David Ubben

  (3:02 PM)

Happy Tuesday. Nice to have football back in our lives for the first Tuesday in a long while, no?

James (Stillwater)

Was OU's struggles against Utah State a sign of weakness or were the Sooners just looking ahead to Florida State?

David Ubben

  (3:03 PM)

We'll find out this weekend. Honestly, it's either actual weakness or a sloppy debut. It happens to some teams in their openers. Florida State will tell us for sure.

Zach Cushing (KC, MO)

Could you please send David Yost an email and tell to stop call so many WR screen plays. Every now and then is fine but the first half that seemed to be the only offensive play.

David Ubben

  (3:04 PM)

Right after I tell him to recruit a fullback. Not gonna happen. Missouri's offense is Missouri's offense.

Tim (South Dakota)

Kansas lost to NDSU. What most people are hearing is that NDSU is a 3-9 team from last year, but what most don't know is that NDSU has been as highly ranked as #1 in FCS in the last 5 years. They beat Minnesota 2 years ago. Never good to lose to a FCS shool but is it that as bad as most make it sound? Lets face-it we all knew Kansas was rebuilding

David Ubben

  (3:05 PM)

Sure. But that's a sad excuse. No Big 12 team, or any major conference team, should ever lose to an FCS team. But it happens, and Kansas is on the list of teams that have done it.

Dave (Denver)

Who do you think looked the most impressive in week 1?

David Ubben

  (3:06 PM)

Oklahoma State.

Brad (Denver, CO)

David-I know it's early, but would you care to revise your North predictions as far as Colorado is concerned? I think you had them finishing 5th or 6th...

David Ubben

  (3:06 PM)

I would not like to revise them. Buffs finish 4th or 5th, depending on what Iowa State does.

Mike (Austin, Tx)

Thoughts and prayers out to the families and the University of Wyoming

Kevin Kuzelka (Lincoln, NE)

Do your expectations for Nebraska change with TMagic (Taylor Martinez) at quarterback?

David Ubben

  (3:08 PM)

Maybe a little bit, but like I said on Sunday, we didn't learn much about him other than he's really fast, which we already knew to some extent. Washington will be a good gauge for the Huskers, although Idaho is a pretty decent team. Don't forget, they won a bowl last year.

Zyro (Lincoln)

Post week 1 Big 12 Championship prediction? I'll ask you this every week, except to change the week number....

David Ubben

  (3:10 PM)

Sticking with Horns and Huskers for now.

Justin (Austin, TX)

Interesting article about Boise. My question is, if the Longhorns one lose is to Nebraska in Lincoln, but win the rematch in the Big 12 Championship game, do you think they deserve to play in the National Championship game over an undefeated Boise. Assume Nebraska is either a undefeated or one lose team before the Big 12 Champ game.

David Ubben

  (3:11 PM)

There will be plenty of people who do, but no, I don't think they deserve to. Will Texas' road be harder? Definitely. But they didn't do everything asked of them. An undefeated Boise will have done that.

Tim (Eugene, Oregon)

David - I'm curious what your thoughts are about LaVonte David at LB for the Huskers. Were his 13 tackles against WKU a fluke, or is he a game changer for the Blackshirts?

David Ubben

  (3:12 PM)

The Nebraska media has been hyping him all preseason, but like Martinez, we'll know more as the year goes on. It's tough to take a lot away from a game when Nebraska overmatched its opponent so clearly.

raider in il (peoria, il)

David, I watched the Tech game on Sunday and while the announcers and yourself thought Tech's new defense looked great, I saw a team that got gouged in the running game more often than not, had to hold on to win and was the benefit of some horrendous throws by Padron - did I miss something or why did you move Tech up in the rankings this week - is the defense improving from last year, or is the same average defense in another wrapper?

David Ubben

  (3:14 PM)

The reason for the move was watching pretty much every snap of both games. Tech just looked better than Kansas State. They're a better team. Not but a ton, but they're better. And as for Padron's horrendous throws, a lot of those were cause by Tech defenders hassling him all day. The Red Raiders threw quite a few different blitz packages at him, and if James Willis' comments after the game are any indication, they've got plenty more in the bag. Garrett Gilbert will get to see them in two weeks.

Cdawg (NYC)

How about them Buffs?

David Ubben

  (3:15 PM)

Definitely a good, much-needed win for Dan Hawkins' team.

