BIG 12 PREVIEW

[Lumi]

BIG 12 PREVIEW


NORTH DIVISION

COLORADO


STRENGTHS: The Buffs are stacked at running back. Demetrius Sumler, Rodney Stewart and
Darrell Scott - who was widely considered as the nation?s top running back prospect in the 2007
recruiting class - form a stellar trio. Riar Greer is one of the better tight ends in the Big 12. Plenty
of experience is available on the offensive line with center Daniel Sanders being the only
departure. All-Big 12 honoree Jeff Smart leads a talented linebacker unit.

CONCERNS: The defensive line goes through a major rebuilding effort where three starters need
replaced. At least two freshmen are expected to compete for playing time. The team's top return
man and quality receiver Josh Smith has decided to transfer leaving the wide outs in dire need of
playmakers. QB Cody Hawkins will benefit from two years as the starting signal caller and Tyler
Hansen also has logged significant snaps at the position but this offense under their direction has
not fared well in the statistical department. The kicking game will be looking for redemption after
missing eight field goals in a row in 2008.

PROGNOSIS: The is the fourth year for head coach Dan Hawkins and the offense has to
produce better numbers after ranking in the bottom third of the league the past three seasons.
The running backs have superstar potential so look for the Buffs to lean heavy on the ground
game. Without this aspect, they could easily struggle seeing the defense is not expected to be as
productive as they were last fall. Keeping up with the rest of the Big 12 offensive fireworks does
not appear to be what's in store again. Colorado should be favored in their first three games, after
that the conference schedule tightens which makes finally getting over the .500 hump a tough
task.

PROJECTED RECORD: 6-6

IOWA STATE

STRENGTHS: QB Austen Arnaud has a chance to explode in this spread attack, the same new
coordinator Tom Herman used at Rice. Nine starters are back on this side of the football. The ball
carriers are a talented group led by Alexander Robinson. This is a unit designed to compete bycommittee.
The receivers continue to show promise with last year's true freshmen Darius Darks
and Sedrick Johnson making strides.

CONCERNS: A defense that was shredded a year ago is still extremely young and lacking prime
time players. The secondary got torched and will still have issues applying tight coverage,
especially when the rebuilt defensive line continues to have trouble pressuring quarterbacks.

PROGNOSIS: New head coach Paul Rhoads comes to Iowa State via Auburn?s defensive
coordinator to take over for Gene Chizik who left to take the head-coaching job at Auburn.
Rhoads will take over a program that went winless in conference play last fall. The experience on
offense with Austen Arnaud at quarterback is going to score some points as they join their
conference brothers operating a spread offense. However, the defense is also going to give up its
share of points once again. Producing more defensive stops is a must but don't look for any major
breakthroughs, or even a bowl bid in 2009.

PROJECTED RECORD: 3-9

KANSAS

STRENGTHS: Scrambling QB Todd Reesing returns for his senior season and more talent than
he has had at any time in Lawrence surrounds him. Receiver Dezmon Briscoe (92 receptions in
'08) is a preseason All-American and former QB Kerry Meier (97 receptions in '08) is back for
another year producing big time catches. Senior RB Jake Sharp scored 12 touchdowns last year
and is another weapon out of the backfield. The secondary had issues last fall like most teams
had against these Big 12 offenses, but all four starters return led by another preseason All-
American in Darrell Stuckey at safety.

CONCERNS: All three starting linebackers are gone including defensive leaders Joe Mortensen
and James Holt. The offensive line is young and inexperienced and they need to make plenty of
improvement in the run-blocking area. Reesing is also getting harassed way too much, which did
not help his Heisman cause or his injury fate last fall after a stellar sophomore outing two years
ago.

PROGNOSIS: After winning 20 games and two bowls the past two years there is plenty of
confidence surrounding the program. However, the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball still
has question marks in terms of matching up with other Big 12 heavyweights. If Kansas can find
some consistency on defense they should win the Big 12 North Division. They desperately need
to beat one of the South Division powerhouses on the regular season schedule to be taken
seriously on a national level. But KU looks to be 6-0 heading into the Oklahoma game.

PROJECTED RECORD: 9-3

KANSAS STATE

STRENGTHS: Coach Snyder has pointed to his linebackers out of spring camp as the best unit
on defense. In fact, the entire front seven has a chance to make huge strides compared to last fall
if the front line with three starters returning continues to grow. Getting Virginia transfer Jeffrey
Fitzgerald to step in at defensive tackle will really help. Jeron Mastrud continues to man the tight
end spot after starting 29 games. Smallish Brandon Banks at 5'7 was the Big 12 Newcomer of the
Year after topping 1,000 receiving yards.

