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Predicted Big 12
Championship
Texas over Nebraska
CONFERENCE OUTLOOK
Expect a big bounceback year from a league that had Texas,
Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and a bunch of other teams over the past
two seasons. The North is appreciably better with the emergence
of Nebraska back to national prominence and Iowa State with one
of its strongest teams ever. Texas Tech will still be a thorn in
everyone’s side, while Texas A&M should rebound after struggling
so far in the Dennis Franchione era. Colorado will be an X
factor with Dan Hawkins taking over adding more offensive
firepower to the already explosive conference. Of course, it
will be all about the Sooners and Longhorns, at least early on,
with both powerhouses among the handful of national title
favorites. Are those two going to roll? Not likely. This should
be the strongest the league has been from top-to-bottom since it
was formed in 1996.
1. Texas and Oklahoma will each lose a conference game outside
of the Red River Rivalry. The Longhorns have to play
back-to-back road games at Nebraska and Texas while OU could get
tagged at either Missouri or Texas A&M.
2. Expect the quarterback play to be mediocre early on. You
don’t immediately replace Vince Young, Brad Smith, Reggie
McNeal, Cody Hodges and Joel Klatt without going through some
growing pains.
3. Keep an eye on how effective Oklahoma star RB Adrian Peterson
is late in the year. Watch for a crankier-than-usual Bob Stoops
if he has to answer questions about Peterson’s health if the
star has 200 carries under his belt by the time the Missouri
game rolls around.
October 7, Oklahoma vs. Texas.
Last year's 45-12 Longhorn drubbing of OU can be chalked up to a
hurt Adrian Peterson, a not-ready-yet Rhett Bomar, and the
magical Longhorn season. Two straight losses would mean the hex
Bob Stoops once held over Mack Brown would officially be over,
but a win would mean last year might have just been a fluky
convergence of everything right happening for the orange side of
the field.
Predicted record:
9-3
Conf. record: 6-2
Best Player:
DE Adam
Carriker, Sr.
Offense
- The
West Coast offense should finally blow up with the pieces in place to
run it the way head coach Bill Callahan wants to. It all starts up front
with an improved offensive line that should be more athletic and,
eventually, more consistent. There are more than enough star prospects
at receiver and running back to put up some huge numbers as long as
quarterback Zac Taylor makes the jump in production he's expected to.
The return of tight end Matt Herian from a broken leg should mean big
things for Taylor.
Defense - All the press seems to be about the offense, but it's
the defense that will carry the Huskers to a big season. The front seven
is loaded with talent, depth, and NFL prospects led by ends Adam
Carriker and Jay Moore. Nebraska led the nation in sacks and tackles for
loss, and should be among the best in the nation with all the great
players up front and so many fantastic linebackers that the D might use
a little 3-4. The question is the secondary that has speed, but needs to
be more productive after starting to come on over the second half of
last year.
This season will be a success if …
the Huskers win the Big 12 North. While many will
set the sights on winning the league championship, this isn't as good a
team as Oklahoma or Texas. Just getting to the title game for the first
time since 1999 would be a fantastic step forward.
Predicted record:
8-4
Conf. record: 6-2
Best Player:
PK Mason
Crosby, Sr.
Offense
- Call
the new offense under Dan Hawkins a work in progress. It's not going to
be the fun 'n' gun like many will make it out to be with an emphasis on
balance and a strong running game. However, the pieces aren't quite in
place considering there's a three way battle to figure out who the
quarterback will be, there's no depth on the offensive line, and the
receiving corps, while talented, hasn't lived up to its potential. On
the plus side, there's a decent backfield and a great starting five on
the line. Of course, there's also Hawkins, who'll be as inventive and
creative as any coach in the Big 12.
Defense - The college football world mostly remembers the
defensive meltdowns against Nebraska and Texas at the end of the regular
season, but outside of two games against the eventual national champions
as a few quarters here and there, this was one of the nation's better
defenses. Now it should be even better. The overall team speed is
average, but there are several all-star playmakers to get excited about
from the 1-2 linebacking punch of Thaddaeus Washington and Jordon Dizon
to talented defensive backs Terrence Wheatley and J.J. Billingsley.
Defensive tackle will be the big concern early on with the search for a
steady second corner also a pressing need.
This season will be a success if …
the Buffs
finish second in the Big 12 North. The schedule is too brutal and the
rest of the division has improved too much to reasonably expect a fifth
Big 12 title appearance in six years.
