Big 12 North Preview
1. Missouri – No suprise here. They avoid Oklahoma and Texas Tech from the South and 2 of their 4 road games are against Baylor and Iowa State. The defense has 8 returning starters and that will be the difference in getting the Tigers to their second straight chance at a Big 12 title.
2. Nebraska – Surprise, I know, but I think the Huskers buy into Pelini’s scheme and have a good year. They should go from losing season to a decent bowl game. They have good, experienced lines on both sides of the ball is why I have them at #2 over Kansas.
3. Kansas – Sorry, Jayhawk fans, but your schedule is brutal and I think the loss of WR Marcus Henry and RB Brandon McAnderson hurt pretty bad. They draw Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech from the South and USF non-conference. With Mizzou, Nebraska, and Colorado all more talented this year, I look for the Jayhawks to lose 3-4 games.
4. Colorado – Colorado should find it’s way back into a bowl this season as they return 8 starters on defense and they are in the 3rd year of Hawkins offensive system. There could produce a few more upsets this year
5. Kansas St – This team returns just 12 starters, but pulls a ton of juco transfers (19). I’m not a big fan of Ron Prince as a coach or his choice of coordinators. They will all be lucky to still be coaching here next season.
6. Iowa State – I look for the Cycles to be more competitive this year, but they could be in for another losing season. This is just Chiznik’s second season and he still has a long way to go. However, I think Phillip Bates at QB/WR and QB Austen Arnaud could be interesting to watch as they develop. They do lose a NCAA high 25 lettermen though (48% of team). Still, I look for them to slightly better last seasons record.