The parking lots have tacked a couple of extra bucks on their fees. An hour before game time, there was a long line of people waiting to get in the stadium. There are already at least 30 people watching from the top of the parking garage. Even the press box caterers have raised their game – we’re being served chicken-fried steak, scalloped potatoes, and green beans. (Side note: The food has been great so far, but not the most well-rounded meals – prior to the beans, the only green I’ve seen in the food room was a 7-UP can.)

Both home teams are in action tonight – OU vs. Missouri at 5pm, followed by Okie State vs. Kansas. I’m especially excited about this first one because of the pitching matchup – OU’s Steven Guerra (10-2) against Mad Max Scherzer.

Scherzer had a fantastic 2005 season, leading the conference with a 1.86 ERA and 131 K's, and was the easy choice as Big 12 Pitcher of the Year. After Scherzer spent the summer pitching for the US National team, some speculated that his fastball, which he runs up to 97 mph, would make him the #1 overall pick in the MLB draft. Fate had other ideas, however.

Scherzer slammed his hand in a door and missed his first start of the season. Soon after returning he developed tendonitis in his shoulder that lingered, causing him to miss a couple of starts in March and a couple of more in April. Frustrated, he blamed his troubles on an unidentified voodoo doll: "A voodoo doll - somebody’s got it and somebody keeps putting the pin in me," Scherzer said.

Scherzer’s last two starts, however, give evidence that he’s back, as he held both Tech and Texas to one run in seven-inning starts. The scouts think he’s back, too – Scherzer is generally projected to be the 4th or 5th collegiate pitcher taken in next month’s draft.

Game time weather: 93 degrees with south winds blowing at 19-25 mph out to left field.

Should be a great one.