Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Conference Preview: Big XII

Back when the Big 12 was formed in 1994, I remember there being a hot fuss over their "pretentious use of roman numerals." I didn't know people cared that much about letters but I could sort of see their point. After all, they weren't the first of the modern super conferences, nor the first to hold an annual conference championship game (SEC). While I don't think the Big XII has ever been quite as big as it's hype, it has been home to some good football over the years. Back when it was first formed, the Huskguys were pushing people around and winning national titles. Colorado and Kansas State had pretty dominant teams, and even Iowa State and Missouri were above average. The North was clearly the stronger division for the first few years, but the balance of power began to shift toward the South in 2000 when Oklahoma was on it's way to a national title.

Here is my preview for the 2007 season, by division:

North - Braskypants is the strongest team in here. They are defending division champion and return plenty of starters. This is really their division to lose. Bill Callahan has done a pretty decent job installing the west coast offense as well as bringing back a semblance of the old black-shirt defensive toughness, which clearly they had lacked. I'd say that none of the other teams have more than an outside shot at dethroning them. I'll give Colorado a fair chance in a couple of years once Dan Hawkins has more of his own players in, but in the meantime, they will continue to suck. Iowa State, Missouri, and Kansas State will all hover at or slightly above the .500 mark. They all have decent players, so any one of them has the capability to rise up and knock off a ranked team, like the Wildcats did to Texas last year. Between these teams and Colorado, 2 of those 4 will make various bowls of dubious sponsorship. I'd throw Kansas in this same group except that Mark Mangino (sorry, no link here, this is a family blog) seems to have it a little more together over there. The next step for them should be a second place finish in the division this year and a berth in the Holiday Bowl. This would actually be a fairly major accomplishment for what is certainly more of a basketball school.

South - Oklahoma needs to find a capable replacement at QB. They haven't really had a good one since Heisman winner Jason White, who was not even drafted. Still, I will give them a slight edge over Texas (which, for the record, is not a true Southern state), as I think their coach and defense are better, and, for no reason whatsoever, I'll predict that Colt McCoy experiences a sophomore slump. Texas Tech should finish 3rd; their offense can just outscore enough of the opposition. Oklahoma State is decent, and could make a bowl. Baylor is still Baylor and is going nowhere. A&M is a trendy sleeper pick. I could actually see this happening, given their senior-laden O-line and the brick house that is Jorvorski Lane at RB. However, their QB and defensive play will probably be a little shaky, and their schedule is brutal. Honestly they could finish anywhere from 1st to 6th. I'll say Battery Acid Bowl.

1 comment:

the happy ninja said...

i agree, nebraska should murder everyone in the north. i'm actually pretty excited to see them play usc in nebrask country. if i had to pick, i think oklahoma is going to win the big xii. their team did well last year even they had a wr play qb the entire year. texas could be better, but i think the sooners have the edge this year.