Last year was a banner year for the rebuilt Big 12. Kansas State was in the running for the National Title and 9 of 10 teams were bowl eligible. Will this year be a repeat? Are we going to see Texas finally get back to the juggernaut they have been lately? Is TCU going to break into the top tier?
Here is how I predict the Big 12 will go.
1. Texas Longhorns (10-2 7-2)
After the strange move from a spread offense (that helped them dominate the Big 12) to a power running game (that they've struggled with) is finally over. Texas is moving back to a spread and that should help their team this year with their current talent and in the future. QB Davis Ash should be more comfortable leading the offense with a lot of weapons at running back. We should see Texas back in a BCS Bowl where they belong.
2. Oklahoma Sooners (9-3 7-2)
It's going to be a real interesting year in Norman. After having Landry Jones the past four years, the Sooners will be going full time with the "Belldozer" Blake Bell. Bell has been used mainly as a goal line runner, but now will be asked to be the every down starter. This could turn out to be a good year, or a complete disaster. But I think it will be somewhere in the middle. The defense will always have a lot of talent, but I see the offense just being average.
3. Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-2 7-2)
If QB Wes Lunt would have stayed the Cowboys could be the favorites to win the conference. However he has since transfered and the Cowboys will be relying on Clint Chelf or JW Walsh. But the rest of the team is loaded and should challenge for ten wins. Their season could come down to Bedlam in the final week of the season.
4. Baylor Bears (9-3 6-3)
Art Briles continues to be the most underrated coach in the nation. He has built Baylor into a talented team that can win anywhere. He's gone on to replace star QB Robert Griffin and not lost much. QB Bryce Petty is the starter this year and he should be even better than Tyler Florence was last year. But the star of the Bears is RB Lache Seastrunk who is a darkhorse Heisman candidate. With Texas and Oklahoma at home, the Bears could make a rise in the standings.
5. Texas Christian Horned Frogs (8-4 6-3)
After a disappointing first season in the Big 12, the Frogs are back with a veteran team. Especially at QB where Casey Pachall returns after sitting out last year because of suspension. Some people have TCU higher, but I really don't trust Pachall. But they return 9 starters on defense and add dynamic RB Aaron Green who transfered from Nebraska.
6. Kansas State Wildcats (7-5 4-5)
It looked like last year was going to be a dream season for KState. They were undefeated and poised to go to the National Title, but lost their second to last game of the season to Baylor and plummeted in the rankings. But don't look for a repeat. The Wildcats lost most of their starters and especially their two best ones in Collin Klein and Arthur Brown. Luckily they still have Bill Synder who will get the most out of this team. QB Jake Waters brings championship experience (JUCO National Title) to the QB position.
7. Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-6 4-5)
After getting spurned by Tommy Tubberville who left for Cincinnati, the Red Raiders went with a familiar face in Kliff Kingsbury who has a spectacular year leading the Texas A&M offense. He'll have his work cut out for him since he's only been a coach for a short period of time. That and the Red Raiders only return 13 starters. I see the Raiders being bowl eligible, but don't be surprised if they don't make it.
8. West Virginia Mountaineers (6-6 3-6)
The Mountaineers were the talk of college football last year going 5-0 and putting up video game numbers on offense. However they dropped their next six games and transitioning from the Big East was too much for them. They should be use to what it takes, but have to do so without QB Geno Smith and WR Tavon Austin. Head Coach Dana Holgorsen has his work cut out for him. Luckily transfers RB Charles Sims (Houston) and QB Clint Trickett (Florida State) should help.
9. Iowa State Cyclones (4-8 2-7)
Even though Iowa State isn't going to challenge for the conference championship, nobody likes to see them on their schedule. Coach Paul Rhodes has a team that loves playing for him and has them ready week in and week out. They've been to a bowl game three out of the last four years, but this year they might not make it back. They only return nine totally starters and that may be too hard to overcome.
10. Kansas Jayhawks (2-10 0-9)
You have to wonder if they regret firing Mark Mangino. Since he's been gone they've only won six games and haven't been close to being ranked. Charlie Weis was a name hire, but isn't doing anything for them. They do have former HS #1 QB Jake Heaps (BYU transfer) as their starter this year and maybe he can do better than Notre Dame transfer Dayne Chryst did last year. But don't bet on it. It will be brutal again.
All Conference Team
QB: Bryce Petty, Baylor
RB: Lache Seastrunck, Baylor
RB: Damien Williams, Oklahoma
FB: Trey Millard, Oklahoma
WR: Josh Steward, Oklahoma State
WR: Tevin Reese, Baylor
OT: Cornelius Lucas, Kansas State
OG: Cyril Richardson, Baylor
C: Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma
OG: Mason Walters, Texas
OT: Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech
DL: Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
DL: Calvin Barnett, Oklahoma State
DL: Chucky Hunter, TCU
DL: Devonte Fields, TCU
LB: Jordan Hicks, Texas
LB: Shaun Lewis, Oklahoma State
LB: Corey Nelson, Oklahoma
CB: Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma
S: Ty Zimmerman, Kansas State
S: Karl Joseph, West Virginia
CB: Jason Verrett, TCU
Offensive Player of the Year: Lache Seastrunk RB Baylor
Defensive Player of the Year: Devonte Fields DE TCU
Newcomer of the Year: Bryce Petty QB Baylor
Coach of the Year: Mack Brown, Texas
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