The Big 12 Conference Basketball Race Becomes Interesting

Kansas was planning to run away with another Big 12 Conference title when Oklahoma State came to Lawrence, Kansas.

The Cowboys proceeded to pull off the shocking upset and remove the don’t-touch-Kansa-tag. It was the highlight of a “positioning” day in league play.

Kansas State was the other squad with the big road win dumping Oklahoma. Iowa State grabbed a home win over Baylor. The result of all these games was a jumbled conference race.

The Wildcats trail their in-state brethren by only one game. Baylor, Iowa State, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are all tied for third place two games behind Kansas.

There will be guaranteed separation in third place this week.

Tonight (Monday) Oklahoma travels to Iowa State. Wednesday Baylor travels to Oklahoma State.

Not only will these games affect the league race, but the post-season as well. In a down year in the Big 12, every win is precious to enhance the NCAA tournament resume.

And with every team playing each other twice, the Big 12 crowns a true league champion. Let the fun continue.

The View from the Iowa State Football Press Box

I attended the Iowa State-Oklahoma game Saturday and sat in the press box.

In my former life, I worked in the sports information office at Iowa State while obtaining my master’s degree. Contrary to popular belief, United States postal stamps didn’t cost five cents in those days.

It was about six years since I attended an Iowa State football game. Gene Chizik was the coach. Cyclone fans haven’t forgot about Chizik who bolted Ames after just two seasons and five victories. But it is a distant memory because Iowa State fans are in love with Iowa native Paul Rhoads as their coach.

Jack Trice Stadium is a happening place. There were over 56,000 folks there Saturday. Unfortunately, the Cyclones couldn’t deliver an upset win over the Sooners. Despite losing two games this season, Oklahoma looked pretty much like Oklahoma. The Sooners have athletes, speed and a stable-full of talented receivers. The Iowa State defensive backs were having trouble covering those receivers. It didn’t help matters that a reserve tailback, Brennan Clay, carved the Cyclones up too.

The Iowa State press box was a quiet place Saturday. Unlike LSU, who removed a person from the press box at Saturday’s Alabama-LSU game, no such thing occurred at Iowa State. Press boxes all over the nation normally have a rule that there is no cheering in the press box. It is usually announced before the game. Apparently, the LSU guy needed a written memo.

But all-in-all, it was great to return to Iowa State football. Despite the loss, it felt good to be home again.

Notre Dame-Oklahoma: A Huge College Football Game

The college football season is just past the mid-point and rarely does a non-conference game hold so much significance this late in the season. But that “rarely” happens Saturday night in Norman, Oklahoma when Notre Dame opposes the Sooners.

Notre Dame (7-0) holds the No. 5 ranking in the BCS (Bowl Championship Series), whereas Oklahoma (5-1) is No. 8.

Most people are viewing this as an extremely important game for Notre Dame, but an Oklahoma win would boost the Sooners in the BCS standings and put them back in the hunt for the national championship.

If the Irish can defeat Oklahoma, they have only one more challenging game on their schedule: a Nov. 24 date at Southern Cal (USC).

Many thought Oklahoma would be a national championship contender but then the Sooners had an early season hiccup at home against Kansas State. But Oklahoma has picked it up after that devastating loss and the Sooners should give a stern test to the Irish.

Notre Dame has obviously been a surprise this season after finishing 8-5 in 2011. Phil Steele ranks the Irish schedule the most difficult in the country. I don’t know about that, but the Irish better bring their A-game to Norman Saturday night.

Who wins Saturday night and why?

NCAA New Ruling is Right

Often in this space, I scold the NCAA for its strange, weird, silly (you provide the adjective) rules. But the governing body of college athletics gets a high five on its recent ruling last week.

Coaches are now allowed to text message and telephone potential recruits until their ears or fingers fall off. With this decision, the NCAA recognizes the importance of modern day technology.

Coaches will still need discretion, but they can now skip the counting NCAA paperwork. Some players might not appreciate countless texts and calls, while others will enjoy the attention. As long as coaches discovery the particular perimeter for the particular player, coaches should benefit from this new freedom.

