The Big 12 REPORT
A weekly look at all things Big 12 as the college football season begins
Aug 28, 2018, 7:05 am
Tom Herman leads the Longhorns in Year 2. Tim Warner/Getty Images
College football is back and so are your favorite Big 12 teams. As we look ahead to week 1 of the 2018 college football season, there are plenty of things to highlight and catch up on. In this article I will preview some of the key matchups to watch in week 1, and what Big 12 players you should keep your eye on.
Must Watch Games Week 1: (BIG Story/Games of the week)
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss
The first game I want to highlight is the matchup between Texas Tech University and the University of Ole Miss. This game will arguably be one of the most exciting and nationally recognized games that includes a Big 12 team in week 1. Look for this game to hold a lot of offensive excitement, as neither of the teams are known for their defensive ability. Also, a lot of controversy has been made of the perceived stability of Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s job heading into 2018. Many believe this season will be his last opportunity for Kliff Kingsbury to establish Tech as a true contender not only in the Big 12 but on the national stage as well.
Texas vs. Maryland
The second game that I believe should draw considerable attention is the University of Texas vs. the University of Maryland. This matchup will be a rematch from the 2017 season where Texas suffered a heartbreaking fourth quarter loss that diminished the early excitement around UT’s 2017 season, after three subpar years under head coach Charlie Strong. Eyes will be on this game for two reasons, the first being Tom Herman’s second season as the head coach of the University of Texas after a promising offseason full of exciting player development and high profile recruiting. The second reason will be due to the controversial offseason of the Maryland coaching staff after having a player die during off-season training and allegations of player abuse and mistreatment surrounded the program. Keep an eye on this game to see if Texas can come out of the gates hot for 2018 and show the country that the program is one step closer to returning to its former glory.
Oklahoma vs. FAU
The final game I recommend tuning into will be the University of Oklahoma vs. Florida Atlantic University. The 2018 OU team will not only be carry big preseason expectations from the national media, but they will also be trying to fill the shoes of a high achieving 2017 squad that made the playoffs on the backs of former quarterback and Heisman winner Baker Mayfield. Oklahoma’s new look team led by second-year head coach Lincoln Riley and new quarterback Kyler Murray, will face off against a sneaky FAU team who was revitalized in 2017 by the hiring of former Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Kiffin has loaded the FAU roster with talented athletes who have the potential to steal an early season victory away from a new and unproven Oklahoma team.
Big 12 players to watch week 1:
West Virginia QB Will Grier & WR David Sills
When it comes to the players to watch heading into this first jam packed week of college football, all eyes will be on the country's arguably most dangerous QB & WR duo at the University of West Virginia. Senior quarterback Will Grier has received high praise all off-season and is expected to compete for the title of top QB in college football for the 2018 season. To help him meet those lofty expectations will be Senior wide receiver David Sills who burst onto the scene in 2017 after hauling in 18 touchdowns and finishing the season just shy of 1,000 yards receiving. This tandem will demand attention all season but their week 1 matchup against Tennessee will have the country watching to see if they can live up to the hype.
Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray & RB Rodney Anderson
Another Big 12 backfield duo to watch week 1 will be Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray (QB) and Rodney Anderson (RB). Murray has received most of the attention this off-season as he will be stepping into the starting quarterback role with big shoes to fill, left behind by Mayfield. Murray has not seen much of the field since his dominant high school days at Texas high school football powerhouse, Allen High School, where he won three straight state championships and finished with a record of 42-0. Murray will look at Week 1 as an opportunity to quiet the skeptics and prove that his abilities translate to the major college level. Luckily for Murray he will have Anderson beside him in the backfield, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and collected 18 total touchdowns in 2017. Anderson will be the perfect running mate for Murray and should relieve a ton of pressure as defenses will have to respect his game breaking ability.
Texas QB Sam Ehlinger
The final Big 12 player that I believe deserves some extra attention in Week 1 is Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger. In 2017, Ehlinger brought hope back to the fallen Texas program, and produced flashes of potential stardom that could quicken the resurrection of the Texas football dynasty. Week 1 for this young quarterback will be a chance for Texas fans and the country to see the product of his off-season development, and a chance for Ehlinger to solidify himself as THE starting quarterback of the present and the future.
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Despite a last-minute comeback attempt by Gonzaga on Saturday, the Cougars defeated the Bulldogs and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the sixth straight NCAA Tournament.
Houston will face the No.4 seed Purdue, who made it to the championship game last year.
The Boilermakers will be one of the toughest opponents the Cougars have faced thus far and will essentially have the home-court advantage with the game taking place in Indianapolis.
Despite the daunting matchup on paper, Houston is currently an -8.5 favorite to win this game. The Cougars should be able to handle Purdue so long as their offense stays hot and they continue to play defense at an elite level.
Keep the offense flowing
Houston guard LJ Cryer matched a career-high with 30 points against Gonzaga and has been the offensive focal point of this team.
This season, the Baylor transfer has averaged 15.6 points per game and has stepped up to be one of the unquestioned leaders of this team.
In addition to Cryer, the Cougars have Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp, who can carry the offensive load as they did during the Big 12 Tournament and against SIUE on Thursday.
J’Wan Roberts is another key factor for Houston’s success. The senior forward seems to have recovered from his ankle injury and has been a productive player since returning to the lineup.
Roberts leads the team in rebounds and is one of the most efficient scorers for the Cougars, averaging more than 50% from the field over his last five seasons.
Houston’s dynamic offense and elite defense makes this team one of the toughest to beat during the tournament.
Containing Purdue’s stars
The Boilermakers have two proficient scorers on their team, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Braden Smith, who each average over 15 points per game.
Kaufman-Renn scored 22 points in his previous game against McNeese State and has been one of Purdue’s best players for most of this year.
Roberts and Joseph Tuggler will likely be assigned to the junior forward to slow down his offense, forcing his teammates to step up.
Smith is Purdue’s second-leading scorer, averaging 16 points per game, and has the most assists and steals for the Boilermakers this season.
Both Uzan and Cyrer, who have been elite parameter defenders, will cover the Purdue guard and limit his production.
Containing both Kaufman-Renn and Smith will be Houston’s top priority and the key to come away victorious.
Play Cougar basketball
Head coach Kelvin Sampson has now made it to at least the Sweet 16 six consecutive times and has his team well-positioned to make another deep tournament run.
Since arriving in Houston, the 69-year-old coach has turned this program from an afterthought to one of the best basketball teams in the country year after year.
Sampson’s key to his success is instilling a defensive-first mentality into his team and getting the best effort out of his players.
This season is no different, as Houston has the number-one ranked defense in the nation and is holding their opponents to 58.4 points per game on average.
If the Cougars can create consistent offense and continue playing defense at an elite level, they should win this game with ease and advance to the Elite 8 for the first time in three years.
The Houston-Purdue game will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday at 9 pm. The winner will play either Kentucky or Tennessee in the next round.