Welcome to Fact or Fiction Friday. Each Friday, I allow our Facebook and message board fans to ask the most intriguing questions in the Big 12 Conference, and I will tell you whether they come true or if they are set to fail.
Now, let’s crack open this week’s list and see what we have in store.
Houston Will Win More Than One Game
Fact: As disappointing as that game against UNLV was last weekend, it was still just one game and the first game of the season, for that matter. Now, don’t get me wrong, wins aren’t going to come easy for this football team, but one game sticks out to me. After their game at Oklahoma this weekend, they will host Rice, who just got beat by 20 against Sam Houston State. That should be their first win of the season. As for the second, I am not sure, but I am confident that this team under Willie Fritz will beat someone they aren’t supposed to at some point. I can see this team finishing 2-10 or maybe even 3-9.
The Big 12 Will Sweep The Big Ten This Weekend
Fiction: Kansas will beat Illinois, so there is the first win. As for Iowa State, they have a tough task ahead as they will take on Iowa on the road for the Cy-Hawk game. Everyone and their mother is picking Iowa and taking the under, but I have a feeling that more than 35 points will be scored in this game, and Iowa State will pull off the upset with that offense of theirs. However, I am not confident that Colorado will beat Nebraska. The Buffaloes have some serious issues in the trenches, and Nebraska will take advantage of that. Also, Dylan Raiola looks like the real deal for Nebraska. I am taking the Huskers to win.
West Virginia Will Finish 9-3 or Better
Fiction: I love the confidence here in Neal Brown especially after a rough game against Penn State but where are these nine wins coming from? For the Mountaineers to finish 9-3 or better means that they will have to go 9-2 or better in their next eleven games. I am sorry but have you seen their schedule? They will be lucky to win seven games this season.
The Big 12 Will Go 2-1 vs The SEC This Weekend
Fact: Let’s be real here, there is a better chance of me winning the lottery than Houston beating Oklahoma this weekend in Norman. After that UNLV game, the Cougars will be lucky to keep that game within three scores. The good news is that the Big 12 will get two other opportunities against the SEC, with Oklahoma State taking on Arkansas and Arizona State taking on Mississippi State. Both Oklahoma State and Arizona State are favored to win those games, and they will do just that. While it may not be a clean sweep, Big 12 fans should be happy to go 2-1 against the SEC.
UCF’s RJ Harvey Will Lead The Big 12 in Rushing Yards
Fiction: While I have some major concerns about KJ Jefferson at quarterback for UCF, the one guy I am not worried about is RJ Harvey. Last season, he rushed for over 1,400 yards and is due for another big season. He showed up in great shape and looked like a bowling ball out there, just running through tackle after tackle. The one thing holding him back is that his team just so happens to have the deepest running back room in the Big 12 with Peny Boone and Myles Montgomery. Due to him potentially splitting some carries, I’ll give the edge to other guys like Ollie Gordon III and Tahj Brooks.
The Big 12 Will Have More Ranked Teams Than The Big Ten Next Week
Fiction: Right now, the Big Ten has a total of six teams ranked inside the AP Top 25. Five of those teams are ranked inside the Top 25, which means that even if those teams lose this weekend, they will still likely remain inside the Top 25. The Big 12 also currently has five teams ranked inside the Top 25, and outside of Oklahoma State’s game against Arkansas, none of them should have an issue this weekend. But I believe the Cowboys will take care of the Razorbacks, which means that there will still be five Big 12 teams in the Top 25 next week.
However, I am picking Iowa State to upset Iowa this weekend in Iowa City. If that happens, the Hawkeyes will drop out since they are currently ranked 22nd. This means that both the Big 12 and the Big Ten will have the same number of teams inside the Top 25.