3. Iowa State
Predicted record:
8-4
Conf. record: 5-3
Best Player:
WR Todd
Blythe, Jr.
Offense
- Ten
starters return to an offense that has the potential to be the most
explosive in the Big 12 North. The offensive line struggled last year in
all phases, but it's experienced and very, very big with an emphasis
this year on being more physical for a running game that averaged a mere
111 yards per game. Getting RB Stevie Hicks back at 100% from a groin
injury should help make the Cyclones a power running team again, but
it'll be hard not to throw it and throw it some more with Todd Blythe
leading a dangerous receiving corps. Bret Meyer is back for his third
year as the starting quarterback and should be one of the North's total
offense leaders.
Defense - The defense made a ton of big plays last year with a
high-risk, high-reward style that led the way to a strong run defense
and 35 takeaways. Expect more of the same with plenty of blitzing from
the back seven. There are more good athletes than the Cyclones have had
under head coach Dan McCarney, but there are also some major holes to be
filled on the line and secondary with several good-looking young
prospects needing to quickly become playmakers. There are great building
blocks to work around with Brent Curvey and Shawn Moorehead on the line
and corner DeAndre Jackson all sure to be in line for Big 12 honors.
This season will be a success if …
the
Cyclones win the Big 12 North. After the last few seasons and with ten
returning starters on offense, anything less than a 14 game season will
be a tremendous disappointment.
Predicted record:
7-5
Conf. record: 3-5
Best Player:
DE Brian
Smith, Sr.
Offense
-
Everything is in place for a better all-around year on offense even
though quarterback Brad Smith is no longer running the show. As crazy as
this might sound, the attack might be better and more effective since it
can't rely on just one player to do everything. New starting quarterback
Chase Daniel is a strong talent who'll spread the ball around well while
bringing his toughness and attitude to the offense. The 1-2 tight end
punch of Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman is one of the best in the
nation, the receiving corps is big and fast, the running back corps is
little and fast with four interchangeable parts led by Marcus Woods, and
the line will be among the best in the Big 12 as long as there aren't
any major injuries to the starting five.
Defense - The defense had to overcome big-time growing pains on the
front seven last year, but it should all pay off with a huge 2006 led by
a deep and talented line that should be among the best in the Big 12.
Brian Smith is a superior pass rusher to go along with a quick group of
prospects at the other spots. Dedrick Harrington and Marcus Bacon form a
nice 1-2 linebacking punch with Van Alexander ready to break out on the
weakside. There might be problems in the secondary if new starting
corners Domonique Johnson and Darnell Terrell get off to rocky starts,
but safety David Overstreet provides a good, veteran presence who'll
keep the overall production from sliding.
This season will be a success if …
the Tigers
win the Big 12 North. It’s going to take plenty of upsets, but the team
is too experienced to shoot for anything less.
Predicted record:
6-6
Conf. record: 2-6
Best Player:
C David
Ochoa, Sr.
Offense
- This
won't be an offense built for shootouts, but there's enough talent to
hope for decent production against average defenses and enough upside to
provide plenty of hope for the future. The strength is on the line with
the deepest and most talented group the program has had in years. The
receiving corps is shaky losing top two targets Mark Simmons and Charles
Gordon, while the quarterback situation is even more unstable with
redshirt freshman Kerry Meier the most viable option. The ground game
will be the focus on with Jon Cornish and a slew of fast, young backups
carrying the attack.
Defense - The defense carried the team last year with a
phenomenal linebacking corps and a surprising, active line. Wholesale
changes will be made at linebacker, while all of the pass rushing talent
up front is gone. The secondary will be the strength early on with
corner Aqib Talib and safety Jerome Kemp on the verge of being among the
best in the league. This is an athletic enough defense to be aggressive
and come up with some big plays, but it's woefully short on overall
experience, much less developed depth.
This season will be a success if …
KU wins
seven regular season games and goes back to a bowl game. If it can take
advantage of the relatively soft schedule and the offense can come
together, then it'll be the first time in the school's history it’ll go
to back-to-back bowls..
Predicted record:
4-8
Conf. record: 1-7
Best Player:
LB Brandon
Archer, Sr.