Alex (Kansas City)

Lets say that ISU wins @ Iowa. Do you see ISU competing for the north. Nebraska gave up 300 yards to worst team in country. Mizzou looked disappointing against a terrible Illinois team. K- State did a fine job against an okay UCLA team. Dont get started on KU. CU beat CSU no big deal. So ISU would a fair shot at winning the north. Right?

David Ubben

  (3:17 PM)

Oh, definitely. If Iowa State walks into Iowa City and wins, they might be ranked next week. I don't think they'll do it, and the schedule will still be tough, but they're a shoe-in for a bowl if they win this weekend. That would be proof they're a lot better than anyone thinks they are--and I think they're pretty good. They have a solid claim as the Big 12's third-best team, but their schedule won't allow them to finish there.

Mason (Portland TX)

Hey David- I noticed that you had Gilbert on your Heisman list at the first of the season. What did you see to enforce that or retract that on Saturday?

David Ubben

  (3:18 PM)

Better performances by other guys, and Gilbert didn't show me much. Somebody had to leave to make room for Kendall Hunter. Landry Jones had a poor showing, but he proved enough last year to get the nod over Gilbert.

Matt (Dallas)

After this weekend, what do you think the odds are of two unbeaten teams squaring off in Dallas on 10/2?

David Ubben

  (3:20 PM)

I don't think it happens. Chances are better that UT, OU and Nebraska all have one loss heading into the Big 12 title game. Red River winner goes to the 'ship.

Jay (Manhattan, KS)

David, do you think the Jayhawks can win a game this year? New Mexico State looks like the only possible win, and that's being optimistic.

David Ubben

  (3:21 PM)

They won't if they play like they did Saturday, but they'll get better. 2-4 wins seems about right.

Hans Zermuehlen (Lincoln, KS)

If Kansas State had a competent quarterback, could you see them beating out Nebraska and winning the Big XII north? They beat a solid UCLA team with 90% of the offense coming on the ground.

David Ubben

  (3:22 PM)

I definitely do. That's why it's important for them or Nebraska to prove they have that. Whoever does it first is going to see their stock rise fast.

Anthony (KC)

David, do you ever become annoyed at Nebraska fans over-hyping their team? "T-Magic"?? Seriously??

David Ubben

  (3:23 PM)

Ha, not really. They're passionate. You've got to appreciate that; it's what makes college football great. And for the record, I love the T-Magic nickname.

Mack* Brown (40 Acres)

David: Wise and Discerning Sage of the B12, I made the right call giving Newton the starting job, right? We CAN be successful staying balanced with a 3 RB-BC. (right?)LOVE the blog, best posters in CFB, especially that T_F <-- Righteous Dude.

David Ubben

  (3:25 PM)

Ha. As for the Texas RBs, both Newton and Johnson make a lot of sense. They complement each other well, and so does Whittaker. For what Texas is trying to establish, Johnson makes sense. But he wasn't healthy on Saturday, which explains a lot. Newton will get the shot, but I see all three guys getting a decent amount of carries all year.

Brian (KC)

So you are saying that SMU was better than UCLA? If you are basing everything on relativity, then KSU played the "best" opponent this weekend, looked good in everything except for QB play, which didn't hurt them and yet they "fell" in your rankings...I know it is only Week 1, but unfortunately perception is reality.

David Ubben

  (3:28 PM)

Not necessarily. But opponent or otherwise, Texas Tech is a more complete team than Kansas State. QB play is a big deal in the Big 12, and the Wildcats very obviously have a huge weakness in that area compared to Texas Tech.

Kevin D. (Columbia, Mo.)

Which is the real Mizzou team? The team from the first half that looked stale, or the one that absolutely dominated the second half?

David Ubben

  (3:28 PM)

Somewhere in the middle.

Zyro (Lincoln)

TMagic is the nickname the TEAM gave to Taylor Martinez. And is it just Nebraska over-hyping... What do you think about the AP 6th rank for Nebraska?

David Ubben

  (3:29 PM)

I'm aware the team gave it to him, but I'm OK with sixth. Seems maybe a touch high, but they haven't shown a reason why they shouldn't be there, and this early in the season, that matters almost as much as showing why you SHOULD be there. Like Oklahoma dropping because of the underwhelming start.

dan (pa)

which game(s) are you gonna be at this upcoming weekend?

David Ubben

  (3:29 PM)

Gotta wait until Thursday for that.

R. Griffin (Waco)

Nice to have me back isn't it?

David Ubben

  (3:30 PM)

I'm sure Art Briles hates it.

Miles (NE) (O-town)

David nebraska's only true test is gonna be 10/16 do you think if they happen to take down the horns and beat either red river team in the XII champ... Would they have a shot at a BCS bowl?

