2021 Week 1 (Poll)

[cycophagus]

Talking season is over at last. Watching Nebby get their asses kicked on Week 0 was a great way to get the kinks out of those pre-game rituals. But next week the season begins in earnest with all Big XII teams in action to kickoff a season that could be the last with this slate of teams.

Kansas State, Texas, Texas Tech, and West Virginia face challenging FBS opponents. If Texas was not playing in the same timeslot as Iowa State, I'd definitely like to see if they can get past Louisiana. Hated losing to them last year, but they are legit.

Kansas, Iowa State, and Okie State play Missouri Valley opponents, who are always a tough out - especially in week 1. TCU also hosts FCS opponent Duquesne. Will having played a spring schedule help or hurt these FCS teams? The sleeper could be Missouri State, who surprised everyone this spring by making the FCS playoffs, although I doubt Okie State will be caught sleeping.

Baylor ought to roll, although Texas State does play in that pesky Sun Belt conference. OU rounds it out at AAC opponent Tulane, where the only drama might be whether Tulane can even host this game following Hurricane IDA. Stay tuned for that..

Questions:

1. Who will win straight up in Week 1?
2. What are the chances of running the table?

Friday, September 3

MATCHUP		TIME (CT)	NAT TV	TICKETS	LOCATION
South Dakota	Kansas	7:00 PM	BIG12|ESPN+	Tickets as low as $15	David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS

Saturday, September 4

MATCHUP		TIME (CT)	NAT TV	TICKETS	LOCATION
#2Oklahoma	Tulane	11:00 AM	ABC	Tickets as low as $21	Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA
Stanford	Kansas State	11:00 AM	FS1	Tickets as low as $5	AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
West Virginia	Maryland	2:30 PM	ESPN	Tickets as low as $36	Maryland Stadium, College Park, MD
Northern Iowa	#7Iowa State	3:30 PM	BIG12|ESPN+	Tickets as low as $58	Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA
#23Louisiana	#21Texas	3:30 PM	FOX	Tickets as low as $29	DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX
Texas Tech	Houston	6:00 PM	ESPN	Tickets as low as $26	NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Missouri State	Oklahoma State	6:00 PM	BIG12|ESPN+	Tickets as low as $22	Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Baylor	Texas State	6:00 PM	ESPN+	Tickets as low as $31	Bobcat Stadium , San Marcos, TX
Duquesne	TCU	7:00 PM	BIG12|ESPN+	Tickets as low as $4	Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX

 

[khardbored]

Odds of running the table are low; see: Kansas

 

[BCClone]

Give me a 9-1 week with Texas losing. Not what I expect, what I hope. And I’m watching neither OuT so their rating will be down at least one household.

 

[MeanDean]

Somebody doesn't think TCU will beat Duquesne?

 

[cycophagus]

K-State is actually favored vs Stanford, so maybe they should be getting more love than they are. They were devastated by COVID last year, and are poised to bounce back, especially with the return of veteran QB Skylar Thompson. I don't know anything about Stanford, but the Pac-12 took a big step backward last year in playing only half a season. Time will tell how that affects player development. But coach Kleiman is the real deal, and the Purple Kitties can never be counted out.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

South Dakota is going to finish 8th or 9th in the Valley.........and still beat Kansas comfortably.

 

[cyfanatic13]

I'll say 8-2 or 9-1. I think Houston beats TT and KU vs SD is the toss up

 

[cycophagus]

Odds of running the table are low; see: Kansas

A short, yet convincing argument. But I think KU has made a good hire this time around. Not a High School coach, and not a washed up has-been. Lance Leipold is a proven winner. He won at perennially pathetic Buffalo in the MAC, and was strongly cultured at DIII Wisconsin Whitewater. Who else do we know that proved himself in the MAC after having come from a DIII powerhouse?

Coach Miles left in a bit of a hurry, but left behind some decent recruits. South Dakota will not know what to expect with no film on this new staff. I agree that, on paper, they have the advantage. We know all too well what it is like facing the Missouri Valley in week 1. But I am giving the Edge to KU due to the superior intangibles brought to the table by coach Leipold. I think he will make believers out of the youngsters on his roster, and he will get the best out of them in week 1.

 

[surly]

Ku should win comfortably, these are the Coyotes, not the Jacks or Bison.

 

[cycophagus]

WVU holds a 28-22-2 record in their series with Maryland. That includes 9 of the past 10, so it makes sense that most are picking WVU. ... Good thing somebody can dominate their Big 10 rival.

 

[CyArob]

Quite the ticket price range on those games

 

[werdnamanhill]

I think tech is the only team to lose their opener

 

[cycophagus]

Not surprisingly, OU's game with Tulane has been moved to Norman ...

UPDATE: Oklahoma vs. Tulane Officially Moved to Norman

The Sooners and Green Wave have been scheduled to play on Saturday morning in New Orleans, but Hurricane Ida has forced a change in plans.

www.si.com

 

[cycophagus]

MO St had a 1 win season in 2019, but this past spring they tied for the MVFC lead after hiring Bobby Petrino in 2020. After their first trip to the playoffs in some time, are the Bears poised to make some noise again this year? Seems like OSU has played them semi-regularly, but the Petrino edition might keep those starters in the lineup well into the 2H this time around.

Missouri State's Bobby Petrino named Missouri Valley Football Conference's top coach

Missouri State coach Bobby Petrino was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference coach of the year on Thursday.

www.espn.com