When the news broke last week, Kelvin Sampson’s name was immediately tied to the situation. Sampson, the former Oklahoma and Indiana coach, was essentially kicked out of the NCAA for excessive texts and calls. At least one sports talk guy was wondering Sampson’s thoughts on the changed rule.

But in reality it doesn’t matter now. Sampson broke the rules and he deserved to pay the price. Rules change, but people still need to obey the ones in force.

Just remember, dunking a basketball in a college game earned a technical foul back in the day.

Florida State and the Big 12 Conference

If we have learned one thing over the years about collegiate sports, it is this: forget about conference loyalty.

Last week, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) member Florida State made quite a stir. Is Florida State really satisfied in the ACC or does it have eyes for the Big 12 Conference?

This controversy all started when a Florida State Board of Trustee member said that he was unhappy with the ACC’s television contract. That sparked rumors of the Seminoles’ possible interest in the Big 12. Florida State officials denied any interest in moving to the league that features football powers Texas and Oklahoma.

So this rumor is either simply Internet-generated material or possible Florida State positioning. Could the Seminoles be playing this rumor to increase their power and possible revenue in the ACC? Or behind closed doors, is Florida State secretly interested in the Big 12 and hopes the affection is mutual.

Some say Florida State is upset with the ACC’s basketball focus. The Seminoles are mainly a football school and are working on getting back to national relevancy under coach Jimbo Fisher. But their men’s basketball program is quite competitive too. Just ask Duke and North Carolina.

So will this rumor die or continue to sprout? From the outside, I think Florida State is a good ACC fit. The Seminoles are geographically close to other conference members and they compete well athletically.

But really what do I know? I’m still trying to sort out why West Virginia decided to join the Big 12 Conference. I guess I just don’t understand geography.

Missouri Tigers Show Grit

The Missouri Tigers are having an outstanding season. These guys attack their opponents on the offensive end and defend them on the defensive side. Pressure is the Missouri game.

The Tigers are ranked No.3 nationally (24-2 overall, 11-2 conference) and just pounded Oklahoma State last night. Reason tells you Missouri wasn’t going to lose another game to the Cowboys. Oklahoma State inflicted one of Missouri’s two Big 12 Conference losses earlier in Stillwater.

If first-year coach Frank Haith doesn’t win Coach-of-the-Year honors it will be great oversight. Health has pushed nearly all the right buttons this season and deserves credit for bringing the team together.

Missouri has an opportunity to claim the Big 12 regular season championship. The big game is later this month against Kansas. Both schools are tied for the lead now. The Tigers already have a win over the Jayhawks.

Missouri also figures to be an interesting NCAA team. Armed with quickness and solid shooters, but lacking in height and depth (only seven players receive playing time), will the Tigers put together a serious tournament run or fall victim to their vices. You figure a tall, solid rebounding team might send Missouri to the NCAA sidelines.

But don’t count this gritty team out. The Tigers seem to find a way to get victories and they hope that march lasts all the way into April.

Baylor's Perry Jones Returns

Last season, Baylor big man Perry Jones III was one of the best high school basketball players to come out of the state of Texas. He became Baylor’s most celebrated recruit.

Jones, known as PJ3 in Texas, entered the season with high expectations. Some projected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the National Basketball Association’s draft if Jones left school after his freshman season.

Well, Jones didn’t dominate the college basketball world. He had some freshman growing pains. He showed people he was human. PJ3 couldn’t control the middle of the lane every game, but the freshman did scored 13.9 points per contest.

Jones’ season was also controversial. The NCAA slapped a six-game suspension on him before the Oklahoma Big 12 Conference tournament game for benefits received prior to his Baylor enrollment. Baylor lost that game and was not invited to a postseason tournament.

Many questioned whether Jones would fulfill the rest of his suspension and instead jump to the NBA. Baylor fans were happy when Jones announced he would return for his sophomore season and fulfill the remaining five-game suspension.

