The good news is that Oklahoma participated in its second consecutive BCS Championship game and Texas finally broke through with a Rose Bowl victory over Michigan. The bad news is that Oklahoma got absolutely killed by USC (55-19!) and Texas still can’t beat Oklahoma. This is a weirdly lopsided league with 2 great teams in OU and UT; a couple more pretty damned good teams like Texas A&M and Texas Tech, then a whole bunch of mediocrity until you hit Baylor. How much must it suck to be the Baylor Bears, a tiny school in the same division as Texas, Oklahoma, A&M and Tech. The is also a certain Southern tilt to the conference. Nobody in the North division woud contend in the South.
Big 12 North
1. Iowa State Cyclones
Offense
For the first time since Seneca Wallace left, ISU returns a quality cornerback. Bret Myer plays much like Wallace did; dangerous with both his arm and legs. The Cyclones also return a quality tailback. Junior Stevie Hicks is a tough, brusing runner who lacks breakaway speed. Myer has some quality targets too, like wideouts Todd Blythe and Jon Davis and former quarterback Austin Flynn. Coordinator Barney Cotton, who doubles as the line coach, is implementing more of H-Back look to the offense. He returns three starters on the line.
Defense
Last year the defense carried Iowa State until Myer got the offense cooking. That might be reversed this season. The defense has quality starters, six of whom return from last year. Coach Dan McCarney is more worried about depth, as freshmen are expected to backup along the line and backfield. The best ISU defender is middle linebacker Tim Dobbins, last year’s Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Now a senior, Dobbins has added 20 pounds. The Cyclones also added speed by moving strong safety prospect Adam Carper to outside linebacker.
Overview
The Cyclones have gone to a bowl game four of the past five years, and unheard of streak for Iowa State just a few years ago. This could be McCarney’s best team, and playing in the weak North division puts them in the driver’s seat for the division championship.
2. Colorado Buffaloes
Offense
What happened to Joel Klatt? After a fine sophomore season, Klatt was awful as a junior last year, tossing 15 interceptions against only 11 touchdowns. He has to bounce back, since for the first time in Coach Gary Barnett’s tenure the running game is a serious question mark. Either undersized sophomore Hugh Charles or fullback Lawrence Vickers will be the primary ballcarrier. The wideouts are young and talented, but tight end Joe Klopfenstein is Klatt’s best target. The line, critizied as soft last year, returns three starters, including guard Brian Daniels, an all-Big 12 possibility.
Defense
Coordinator Mike Hankwitz, in his second go-round with the Buffaloes, favors an attacking, aggressive defense. That didn’t work particularly well with last season’s young group. Now that the Buffaloes return ten starters, including a nice linbacking corps led by Brian Iwuh, the “Bandit” linebacker-safety hybrid and talented sophomore Jordan Dizon. The line returns solid senior tackles Vaka Manupuna and James Garee, as well as athletic end Alex Ligon. The secondary may lose safety JJ Billingsly to academic issues, but corner Terrence Wheatley returns.
Overview
Barnett has managed to keep his job despite a series of ugly scandals. He’s also managed to lead his team back to the Big 12 championship game. Say what you will about Barnett (and trust me, I have) he is an effective motivator and does what he can with what he has. If Klatt can rebound, this team has enough to return to the championship game.
3. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Offense
Bill Callahan could have taken a look at his players last seaon, realized he didn’t have the right atheletes for his pro-style offense and decided to play it safe and conservative. He didn’t. He went all-out and took his lumps. His team and program will be better for it in the long run. In the short run, Callahan better find a quarterback. Juco transfer Zac Taylor is the best bet, or maybe true freshman Harrison Beck. Stumpy tailback Cory Ross will carry the load on the ground, and Callahan has a talented wideouts like Mark LaFlore and Isaiah Fluellen. The line is solid, if unspectacular.
Defense
Callahan believes his defense underachieved last season, and he’s probably right. Tackles LeKevin Smith and Titus Adams were heralded recruits who have never panned out. End Adam Carriker has improved and could be on the verge of a breakthrough. The linebackers are young but talented, and the secondary will have to be rebuilt. The Cornhuskers lost safety Josh Bullocks and corner Fabien Washington to the NFL a year early, but the backfield wasn’t particularly good with them.
Overview
Callahan didn’t have a very good first season, leading Nebraska to its first losing season since 1961. The team should be much improved this year, providing a quarterback can be found.
4. Missouri Tigers
Offense
In 2004, the Tigers mistakenly decided to put the wraps on QB Brad Smith, installing a short, controlled passing game. It wasn’t a disaster, but it was close. Smith’s production fell, and the Tigers went from a bowl team to a losing record. This season, Coach Gary Pinkel has reversed course and installed a spread offense that will allow Smith to run and improvise, the two things he is best at. It would help if Mizzou could recruit some wideouts. It’s almost a given that Smith will finish his career without ever having a marquee –or even above-average- receiver to throw too.
