Big day in the Big 12

As far as televised football is concerned, this is a big Saturday for the Big 12 conference. Three games made it onto the TV schedule, and two feature division leaders who are also past or future Aggie opponents.

The early game at 2:30 is Nebraska at Oklahoma State. The Huskers are third in the North division at 1-1, and Okie State is tied with Oklahoma atop the South at 2-0. Nebraska coughed up a loss against the longhorns last week and can't afford to drop another one. They're favored on the road. Okie State has already beaten TAMU, and Nebraska will be favored to do so.

The evening game at 7:00 on ABC is Oklahoma at Missouri, the South division leader against the North division leader. Both are 6-0 and Missouri just gave the Aggies their worst beating of the season so far. If the Sooners win this one convincingly, it spells trouble for the Aggies later on. They're favored today by a field goal.

Speaking of TAMU, the Aggies are on TV again today for some reason in the mutt game of the week. They play at Kansas in the Cellar Dweller Bowl. The Jayhawks lost to Baylor 55-7, then followed that with an even worse ass-whipping against K-State (59-7). The Aggies are roughly a two TD favorite on the road, and this is the last game that looks like a sure thing left on their schedule, since Baylor won't be a gimme this time. This game may well be the one that establishes whether A&M or Kansas is the worst team in the Big 12. Gig 'em.

Added 1:48 pm, same day: Weirdness in Austin. In the 4th quarter, Iowa State leads Texas 28-6.

Added 10:26 pm, same day: Missouri leads OU by two TDs with about six minutes left, so the Sooners probably won't be number one in the BCS standings next week. This was one of those rare autumn Saturdays when the Aggies won and the longhorns lost on the same day. In Austin, Iowa State held off a late Texas charge to win 28-21, and at Kansas, the Aggies found a victim, the perfect get-well-quick opponent, and won easily 45-10. I channel-surfed much of the day, and nearly all the teams I pulled for won: Nebraska knocked off Okie State, Auburn beat LSU, and Alabama thrashed Tennessee. Add it all together, and I've had worse Saturdays.