Offense
-
Gone are the days of the old Wildcat offense that was
quarterback run, running back run, quarterback run. There's not
going to be a true spread attack, but there should be some
hybrid of styles that opens things up a bit more for the passing
game. After three quarterbacks transferred, it's up to Dylan
Meier and freshman Josh Freeman to run the show. The receiving corps, one of the fastest in the Big
12, should shine with more passes their way, while the backfield
has interesting but uncertain options. The key to the season
will be the performance of a line that suffered from major
inconsistencies and injuries last season.
Defense - New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will employ some
cover 2 and cover 3 schemes putting the pressure on the safeties to make
smart plays and asking the outside linebackers to be explosive in all
areas. Fortunately, the Wildcats have a great free safety in Marcus
Watts to be the quarterback of the secondary, while Brandon Archer,
Maurice Mack, and Reggie Walker are disruptive linebackers who'll crank
out some huge stats. The line has decent talent against the run as long
as tackle Quintin Echols can get into shape, but it has to figure out
how to get into the backfield.
This season will be a success if …
KSU gets back to a bowl game. There are plenty of
problems and too much young talent to count on for a big season, but the
schedule is breezy enough to fall into a few wins by simply showing up.
Predicted record:
10-2
Conf. record: 6-2
Best Player:
RB Adrian
Peterson, Jr.
Offense
-
The
OU offense isn't quite back to form and probably won't be until
the middle of the season. There's no question in the backfield
with Adrian Peterson loaded up for a Heisman run, but the loss
of starting QB Rhett Bomar to a violation of NCAA rules has changed the
potential of the attack. Now, the receiving corps needs all the sophomores to
make more big plays and be more consistent, and the offensive
line has to figure out who the starting five is going to be
after losing several key starters. The main focus will be among
the coaches where Kevin Wilson and Kevin Sumlin have to replace
offensive coordinator Chuck Long.
Defense - The defense should be among the best in America even
though there aren't too many sure-fire, household name All-Americans. It
begins on the end with the return of Larry Birdine and Josh Williams to
join Calvin Thibodeaux and C.J. Ah You to improve upon the nation's
fourth best sacking D. Rufus Alexander is an All-America to be at
outside linebacker, and Zach Latimer in the middle isn't far behind. The
secondary will be a lot better than it'll get credit for.
This season will be a success if …
OU wins the Big 12 championship. There are just
enough holes to prevent a trip to the BCS title game, but a win over
Texas on the way back on top of the conference heap would do wonders
after last year's slip.
Predicted record:
11-1
Conf. record: 7-1
Best Player:
OT Justin
Blalock, Sr.
Offense
- The
offense was unstoppable last season averaging over 50 points and 512
yards per game with only one outing (the 25-22 win over Ohio State) with
fewer than forty points. The backfield is loaded with talented backs,
there's plenty of experience and next-level ability in the receiving
corps, and the line will once again be among the best in the country
despite losing All-Americans Jonathan Scott and Will Allen. It all comes
down to the quarterbacks where Colt McCoy and Jevan Snead will try to
combine to take over for the irreplaceable Vince Young. Expect the
Longhorns to run, run, and run some more until the new signal-callers
get their feet wet.
Defense - Lost in the dominance of the 2005 offense was how good
the defense was finishing tenth in the nation and eighth in scoring D.
There are only four losses, but safety Michael Huff, corner Cedric
Griffin, linebacker Aaron Harris and tackle Rodrique Wright were
All-America caliber players. The cupboard is hardly bare with a
tremendous end tandem of Tim Crowder and Brian Robison sure to be among
the best in the country and more than enough talent in the back seven to
fill up the All-Big 12 team. The big question marks are at tackle next
to Frank Okam and at middle linebacker, where Rashad Bobino and Roddrick
Muckelroy will battle it out, but there's not a lot to be worried about.
This season will be a success if …
Texas plays for the national title. After last year,
would anything less be acceptable? If there isn't a Big 12 title, the
heat will be back on Mack Brown.
Predicted record:
8-4
Conf. record: 4-4
Best Player:
WR Jarrett
Hicks, Sr.
Offense
- Once
again, Texas Tech's offense will put up high-octane passing numbers and
be among the top producing attacks in the nation. Now the question is
who gets to be the star who runs the show. Graham Harrell and Chris Todd
will battle it out for the starting quarterback job until the opener
with freshman Taylor Potts adding another good arm to the mix. The
receiving corps will be one of the most productive around led by
All-America candidates Jarrett Hicks and Joel Filani. The offensive line
welcomes back four starters and should be the best yet under head coach
Mike Leach. There's no replacing RB Taurean Henderson, but speedy
Shannon Woods won't be bad in the starting role.
