2007 Big 12 Preview

Big 12

Last season, Oklahoma had what it takes to win this conference, which began as merger with the Old Big 8 Conference and the legendary Southwestern Conference. Next to the SEC, this may be the toughest conference in the country, and have a superior scheduling system, something the SEC could learn about. So, read on to find how 2007 will shape out.

Who’s New

Gene Chizik-Iowa State

Who’s on the Hot Seat

Guy Morris-Baylor
Mark Mangino-Kansas
Gary Pinkel-Missouri

North

6. Iowa State Cyclones. Gene Chizik takes over a program that may be on the way out of the Big 12-rumours circulate that the Cyclones will be the 12th team in the Big 10. But rumors aside, the Cyclones are a mess. It is going to take a lot to get this team to the top of the division, so moving on.
5. Kansas Jayhawks. Since his arrival, Mark Mangino has made KU football fun. But fun is not job security, so this season he must tread carefully. Here is the good-QB Kerry Meier returns, as do the deep threats-great for a team that runs the spread. On defense, most of the front 7 is back. The bad-a weak O-line, no clear RB, and a an unclear picture in the secondary mean the Jayhawks will struggle.

4. Colorado Buffaloes*. Last season, Dan Hawkins came in with huge optimism and fanfare, then the Buffs lost to Montana State. The season went caput quickly and despite a possible upset of Georgia last year, the Buffs were bad. So here is why they will be good in 2007. First, the QB is the coach’s son. He has known this offense for most of his life, and the other 7 starters back on Offense have a year under their belts. A great rush defense helps too. But if the Buffs can improve their pass defense (which is likely), and QB Cody Hawkins gets hot (he will), the Buffs can shock the world-by winning 7 games this year

3. Missouri Tigers*. This is it for Gary Pinkel-win or go unemployed. He should win, but not the North. Here is the good news-9 starters back on offense, and that is great considering the Tigers gave many a DC a headache last year. Here is the bad-4 starters back on defense. This team is going to be in a number of shootouts-but will have to rely on luck, and you can’t rely on that to win a title

2. Kansas State Wildcats*. Ron Prince did a wonderful job in year 1 last year. The highlight was upsetting Texas and literally costing the Horns a shot at the Big 12 title game. On offense, QB Josh Freeman leads a very talented group, despite ?’s about the O-line. On defense, the Cats switch to the 3-4 to better utilize speed, and b/c of the growing number of teams using the Spread offense.

1. Nebarska Cornhuskers*. Despite losing to Oklahoma in last year’s title game, the Huskers should be back in 2007. Former Arizona St QB Sam Keller will lead the offense, and WR Maurice Purify the Huskers best WR will be back now that his off field problems are over. Defense may be a question mark, but head coach Bill Callahan now has the talent to help answer the ?’s. If the Huskers can knock off USC on Sept 15, this could be a HUGE year in Lincoln

South

6. Baylor Bears. Guy Morris left Kentucky to get his alma mater a shot at making big gains. Well, his heart was in the right place. Baylor has problems that Morris might not survive past 2007. With only 4 starters back on offense, the Air Raid offense might not get off the ground. The defense is okay, but cannot catch passes or make big runs. Baylor has not been able to get to the level that Grant Teaff had left it at, and it doesn’t look like they will anytime soon.

5. Texas Tech Red Raiders. Here is the good news for Mike Leach and TT: QB Graham Harrell returns as the starter, giving Leach a rare season where breaking in a new QB is almost a habit. Here is the bad, the Red Raiders have one of the worst defenses in the NCAA. This is one of the most fun teams to watch when it has the ball, so if you are a Red Raider fan-the lack of starters returning on offense should not worry you. But the defense does, and for a team that relies on shootouts-you need to stop them sometime to win. Not so for this year.

4. Oklahoma Sooners*. Oh how the mighty have fallen. That is where Oklahoma is, after having to go on probation, and lose the most productive player in school history RB Adrian Peterson to the NFL. Expect the 2007 season to mirror the 2005 season that saw the Sooners rebuild. The offense has no idea who the QB is, and on defense the front 7 is just as questionable. It’s hard to be a Sooner fan in 2007

3. Oklahoma St Cowboys*. When Les Miles left OSU to take the job at LSU, Mike Gundy, who was the QB for the Cowboys when Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas were the RB’s to lead the program forward. 2005 was a nightmare, but 2006 saw a lot of good come from it. QB Bobby Reid is back, as are 6 other starters on offense and will have a solid O-line to help. The defense appears solid, but played better in the tail end of the season, and beat Alabama in the Indy Bowl last year. The future is bright, and this will be the best chance the Cowboys have had in years to contend for the Big 12 South.

2. Texas A&M Aggies*. Dennis Franchione saved his job when the Aggies knocked of Texas in Austin for the first time in years. This will be another good year for the Aggies, who return 14 starters (8 on offense). The schedule is favorable, with OSU, and the big game w/ Texas at home. The Aggies will not be in the National Title hunt, unless they knock off Miami and Nebraska on the road, but the Texas game could decide who goes to San Antonio for the Big 12 Title Game.

1. Texas Longhorns*. Ever since arriving at Texas, Mack Brown has had plenty of talent, but hurdles to overcome. Beating Oklahoma, and winning a conference title, then a National Title. That has been done, and the Horns should be in the limelight again in 2007 after “struggling” (Quotes used quite loosely here) to go 10-3. But the Horns answered the questions at QB-Colt McCoy set NCAA records as a Freshman last year. The O-line may be a question, as is RB, but the Horns have a great WR corps. On defense the Horns only question is the secondary, but with Top 5 recruiting classes going on 10 years now, finding talent is not a problem. Expect the Horns to be in the National Title picture in 2007.

2007 Big 12 Champs-Texas Longhorns