By all accounts, Jones is a qualify person. He showed some real maturity when he took his medicine and didn’t bolt to the NBA.

PJ3 opened his season against Prairie View A&M Tuesday night and displayed why he is such a special talents. Granted Prairie View isn’t exactly the LA Lakers, but the sophomore did torch the visitors for 27 points on 10-14 field goals and 7-9 free throws.

You think the guy has a little more incentive this season sitting out the first five games? I sense he is going to really take it out on opponents and is posed for a banner season.

Others predict a stellar season too. For example, the Big 12 named Jones as its Preseason Player of the Year.

With all that Jones has encountered in his one plus years in college, it’s not difficult cheering for this rising star.

Alabama's Nick Sabin Sounds Like a Politician

I will give Alabama football coach Nick Sabin “E” for effort with his speech the other day promoting his team for the BCS National Championship.

He sounded like a good ‘ole politician with his words. Believe me folks here in Iowa can spot a politician and his/her speech a mile away. We have had our share of political talk in the last several months and it will heat up in a hurry as the Iowa caucus approaches.

Sabin apparently decided to walk the campaign trial by reminded college football voters that the two best teams should play for the national championship. It sounds like ‘ole Nick is feeling some heat about a possible LSU-Alabama rematch in the BCS Championship Game. The two schools played during the regular season in the ‘field goal’ bowl. All the points were made via field goals. Frankly, the game was really dull.

There appears some strong sentiment that folks don’t want this rematch to happen. As I stated in an earlier blog, I fall in that category. Sabin’s team didn’t make the SEC title game this weekend, so maybe he wanted to remind people that Alabama is the second best team in the country. Strange but accordingly to the SEC championship game, the Tide isn’t even the second best team in the league.

Actually, I am still pulling for Oklahoma State to be that No. 2 team. The Cowboys need to beat Oklahoma this week to become part of the discussion.

But I don’t blame Sabin for his speech. That’s what politicians do. Sabin is only playing the part. We’ll have to wait for the election results.

The BCS is a Mess

I am crying out to a non-SEC (Southeastern Conference) team today. Please, please, somebody move into the No. 2 BCS spot before the national champion game.

The SEC now has a stronghold on the BCS standings with LSU, Alabama and Arkansas in the top three spots. Do we really want a LSU-Alabama rematch? I say no, no and no. I mean how many field goal games can we take?

Upset weekend caused the major shakeup in the standings. Oklahoma State, Oregon, Clemson and Oklahoma all lost games. The Cowboys fell two spots in the BCS rankings to No. 4.

The SEC has owned the national championship in recent years. On this late November day, the conference is sitting in good shape. The SEC has been sticking out their chest boasting and that needs to stop. We need more upsets in the remaining games. The SEC needs some competition in the championship game.

Remember when it seemed like the New York Yankees were going to the World Series every year? Well, the SEC is going to the football World Series every year. The trouble is this year the league doesn’t want to invite anyone else to the party.

We need a choice in the title game. Please, please, somebody help us.

Watch Out for the Wind Oklahoma State Cowboys

Iowa State host No. 2 Oklahoma State Friday night and the Cyclones are hoping for bad weather. It’s about their only chance for an equalizer.

Sounds like it could be windy, but no snow or rain in the forecast. Maybe Iowa State should install some large fans to enhance the nature wind. You imagine they could sneak them in behind the stands?

On paper, this football game is a mismatch. The Cowboys, fresh off a blowout win at Texas Tech, are 27 to 27 ½ favorites. Their high-powered offense is difficult to contain and impossible to stop.

Some might wonder if this is a trap game for Oklahoma State with Oklahoma coming up in early December. I don’t see it. If the Cowboys were playing the Sooners next week, then might be it would be a problem. But with a two-week layoff between the Iowa State and Oklahoma games, it’s highly unlikely.

