Game 1: Texas Tech vs. SMU
Sept. 5, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Don't expect the 2010 installment of the Tech-SMU series to resemble any game from the last decade.
The Red Raiders have pretty much had their way with the Mustangs since the demise of the Southwest Conference, but things seem to be turning for SMU under head coach June Jones.
SMU won the 2009 Hawaii Bowl, its first bowl since receiving the death penalty in the 1980s. The Red Raiders have a new coach in Tommy Tuberville, a new offensive coordinator (Neal Brown) and will be playing a new defensive scheme - a 3-4.
Former Southlake Carroll quarterback Kyle Padron, a sophomore, led SMU to wins in five of its final six games in 2009.
Predicted score: Texas Tech 42, SMU 24. Tech quarterback Stephen Sheffield's mobility will further complicate things for an overmatched SMU defense. The game will be played on an unusual day - Sunday - but look for the ususal result ... a Tech victory.