in NCAA F Articles

Who saw this coming for the Big 12 Championship game? The Huskers and Sooners are old rivals, but nobody expected them to be meeting this year. A string of unfortunate circumstances for other teams (read: Texas) turned in to unexpected fortune for both of these teams. Which one can take advantage and score the title from their familiar rival?

Nebraska is led by QB Zac Taylor (no…not the one from ‘Home Improvement’) is one of those quarterbacks who gets the unfortunate tag of “game manager”. That title just doesn’t seem fair. He gets a strong mix of receivers involved in the offense and manages a very respectable 250.8 yards per game. To match, he throws an 6:1 ratio of scores to interceptions (2789 yards, 24 TD, 4 INT). He’ll have his work cut out for him with the Sooner’s strong set of defensive backs looking to prey like vultures. Nebraska’s front line on offense isn’t very strong, so look for the Sooner to put pressure on Taylor to try and force him to heave mistakes in to the air. Don’t be surprised if TE Matt Herian bales Taylor out of trouble. He’s definitely an x-factor to watch this weekend.

Sooner’s star RB Adrian Peterson has been ruled out for this matchup, so the team will turn to RB Allen Patrick. The Cornhuskers are allowing 126.9 rushing yards per game, but the real number is 4.1. That’s how yards the Cornhuskers allow per carry. Not good (for the Cornhuskers at least). In the passing game, QB Paul Thompson has been erratic at best. If you thought Britney Spears made bad decisions, you should see Thompson launch the ball in to triple coverage on the daily. That being said, Thompson will benefit from Patrick moving the chains. When they get in to the redzone, look for 6’4” WR Malcolm Kelly to get his number called. While Thompson is certainly the lesser of the two QB’s in the game, his team will rely heavily on the run. Even expecting the run, don’t expect Nebraska’s porous defense to hold up

Whenever you have a strong running team go up against a team that can’t stop the run, the tie goes to the runner. In this case, that would be the Sooners.

Nebraska is 9-3 SU, and 7-3-1 ATS. Oklahoma is 10-2 SU, 8-3-1 ATS.

Nebraska - 24

Oklahoma - 34