yards. The Aggies pass defense is allowing 227 yards per game and is ranked No. 73.

Players to Watch

Texas AM: QB Jerrod Johnson, a second-year starter, is first in the Big 12 and second nationally in total offense (averaging 342 yards). He is second in the conference and No. 4 in the country in passing (315 yards). His 16 passing TDs ranks first in the conference.

Texas Tech: DE Brandon Sharpe had career highs in tackles (seven) and sacks (four) in last weeks 31-10 win at then-No. 15 Nebraska. His eight sacks (seven in the last three games) rank second in the Big 12 and are tied for fourth nationally.

Facts Figures

Texas Tech hasnt lost to the Aggies in Lubbock since 1993 and the Red Raiders have won four straight over AM. … A victory for Texas Tech coach Mike Leach will tie a school record for wins (82) set by Leachs predecessor Spike Dykes (1986-1999).

Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by admin
Filed under: College football news, NCAA college football