By Tony George

Last week we learned more about the Big 12, and as each season rolls along, teams develop chemistry, stories emerge, and sleeping giants awake while others fall by the wayside.  OU nation took a deep breath as QB Bradfords replacement set a school record and tied a national record with 6 TDs.  Landry Jones is a bright spot for the future for OU, only a redshirt freshman, Big 12 foes will be seeing him for the next 3 years after Bradford departure.  A date with Miami looms large next week for OU.  Bradford was back at practice this week, but throwing only 10 yards was his range.  Hopefully he is ready for Texas.

Speaking of Texas, their vaunted defense struggled against the spread attack of Texas Tech last week.  Two things learned here.  Colt McCoy has a long way to go to be a Heisman winner and Texas needs to shore up a defense quickly before playing OU in the Red River War.  Texas Tech is better than advertised, and will be in an all out shootout at Houston this week, who beat Okie State at home, one of the better games of the weekend.  I would be remised in my reporting to fail to mention my beloved Huskers last second loss to Virginia Tech, whom at +5 covered a number but lost SU, after dominating all but about 2 minutes of that game.  Nebraska did prove one thing, they will have a Top 20 defense in the nation, now they need a Top 20 QB!  Five times in the red zone, and 5 field goals does not cut it against a Top 13 team on the road. 

No big surprises last week other than one.  U Conn goes into Waco and dominates an upstart Baylor team last week.  I had high hopes for Baylor and world class QB Griffen, but they were physically dominated up front and lost SU as a 10 point home favorite.  The Bears may in fact be Cubs again.  Missouri plays rare road game this week in Nevada on ESPN national TV this Friday night, and may in fact be my Big 12 feature.  I went to this game last year in Columbia where Chase Daniel and company pounded them in impressive fashion.  The Wolfpack are struggling but this is a dangerous game for the Tigers.  A patsy warm-up against helpless Furman got Missouri back on track in dominating fashion last week and ready for this game after a scare against Bowling Green the week before. 

Here are some takes for this week and free opinions:

Kansas -13.5 vs. So. Miss

KU still is the class of the North right now leading up to a showdown with Nebraska in Lawrence in November.  This is by far the stiffest test for the Jayhawks, whom I watched play on TV this week against Duke, and they had their way.  QB Reesing continues to be a stud for them and the key to the offense.  So. Miss head coach Fedora well in tune with Kansas, as offensive coordinator at Okie State before taking over at So. Miss.  While So. Miss has a respectable offense and dangerous RB, the balance on the Jayhawks offense way too much at home for So. Miss.  Kansas also has 2 solid RBs in Sharp and emerging frosh Toben Opurum, who ran through Duke last week like a freight train.  Kansas 8-2 ATS their last 10 as double digit home favorites, make it 9 after Saturday.    Kansas 35   So. Miss 17

Iowa State -9 vs. Army

I have a sour taste in my mouth for Army, but do not trust Iowa States defense against a triple option in this one at home.  While ISU beat up a hapless Kent State team in a 10 point road win, and ISU can score points with a solid QB and decent WR unit, I think Army trade points in this one. Army has a better defense getting almost 10 points here in what should be a struggle for both teams.  Iowa State 21 Army 17

These are my 2 Best Free Plays out of the Big 12 this week.  I will have my Big 12 feature play by Thursday of this week.  Be sure and check it out and win big from the nations foremost expert in Big 12 football wager opportunities.