Big 12 North Faces Nonconference Challenges

By Big12-Fans Writer William Osborn

The Big 12 North has been rightly labeled the weaker of the Big 12’s two divisions in recent years. On the eve of college football 2006, conventional wisdom says that the North will again trail the South significantly in strength. However, the nonconference slate for the North division features some marquee competition. These games may be useful in predicting whether the North can realistically hope to challenge for the Big 12 title in 2006.

Games to Watch:

September 16 - Colorado vs. Arizona State

With Dan Hawkins at the helm as the new head coach for the Buffaloes, it is a little difficult to get a read on Colorado this early. However, if Hawkins’ career at Boise State is any indication, expect to see a lot of winning. Hawkins brings a glittering record to Boulder after going 53-11 as head coach at Boise State.

Arizona State should come to Boulder with a 2-0 record after opening with Northern Arizona and Nevada at home. Led by sophomore quarterback Rudy Carpenter, the Devils should have a high powered offense again this year. The Buffs should also be unscathed through two games as they open with Montana State and in-state rival Colorado State.

Colorado will likely enter the contest as an underdog to 24th ranked ASU, but looks to have a good shot at upsetting the Devils. Hawkins has been a breath of fresh air in Boulder after the scandal-ridden final seasons of Gary Barnett. He brings a loose, “let’s have fun” attitude and an offensive philosophy that will be tailored to Colorado’s strong suits. The nations best placekicker, Mason Crosby, is a real equalizer with his astonishing range. But, with eight starters returning, Colorado’s defense should be the deciding factor in this game.

Colorado’s matchup with Arizona State will tell us a lot about what is in store for the Buffs in 2006. With a win, Colorado will have some momentum going into what is likely its toughest nonconference matchup at Georgia. With a loss, I would expect Colorado to fall to 2-2 before beginning conference play.

September 16 – Nebraska vs. USC

Senior quarterback Zac Taylor will lead Bill Callahan’s west coast offense into the Coliseum. Husker fans are raring to go in year three of the Callahan regime, and the Huskers get the chance to prove something to the nation at USC. After warm up games versus Louisiana Tech and Nicholls State, the Huskers should be unbeaten when they face the Trojans.

USC will have to replace the ridiculously talented trio of Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and Lendale White in the backfield, along with numerous other graduates to the NFL on both sides of the ball. If there is a program anywhere in college football that is capable of that feat, it is USC. After stockpiling top notch talent for several years, you can be sure the Trojans will be formidable again this season. Senior signal-caller John David Booty will take over for Leinart and will throw to two of the best receivers in the nation in Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith.

Nebraska’s strength this season should be its defense. Seven starters return to a defense that racked up gaudy sack and tackle-for-loss numbers last season. The anchor of the defense will be base end and preseason All-American Adam Carriker. The most vulnerable area of Nebraska’s defense will be the secondary where depth is a concern following the loss to injury of standout cornerback Zack Bowman.

The key matchup in this game will be the Nebraska front 7 versus time – meaning that they will have to get their hands on John David Booty very quickly to minimize the mismatch between Nebraska’s secondary and USC’s stellar receiving corps. If the Blackshirts can rattle Booty early, anything can happen. A win versus USC or at least a hard fought, close loss would serve as notice to all of college football that Nebraska is back. A blowout loss would start grumbling throughout Husker land.

September 16 – Iowa State vs. Iowa

Iowa State will travel to Iowa City to face a veteran Hawkeye team that is considered a dark horse for the Big 10 title. The in-state rivalry will feature two terrific quarterbacks in Iowa State’s Bret Meyer and Iowa’s Drew Tate. The Hawkeyes return 16 starters from last year’s 7-5 team including Tate and the Big Ten’s leading rusher in Albert Young. An experienced defensive line will try to slow ISU’s explosive offense.

Iowa State’s offense should produce big numbers this season. With veteran Bret Meyer calling the signals, 1000 yard receiver Todd Blythe catching passes and a finally healthy Stevie Hicks carrying the ball, we can expect to see a lot of points put up by the Cyclones.

The question mark for ISU is on the defensive side of the ball where graduation and key dismissals have left the Cyclones with a relatively untested group. Senior cornerback DeAndre Jackson will provide leadership and will lock down virtually any receiver he faces, but the Cyclones will likely have to win a lot of shootouts this season to challenge for the North division crown.

This rivalry game will likely be one decided by emotion and momentum. If Iowa State’s young defense can get some early breaks, this may be the game that helps them gel into a solid unit. A few key stops may be all that is needed to allow Iowa State’s offense to take control and outscore the Hawkeyes. An early win for the Cyclones against a Big Ten power would be an ominous sign for the rest of the Big 12 North.

These games, along with matchups of Colorado vs. Georgia, Kansas State vs. Louisville and even Missouri vs. Mississippi should allow us to gauge whether the North is on the rise again after being dominated by the South in recent seasons. While the nonconference slate has no direct bearing on the conference race, it can be a great table-setter for a team that does well. Will the Big 12 championship reside in the north after 2006? Only time will tell, but we will all have a better idea after September.

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