Defense
Coordinator Matt Eberflus has worked wonders here, taking a traditionally lousy defense to the top-20 in total defense rankings last year. They do lose tackles CJ Mosely and Atiyyah Ellison, but ends Xzavie Jackson and Brian Smith return, as do talented linebackers Marcus Bacon, Derrick Ming, Van Alexander and Derrick Harrington. Safety Jason Simpson plays close enough to the line of scrimmage to qualify as a linebacker too. Eberflus’ aggressive scheme demands good cornerback play, and the Tigers have three nice ones in AJ Kincade, Marcus King and Calvin Washington.
Overview
The Tigers missed their opportunity last season. A star quarterback and one of the best defenses in school history, and Mizzou loses to Troy and stays home for the holidays. Pinkel is a very tough coach who won’t last to much longer without results.
5. Kansas State Wildcats
Offense
The Wildcats wasted Darren Sproles’ senior year in 2004. No quarterback ever emerged, and defenses keyed on Sproles. This season, KSU still doesn’t have a QB, and Sproles is gone. Dylan Meier, Allan Webb, and freshman Allan Everidge are battling for the job. Florida State transfer Thomas Clayton has first dibs on Sproles’ position at tailback. To make matter worse, Coach Bill Snyder only returns one starter from the line.
Defense
This is K-State’s forte throughout the Snyder years, and you can expect some improvement. The front four, while not spectacular, is talented. If juco transfers Steve Burch and Ricky Miller can live up to billing, the Wildcats will have a nice rotation with returning ends Tearrius George and Scott Edmonds. The linebackers aren’t as fast as recent vintage, but middle ‘backer Ted Sims is a strong run-stuffer. Three quarters of the secondary needs replacing.
Overview
The Wildcats slipped last season, and don’t appear to be improving. Snyder is too good and too canny a coach to let this go on much longer, but he needs to find an adequate quarterback before thinking about bowl games.
6. Kansas Jayhawks
Offense
Coach Mark Mangino and coordinator Nick Quarataro need to find a quarterback. Adam Barmann started last year, but was only mediocre. Jason Swanson is pushing him. The running game is hurting as well. The Jayhawks dismissed their best back, John Randle, due to disciplinary reasons. Either Clark Green, a plugger who lacks breakaway speed, or Gary Gray, a speedy back who lacks size and toughness, will take over. The line loses three starters, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The wideouts are the strongest unit. Senior Mark Simmons would be a serious honors candidate if he played on a better team.
Defense
This unit improved exponentially last season, led by All-America corner Charles Gordon. Gordon, a Big-12 All-Freshman team as a wideout in 2004, was moved to corner and performed brilliantly. He and fellow returnee Theo Baines anchor a solid secondary. The linebackers are tough and physical, led by senior Nick Reid. The line is good, if not spectacular. The Jayhawk defense didn’t give up a touchdown in the first quarter all last season. It will have to be as good this year in order to contend.
Overview
The Jayhawks have a sold defense, but the offense needs major work. If a quarterback emerges (a big if), and either of the Greens can solidfy the running game, Kansas could contend for a minor bowl.
Big 12 South
1. Texas Longhorns
Offense
Vince Young, the best line in the country, a play-making tight end in David Thomas and a couple question marks. Young is a pretty good place to start. After his star turn in the Rose Bowl, Young will be expected to carry this team and contend for the Heisman. He’s certainly capable of a 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing season. A stud offensive line led by All-American candidates Johnathon Scott and Justin Blalock’ll assist him. With the departure of Cedric Benson, a tailback must emerge from the group of Selvin Young, Romance Taylor or Jamaal Charles. Wide receiver is a question mark, and young players will be expected to contribute immediately.
Defense
All-America linebacker Derrick Johnson is a big loss, but Aaron Harris is still manning the middle. The line is led by the talented tackle duo of Rodrique Wright and Larry Dibbles. Both come with question marks though. Wright’s desire has been question, and Dibbles spent the summer getting his academics in order. The secondary is solid, led by Michael Huff, a four-year starter who is one shy of the NCAA record for interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Overview
Seventeen starters and a Heisman candidate: that would make this now-or-never year for Mack Brown. Anything less than a victory over Oklahoma and a berth in the national championship game will be considered a failure by Texas fans.
No pressure, Mack.
2. Oklahoma Sooners
Offense
After starting at QB for 13 consecutive seasons, Jason White has left OU. In his place will be either junior Paul Thompson or freshman Rhett Bomar. Thompson is the starter for now. Whoever wins the job will be primarily handing off to super soph Adrian Peterson. Peterson, the Heisman runner-up, finished with 1,925 as a true freshman. Running back is a strength overall, as backups Keyjuan Jones and Donta Hickson would start for many other programs. Travis Wilson is a fine wideout, but he is the only returnee.
