Mid-Major Game of the Week:
Get ready for a good ol' fashion shootout out when Houston visits Oklahoma State in Stillwater this weekend. With State coming off a huge victory at home over Georgia last week, and Oklahoma down for the count, the Cowboys are looking like the only team that might give Texas a run for the Big XII South title.
Houston, headed by the talented Chase Keenum, has an incredibly high powered aerial attack. Aided by the trio of RB Bryce Beall and receivers Patrick Edwards and Tyron Carrier, Keenum will be give (albeit a much improved) Oklahoma State secondary fits.
Of course, the Cougar defense is in for an even longer day with a ridiculously stacked Cowboy offense. Zac Robinson to Dez Bryant all day, with an occasional 20 yard run from Kendall Hunter will outmatch, outspeed and leave the Cougar D in the dust come Saturday.
The last time these two teams met, Oklahoma State won 56-37. Don't be surprised if this match up ends with even gaudier numbers.
Best Mid-Major v. BCS Player Matchup:
Air Force QB Tim Jefferson who completed 5-of-7 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, and ran five times for 22 yards and two scores against lowly Nicholls State last week will have a much tougher job this week against a solid Minnesota Defense. Led by LB Lee Campbell, Minnesota spoiled Greg Paulus's Syracuse debut by keeping the Orange to just 257 yards of total offense and allowing just one of 12 third down conversions. If Air Force wants to make a statement as a major player in the Mountain West this season, a big game by Tim Jefferson is a must.
Here's your chance, now show us what you can do:
East Carolina v. West Virgina: Part II. Last year, the Pirates (at least for the first few weeks of the season) seemed to be destined for BCS glory with upset wins against West Virgina and Virgina Tech. If East Carolina wants to make some noise in Conference USA this year, QB Patrick Pinkney (now in his sixth year of elgibility) will have to show up big time against West Virgina this Saturday. Pinkney's peformance verse the Moutaineers was fantastic last season, when he completed 22 of 28 passes for 23 yards and a TD. A similar performance is unlikely this year against an improved secondary, but East Carolina always seems to find a way to keep things interesting.
Mid-Major Madness Picks of the Week:
West Virgina: 27 East Carolina: 17
Oklahoma State: 45 Houston: 31
Western Michigan: 24 Indiana: 17
Michigan State: 35 Central Michigan: 21
TCU: 38 Virgina: 24
Minnesota: 27 Air Force: 21
Wisconsin: 31 Fresno State: 19