Big 12 Preview
South
1. Texas – I’m still sick and tired of hearing every talking head, commentator, and announcer say that Texas was robbed last year because head-to-head results don’t matter in a 3-way tie. Anyone who can’t figure out that you can’t resolve a 3-way tie with head-to-head results should not have a job in broadcasting. That’s my opinion and I could go on for a while on this topic because Texas didn’t deserve to win the tie-breaker just because they won the head-to-head. Anyway, 16 returning starters, only 12 lettermen lost, return Colt McCoy and their top 5 tacklers. A talented, experienced team with lots to play for.
2. Oklahoma – Should be a great team again with the return of Sam Bradford and DeMarco Murray (if he can stay healthy), but Bradford won’t have nearly the caliber of receiver to throw to and the defense has some holes. This year, the winner of the Red River Shootout really will be in the Big 12 title game as I don’t foresee another 3-way tie. As a side note, I just had to include this picture below the South Preview of Sam Bradford that was in a Dallas Mavericks game program earlier this year. It cracks me up. I thought at first, what is Princess Leia doing holding that trophy? Then I realized that was just Sam posing with the O’Brien. Does he use the force during games? Is that why his completion percentage was so high last year? Too bad none of his receivers are named Luke, that would be too much.
3. Oklahoma State – I’m not buying all the hype that the Cowboys are getting. Sure, the offense can be explosive at times and the defense should be improved this year, but I’m not convinced they can do anything more than play the top teams int he conference closer. The schedule sets up nice for them as they avoid Nebraska and the Kansas teams out of the North and get Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Texas as home. Still, I’m not sure it makes a difference and still think they should be happen with 3rd in the conference.
4. Texas Tech – Mike Leech won’t be kept down for long, but it’s hard to slot them much higher than this with so little coming back on offense. They should put up numbers and have a decent year, but I don’t see them matching last years 11 wins, although, 8 should be expected.
5. Baylor – I wish the schedule set up a little nicer for the Bears because this is an improved team. 16 returning starters for the Bears including playmakers Robert Griffin and Jay Finley. The schedule is tough, although they should match or exceed last year’s 4 wins.
6. Texas A&M – Anyone who of a school looking for a coach who can’t make it in either college or the NFL? Because I’m guessing that Mike Sherman is going to be job hunting about 12 games from now. 10 starters back on offense and 6 back on defense and they will all need to step up their production considerably if they expect to finish out of the basement.
North
1. Nebraska – I believe in Bo Pelini. The defense should be great this year. While they lose a great QB in Joe Ganz and will not match last years offensive numbers, the offense should be good enough to win the North. Interesting stat I found in Phil Steele, since 2001, only 2 BCS schools haven’t beaten a team ranked in the top 19, Nebraska and Duke. Looking at the schedule this year, they could continue that streak and still win the North.
2. Colorado – I feel like it’s the 90′s all over again picking Nebraska and Colorado as the top 2 in the conference. If Dan Hawkins’ system is going to work in Colorado and keep him in his job next year, he needs to finish second in the North this year. He has the talent to do so and I like the guys he has returning and the schedule sets up nicely for them.
3. Kansas – Most people will be picking Kansas to win the North because of Reesing. And while he is the best QB on this side of the conference, I don’t think he can do it alone. Mangino just might make a fool of me and win the conference, but I just don’t see it happening. There are too many question marks at linebacker and offensive line for me.
4. Kansas State – Bill Snyder returns! That alone should be worth 1 win. The loss of Freeman hurts and the team will need to learn new schemes on offense and defense, but I think they will be improved from year’s past when they were barely competitive. The defense will be much improved and keep them in a lot of ball games, they will should whether or not they appear in a bowl games will be decided by a few plays that either go their way or don’t.
5. Missouri – Feels weird to pick Missouri so low after their recent success, but with only 9 returning starters, the loss of Daniel, Maclin, and … well, 7 other All-Big 12 defenders, it’s a rebuilding year in Columbia. I don’t even think they have enough to make it to a bowl this year and the Missouri fans will be left wondering what happened.
6. Iowa State – The easiest of all the Big 12 teams to predict. The tough thing is deciding whether they will win 0 or 1 conference games. My guess this year is 1. It’ll be another long year in Ames, but hey, at least they have that long, frigid Midwest winter to look forward to.