Besides the weather, Iowa State’s chances in this one involve ball-control. The Cyclones must keep the Cowboys’ offense on the sidelines as much as possible and keep from making mistakes. With its offense, Oklahoma State doesn’t need a “short” field too.

Now, about working on that wind…

Oklahoma State Cowboys in a Good Spot

Sometimes near the top of mountain is almost as good as being on top.

Oklahoma State is that football team. The Cowboys sit No. 3 in the BCS (Bowl Championship Series). LSU and Alabama are No. 1 and No. 2 respectively but play each other this week. So with a victory over Kansas State Saturday, you figure the Cowboys will move into the No. 2 slot. And No. 2 at the end of the season puts a team in the national championship game.

The Cowboys have a favorable schedule the rest of the season with the exception of playing Oklahoma the last game. The Sooners will play the role of a spoiler after their shocking loss to Texas Tech on Oct. 22. Oklahoma might just take out all its frustrations on Oklahoma State.

But if the Cowboys remain undefeated throughout the season, they will benefit from no Big 12 Conference championship game. These league championship games are great for the conference money chest, but traps for teams hoping for a national championship slot.

So right now, Oklahoma State’s view near the mountain top looks good. But in this wacky world of college football, one quick misstep lands you quickly down that mountain.

Strange Saturday for Iowa's Big Two Football Teams

Talk about getting blindsided with the results of the Iowa and Iowa State games. Wow.

On paper, the Hawkeyes should have owned Minnesota. Then, they played the game. The result was the Gophers doubled their victory total to two. Iowa choked a lead in the fourth quarter and lost 22-21. The Hawkeyes couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe it. Minnesota, if truth was told, probably couldn’t believe it. It made the Gophers season.

Now, Iowa must regroup before facing the Michigans---Michigan and Michigan State. Those games now will scare any rabid Hawkeye fan.

Iowa State played Texas Tech last Saturday. The Red Raiders were coming off a stunning upset of Oklahoma the week before. I thought Texas Tech might be a little flat and the Cyclones could give the Red Raiders a competitive game. But it turns out Texas Tech was REALLY flat.

Iowa State mirrored a struggling team entering the game. The Cyclone had lost four straight and looked real bad during the streak.

Well, Iowa State found itself a quarterback. Redshirt freshman Jared Barnett started his first game and ran the show brilliantly. Iowa State pounded Texas Tech 41-7.

I figured Tech would win in a fairly close game. The only time the Red Raiders were in the game was at 0-0. Good figure.

The old saying came true in Iowa last Saturday: “On any given Saturday, any team can beat someone else.” That is one factor that makes college football a great game.

Iowa State Cyclones Hit the Skids

The Iowa State football team has played only six games this season, but the contrast is frightening.

Iowa State surprisingly won its first three games despite committing numerous turnovers. Northern Iowa, Iowa and UCONN couldn’t take full advantage of the errors.

The Cyclones have continued the mistakes against Texas, Baylor and Missouri and the final result has not been pretty. Iowa State has suffered three blowout losses.

So the Cyclones are at 3-3. Sadly, they should be favored in only one remaining game. Kansas comes to Ames on Nov. 5 but other than that, the schedule looks bleak. Even more so, if Iowa State keeps turning the ball over, the scores could remain real ugly.

Playing giveaway and playing the likes of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Kansas State, does not bode well for the Cyclones.

Coach Paul Rhoads has fashioned an upset the last two seasons: Nebraska in 2009 and Texas in 2010, so the magic is still possible. But as the coaches say, Iowa State will need to play a near perfect football game for that to happen. Perfection has definitely been a foreign word to this team so far this season.

Iowa State needs to reverse the negative trend quickly or this season will become disaster just as quickly.

The Big 12 Conference Soap Opera

What a 24-hours in the Big 12 Conference.

Yesterday, it was all doom and gloom for the league. Rumors had Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech all going to the Pac-12 Conference.

Oklahoma was apparently making demands of the Big 12 while waiting the word from the Pac-12. The Sooners said the Big 12 needed major reforms including firing its commissioner before they would ever choose to stay in the league.