CONCERNS: Replacing Josh Freeman at QB will be the top priority. Last year's back up Carson
Coffman gets first shot but he will be pushed by three others including JUCO transfer Daniel
Thomas. All are drop back style passers leaving a running QB out of the equation. The running
backs are all new faces and each is less than 6'0 tall. While there are a good many returning
starters back on defense, this group ranked 117th out of 120 teams. KSU has not been able to
stop either the run or the pass.
PROGNOSIS: Returning head coach Bill Snyder, who will turn 70 during the season, is idolized in
Manhattan, KS. Realistically however, the expectations in his first year back won't be miracles.
Just showing signs of hope and recovery should be sufficient for now. A good many starters
return but the depth charts are thin in terms of back ups. The schedule is not too demanding, but
this is also not the same conference Snyder left behind years ago when he first retired. A winning
season will be difficult without a proven quarterback.

PROJECTED RECORD: 5-7

MISSOURI

STRENGTHS: Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon is a front-runner for the Butkus Award. He can
literally be a one-man show at times. The running backs appear to be the strength of the offense
with All-Big 12 performer Derrick Washington backed up by talented De'Vion Moore. Losing a
quarterback like Chase Daniel would be a blow to any team, but replacement Blaine Gabbert was
highly considered the nation's top pro-style QB out of high school. His 6'5 frame and strong arm
are a plus but he can also scramble too.
CONCERNS: Losing Chase Daniel along with receiver Jeremy Maclin and tight end Chase
Coffman to the NFL is enough to take Mizzou off of the Top 25 radar. The biggest problem
however will be rebuilding a defense that has to replace seven starters. The secondary has been
extremely erratic while giving up way too many big plays. That has to change with new faces.
Also needing replaced is Jeff Wolfert, the most accurate kicker in NCAA history.

PROGNOSIS: If QB Blaine Gabbert can perform as he did for most of spring camp, the offensive
drop off most are expecting won't be too dramatic. With talent in the backfield a more balanced
approach will be the order, taking some of the pressure off a passing game missing most of the
components from last fall. A duplication of the 2008 defensive struggles could prove devastating.
Not many will see Mizzou as the same threat, but there is more than enough talent to surprisingly
compete with Kansas and Nebraska for the North Division crown.

PROJECTED RECORD: 7-5

NEBRASKA

STRENGTHS: All-American senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is the poster child of a
much-improved Husker defense under the Pelini coaching brothers. The entire defense finished
ranked in the Top 3 of every conference statistical category last fall. The secondary has a chance
to be even better with four returning starters back in this five back nickel set and they are all
veterans. Marlon Lucky is gone at running back but Roy Helu Jr. and Quentin Castille continue to
give Nebraska an edge in the ground game. Alex Henery is the most accurate kicker in school
history.

CONCERNS: Husker fans will hold their breath when a new QB takes the field. Zac Lee gets the
early nod and he has thrown only two career passes. Unfortunately he is the most experienced.
The big time loss of receivers Nate Swift and Todd Peterson leaves a huge void that won't help
the new signal caller. The linebackers are all new to full-time roles.

PROGNOSIS: The Blackshirt defense is beginning to turn to corner towards the better, an issue
that has killed this program the past five or so seasons. The defensive line and secondary are
going to continue the process and depth is no longer a major issue. They will have to play their
best as the offense likely goes through major growing pains. Power football with the talented
backs will be the order until some new receivers mesh with a new quarterback. Nebraska is
nowhere close to matching the likes of South Division powers but they are a favorite by many to
win the North.

PROJECTED RECORD: 8-4

 

[Lumi]

SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTH DIVISION

BAYLOR

STRENGTHS: Robert Griffin is one of the most versatile quarterbacks in the country and was a
Freshman All-American in 2008. His legs and arm make him a perfect fit in coach Art Brile's
spread option attack. His passing numbers will only get better with all the receivers back again.
All-American Joe Pawelek is the hub of the defense from his middle linebacker spot and safety
Jordan Lake is the fiercest tackler in the Big 12. The whole defensive back seven will have a
chance to really take some huge steps forward.

CONCERNS: The Bears are rebuilding the offensive line and the search for two new tackles,
especially at the spot where first round NFL draft pick Jason Smith lined up, could lead to a few
problems. The interior of the defensive line with Penn State transfer Phil Taylor at DT looks fine
but the ability to produce sacks on the outside is sorely missing where two untested sophomores
assume the starting roles.

PROGNOSIS: This easily could be the best Baylor team in 15 seasons, the last time they went
bowling. Granted the Bears were only 4-8 last season, but three of those losses were by a
touchdown or less. The offensive line needs to gel quickly as the first two games against Wake
Forest and Connecticut will set the tone. Griffin is an explosive quarterback and makes this
system extremely effective at gaining yards and the defense with eight starters back is much
improved. Baylor is no longer a push over by a long shot. Don't be surprised if they play a big
time spoiler role against one of the big boys.

