Articles

Big XII Player Grades

 

The weekend is here, and as we progress deeper into the month of November the national title race begins to take shape. But there are also conference (and divisional) championships to determine, and the three games that Billy and I have chosen will have a direct effect on who wins the Pac-10, SEC West and Big 12 South. But in the case of Alabama's trip to Baton Rouge, division bragging rights may take a backseat to some pure old-fashioned hatred as an old friend returns to the place he once called home.

 

This is the third of six annual statistical projections of BCS conference starters. The lineups are based on the Starting Fives series of articles released two weeks ago, along with a couple of changes due to recent developments.

 

Well, we're back for more this weekend with two huge games from a national standpoint and another game that could be a conference title preview. The three games are: #15 Florida State @ Georgia Tech (3:30 PM on ABC), #8 Florida vs. #6 Georgia in Jacksonville (3:30 PM on CBS) and #1 Texas @ #7 Texas Tech (8 PM on ABC). There are some question marks in each game, from the play of Florida State QB Christian Ponder to how effect the Red Raider defense can be against the powerful Longhorns. Here's a breakdown of each game by Billy Palmer and myself, along with predictions.

 

BIG 12 FIVE-YEAR STANDINGS

 

This ranking tries to answer a simple question: Who has been the best team in the Big 12 over the last five years?

 

Unlike the NBA, where most starting lineups are set in stone weeks before the season, NCAA starting fives are highly unsettled and constantly in flux. Going through the BCS leagues this week, I'll be projecting the starting fives for each team. Also included is the team's most important bench option, and some notes on other possible lineups.

 

Texas Tech Red Raiders

 

A companion to our daily Three Stars of the Day, we present the top three Games of the Night.