"It's The Big 12!"

Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins gave us some great soundbytes in a classic rant a few years ago and he is right, this is my preview of the Big 12.  IU's season-opener is only one week away.  I will be previewing the ACC next, then the PAC-10, Big East and maybe some of the non-BCS teams.  Today, though I preview the best offensive conference in the nation.  The Big 12 might not play the stingiest defense but make no mistake, these offenses are explosive.  Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford lead the way but don't forget about Todd Reesing, Zac Robinson and Robert Griffin.  The Big 12 had a three-way logjam at the top a year ago and this season might see a repeat.  It is very conceivable that Texas will beat Oklahoma only to lose at Oklahoma State and get jumped by the Sooners once again.  There aren't many easy games here, after all, "it ain't intramurals!"

Big 12 North

6.  Iowa State Cyclones- 15 returning starters (9 offense, 6 defense), 3-9 (0-8)

Paul Rhoads was the defensive coordinator for Auburn before taking this job.  ISU has been the doormat for a little while now and I don't see that changing this season.  Austin Arnaud is a pretty good quarterback but the Cyclones don't have any playmakers and their defense cannot slow down the high-powered offense they see nearly every week.  I see them beating North Dakota State, Kent State and Army.  Their best chance for a conference victory is against Kansas State in Kansas City.

5.  Kansas State Wildcats- 14 returning starters (6 offense, 8 defense), 4-8 (1-7)

Bill Snyder has come out of retirement for his second stint in Manhattan.  He did a remarkable job his first time around but I don't see it working this time.  Snyder had a ton of success with JUCO players and he was one of the only college coaches giving those guys a chance.  That is no longer the case.  A lot of schools are using JUCO players to supplement their recruiting classes and plug holes on the roster.  For now, they can rely on a fairly weak schedule that sees them only play one division foe on the road.  They might be able to surprise some teams in Manhattan but I only see them beating Iowa State, UMASS, Louisiana and Tennessee Tech.  

4.  Missouri Tigers- 9 returning starters (5 offense, 4 defense), 6-6 (3-5)

The Missouri Tigers lost 13 starters from a 10-4 team that won the Big 12 North last season.  Chase Daniel, Chase Kauffman and Jeremy Maclin are all gone.  They have talent stepping up in their place but a difficult schedule makes this a rebuilding year.  Sophomore Blaine Gabbert is a terrific QB prospect, RB Derrick Washington could have another All-Big 12 season and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon is one of the best in the country.  However, their inexperience made it really difficult for me to pick them to beat veteran teams like Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma State.  

3.  Colorado Buffaloes- 13 returning starters (9 0ffense, 4 defense) 7-5 (4-4)

Coach Dan Hawkins insists that this team should win 10 games this season.  I think they will improve on their 5-win total from last season, but they won't double it.  Cody Hawkins needs to improve but I like the offensive line.  Look for running back Darrell Scott to have a breakout season.  He was the #1 RB recruit and big things were expected of him in his freshman season.  He battled injuries and was a minor disappointment.  He is healthy now and fellow sophomore Rodney Stewart gives the Buffs a very good running attack.  The problem could be on defense where only four starters return.  Colorado will beat Colorado State, Toledo and Wyoming to start the season 3-0.  I think they will lose a tough game at West Virginia (night game in Morgantown is tough), and lose their first two conference games against Texas and Kansas.  Victories over Kansas State, Missouri, Texas A&M and Iowa State will move them to seven wins.  Best-case scenario, Colorado beat West Virginia and Nebraska to get nine wins.  Sorry Coach Hawkins, ten wins won't happen.

2.  Nebraska Cornhuskers- 13 returning starters (6 offense, 7 defense), 9-3 (6-2)

Bo Pelini has the Sea of Red fired up again.  Pelini discarded the west coast offense of Bill Callahan that never fit in Lincoln.  He is recruiting and looking to get back to the smashmouth style Nebraska used to be known for.  Nebraska had 34 starts lost to injury last season and still finished 9-4.  Huskers fans have to like what Pelini is doing and the schedule is favorable this season.  The only negative is that they play at Kansas which is why I took the Jayhawks to win the North.  I think they lose at KU, at Virginia Tech and at home against Oklahoma.  

