2008 Big 12 Preview: Sooners look to continue dominance, but it won’t be easy
Last season, the North saw a resurgence in the Big 12, as Missouri and Kansas rose to the top of the division and to the national polls. But in the end, it was Oklahoma who reigned supreme yet again, as the Sooners captured their sixth Big 12 South title in eight seasons and their fifth conference title in that span with a convincing victory over Mizzou in the Big 12 title game.
Who’ll take the crown this season? We give our predictions, all-conference picks, and what and who to watch for in the Big 12 this season below.
Conference Favorites
North
Missouri - After claiming the North title and then falling just short of a chance at the national championship this season, Gary Pinkel’s Tigers are the clear favorite in the division this season. Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin, and the prolific offense get plenty of plaudits, and rightfully so, but a talent-laden defense led by All-American safety and playmaker extraordinaire William Moore (117 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks, 8 INT, two forced fumbles in ‘07) has the potential to be one of the best in the nation.
Kansas - The Jayhawks lose All-American corner Aqib Talib and all-conference DT James McClinton, but nine starters return on a defense that was one of the best in the country last season. On offense, there are some holes to fill, but the talent is definitely there, led by QB Todd Reesing, who should follow up last year’s school-record campaign with another big season and keep KU on Mizzou’s heels.
South
Oklahoma - There really aren’t any glaring weaknesses for the Sooners at this point (minor issues with proven experience on some areas of the defense and at receiver, but the talent is there). Winning the division title seems almost like a formality with how regularly they’ve done it this decade, but they will be pushed, certainly.
Texas Tech - If there is a year for the Red Raiders to finally make their surge to the top of the Big 12, this is it. The offense is going to toss it around a lot and burn the lights out on some scoreboards, but the difference in how good of a year this is for Tech depends on a defense that’s expected to be a quality unit, with a great deal of experience returning.
Texas - It might seem like the Longhorns are an afterthought, with Oklahoma expected to contend for the national title and Texas Tech expected to have a breakout season, but they are anything but an afterthought. There are quite a few holes to fill, but there’s quite a lot of talent there to fill those holes. Colt McCoy’s VY-like running exploits are nice and everything, but the better he slings it, the better it is for Texas’ hopes of making a run at the Sooners.
Postseason Potential
Oklahoma State - Zac Robinson and the Cowboys are going to be good on offense, we know that. But to do better than another 7-6 year, their defense is going to have to be a little better in the late stages than last season (outscored 120-82 in the fourth).
Kansas State - K-State hit the juco ranks big-time with their 2008 recruiting class, but they have more than enough returning talent to reverse last season’s late collapse. There’s a lot of production to replace on offense, and the defense is a question mark, but they could turn out to be a surprise team in the end.
In the Mix
Colorado - Colorado rode an upset of Oklahoma to an Independence Bowl berth in Dan Hawkins’ second year on the job in Boulder. The schedule’s pretty tough this year, both in and out of conference (West Virginia, Florida State), so if the Buffs do get back to the postseason this year, they’ll certainly have earned it.
Iowa State - After finishing last year’s 3-9 season with two wins in their last three games, the Cyclones are expected to make more strides in Gene Chizik’s second season. Making the postseason might be a bit of a long shot given how deep the conference is and that 10 teams ahead of them could push for bowl eligibility, but don’t be surprised to see ISU pull an upset or two.
New Coaches, New Outlook
Baylor - Baylor hasn’t really sniffed success since the formation of the Big 12, which is why the program is back at square one again. New head man Art Briles does have a lot of returning starters to work with, and the Bears should be more competitive this season. However, wins will be very, very hard to come by, not only because they don’t have it easy in conference, but their non-conference schedule sees them face Wake Forest and Connecticut, both of whom are contenders in their respective conferences.
Nebraska - Bill Callahan did spice things up offensively in Lincoln, but defensively, well, you’re not going to give up more than 60 points on multiple occasions and get away with it for long, unless you’re putting up 75 every time out. Don’t expect Bo Pelini to have the Huskers back as a force overnight, but they will be tougher and a lot less sloppy, and they will be bowling, at least I think so.
