Big 12 Report: Week 2 Previews

Game: Oklahoma State vs. South Alabama
Last Week: Oklahoma State 59, Tulsa, 24
Date & Time: Friday, September 8th @ 7:00 pm
Location: Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Television: FS2
Line: Oklahoma State -28.5
Expert Commentary: I don’t know how much commentary I’m going to have on South Alabama and this game doesn’t really do much for me. A darn near 30 point line means that ti’s not all that interesting other than the line and I again think that Gundy and the Fighting Mullets win this game by the spread. The Cowboys have playoffs in mind and these sorts of terrible games matter in terms of difference.
Game: East Carolina vs. West Virginia
Last Week: Virginia Tech 31, West Virginia 24
Date & Time: Saturday, September 9th @ 11:00 pm
Location: Milan Puskar Stadium
Television: FS2
Line: West Virginia -19.5
Expert Commentary: Watching WVU play Virginia Tech on Sunday, I feel I can safely say that the worries about the Mountaineer D replacing 8 players should be assuaged. Though both offenses found a rhythm in the second half, the ‘Eers D, particularly the secondary, were consistently making plays. Transfer QB Will Grier stepped into Holgorsen’s offense adeptly behind some stellar OL play, leading to 592 yards of total offense for the unit. Meanwhile, East Carolina & second year HC Scottie Montgomery followed their 3-9 season with a 34-14 loss to the James Madison Dukes. The latest line has WVU giving 24 points, and I’d say those are safe to lay. –Brian
Game: Iowa vs. Iowa State
Last Week: Iowa State 42, UNI 24
Date & Time: Saturday, September 9th @ 11:00 am
Location: Jack Trice Stadium
Television: ESPN2
Line: Iowa -1.5
Expert Commentary: Now that the Cyclones have gotten revenge on UNI, they’ll look to return the favor of the 42-3 drumming at the hands of Iowa in 2016. The Hawkeyes sported some shaky offensive line play, which is great news for an ISU defensive line unit that looks to be a real strength. Iowa also turned the ball over 4 times, and I feel that turnover margin is only going to rise on Saturday. Offensively, the Hawkeye secondary can be respectable but I expect Park & Lazard to take deep shots all day long. A potentially suspect Iowa defensive line could also be carved by David Montgomery and the Cyclone offensive line. Take the 2-1/2 points the Hawkeyes are giving and run. –Brian
Game: Charlotte vs. Kansas State
Last Week: Kansas State 55, Central Arkansas 19
Date & Time: Saturday, September 9th @ 11:00 am
Location: Bill Snyder Family Stadium
Television: FSN
Line: Kansas State -35
Expert Commentary: Another terrible game and I expect the Fighting Wallerstedt’s to eventually succomb to the Fighting Snyders by the spread plus some. It will be interesting to see K-State play someone decent in Vanderbilt next week. Give me K-State. –Seth
Game: TCU vs. Arkansas
Last Week: TCU 63, Jackson State 0
Date & Time: Saturday, September 9th @ 2:30 pm
Location: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Television: CBS
Line: Arkansas -2
Expert Commentary: I am not a believer in Kenny Hill, but I also don’t know much about Arkansas. I know that typically, folks tend to be more knowledgable when talking about football, but I know know much about Arkansas other than they’ve been consistently okay. The Razorbacks whipped up on Florida A&M last week, but you can see what TCU did to Jackson State. –Seth
Game: San Jose State vs. Texas
Last Week: Maryland 51, Texas 41
Date & Time: Saturday, September 9th @ 2:30 pm
Location: Texas Memorial Stadium
Television: LHN
Line: Texas -23.5
Expert Commentary: I believe we can all agree that losing to an 18-point underdog is probably not the way you want to start your coaching tenure. The Texas offense was incredibly slow to start, and the defense . . . whew. The Longhorns will be hosting the 1-1 SJSU Spartans, a team likely to trot out 3 quarterbacks. The Spartans have jumped out to fast starts before this season, and the quarterback shuffle could keep the Longhorn D on their heels. Meanwhile, Shane Buechele didn’t practice on Tuesday with a shoulder injury, which, if he starts and has any lingering issues, could provide openings for a good Spartan secondary. The Horns are currently giving 24 points, which seems like a lot given last week. –Brian
Game: Central Michigan vs. Kansas
Last Week: Kansas 38, SE Missouri State 16
Date & Time: Saturday, September 9th @ 3:00 pm
Location: Memorial Stadium
Television: FSN Affiliates
Line: Kansas -4
Expert Commentary: Kansas is undefeated. The defense looks capable, and Jayhawk fans seem to be impressed by the debut of new OC Doug Meacham. Peyton Bender took over the QB position from Montell Cozart and featured poise and the willingness to push downfield. Granted, this was against Southeastern Missouri, but better to look good against inferior opponents than bad against inferior opponents. Meanwhile, the Chippewas got taken to overtime by Rhode Island, and only won by a field goal. Kansas is giving 6 (!) points, and I’d go ahead and lay those. –Brian
Game: Oklahoma vs. Ohio State
Last Week: Oklahoma 56, UTEP 7
Date & Time: Saturday, September 9th @ 6:30 pm
Location: Ohio Stadium
Television: ABC
Line: Ohio State -9
Expert Commentary: Whoah Nellie, this should be a pretty good game, better than the games from last week. I think the key here is that the Ohio State defense is really terrific and the Oklahoma offense may be equally as good. The key for me is how long Mayfield is going to be able to hold onto the ball because those young receivers may get beat up by Ohio State. The question for me will be if Ohio State can keep pace offensively. Barnett wasn’t exactly smooth for a good part of the game against Indiana.
Game: UTSA vs. Baylor
Last Week: Liberty 48, Baylor 45
Date & Time: Saturday, September 9th @ 7:00 pm
Location: McLane Stadium
Television: FSN Affiliates
Line: Baylor -12.5
Expert Commentary: Suffice to say it has been hard or me to not just write “MEEP MEEP” repeatedly for this post. By now, we all know what happened to Baylor. I doubt UTSA repeats what happened, because I’m sure Baylor still has enough horses and Rhule won’t let them get caught like that again. But goodness, that Bear defense was bad. . . ness. The offense was incredibly slow to get rolling, but I think both sides will perform better against the Roadrunners. I’d still take the 17 points Baylor is giving. –Brian
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