1.  Kansas Jayhawks- 14 returning starters (7 offense, 7 defense), 10-2 (6-2)

Mark Mangino has done a wonderful job at Kansas.  He has turned them into annual contenders in the North and I think they win it this year.  Todd Reesing is overshadowed by the QBs in the Big 12 South but he is a leader and a very good passer.  Dezmon Briscoe is an electric playmaker at WR and former QB Kerry Meier has great hands and is a reliable target.  This might be Mangino's best KU squad yet and a favorable schedule gives them the nod.  I have them losing to Oklahoma and at Texas.  The key game will be their home game against Nebraska on November 14.  

Big 12 South

6.  Texas A & M Aggies- 16 returning starters (10 offense, 6 defense), 5-7 (2-6)

Aggies fans are not very pleased by head coach Mike Sherman.  He is not recruiting very well and the success of Texas, Texas Tech, and the recent surge of Baylor has them worried A & M will fall from relevance.  I think it is too late for that.  Kyle Field is still a tough place to play but Texas A & M is no longer a threat to beat OU or Texas.  They should beat two of their North foes (KSU and ISU) but they won't win a game in the South.

5.  Baylor Bears- 16 returning starters (8 offense, 8 defense), 6-6 (2-6)

This is the most excitement surrounding Baylor football in quite some time.  Art Briles has energized this program and recruits are taking notice.  Robert Griffin was a track star (hurdles champion) that has turned into an electric playmaker and three defenders (safety Jordan Lake, defensive tackle Phil Taylor and linebacker Joe Pawelek) could make the All-Big 12 team.  Unfortunately for the Bears, depth is an issue and the Big 12 South is going to be tough for the foreseeable future.  I think they win at Wake Forest, beat UConn, Northwestern State and Kent State out of conference.  They will also handle Iowa State and Texas A & M in conference to get to a bowl game.

4.  Texas Tech Red Raiders- 11 returning starters (4 offense, 7 defense), 7-5 (4-4)

Don't worry about the loss of Graham Harrell.  Junior Taylor Potts is more physically gifted and he has been in the system for two years.  Potts is the most talented QB that has been in Mike Leach's pass-happy system and the results should be fun to watch.  The loss of Michael Crabtree will be tougher to replace.  Detron Lewis should put up the best numbers of the wide receivers.  The defense might be a little bit improved from last season but it won't be enough to keep Texas Tech from sliding back a little bit.  I have them losing at Texas, getting upset by Houston, losing at Nebraska, at Oklahoma State and at home to Oklahoma.  

3.  Oklahoma State Cowboys- 13 returning starters (7 offense, 6 defense), 10-2 (6-2)

The Cowboys have three Heisman Trophy darkhorses (Zac Robinson, Dez Bryant, and Kendall Hunter) and one of the best offensive linemen in the country (Russell Okung).  They should be a shoe-in for a BCS bowl right?  They would be if they played in the Big Ten, ACC or the Big East.  However, they play in the loaded Big 12 South and are one of three teams ranked in the top ten.  I think they will lose close games to Texas and Oklahoma and probably go to the Cotton Bowl.  The biggest game in program history might be September 5 against Georgia.  An impressive win there and the nation will take notice.  A win also could setup another huge game, October 31 against Texas.

2.  Oklahoma Sooners- 14 returning starters (5 offense, 9 defense), 11-1 (7-1)

Oklahoma received great news when Sam Bradford announced he was returning to defend his Heisman Trophy.  Then tight end Jermaine Gresham turned down the NFL to return for his senior season and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy followed suit.  I really like this team and they deserve to be in the top five.  I picked Texas to beat the Sooners again for one reason, Colt McCoy.  It would not surprise me at all to see the Sooners beat the Longhorns.  If they do, they would need to win at Kansas and beat Oklahoma State to finish undefeated and get another shot at the national title.

1.  Texas Longhorns- 16 returning starters (9 offense, 7 defense) 12-0 (8-0)

Texas is in the same boat as Oklahoma here.  Colt McCoy returns for his senior season looking to win a Heisman Trophy and a national title.  Vondrell McGee and Fozzy Whittaker will split the carries in the backfield.  Jordan Shipley is McCoy's favorite target but Malcolm Williams and John Chiles will also get plenty of balls thrown their way.  Freshman defensive end Alex Okafor is a beast and strong side linebacker Sergio Kindle finally lived up to his potential last season.  The only concern I have about Texas is their tight ends are really beat up right now.  If they can find some healthy bodies to play tight end, the Longhorns will survive games against Oklahoma, at Oklahoma State and Kansas and end up undefeated.  By the way, have you seen Colt McCoy's new mustache?  Hey, if a career in football doesn't work out, he can be a cop.  

Until next time, stay vigilant and God Bless America.