Coming off the coattails of the time-tested, viewer-approved Big Ten-ACC Challenge, we’ve got the second year of the Big XII and Pac-10 feigning an interest in playing each other. Still: There are some nice matchups over the next four days. Here’s what’s going down:
USC @ Oklahoma; tonight @ 7. The Trojans have been underwhelming. A loss tonight wouldn’t be fraudulent, but if you want to be thought of as a Final Four flirter (and they were at season’s beginning) then try and pick up a big one on the road. Unknown whether or not Griffin will be wearing a white or pink tank top tonight. Pac-10 won this duel last year, 7-5. (Though there were a total of 19 games between the two conferences in 2007-08, and the Big XII won 11 of those.)
UCLA @ Texas; tonight @ 9. One of the 10 best regular-season games from last season was Texas’ buzzer-beater at home over the Longhorns. Who’s the better team this year? Gotta love Jrue Holiday, and A.J. Abrams may be ready to take on a big load (more than, say, a Raymar Morgan could at MSU). Longhorns are one of the deeper teams in the nation. Will UCLA be capable of wearing them down?
Oklahoma State @ Washington; tonight @ 11. One thing I’d like to see (or see someone prove) this year, is Jon Brockman have the ability to get the Huskies to a 20-win season. U-Dub is 3-3 right now.
Arizona @ Texas A&M; Friday @ 9:30. A nice test to the Wildcats’ mettle. A&M gets the home game, but even at 5-1 we’re not sure how good this team really is. Arizona? They’re as wobbly as it gets.
Oregon State @ Iowa State; Saturday @ 2. Absolutely hideous. Cannot waste another letter.
Baylor @ Washington State; Saturday @ 11:30. Cougs fans: It was nice having a team with potential for two years. That’s gone. Baylor already beat one Pac-10 team, and a better one at that: Arizona State in the Old Spice Classic last week.
Nebraska @ Arizona State; Sunday @ 2. Should be a 20-point win for the Sun Devils.
California @ Missouri; Sunday @ 2. Consider this game the one that is up for grabs. Two 6-1 teams.
Kansas State @ Oregon; Sunday @ 8:30. Because it’s at McArthur Court, the Ducks could steal this win. Haven’t seen a second of either team this year.
Note: Stanford plays at home against Texas Tech Dec. 28.