Defense
When last we saw the Sooner defense they were giving up 55 to USC in the Orange Bowl. And that was with six NFL Draftees. Suffice to say, there will be some rebuilding here. Helping matters will be the return of tackle Dusty Dvoracek, who missed the 2004 season while struggling with depression. Coach Bob Stoops is perhaps the best recruiter in the country, and there is talent on this defense. He just has to find it.
Overview
Oklahoma may slip this year, maybe even to a two- or three-loss season. Consdiering they’ve participated in three of the past five national championship games, Stoops can probably get away with it. In 2006 though… look out.
3. Texas A&M Aggies
Offense
For all the hoopla about Vince Young of Texas, he isn’t the best QB in the division, or even the state. Reggie McNeal, senior starter at A&M, is just about Young’s equal as a runner and a far superior passer. He leads a very talented but young offense. At tailback, junior Courtney Lewis should be at close to 100% after an injury-plauged 2004. McNeil lost his favorite target when Terrence Murphey went to the NFL, but his group of wideouts is young and athletic.
Defense
This isn’t quite the Wrecking Crew, but give it time. The Aggies’ defense is led by All-Big 12 free safety Jaxson Appel, a senior and feroucious hitter. There is talent in the front seven as well, with middle linebacker Justin Warren and end Jason Jack. Jack, an athletic 270-pounder, had the look of a star last year. Coordinator Carl Torbush favors an attacking defense. He’s hampered by a lack of solid corners.
Overview
Coach Dennis Franchione has A&M on the verge of something big. It may be too early for his young players this season, but nine wins are within reach. If the offensive line solidifies a bit and the young corners can play, look out.
4. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Offense
Another year and another redshirt senior quarterback to plug into Mike Leach’s offense. This season it will be Cody Hodges. He fits the profile of recent Tech QBs: He’s slightly undersized, has a good arm, and is a gambler. He’ll be throwing to a deep and talented wide receiver corps led by Jarrett Hicks. He also has underrated tailback Taurean Henderson to take the pressure off. The offensive line could be weak. Only two starters return, but the returnees, guard Manuel Ramirez and tackle EJ Whitley are pretty fair players.
Defense
For all the Raiders’ gambling mentaility on offense, they counter with a very conservative defense. The well-traveled Lyle Sentencich runs a very basic 4-3, and schemes against giving up big plays. The line is a strength, led by end Keyunta Dawson. The linebackers are adequate, and the secondary is special. What few big plays Tech receives from its defense usually come from free safety Dwayne Slay.
Overview
Leach has seemingly perfected the plug-n-play effect for his quarterbacks. At one point before last season it seemed that Robert Johnson might be the QB of the future, but he’s been moved to wideout. The Red Raiders will score points, and the defense is serviceable. Expecting to crack the top 3 is probably too much.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Offense
New Coach Mike Gundy hired former Florida coordinator Larry Fedora to install a spread attack. It certainly suits Gundy, who is a freewheeling coach, but it may not suit his players at first. Starting QB Donovan Woods is a better runner than thrower, though he’s being pushed by redshirt frosh Bobby Reid, who compares to Reggie McNeil at A&M. Either Woods’ or Reid’s main target will be D’Juan Woods, Donovan’s older brother and younger brother of former OSU star Rashaun. D’Juan Woods is a talented receiver, but others need to step up. The Cowboys also need to find a every down runner.
Defense
Oklahoma State will switch from a 4-2-5 to an attacking 4-3 under new coordinator Vance Bedford, who comes from the Chicago Bears. Perhaps the new look will allow the so-far disappointing Xavier Lawson-Kennedy to reach his potential. The line gets an infusion of juco transfers, and the backfield is talented but underisized.
Overview
The lifetime Cowboy Gundy was a no-brainer hire to replace the departed Les Miles. The Cowboys are a team, and program on the rise. They, like Tech are stuck in a difficult situation. Both teams would contend for the North title, but are buried in the South.
6. Baylor Bears
Offense
Guy Morris would like to install a spread look, but he lacks the talent to run it. The Bears will then stick with a more traditional pro-set offense. Pulling the trigger is Shawn Bell, the winner of the QB derby by default. He does have, in junior Dominique Zeigler, a very nice target to throw too. Tailback Paul Moseley is a potential workhorse, but the line needs serious help after giving up 32 sacks last season.
Defense
The future, and probably the present as well, of the defense are with freshmen tackles Vincent Rhodes and Dan Gay. The linebackers are completely new, led by Georgia Tech transfer Nick Moore. They are far more athletic than previous Bear teams, which is necessary in the Big 12. Baylor does have a nice, deep group of cornerbacks led by returning starters Braelon Davis and Anthony Arline.
Overview
Morris does have this program in the right direction, but it will be slow going.
Previously: ACC, Big East, Big Ten Non-BCS
Posted by Frinklin at August 31, 2005 08:05 PM | TrackBack