David Ubben

  (3:31 PM)

Disagree with you there. A trip to College Station and hosting Missouri won't be easy. And yes, if they win the Big 12 championship, maybe, just maybe, Nebraska would slip into a BCS bowl game.

Clay (Oakland, CA)

Mizzou has an elite pair of possession pass catchers in TJ Moe and Michael Egnew, but are they lacking an explosive WR in the pass game? Will they need one?

David Ubben

  (3:32 PM)

I'd ease up a bit on calling either of those guys "elite" just yet, but if there was one glaring thing missing from Missouri, it was the lack of a big play threat, a luxury Blaine Gabbert enjoyed last year with Danario Alexander. But there's no way to know how that will effect Missouri's offense moving forward, or if a guy like Wes Kemp or Jerrell Jackson can become a deep threat. They've got the speed to do it.

W (Anaheim, CA)

David - What's your take on Carson Coffman's performance? I know there were cramping issues and I read some where that he was suffering stomach issues. Is he better than last year?

David Ubben

  (3:34 PM)

His pocket presence really was poor, I thought. If a play broke down, he didn't do a great job of stepping up in the pocket or avoiding the rush. It seemed like he tucked the ball and ran one way, and when he saw the defense, he'd run back the other way. He did that at least a couple times, and it looked pretty poor.

James (Southlake Texas)

Who is the best team in the country?

David Ubben

  (3:34 PM)

Still Alabama. In my ESPN poll, I put Boise at No. 3 today, behind Bama and OSU. Same spot I had them last week.

MG (Cedar Falls, IA)

Which teams should be on upset alert this weekend?

David Ubben

  (3:36 PM)

FSU-OU and CU-Cal should be good games, but I have no idea what's going to happen in that OU game. Colorado will give Cal a run, but I think they lose close.

MG (Cedar Falls, IA)

What's a typical college football Saturday like for you?

David Ubben

  (3:39 PM)

Last Saturday, I sat on my couch and blogged on all 10 games from about 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. On a typical Saturday, it'll be a wide-focus blog before or after I cover a game, then when I'm at a game, blog analysis from that game while keeping an eye on big developments around the conference. Then, depending on when the game is that I'm at, finish up blogging the rest of the day's games. Then hand out Saturday night helmet stickers and say good night.

Chris J (Oklahoma City, Ok.)

Do you think Landry Jones just had an off game, or is he really not all he is hyped up to be?

David Ubben

  (3:40 PM)

I really think it was just an off game. He showed plenty of times last year that he's way, way more than competent. The two games he struggled were against some of the best defenses in America--and away from home. What would you expect from a freshman who's been starting for a month or two?

David (D.C.)

Would A and M losing to Arkansas and then getting hammered in the Cotton be enough to quiet whatever residual "we shoulda' gone to the SEC" whining those big-boot freaks try to sell?

David Ubben

  (3:40 PM)

Ha, minus the name-calling, yeah. I think it might help.

Mason (Columbia, MO)

Which is a better rivalry? The red river rivalry with OU v. UT or the border was with MU v. KU?

David Ubben

  (3:41 PM)

There's plenty of passion in the Border Showdown, but no series is played with more at stake annually than the Red River Rivalry.

Scott (SATX)

David, if I were Greg Davis I would use Goodwin and Monroe for sweeps and reverses to get outside quick and downfield in a hurry. I would use Whittaker and Newton for runs up the middle and reserve Johnson for short yardage situations. He seems best when he's fresh, ankle sprain or no. What do you think?

David Ubben

  (3:42 PM)

Sounds good in theory, but that'd get a little predictable before too long. Teams would pick up on it.

Anthony (KC)

David, how can you like the nickname T-Magic? Only in Nebraska (where spelling class is an elective in elementary school) could "Magic" and "Martinez" be linked. Please, you're just encouraging them.

David Ubben

  (3:43 PM)

Ha, it's not a play off Martinez more than they both just start with M. The idea is that he makes the magic happen. And with his legs on Saturday, that was clearly the case.

Sean (Columbia, MO)

After week one Aldon Smith or Jared Crick?

David Ubben

  (3:44 PM)

Aldon Smith clearly had the better week, but they're very different players. Smith spied Scheelhaase and was a huge reason why Missouri held the shutout in the second half.

Michael (Texas)

I know everybody loves to hype up on Texas but people cant honestly think that they are good enough to be national champions this year. Is there? Rice is a much improved team and all but people cant just say those mistakes were because of first game jitters. Do you think that they played good at all?

