It's always good to be able to quickly review how opponents past and present are performing, which can obviously have quite an effect on OSU in the polls.
The title will be indicative of the week...week 1 is Opponents 101. Week 2 will be Opponents 201, and so on. Got it?
We saw some things we liked this week. I saw one thing I did NOT like...
Unless otherwise noted, all games are on Saturday. Without further delay, here's the list for 2015:
Central Michigan Chippewas
Record: 1-2 (MAC West, 0-0)
Last Game: @ Syracuse (NR)
Result: L, 30-27
Next Opponent: @ #2 Michigan State
National Ranking: NR
Comments:
CMU gave another P5 opponent more than they bargained for, taking Syracuse to OT (this definitely looked good for OSU). The path only gets tougher as they travel to Michigan State and prepare for an 1-3 start.
Central Arkansas Bears (FCS)
Record: 0-2 (Southland, 0-0)
Last Game: Bye
Result: N/A
Next Opponent: @ Northwestern State (FCS, NR)
National Ranking: NR
Comments:
UCA gets back on the trail with a trip to Northwestern State, who comes in 0-3 with losses to SE Louisiana, UL-Lafayette, and Mississippi State.
UTSA (University of Texas at San Antonio) Roadrunners
Record: 0-3 (Conf USA - West, 0-0)
Last Game: @ #25 Oklahoma State
Result: L, 69-14
Next Opponent: vs Colorado State
National Ranking: NR
Comments:
Things have gone downhill fast for a team that is making a habit of giving the ball back to the opponent. Seven turnovers spelled disaster in Stillwater. UTSA returns home to face Colorado State this week.
Texas Longhorns
Record: 1-2 (Big 12, 0-0)
Last Game: vs California
Result: L, 45-44
Next Opponent: vs #22 Oklahoma State
National Ranking: NR
Comments:
Think of different ways to lose games. The new QB of the future reminds us of Vince Young, then the placekicker shanks (and I do mean SHANKS) the potential game-tying PAT. BRUTAL. However, Jerrod Heard has injected excitement into what was pretending to be an offense, and has given me reason to be very anxious about this upcoming game. Liquor order has been doubled, along with Alka Seltzer and Pepto Bismol.
Kansas State Wildcats
Record: 3-0 (Big 12, 0-0)
Last Game: vs La Tech
Result: W, 39-33 3OT
Next Opponent: Bye
National Ranking: NR
Comments:
This was a lot more work than they expected, but a win is a win against one of those dangerous mid-major teams. Now they get a week off to think about their conference opener in Stillwater on 10/3 (and I get to see it!!!).
West Virginia Mountaineers
Record: 2-0 (Big 12, 0-0)
Last Game: Bye
Result: N/A
Next Opponent: vs Maryland
National Ranking: NR
Comments:
This will be by far and away the stiffest competition they've faced in 2015. The Terrapins come in 2-1 with easy wins against Richmond and USF, and a blowout loss to Bowling Green, who gave Tennessee all they could handle, who lost to OU in OT. Transitive properties, baby.
Kansas Jayhawks
Record: 0-2 (Big 12, 0-0)
Last Game: Bye
Result: Somehow did not lose
Next Opponent: @ Rutgers
National Ranking: NR
Comments:
Rutgers is in bad need of a win. They chose wisely.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Record: 3-0 (Big 12, 0-0)
Last Game: at Arkansas
Result: W, 35-24
Next Opponent: vs #3 TCU
National Ranking: NR
Comments:
Kliff smack talking Bielema is awesome. Arkansas is definitely not your parents (or grandparents) Arkansas, but still a good win for the Raiders. We'll see what's for real when they host a TCU team ready to hold open tryouts for defensive players. This is a HUGE game for the outlook of the Big 12.
TCU Horned Frogs
Record: 3-0 (Big 12, 0-0)
Last Game: vs SMU
Result: W, 56-37
Next Opponent: @ Texas Tech
National Ranking: 3
Comments:
This is a very dangerous game for the Horned Frogs, with the current state of their defensive roster. The O/U is 79, and I think that's low. WAY low.
Iowa State Cyclones
Record: 1-2 (Big 12, 0-0)
Last Game: @ Toledo
Result: L, 30-23 2OT
Next Opponent: Bye
National Ranking: NR
Comments:
Now that's the Cyclones we know and love. Don't worry, you have the equivalent of two bye weeks coming up...a real one, then Kansas on 10/3.
Baylor Bears
Result: 2-0 (Big 12, 0-0)
Last Game: Bye
Result: N/A
Next Opponent: vs Rice
National Ranking: 5
Comments:
Soft opponent #3 for the Bears. Yawn.
Oklahoma Sooners
Record: 3-0 (Big 12, 0-0)
Last Game: vs Tulsa
Result: W, 52-38
Next Opponent: Bye
National Ranking: 15
Comments:
Sooner offense was rolling...defense not so much. They get a week off to think about it before hosting West Virginia on 10/3.
Keep and eye out at CRFF for game times and channels for all the Big 12 action.