Texas A&M - I won’t set the bar too high for Mike Sherman’s first A&M team, but the Aggies should make the postseason and get the ball rolling for what should be a bright future under someone with the credentials to succeed at a program that has all the tools to do so. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing Stephen McGee throw the ball more, and I’m sure his body is too.
Conference Predictions
(To check out the in-depth individual previews for each school (minus a couple we haven’t gotten to yet), just click on their name, and it’ll take you there.)
North
1. Missouri -< The Tigers won't be surprising this season, and if they can win the big games, they'll be in the national title picture at the end again.
2. Kansas - Having nine starters back on defense that was one of the nation’s best last year, along with the talent they have on offense will help the Jayhawks overcome a tougher schedule.
3. Nebraska - Nebraska needed to add some toughness and tenacity. Hiring Bo Pelini was the first step, and if they can be tougher on the field, then it’ll lead to a good season.
4. Colorado - The Buffs might find it hard to be better than .500, but they have the talent to make a return trip to the postseason.
5. Kansas State - With all of the unproven talent Ron Prince has, you’re not sure what to expect from this team. But, the returning talent can definitely make some good things happen. If they don’t implode on defense, they should have a winning season.
6. Iowa State - The Cyclones finished well last season, and year two under Gene Chizik should see even more improvement.
South
1. Oklahoma - The Sooners have few weaknesses, and a seventh division title in nine years looks like a good bet.
2. Texas Tech - Graham Harrell may pass for 6,000 yards, and Michael Crabtree could catch 150 passes for 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns, but none of it will matter if the Red Raiders fall short of expectations.
3. Texas - There are some question marks right now, but talent certainly isn’t an issue for the Longhorns.
4. Oklahoma State - If their defense improves, the Cowboys could have a great season.
5. Texas A&M - The Aggies aren’t likely going to challenge for the division title this season, but they should at least go for bowling.
6. Baylor - Art Briles has a lot of work ahead of him, but he does have some pieces to work with, especially on defense.
Big 12 Championship Game: Missouri over Oklahoma
Ten Conference Games to Watch
Colorado vs. Texas, Oct. 4: Kansas State had Texas’ number each of the last two seasons, and the Buffs pulled the upset against Oklahoma last season, two things that the Longhorns should be aware of when they open their Big 12 slate in Boulder.
Oklahoma vs. Texas, Oct. 11: To the winner goes an early advantage in the Big 12 South standings, and of course, immeasurable bragging rights for the next year. Last year’s matchup in Dallas saw the Sooners break their two-game losing streak against the Longhorns with a 28-21 win in a back and forth matchup.
Texas vs. Missouri, Oct. 18: Their trip to Nebraska on Oct. 4 could cause Mizzou some problems, but this is really the defining test to their push to be a real player in the national title race between their bookend rivalry showdowns with Illinois and Kansas.
Kansas vs. Texas Tech, Oct. 25: Before Texas Tech can think about what could happen in November, they face a daunting trip to Lawrence, where many a point will be scored.
Kansas State vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 25: See Colorado-Texas above.
Texas Tech vs. Texas, Nov. 1: Provided October doesn’t trip them up, the Red Raiders should head into this one with their Big 12 South title chances still fully alive. But to make those hopes a reality, they need to beat the South’s Big Two, and it starts here, with a team they haven’t beaten since 2002. In 2006, the Red Raiders went up 21-0 after the first quarter but lost 35-31, a collapse they can’t afford to let happen again.
Nebraska vs. Kansas, Nov. 8: 76-39. No more needs to be said.
Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech, Nov. 22: This could be a tussle for the Big 12 South title. Texas Tech has taken the last two in Lubbock, but haven’t won in Norman since a 22-12 win in 1996, when the John Blake-led Sooners finished a woeful 3-8. However, outside of a 60-15 slaughtering in 2002, the Red Raiders have kept it relatively close with OU, but this year, they’ll be looking for more than just moral victories.
