2009 Big XII Preview

Remember the Big 8 and the Southwest Conference? Well they got together and had a baby and it is the Big XII. This may have been the best lopsided conference in 2008 as Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma St had the best offenses in the NCAA; and don’t forget Kansas and Missouri. But as Texas Tech and Oklahoma showed, the defenses were poor. The Big XII North is slowly improving, but can’t match the juggernauts of the South.


North Division

1. Nebraska Cornhuskers-When Bo Pelini took over here, there were high hopes, but he met the challenge head on and surprised many fans and pundits. This year, they must find a new QB on offense, but the defense is stacked, and that will take them to the Big XII Title Game. The highlight NC game is a trip to Blacksburg to face Va. Tech. With a good signing class coming in, it looks like Nebraska will soon be back in the upper echelons of college football once again.
Player to watch: S Larry Assante

2. Kansas Jayhawks-The fighting Mark Mangino’s return a bevy of offensive superstars ready to set new school records in 2009. This is a senior led team, with QB Todd Reesing pulling the trigger on offense. With 7 back on each side, this could be a good year for the Jayhawks and a possible Big XII Title Game appearance isn’t too much of a stretch.
Player to watch: QB Todd Reesing

3. Colorado Buffaloes-4 years ago Dan Hawkins left Boise St to take over a slumping Colorado program. Since then, a one time hot prospect on the coaching circuit has been hit and miss in Boulder. As an offensive minded coach, 9 starters on that side is good, but the defense has only 4 back, and couple that with road games against Texas, West Virginia, and Oklahoma St and you have a 3rd place finish in the North.
Player to watch: RB Darrell Scott

4. Missouri Tigers-Chase Daniel is gone, who will take his place? That is what HC Gary Pinkell has to answer. Once he does, he needs answers at 12 other positions as Missouri has only 5 back on O and 4 back on D. Good thing Kansas St and Iowa St are in their division or they would be last.
Player to watch: WR Jared Perry

5. Kansas State Wildcats-Bill Walsh and Johnny Majors tried to resuscitate success at Stanford and Pitt and both failed. Bill Snyder, the only good coach K-State ever had is back for a 2nd stint in Manhatten. The good news is he inherits 14 starters back from a year ago (8 on defense) and a team that went 5-7 a year ago. The bad? They have to go on the road from Sept 12 thru Oct 3, that’s 4 straight road games, with 1 at a neutral site.
Player to watch: DE Brandon Harold

6. Iowa St Cyclones-Gene Chizik wins 5 games in 2 years and lands a job at Auburn. New HC Paul Rhoads has to like this, so if he wins 4 games he gets the Notre Dame job? All kidding aside, the Cyclones are sadly not that good. 15 starters are back, with 9 on offense. The defense should be the same with a few tweeks since Rhoades was at Auburn and ran a similar defense to the one used here the last couple of years. But he has hired great assistants in Tom Herman as the OC (Rice) and Wally Burnham as the DC (USF).
Player to watch: QB Austen Arnaud


South Division

1. Texas Longhorns-Mack Brown’s 2009 team carries a chip on its shoulder. They had a legitimate claim to be in the BCS Title game last year, and should be in the running this year. 9 startes on O; 7 on D; it is clear to see this team is loaded, and can compete with any team in the country. Only road trouble could come on Halloween and a trip to Stillwater, but if they get past Oklahoma in the Red River shootout, look out, and Longhorn fans can plan their vacation in January 2010.
Player to watch: QB Colt McCoy

2. Oklahoma Sooners-Bob Stoops got into the BCS Title game last year, and some thought they may not make it back in 2009. But Sam Bradford turned down millions to come back to Norman and the Sooner faithful couldn’t be happier. The problem is this isn’t a better team. The defense is solid with 9 players back. The offense has 5, but none of the deep threats Bradford connected with last year.
Player to watch: RB DeMarco Murray

3. Oklahoma St Cowboys-Mike Gundy may have something special brewing this year. That is good b/c this may be the lat good team he has for a while. The triplets-QB Zac Robinson, RB Kendall Hunter and WR Dez Bryant are as good as they come. But the offense is not the problem, the defense is and veteran DC Bill Young comes in to coach that side of the ball, and the returning 6 starters on that side. They should be unbeaten going into the Halloween game against Texas-at home.
Player to watch: WR Dez Bryant

4. Baylor Bears-WTF? I bet you are asking that question right now. But Art Briles is working wonders in Waco. 8 starters are back on both sides of the ball, plus a soft schedule could allow for a fast start-possibly 4-0 or 3-1 going into Norman on Oct 10. I believe they can pull a couple of upsets and be bowl eligible for the 1st time since 1994. They are not a joke anymore.
Player to watch: QB Robert Griffin

5. Texas Tech Red Raiders-Look being 5th is nothing to sneeze at, since you might go to a Bowl game. But the Red Raiders lose a bunch of their offensive production from a year ago, and only 4 return on that side. The defense is back with 7, but as Ole Miss showed, the defense is pretty bad. Mike Leach seems to find the right QB’s & WR’s but this might be a stretch. It will be hard to get the school’s 17th straight winning season.
Player to watch: Whoever starts at QB

6. Texas A&M Aggies-Oh how the mighty have fallen. RC Slocum contended for Big XII Titles, Dennis Franchione and now Mike Sherman are toiling. The good news is the Aggies have 16 starters (10 yes 10 on offense) coming back. The bad? Not much-only road tests are Oklahoma and Colorado. The heavies come to College Station-Okie St and Texas at the end of the year.
Player to watch: QB/WR Ryan Tannehill


Big XII Title Game

Nebraska vs Texas

Big XII Champs-Texas Longhorns