Well, the Pac-12 discarded all the realignment talk for at least a few hours in this unstable environment when it said “Thanks, but no thanks” to the four Big 12 schools.

We are now left with only gloom and some serious egg on Oklahoma’s face.

The Big 12 is still in major trouble because there are now two schools wanting to play by its own rules. In recent days, Oklahoma’s behavior has shown the “me first” attitude. Texas has always been the league’s kingpin.

Where this struggle ends up, nobody knows, but you must feel sorry for schools like Iowa State, Baylor, Kansas State and Kansas. Without real recourse, these conference members have been wondering if they would be forced to scramble for some other affiliation. If I were those schools, I would still keep the eyes open in the back of the head.

Texas needs to quit acting like a spoiled child. It can no longer eat four deserts and leave the other family members with crumbs. Oklahoma needs to patch up their grievances with Texas and become a good family member. The Sooners must look out for other conference members and promote their benefit as well.

I know this novel concept of sharing seems outdated in this world, but it’s the only way the Big 12 will even have a chance to survive.

Must-See College Football This Weekend

If you can only watch one football game this weekend, don’t miss Oklahoma-Florida State.

Congratulations to these two programs for the guts to schedule a game between two top rating programs. In this age of let’s schedule guaranteed wins for the non conference season, it’s refreshing. The big risk of this game is the loser will fade from the national title picture.

The No. 1 Sooners travel to a hostile place to oppose a tough fifth-ranked team. Jimbo Fisher has replaced Florida State legend Bobby Bowden in fine style. The Seminoles have left the mediocrity of the late Bowden years and have returned to the national stage. Florida State is again Florida State.

Oklahoma has plenty of weapons to survive the Seminoles including quarterback Landry Jones.

The Sooners have big news off the field. They are the latest team to become dissatisfied with the Big 12 Conference and apparently are flirting with the Pac-12. And I thought we could receive a break from this realignment talk once the season started.

But thankful the football talk will return to the field Saturday. This matchup is definitely worth the hype.

Enjoy.

The Big 12 Conference Soap Opera Never Ends

I couldn’t believe my eyes or ears over the Labor Day weekend when I learned Oklahoma is exploring departure from the Big 12 Conference.

But in retrospect, why was I really surprised? The conference is in a terrible mess and its days are obviously numbered.

At last count, we had Nebraska and Colorado taking up residence in the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences respectively. Texas A&M wants to bolt and desires a membership offer from the Southeastern Conference. And now Oklahoma says it has received numerous interest from other conferences. Plus, there is no truth to the rumors that Kansas State, Iowa State and Baylor will leave and form the Big 3 Conference (for my foreign readers this is my poor attempt of making a joke).

Simply, many members (or former members) of the Big 12 exhibit the strong characteristics of the Me-First Generation. Whatever happened to one-for-all and all-for-one? You cannot have a successful partnership if some schools are always looking for a better deal. The Big 12 acts like one big dysfunctional family. The emotions of anger and sadness are both in play here.

Trust is gone in the conference. Everyone is looking over their shoulder. Teams either want something to happen or waiting for the worst to happen and you cannot run a league with those attitudes.

The Big 12 is a poster child for greed in college athletics.

Does Anyone Like the Big 12 Conference?

It’s difficult to avoid conference realignment talk here in America’s Heartland. The daily news has centered on Texas A&M.

Apparently, the Aggies have signed their divorce papers and will leave the Big 12 Conference.

What’s wrong with the Big 12? Last year, Nebraska and Colorado departs: this year A&M. Who could be next? Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma?

No matter what spin the conference leaders put on it, the Big 12 is in trouble. Remember the apple tree in your neighbor’s yard when you were a child? It seemed everybody stopped there to pick the fruit. Seems like the Big 12 Conference right now.

If you took a poll of the real problem in the league, many would say the Texas Longhorns. And those not saying it publicly might be thinking it privately.

