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AccuScore Conference Previews - Big 12 Print E-mail

Jonathan Lee    AccuScore Analyst
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The Big 12 has long been dominated by the powers from the South: Oklahoma and Texas.  The surprising rise of Kansas and Missouri along with a resurgent Colorado program has restored some luster to the North and balanced the conference.  There is plenty of depth in the conference, and is second in quality only to the SEC.  You know there is some talent here when Texas is a consensus top-15 squad yet could very well finish third in its own division.  The league could have a special season with Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, and Texas Tech all expected to be national players and quality squads in Kansas and Colorado.  The bottom of the conference should also be improved with young and exciting new coaches looking to prove themselves on the biggest stage.  Expect a wild ride in the Big 12.

The Favorite:  Oklahoma
The Sooners have all the pieces in place to compete for a BCS title this season.  Quarterback Sam Bradford is the forgotten man in “best quarterback” discussions despite throwing for 3,121 yards and 36 touchdowns (with just 8 interceptions) in 2007 as a redshirt freshman.  The dynamic DeMarco Murray returns and will be running behind one of the best offensive lines in the nation.  Sophomore defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is a star, and he is the anchor of a terrific defensive line that also features DeMarcus Granger and Auston English (9.5 sacks).  The schedule sets up perfectly for Oklahoma as it avoids Missouri and Texas, Kansas, and Texas Tech all must travel to Norman.  The biggest issues for this team will be maintaining focus throughout the season, finding some playmakers in the secondary, and a deep threat for Bradford.

The Contenders:  Missouri, Texas Tech, Texas
The Tigers burst onto the scene a year ago, and they are out to prove they are worthy of their preseason top-5 ranking.  The offense should once again be explosive with the return of Heisman finalist Chase Daniel at quarterback, the electric Jeremy Maclin (2,776 all-purpose yards) and tight end Chase Coffman.  Skeptics will point to the defense and lack of track record to knock Missouri, but the talent and coaching appear ready to stay in primetime.  Almost the same things can be applied to Mike Leach and his Texas Tech squad.  Michael Crabtree is the best wide receiver in the country.  Even in the Red Raiders aerial attack, notching 94 catches for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns is crazy.  Quarterback Graham Harrell is also back along with 10 total offensive starters so this could be the most potent offense Leach has ever had which should already be causing defensive coordinators nightmares.  Texas has had seven consecutive 10 win seasons, but is somehow an almost forgotten team in the South.  Will Muschamp was imported from Auburn to be the defensive coordinator to add some toughness on that side of the ball.  Quarterback Colt McCoy will need to show the form that made him a sensation as a freshman in order to offset the loss of Jamaal Charles at running back.

Teams on the Rise:  Kansas, Colorado
The Jayhawks were possibly the surprise of the 2007 season.  They made a stunning run towards a national championship and went 12-1.  Several star players have moved on to the NFL, but nine starters return on defense and Todd Reesing is back to pilot the offense.  Kansas won’t be sneaking up on anybody anymore and the schedule is significantly tougher, but the program is no longer a conference doormat.  Colorado struggled through last season, but relied heavily on the freshmen class and stole wins from both Oklahoma and Texas Tech.  The Buffaloes are still extremely young, but Dan Hawkins is upgrading the talent in Boulder welcoming in the nation’s number one running back recruit in Darrell Scott.

Bottom Feeders:  Kansas State, Baylor, Iowa State
Ron Prince is feeling the pressure out in Manhattan.  Why else would he ink a whopping 19 junior college transfers?  A bowl appearance is likely required to save his job.  Art Briles is the new head man at Baylor.  He turned around a dormant Houston program and took it to four bowl games in five seasons.  He will need a minor miracle to succeed this season in Waco as Baylor has never had a winning season since joining the Big 12 in 1996.  Gene Chizik is still rebuilding the Iowa State program and he will have to do it without four-year starter Bret Meyers at quarterback.  The offense was the worst in conference and now Meyers is gone along with top receiver Todd Blythe.  It will be another long year in Ames.

Re-discovering Past Glory:  Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Texas A&M
Each of these teams have fallen on some hard times and are moving on under new coaches in an attempt to recapture some lost glory.  Mike Gundy is most famous for his press conference tirade last season, but he’s got a real player in quarterback Zac Robinson.  The defense must improve significantly however for the Cowboys to have some real success.  Nebraska went out and hired Bo Pelini in hopes that he can revive the once proud program.  He will have his work cut out for him as the Cornhuskers were a complete disaster defensively ranking 112th in total defense a season ago.  Pelini also needs to find a star on offense to become the face of the program much like Tommie Frazier or Turner Gill was in past years.  Mike Sherman has all the opportunity in the world to build a power and live up to the traditional rivalries in the South and compete with Texas.  The Aggies are actually under .500 over the past four seasons (23-24), and have proven once and for all that they are not an elite program despite what its fans believe.  Sherman will be implementing a more pro-style offense in an effort to change that.

Analyst Power Ranking:
1. Oklahoma
2. Missouri
3. Texas Tech
4. Texas
5. Kansas
6. Colorado
7. Oklahoma State
8. Nebraska
9. Texas A&M
10. Kansas State
11. Iowa State
12. Baylor
 
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