David Ubben

  (3:48 PM)

They were fine, and there's a huge tendency for people to overreact based on one game and draw these wide, sweeping opinions based on 60 minutes against a team that most teams were better than, as if not blowing out some poor team means another team isn't very good. It's one game. I wouldn't bet on Texas winning the title, but they'll be in contention for most of the year. Same with Nebraska and Oklahoma.

i-like-iowa-teams (IA)

DU, how are the ESPN power rankings figured up? I saw ISU actually had more votes than Michigan in the "also got votes" area, which I thought was pretty humorous. Who's voting up my Cyclones?

David Ubben

  (3:49 PM)

Good question. It's 20 ESPN writers and analysts who put together a top 25 poll. I didn't rank any of the teams in the Big 12 outside the three in the top 10.

David Ubben

  (3:49 PM)

Moved Missouri out of my Top 25 after the Illinois game. Had them at 22 last week.

T-Magic (Lincoln)

Hey D, put in a good word for me ;)

David Ubben

  (3:50 PM)

What are the odds I can go by D-Magic?

Julie Langham (College Station)

David- Do you see Texas/Oklahoma vs. Alabama for the NC this year?

David Ubben

  (3:50 PM)

Boise-TCU. I kid...but seriously. Not out of the realm of possibility.

David Ubben

  (3:51 PM)

How bound at the hip would those two teams be. Play in the Poinsettia Bowl two years ago. Then the Fiesta. Then the title game? Hilarious.

Jacob (Wisconsin)

How does it feet to be the "pre-game show" for the Cincinnati Bearcat?

David Ubben

  (3:51 PM)

Fantastic.

Behind Enemy Lines (Oklahoma City)

David-As a Husker fan married to a Sooner fan, can you help me talk the OU fans off the ledge? They've all taken to the radio ready to fire Stoops again!

David Ubben

  (3:52 PM)

A year ago, Oklahoma was 0-1 and didn't have a QB.

David Ubben

  (3:52 PM)

How was that?

James (San Deigo)

Every time you mention Nebraska it seems there is a touch of sarcasm in your writing. what gives?

David Ubben

  (3:53 PM)

Paranoia and over-analyzing. I don't have a problem with Nebraska.

T-Magic (Lincoln)

D-magic... hmmm I'd say pretty good odds there

David Ubben

  (3:54 PM)

I'll take whatever I can get.

Turner Gill (Lawerence)

David - Am I in over my head?

David Ubben

  (3:55 PM)

No, but these things take time. Kansas fans were somewhat divided on my thoughts on Turner earlier this week, but let me clarify: It's not like I think Kansas has no talent. They have some. But every team in the Big 12 has more, especially at the skill positions. That's going to make it hard for Kansas to succeed in Year 1. Give Turner time.

Matt (Nebraska)

In Which Bowl Game do you think Nebraska is going to end up in?

David Ubben

  (3:56 PM)

If I had to absolutely bet my life on it, I'd say they win the Cotton Bowl and UT and OU go to the BCS, but Nebraska's chance will probably come down to the Big 12 title game.

DoubleDV (Hereford, TX)

Ubbs (D-Magic, or the Blogger Formerly Known as Ubbs):T-Magic showed he's got the legs, and the arm to lead Nebraska. However, Cody Green looked good too, and so did Zach Lee in the final minutes. Do you think Coach (Saint) Bo is pulling a rope-a-dope, letting the Martinez and Green get some valuable playing time against easy opponents before letting Lee go against Washington?

David Ubben

  (3:57 PM)

I've got no idea what Bo Pelini is thinking when it comes to the quarterback situation. That should have been obvious when I said he'd start Zac Lee last week. But clearly, Martinez's explosive capability helped him earn the job. If he keeps that up, he'll be the starter for the entire year.

David Ubben

  (3:57 PM)

I'll take a couple more.

Mike (Lincoln, NE)

Honestly do you feel some overhyping of the Big 12 South after week 1?

David Ubben

  (3:59 PM)

Feels a little bit of the opposite, actually. The lower teams like Oklahoma State are getting some run, obviously, but it seems like people are burying Oklahoma for that weak showing on Saturday.

derrick (college station)

no a&m questions? offense looked good as expected, what's your prediction on deruyter and the new defense?

David Ubben

  (4:00 PM)

Too early to tell. Talk to me about the defense after they go to Stillwater.

David Ubben

  (4:00 PM)

Thanks for the questions everybody. See you again next week.