But Texas is Texas and the Longhorns will always be the big fish in the Big 12 or in another league or as an independent. It’s similar to saying that Donald Trump will always have lots of money.

Texas is and isn’t the problem. But the way things are going, the Big 12 better be careful or most of the fruit will be gone from the tree.

Watch Out for the Oklahoma Sooners

As we gear up for the 2011 college football season, I will on occasion highlight particular teams.

There is no better team to begin with than the Oklahoma Sooners.

Folks in Norman, Oklahoma could be preparing for a championship season. The roster looks good, the schedule is favorable and there is no Big 12 Conference Championship game to play as a possible trap.

Quarterback Landry Jones leads the explosive Oklahoma offense. He is a two-year starter and has solid leadership qualities. The running game will need to replace 1,200 yard rusher DeMarco Murray, but Oklahoma always seems to find running backs. The passing game will become a major factor in the offense with star receiver Ryan Broyles at the top of the list. All this guy did last year was catch 131 balls to leave him 50 away from the NCAA all-time record of 316.

Linebacker Travis Lewis will lead the defense. The senior has paced the Sooners in tackles for the last three years. Oklahoma will need to replace some players on the defense from last season, but with the pipeline the Sooners always seem to possess, they should be strong enough.

The kicking game should be solid with both kicker (Jimmy Stevens) and punter (Tress Way) returning.

I see two difficult games on Oklahoma’s schedule both on the road. The Sooners must return a game to Florida State (the Sooners destroyed Florida State last season 47-17) on Sept. 17 and then finish the regular season, Dec. 3, against Oklahoma State. The Sooners only lost two games last season and one of them was to the Cowboys.

Oklahoma normally positions itself for a title run. So the combination of that experience, talented players and head coach Bob Stoops could cause a special season.

Background Checks in College Football

Sports Illustrated and CBS News created a stir this week with their Top 25 college football teams based upon police records.

Here in my state, Iowa made the list. That’s no surprise. It only seems that Iowa holds a press conference every couple weeks to deflect more negative news.

The report stated that only Oklahoma and TCU perform criminal background checks on potential recruits. My question is why other schools don’t do the same thing?

Football is a million dollar sport at most Division I schools. Money is available to do background checks. Recruiting is a full-time process and the background check could be adding to the list.

Could a recruit do a reversal of his criminal background check? Yes, it is definitely possible. But overall, past behavior usually influences present and future behavior. Let’s face it: college football players are investments to their schools. So wouldn’t schools save themselves some possible heartache and bad publicity with the checks?

There are roughly 100 college players involved in a Division I program. There will be bad apples in the bunch—that’s simply the law of averages. But a screening process such as criminal checks would keep those apples to a minimum.

Doe you think colleges should perform criminal checks on football recruits?

Oklahoma State and Texas in Reverse Roles

In my humble opinion, the college football TV menu this Saturday is weak. But the Oklahoma State-Texas game might be a steak and potatoes affair.

The Cowboys have put together a stellar season at 8-1. But Oklahoma State mirrors Oregon in that both schools have teased on the national scene, but never delivered the big blow.

Oklahoma State is in position to win the Big 12 South and go to the championship game. Usually Oklahoma and Texas are in the Cowboys way, but not this year.

The Cowboys have a long line of solid quarterbacks and this year is no different with Brandon Weeden. The 27-year-old is a former minor league baseball pitcher with a strong arm. The Pokes also feature a solid running game with Kendell Hunter and Joseph Randle.

Texas is fighting to play in ANY bowl game. You read that right. Its 4-5 record shocks the football world. The Longhorns have lost three straight and they have lost three home games this season. A defeat today, makes that four and four.

Texas fans hope their team comes out of the funk soon. Texas did inflict Nebraska with its lone loss, but that seems years ago to Texas fans. It looks like some Texas assistant coaches will be looking for work next season.

But unless you are a diehard Texas fan, you will want to cheer for the Cowboys in this one. Wouldn’t an Oklahoma State-Nebraska game in the Big 12 championship sound good?