Defense - The defense has done more than just try to hold serve
for the offense over the last few years, but it's going to need a while
to jell this season with three new starters in the secondary, and two
new starting ends on a line that desperately has to figure out how to
rush the passer. The linebacking corps will be the strength with end
Keyonta Dawson moving to outside linebacker and Brock Stratton back in
the middle after missing most of last year hurt. The pass defense didn't
give up many yards, but it didn't pick off many passes. That will be the
biggest work in progress until safeties, Darcel McBath and Joe Garcia
figure out what they're doing.
This season will be a success if …
Texas Tech
wins ten games. It hasn't happened yet under Leach despite coming close
last year. The offense is good enough to simply outbomb most of the
better Big 12 teams.
Predicted record:
8-4
Conf. record: 4-4
Best Player:
LB Justin
Warren, Sr.
Offense
-
After years of relying on Reggie McNeal to carry the offense, the
coaching staff realizes where the team's strength is and will pound the
ball with a tremendous trio of backs working behind one of the Big 12's
best offensive lines. With a shaky defense, the offense will try to
crank out as many long drives as possible. The passing game won't be
ignored with a big, experienced group of receivers for new starting
quarterback Stephen McGee to throw to.
Defense - After finishing dead last in the nation in pass defense
and getting pushed around a bit too much against the run, A&M will
switch to a 4-2-5 defense under new defensive coordinator Gary Darnell.
The line is huge at all four spots, but there's no sure-thing pass
rusher for offenses to be concerned with. Justin Warren is an All-Big 12
caliber linebacker, and he'll need to play like it as the leader of the
back seven. There's speed and potential in a secondary that can't be any
worse.
This season will be a success if …
A&M wins
eight wins and goes to a bowl. Anything less means a new coaching staff
will be in place next year at this time.
Predicted record:
4-8
Conf. record: 2-6
Best Player:
P Daniel
Sepulveda, Sr.
Offense
-
Playing around with the parts available, head coach Guy Morriss and his
staff will turn to the Texas Tech-like passing attack. While it won't be
a pure throw, throw and throw some more offense, but Bears will try to
work with their good receiving corps and veteran quarterback Shawn Bell
to get the offense moving. The line isn't bad, but it has to prove it
can consistently pass block. Paul Mosley and Brandon Whitaker are
serviceable veteran backs.
Defense - The Bear defense shouldn't be all that bad with a
strong secondary and enough options among the front six to find the
right pieces as time goes on. This isn't going to be the type of D that
stops anyone cold, but it'll be strong against the pass and there's size
up front to hold up better against the run. There need to be more
playmakers up front, and defensive coordinator Bill Bradley is hoping
for the new starters at linebacker to add more athleticism while the
experience on the line should account for something.
This season will be a success if …
BU wins six
games. It's a far taller task than it might seem with the only sure wins
to come against Northwestern State and Army.
Predicted record:
4-8
Conf. record: 1-7
Best Player:
OT Corey
Hilliard, Sr.
Offense
- The
OSU spread offense has some great prospects and some nice pieces to the
puzzle, but the attack won't go anywhere unless there's better play from
the quarterbacks. Bobby Reid had a nice spring and finally looks like
the star he was supposed to be coming out of high school. Mike Hamilton
is one of the Big 12's better backs and D'Juan Woods is a star receiver,
but they need help. Julius Crosslin and Dantrell Savage have to take
away more carries, while North Carolina transfer Adarius Bowman has to
be the receiver the coaching staff thinks he is. All-star Corey Hilliard
leads a promising line that could be good if the guards become settled
right away.
Defense - Few teams had to fight through more defensive growing
pains than Oklahoma State, and despite the return of plenty of
experienced players, the back seven is very, very young and needs
another year of seasoning. The line, which should be better after the
return of some key injured players, is where the experience is with four
senior starters and senior tackle Xavier Lawson-Kennedy rotating in.
This group has the depth and talent to be far better against the run,
but there needs to be a second pass rusher to help out Victor DeGrate.
Most importantly, this group has to force more turnovers after picking
off a mere five passes.
This season will be a success if …
OSU comes
up with a winning season. Considering it’ll likely be the underdog in
every Big 12 game except the home date against Baylor, there can't be
any misses in the non-conference schedule
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