Texas vs. Texas A&M, Nov. 28: The Aggies have taken the last two in the series, including an ugly 12-7 win in Austin in 2006.
Kansas vs. Missouri, Nov. 29: Last season, the #1 ranking and the Big 12 North title went to the winner of this showdown in K.C. This time around, the stakes should be pretty high again, may it be for the North title or for more.
Five Non-Conference Games to Watch
Missouri vs. Illinois, Aug. 30: These two were among the nation’s big surprise teams last year, but both enter this year with high expectations. If Mizzou wants to be a national title contender, it all starts here.
Oklahoma State vs. Houston, Sept. 6: The defenses may as well just stay on the bus. If you still use the abacus to keep score, it’s time for a technological upgrade.
Kansas at South Florida, Sept. 12: Both teams have BCS in their sights, and not only will this game do some early good for the winner, but both KU’s Todd Reesing and USF’s Matt Grothe are both poised to make some noise in the Heisman race.
Texas vs. Arkansas, Sept. 13: The nation’s first look at how Bobby Petrino’s new team stacks up against a quality opponent. Could be a tricky one for the ‘Horns if Petrino’s offense is already clicking.
Nebraska vs. Virginia Tech, Sept. 27: This one’s a rematch of the 1997 Orange Bowl, when the Huskers throttled the Hokies 41-21. Things have changed just a little for Nebraska since then, but this is their first opportunity to earn back some national respect and show that they may be someone to contend with this season.
All-Conference Picks
1st Team
QB: Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
RB: Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
RB: Mike Goodson, Texas A&M
WR: Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
WR: Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
WR: Deon Murphy, Kansas State
TE: Chase Coffman, Missouri
OL: Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
OL: Ryan Miller, Colorado
OL: Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
OL: Luis Vasquez, Texas Tech
OL: Jon Cooper, Oklahoma
DL: Ian Campbell, Kansas State
DL: Auston English, Oklahoma
DL: George Hypolite, Colorado
DL: Lamarr Houston, Texas
LB: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
LB: Joe Mortensen, Kansas
LB: Ryan Reynolds, Oklahoma
LB: Brock Christopher, Missouri
CB: Jamar Wall, Texas
CB: Chris Harris, Kansas
S: Nic Harris, Oklahoma
S: William Moore, Missouri
Kicker: Jeff Wolfert, Missouri
Punter: Justin Brantly, Texas A&M
Kick Returner: Marcus Herford, Kansas
All-Purpose: DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
2nd Team
QB: Chase Daniel, Missouri
RB: DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
RB: Jake Sharp, Kansas
WR: Eric Morris, Texas Tech
WR: Juauquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
WR: Dez Bryant, Oklahoma St.
WR: Quan Cosby, Texas
TE: Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
OL: Rylan Reed, Texas Tech
OL: Colin Brown, Missouri
OL: Cedric Dockery, Texas
OL: Matt Slauson, Nebraska
OL: Daniel Sanders, Colorado
DL: Stryker Sulak, Missouri
DL: Brian Orakpo, Texas
DL: Roy Miller, Texas
DL: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
LB: Joe Pawelek, Baylor
LB: Roddrick Muckleroy, Texas
LB: Mike Rivera, Kansas
LB: Marlon Williams, Texas Tech
CB: Jason Lacey, Oklahoma State
CB: Ryan Palmer, Texas
S: Jordan Lake, Baylor
S: Darrell Stuckey, Kansas
K: Ryan Bailey, Texas
P: Dan Titchener, Nebraska
Kick Returner: Quan Cosby, Texas
All-Purpose: Deon Murphy, Kansas State
Conference Player of the Year: Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
Offensive Player of the Year: Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
Defensive Player of the Year: William Moore, Missouri
Newcomer of the Year: Darrell Scott, Colorado
Coach of the Year: Mike Leach, Texas Tech
Related posts on The Red Zone Report
