Fact or Fiction Friday: UCF is Spiraling, Red River Loser Free Falls, Neal Brown Off the Hot Seat
Welcome to Fact or Fiction Friday. Each Friday, I give our Facebook fans an opportunity to ask the most intriguing questions in the Big 12 Conference, and I will tell you whether they come true or if they are set to fail. Let’s crack it open and see what we have in store this week.
Iowa State Upsets TCU
Fact: I know TCU is the favorite in this game, but this game being a night game inside Jack Trice Stadium should worry TCU fans. I didn’t like what I saw last weekend against West Virginia from the Horned Frogs, and I am not sure if they will be able to bounce back from that on the road. Meanwhile, Iowa State is coming off a bad loss to Oklahoma in which their defense got absolutely embarrassed. The Cyclones offense is still a work in progress, but I expect that defense to have a game of a lifetime after their performance against the Sooners. Call me crazy but give me Iowa State in a close, low-scoring game.
UCF’s Loss Against Baylor Will Spiral Them Out of Control
Fiction: As bad as the loss to Baylor was (and trust me, it was bad), the good news is that there is still a lot of football to be played. Keep in mind that UCF is without starting quarterback, John Rhys Plumlee, who brings a different element to the offense with his athletic ability. Once he returns (hopefully this weekend), I expect things to get back on track. However, I will say that even if Timmy McClain gets the start against Kansas, I still like UCF to beat Kansas without Jalon Daniels.
The Loser of the Red River Rivalry Will Free Fall
Fiction: As much as some people would like for me to say that this is a fact, it simply isn’t. Texas and Oklahoma are good football teams and anyone saying otherwise is just ignoring the obvious. Trust me, I don’t want it to be true, but I am not here to lie to you people. I expect a great game on Saturday, and I encourage people to tune in because it will be the last time we see this game be played inside the historic Cotton Bowl as a Big 12 matchup. The winner will be in the driver’s seat of the Big 12 and the loser will still be in the hunt. Don’t be surprised to see these two meet up in Jerry World in a rematch with a Big 12 championship on the line.
Neal Brown is Off the Hot Seat
Fiction: Until the season is over, Neal Brown is not off the hot seat. Unless he wins nine games (which is possible now) then he will still likely be on the hot seat. Keep in mind that West Virginia has a fairly new athletic director in Wren Baker and that Neal Brown has a large buyout. To me, this was Neal Brown’s final chance and so far, he is making the most of it as his team is sitting at 4-1 right now. Call me crazy, but I can see Neal Brown sticking around for at least one more season.
Houston Will Lose the Bye Week
Fact: Don’t ask me how but if there is a way to lose something Houston would find a way to do it. It seems like each and every week they find a way to lose and then we have to sit there and watch Dana Holgorsen make excuses in the postgame. I hope that this team finds a spark in the bye week because if they don’t, this team is going to have a hard time reaching four wins this season.
