I've been spending a lot of time lately on the NFL, but with College Football starting soon I'll be taking a look at how I believe each of the conferences will play out.
Today I'm looking into the Big 12 and how it will go without Nebraska and Colorado in the conference.
1. Oklahoma Sooners,12-0 (9-0)
The Sooners are my #1 ranked team in my preseason rankings are obviously they are my favorite to win the Big 12. They return two year starting quarterback Landry Jones and a very underrated WR in Ryan Broyles. Add in a pair of talented sophomore running backs and we always know that Bob Stoops will have a good defense and that could spell a conference championship and a possible BCS Championship Game. As long as Oklahoma can get through Florida State in Tallahassee I don't see any other team in the Big 12 beating them. They are hands and feet better than anybody in this conference.
2. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 10-2 (7-2)
Although the Cowboys lose RB Kendall Hunter and OC Dana Holgerson I still expect their offense keep performing at a high level and a lot of that will be because of my #1 WR Justin Blackmon. Blackmon and QB Brandon Weeden expect to pick up where they left off last year and even improve on their numbers. They key to the Cowboys success will be their defense. OSU hasn't been known for great defenses lately, but to contend with Oklahoma they are going to have to get contain opponents offenses. If they can do that then the sky is the limit, but we'll have to wait and see.
3. Texas Longhorns, 9-3 (6-3)
I was surprised last year when the Longhorns missed out on their bowl game. Texas is full of talented HS recruits and UT always gets their pick of the litter. Head Coach Mack Brown had to replace both of his coordinators and I think he found a good one in OC Bryan Harsin who comes from Boise State. The change in philosophy should really help the Longhorns find an identity, which they didn't have last year. Harsin has worked well with Boise State QB Kellen Moore, so if he can mold Garrett Gilbert the Longhorns can get back to the upper echelon where they have been for the past ten years.
4. Texas A&M Aggies, 8-4 (5-4)
The Aggies are every body's preseason darlings, but I'm not seeing it. They had a couple of good games at the end of the season last year and then got blown out against LSU in the Cotton Bowl. They have some good talent on offense in Jeff Fuller, Cyrus Gray, and Christine Michael. But I believe their defense is going to step back. As much as I believe Von Miller is overrated, his absence is going to hurt them. Tim DeRuyter is one heck of a DC, but he is going to have to find some pass rushers to help the Aggies challenge for the Big 12 crown.
5. Missouri Tigers, 8-4 (5-4)
HC Gary Pinkel has done a great job of turning Missouri from a Big 12 doormat into a team that always has a chance to win the conference. However this year might be a little different. Offensively he has to replace three year starter Blaine Gabbert who run their spread offense perfectly. James Franklin will be taking over and he is more Brad Smith than Blaine Gabbert. Brad Smith was a good quarterback for the Tigers, but Pinkel's offenses where much better with pocket QBs like Gabbert and Chase Daniel. But just like every other year, the Tiger defense will be the key. Last year the defense improved and it showed in an upset of #1 Oklahoma. But they loose impact DE Aldon Smith and have to replace his production.
6. Baylor Bears, 6-6 (4-5)
This is a key year for the Bears of Baylor. Robert Griffen is entering his fourth year in their system and their schedule gets easier since they get to play Iowa State, Kansas, and K State all in one year. However this also means that they still have to go against Oklahoma, Texas, A&M, and Oklahoma State. If the Bears can sneak a win out against one of the former Big 12 South powers they could get back to their second straight bowl game.
7. Iowa State Cyclones, 6-6 (4-5)
When the Cyclones hired Gene Chizik I thought they had a great hire. But a couple of bad seasons and he bolts for Auburn. But Chizik's replacement has turned out to be a much better hire. Paul Rhodes is an excellent coach who has Iowa State on the right path. It may not lead to a Big 12 championship but I see Iowa State getting back to the success that Dan McCarney had while here. They'll go to bowl games, knock off a top level team each year (Texas in 2010 Nebraska in 2009), and maybe once every few years contend for a conference championship. This year might not be that year, but they have an improve team with some key starters back. They could surprise some people.
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 6-6 (4-5)
Firing Mike Leach was the dumbest thing Tech could have every done. Tech was a constant Big 12 title contender under him, but under Tommy Tubberville hasn't had the same success. He isn't getting the same level of players and its showing with them being a Big 12 bottle dweller. I don't see any reason for this to change. Maybe that's why Tubberville has been linked to many other jobs this past off season.
9. Kansas Jayhwaks, 3-9 (1-8)
Tunner Gill did wonders for the Buffalo Bulls which many people thought was a lost cause. So when he was hired to take over at Kansas I thought they were in good hands. However Gill struggled mightily last year and this year looks much the same. The Jayhawks are void of any playmakers and it will be a uphill climb with a tougher schedule. Maybe this is the year we see improvement, but I'm holding my breathe.
10. Kansas State Wildcats, 2-10 (0-9)
Going into this season you would think that the Wildcats could make a jump into the middle tier. They have highly touted Bryce Brown at RB (transfer from Tennessee) and his brother Arthur who is also very highly touted LB (transfer from Miami) but word out of Manhattan is that players aren't showing up for off season workouts. This can't be a good sign. That paired up with a shaky QB situation and I definitely see K State settling into the last place spot in the conference.
Offensive Player of the Year: Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State
Defensive Player of the Year: Travis Lewis LB Oklahoma
Freshman of the Year: Malcolm Brown RB Texas
Coach of the Year: Bob Stoops, Oklahoma
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