BIG-12 BREAKDOWN
Here's the way I see the contenders in the Big-12 breaking down.
NORTH
1. Kansas 5-3 conference record
Jayhawks enter the 2009 season with very experienced skill position players on offense. Quarterback Todd Reesing, RB Jake Sharp, WR's Dezmon Briscoe, Kerry Meier & Johnathan Wilson are all productive, returning starters. On defense, they return their secondary completely intact led by safety Darrell Stuckey. Front seven returns only DE Jake Laptad, can they defend the run? Can they get to the passer? This team may well be involved in a number of high-scoring shootouts.
"Look out for" week six in Colorado. 'Hawks should be 5-0 headed to Boulder, don't look ahead to Oklahoma the next week.
2. Missouri 5-3 conference record
This record depends on what stage the Tiger program has evolved into since Gary Pinkel came to Columbia. Is it "reload", "retool" or "rebuild"? There's a difference. I think Pinkel's team will be "retooling". They have a number of quality starters, they have to fill some other spots to remain highly competitive in the Big-12 North. Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon might be the second best defender in the league. He led the conference in tackles last season with 159. Two experienced wide receivers return, a TE with extensive playing time & 1,000-yard rusher, Derrick Washington. Sophomore Blaine Gabbert got about 30 snaps last year & it's his show to run with the departure of Chase Daniel. Gabbert has a much better arm than Daniel, is a far superior runner & he's way bigger, 6-5 235. But can he run the spread anywhere close to where Daniel ran it? O-line returns 3 starters, but what about the defense? To me the biggest question mark about this team. This team knows how to win enough games to become North champs, but will their defense cause a stumble?
"Look out for" Nevada in week four. Tigers mauled the Wolfpack 69-17 last season. Now, the rematch is a nationally televised Friday night game in Reno. Very dangerous spot.
They can win the North if they handle both Nevada & Nebraska. Would make the November 28th Border War game at Arrowhead probably decide the North title.
3. Nebraska 4-4 conference record
Cornhuskers could be better but I don't like their road games w/Virginia Tech, Mizzou, Baylor, Kansas & Colorado. Best defender in the league, Ndamukong Suh, returns for a defense with only 4 returning starters.The loss of RB Quentin Castille will hurt the already shaky offensive depth. All skill position players are new.
SOUTH
Texas 8-0 conference record
Longhorns return their back 7 on defense plus Sergio Kindle wreaking havoc at DE. Heisman candidate, QB Colt McCoy, returns, as do his wide receivers, Malcolm Williams & Jordan Shipley. Four of five O-line starters are back, as well as both kickers. If the longhorns could have burned the last 3 seconds in the Tech game last year, they would have been playing Florida last January for the BCS crown. I think they'll be playing for it come January, 2010.
"Look out for" the trip to Stillwater on Halloween.
2. Oklahoma 7-1 conference record
The Sooners return nine defensive starters led by DT Gerald McCoy. The loss of Jermaine Grisham at tight end could be devastating as his backup, Brody Eldridge, was moved to center as an injury replacement. Only Trent Williams returns on the O-line & that's where the trouble could be. Williams is moving over to the left side, so everyone's playing in a new spot. Two wideouts graduated, making any extended loss of Gresham even worse. If he's lost for significant time, the Sooners may find it hard to fend off the Cowboys for the second spot in the South.
"Look out for" the Hurricanes of Miami October 3rd. Sooners road schedule is more than a little tough.
3. Oklahoma State 5-3 conference record
Eight returning starters on a star-studded offense could make trouble for anyone they play. WR Dez Bryant, RB Kendall Hunter & QB Zac Robinson lead the charge along with LOT Russell Okung, the best offensive lineman in the country, in my opinion.
"Look out for" the first 2 games vs. Georgia & Houston, win them & just might believe they can win the Big-12.
NORTH
1. Kansas 5-3 conference record
Jayhawks enter the 2009 season with very experienced skill position players on offense. Quarterback Todd Reesing, RB Jake Sharp, WR's Dezmon Briscoe, Kerry Meier & Johnathan Wilson are all productive, returning starters. On defense, they return their secondary completely intact led by safety Darrell Stuckey. Front seven returns only DE Jake Laptad, can they defend the run? Can they get to the passer? This team may well be involved in a number of high-scoring shootouts.
"Look out for" week six in Colorado. 'Hawks should be 5-0 headed to Boulder, don't look ahead to Oklahoma the next week.
2. Missouri 5-3 conference record
This record depends on what stage the Tiger program has evolved into since Gary Pinkel came to Columbia. Is it "reload", "retool" or "rebuild"? There's a difference. I think Pinkel's team will be "retooling". They have a number of quality starters, they have to fill some other spots to remain highly competitive in the Big-12 North. Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon might be the second best defender in the league. He led the conference in tackles last season with 159. Two experienced wide receivers return, a TE with extensive playing time & 1,000-yard rusher, Derrick Washington. Sophomore Blaine Gabbert got about 30 snaps last year & it's his show to run with the departure of Chase Daniel. Gabbert has a much better arm than Daniel, is a far superior runner & he's way bigger, 6-5 235. But can he run the spread anywhere close to where Daniel ran it? O-line returns 3 starters, but what about the defense? To me the biggest question mark about this team. This team knows how to win enough games to become North champs, but will their defense cause a stumble?
"Look out for" Nevada in week four. Tigers mauled the Wolfpack 69-17 last season. Now, the rematch is a nationally televised Friday night game in Reno. Very dangerous spot.
They can win the North if they handle both Nevada & Nebraska. Would make the November 28th Border War game at Arrowhead probably decide the North title.
3. Nebraska 4-4 conference record
Cornhuskers could be better but I don't like their road games w/Virginia Tech, Mizzou, Baylor, Kansas & Colorado. Best defender in the league, Ndamukong Suh, returns for a defense with only 4 returning starters.The loss of RB Quentin Castille will hurt the already shaky offensive depth. All skill position players are new.
SOUTH
Texas 8-0 conference record
Longhorns return their back 7 on defense plus Sergio Kindle wreaking havoc at DE. Heisman candidate, QB Colt McCoy, returns, as do his wide receivers, Malcolm Williams & Jordan Shipley. Four of five O-line starters are back, as well as both kickers. If the longhorns could have burned the last 3 seconds in the Tech game last year, they would have been playing Florida last January for the BCS crown. I think they'll be playing for it come January, 2010.
"Look out for" the trip to Stillwater on Halloween.
2. Oklahoma 7-1 conference record
The Sooners return nine defensive starters led by DT Gerald McCoy. The loss of Jermaine Grisham at tight end could be devastating as his backup, Brody Eldridge, was moved to center as an injury replacement. Only Trent Williams returns on the O-line & that's where the trouble could be. Williams is moving over to the left side, so everyone's playing in a new spot. Two wideouts graduated, making any extended loss of Gresham even worse. If he's lost for significant time, the Sooners may find it hard to fend off the Cowboys for the second spot in the South.
"Look out for" the Hurricanes of Miami October 3rd. Sooners road schedule is more than a little tough.
3. Oklahoma State 5-3 conference record
Eight returning starters on a star-studded offense could make trouble for anyone they play. WR Dez Bryant, RB Kendall Hunter & QB Zac Robinson lead the charge along with LOT Russell Okung, the best offensive lineman in the country, in my opinion.
"Look out for" the first 2 games vs. Georgia & Houston, win them & just might believe they can win the Big-12.
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