Football Saturday in Oklahoma
Matthew and I were in Norman last weekend and saw the Sooners dismantle Kansas. And it was fun to get to spend some time with my brother. But he should have gone with my Cowboys in his picks. I got the upper hand and went 7-2 on the week, while Matt was 6-3.
• No. 5 Notre Dame (7-0) at No. 8 Oklahoma (5-1) •
According to Bob Stoops, this is the biggest game in Norman since Nebraska came to town in 2000. It’s a historic matchup that will have a significant impact on the push to get to the BCS title game. Notre Dame owns a huge 8-1 edge in the all-time series. Oklahoma is 3-0 against top 10 teams in Norman since Stoops took the helm. Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson is set to start the game for the Irish.
Matt’s pick: OU 42-12; Joey’s pick: OU 34-21
• TCU (5-2) at Oklahoma State (4-2) •
OSU leads the series 11-9-2, but these new conference rivals haven’t played in 19 years. Who’s going to start at quarterback for the Cowboys? No one outside of Mike Gundy and the knights of the round table knows. However, OSU remains in the top 10 in the country in both passing and rushing yardage.
Matt’s pick: OSU 45-42; Joey’s pick: OSU 38-27
• Central (1-6) at Lincoln (1-7) •
This is the first meeting between these two. UCO is looking for its first road win in 16 tries. Lincoln and Central are giving up 39 and 40 points per game, respectively, so whichever offense can get on track may have the upper hand.
Matt’s pick: LU 31-24; Joey’s pick: LU 34-33
• No. 20 Ouachita Baptist (6-1) at East Central (3-5) •
ECU has dropped two straight and needs to right the ship. It may be tough, as the Tigers face a ranked opponent for the second straight week, and one in OBU has owns an 11-4 record in the all-time series. ECU defensive back leads D-II with seven interceptions.
Matt’s pick: OBU 41-31; Joey’s pick: OBU 27-24
• Northeastern State (1-6) at Southwest Baptist (1-7) •
It’s just the third meeting between the schools. In matchups in 2008 and 2009, each team won at home. The RiverHawks held Central Missouri to only 22 yards rushing last weekend, helping NSU to its first win of the season. Southwest Baptist ranks last of the 15 MIAA schools in rushing, at under 68 ypg.
Matt’s pick: SBU 28-14; Joey’s pick: NSU 34-24
• Southwestern Assemblies of God (3-4) at Panhandle State (4-3) •
It’s Homecoming in Goodwell today. Panhandle has won the last three in this series: by 16 last year, by four in 2010, and by two in 2009. Aggies looking to stop a two-game losing skid. SAGU lost to first year program Wayland Baptist last weekend.
Matt’s pick: OPSU 32-19; Joey’s pick: OPSU 35-17
• Wayland Baptist (2-5) at Bacone (5-2) •
The Warriors have extended the winning streak to four and coach Rubly’s team is clearly on a roll. They welcome in a team in its first season and look to continue their winning ways. Bacone is No. 1 in NAIA in total defense, while Tyler Thomas is tops in the country in kickoff return yards with over 41 per return.
Matt’s pick: BC 34-7; Joey’s pick: BC 42-14
• Langston (4-3) at McMurry (4-3) •
The Lions have had a week off to prepare for the McMurry offense. This is the first between the two schools within the Central States Football League. Langston won in 1990 in the only other meeting.
Matt’s pick: LU 28-27; Joey’s pick: LU 21-19