Take It To The Bank

Well the "Take It To The Bank" is back after a couple weeks off. Just in case you forgot the format, it'll be 5 games, including the Cats and one other Big XII matchup. Some of these will be a bit of a stretch, but it's all in good fun. Here we go:

Back To Reality

California is reeling after losing consecutive games to Oregon State and UCLA. If you missed those games a large problem for the Bears was the quarterback position, with redshirt freshman Kevin Riley filling in for the injured Nate Longshore. Well, Longshore is back and he's tired of his senior season being ruined by some rookie.

Statistically this game looks like it should be dominated by Arizona State. Remember, however, that they have played absolutely nobody of substance. Cal has too much firepower to be contained for three consecutive games, and the fall of Arizona State begins this weekend before playing Oregon, UCLA, and USC over the next three weeks. Get out your Red Bull to watch this kickoff at 10pm CST, but it will be fun to watch as Ariona State becomes the second team to fall from the ranks of the unbeatens on a day of upsets. California: 38, Arizona State: 31

World's Larget Outdoor Jackass Festival

Florida halted a two game losing streak last weekend with a victory over Kentucky. This year's showdown with Georgia holdes less significance than years past, but it would still appear to be a fairly even matchup. How Florida remains in the Top 10 with two losses is beyond me, but they do have playmakers across the board. Quarterback Tim Tebow can make plays running or throwing, but can be easily confused if Georgia chooses to mix up packages.

Perhaps no quarterback in the country is more overrated than Georgia's Matthew Stafford. Hyped as the second coming of Fran Tarkenton, Stafford has failed to impress anyone with a double-digit IQ. Georgia is young, and Florida is still Florida. I don't expect this game to be close as Florida takes the game 35-20.

Hooked

Is there a more pathetic display of a football program than the University of Nebraska? Seriously, I'm fairly certain that they couldn't beat UNO and I'm thinking a good high school team could hang at least 30 on the vaunted "Blackshirts." To make things worse, they begin a stretch of consecutive road games this weekend in Austin. I don't think it would be a stretch to say that the 'Skers will not be favored in another game this year. The line on this game is Texas -21, but the UNL players appear to have quit on Coach Bill Slashahan and his staff...not to mention Nebraska's defense ranks dead last in the Big XII. Austin, TX isn't exactly the ideal spot to try and iron out your wrinkles, either.

Focusing on football, expect Jamaal Charles to have a huge game on the ground against a team that is giving up on average almost 230 yards per game. Remember, heading into the Conference slate Charles was the Conference's leading rusher. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy shouldn't need to utilize his arm for much more than handing off, and Texas has more than enough talent on defense to be able to stop Sam "Soul Patch" Keller and Nebraska's awful, awful offensive attack. Nebraska may jump up and bite someone the remainder of the year, but it sure isn't going to be Texas. Texas: 45, UNL: 17

Back To Reality (Part II)

Well, well, well. Looks like the Mighty Fightin' Manginos think they're for real. Talks are coming from Lawrence of running the table, Big XII Championships, and (cough) even National Championships. That's all well and good, but what they forget is that they still have at least 5 games remaining, in at least 3 of which they will be favored by probably less than 5 points. Hmmm...remember the 2006 version of the Missouri Tigers?

Anyway, back to this game. UK has been relatively impressive to date, and I must say that they have far surpassed my expectations for anything the Fat Man could do. Statistically, they have been dominating, although many of the statistics are skewed by their weak non-conference schedule. The difficulty for UK lies in stopping the running game...more specifically the 300 pound monster known as Jorvorskie Lane (pictured). Lane is perhaps the most gifted running back in the league when you factor in size and his diversity, and he is the leader of the Aggie running attack which is best in the Big XII and 5th best in the nation. UK will face the single most diverse running attack that they will see all season, and it keys off of Lane, quarterback Stephen McGee, and big play man Michael Goodson.

This story has been nice so far if you're a Jayhawk fan, but Saturday starts the demise of the 2007 UK football season, and marks the official beginning of basketball season in Lawrence. UK loses this one as they are unable to stop the three-pronged running attack of the Aggies in a game that starts a Mizzou-like landslide for the Manginos. Texas A&M: 31 UK: 24

Happy Homecoming

A tough loss on the road last week in Stillwater leaves the Wildcats with plenty of questions, especially surrounding their run defense. Well, coming to town with all the answers is none other than Guy Morriss and his anemic Baylor Bears. Baylor boasts the 5th worst running attack in all of college football, averaging a little over 70 yard per game. To make things worse for Baylor, the previous leader of their passing attack has been replaced by a second time starter in Michael Machen. Machen made some fatal mistakes downfield in last weekend's loss to Texas, and that should leave the big play Wildcat secondary salivating.

Josh Freeman and the K-State offense have finally appeared to have turned the corner. A very impressive passing attack last weekend gave Josh his new career high with over 400 yard passing, 3 touchdowns, and perhaps mostly importantly zero interceptions. Add to it that Baylor has the 3rd worst total defense in the entire Big XII and the Wildcat offense should have another banner day tomorrow.

Another area for the Wildcats that needs improvement is kick coverage. Aside from fumbles last weekend, kick coverage was the key factor in the loss to Oklahoma State as the Wildcats gave up a touchdown on a kick return and allowed the Cowboys' final return up to near midfield to set up their game winning drive. But, back to save the day again are the Bears, who come into this game 111th nationally in kick return yardage with only 18 yards per return.

The last time the Bears traveled to Manhattan was 2003, for another Homecoming game, and they left with a 38-10 defeat. Don't expect this game to be much closer. The Wildcats should be able to move the ball at will, and the defensive matchup sets up very well for the Wildcats. K-State lays a Texas-sized ass kicking on the Bears, 48-13

And You Can Take THAT To The Bank...