PROJECTED RECORD: 6-6

OKLAHOMA

STRENGTHS: The Sooners have a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback with Sam Bradford, a
consensus All-American at tight end in Jermaine Gresham and two 1,000-yard rushers in the
backfield with DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown. The front seven on defense could be the story
in Norman for 2009 as every single starter returns. Five of them (English, McCoy, Beal, Reynolds
and Lewis) are widely considered to be All-American candidates by season's end.

CONCERNS: No doubt the offensive line is the biggest question mark where four longtime
starters are history. There is always plenty of talent running around in this secondary but they
have had their difficulties stopping the big play and lack consistency. Two unproven safeties will
have to change these fortunes. The wide receivers go through a personnel change outside of
talented Ryan Broyles. Bradford's accurate arm likely makes them a proven commodity very
quickly however.

PROGNOSIS: This no-huddle offense with so many stars at the skill positions is on a continued
path towards lighting up scoreboards again. Whoever steps in to do the blocking almost won't
matter. This is huge news as the defense with nine starters back should be twice as good
compared to a year ago when they started playing much better football towards the end of
November and into the title games. There is no question this lineup is filled with future NFL
talents. OU is looking for its fourth-consecutive Big 12 title. That won't be enough where ?BCS title
game or Bust? is the true state of affairs.

PROJECTED RECORD: 11-1


OKLAHOMA STATE

STRENGTHS: Looking for offensive balance? The Cowboys gained more than 3,000 yards both
on the ground and through the air last fall. Through these feats three players are now seriously in
the early 2009 Heisman Race. Senior QB Zac Robinson stirs the pot and is one of the best dualthreat
signal callers found anywhere. Kendall Hunter rushed for 1,555 yards and receiver Dez
Bryant hauled in 1,480 yards receiving. Bryant is also an electric return man. Both offensive
tackles are solid led by preseason All-American Russell Okung. Defensively, the strength of the
defense from 2008 welcomes back all three starters at linebacker.

CONCERNS: The Achilles Heel could easily be the secondary where only Perrish Cox returns
and the defensive line produced the conference's worst sack totals last fall...not a good
combination for Big 12 play. Someone else other than Dez Bryant needs to take up some of the
slack running routes, especially with NFL bound Brandon Pettigrew gone at tight end.

PROGNOSIS: With almost the entire offense that ranked among the Top 10 nationally in every
major offensive category returning, the Cowboys become this year's version of Texas Tech. The
games in Stillwater, which includes two huge home openers against Georgia and a rising Houston
ball club plus monstrous visits from conference competitors Texas and Texas Tech will surely be
entertaining. New defensive coordinator Bill Young faces a daunting challenge slowing down
these offensive powerhouses with limited talent and experience in the defensive backfield. OSU
starts the season in the Top 10 of the preseason polls, they won't be able to surprise anyone.

PROJECTED RECORD: 10-2

TEXAS

STRENGTHS: Four year starter Colt McCoy continues to lead the Longhorns in both rushing and
passing which was good enough for him to finish second in last year's Heisman Race. His
production won't change. Getting preseason All-American Jordan Shipley back for a sixth year of
eligibility at receiver makes this bunch extremely experienced and rich in depth. What could make
the offensive fortunes even better is an offensive line with major expectations. Center Chris Hall
and tackle Adam Ulatoski are some of the leagues best. The secondary has a chance to be much
improved. It's still young but each has seen plenty of snaps.

CONCERNS: While talented, the defensive line that finished last season as the nation's No. 1
sack producer should see a drop off after losing so many quality players including physical freak
Brian Orakpo. Sergio Kindle has been moved from linebacker to end in an effort to duplicate
similar numbers. The tight end position is unsettled where Greg Smith is mostly used for his
blocking skills.

PROGNOSIS: Texas or Oklahoma? The debate just will not go away. Even the winner of this Red
River Rivalry in Dallas can't be assured of a spot in the national championship game as the Horns
sorely found out last fall. There is an abundance of deep riches at most every position in Austin
and the Colt McCoy led offense will continue to outscore most every opponent. Look for the
running game to be a more integral factor as this offensive line has potential to be lethal. For
Texas to overcome the Oklahoma hurdle they need to get more out of a talented secondary
where the pass rush likely won't be as fierce. Like it or not, the song remains the same with the
same faces and places...Texas or Oklahoma?

PROJECTED RECORD: 11-1


TEXAS A&M

STRENGTHS: Being short on offensive skill talent won't be a problem. If Jerrod Johnson
continues to elevate his game the passing arsenal is in good hands where the Aggies were 27th
nationally throwing the ball. Johnson also set a school record with 21 touchdown completions. A
pair of exciting targets exists in Ryan Tannehill (also playing a dual role lining up at QB) and Jeff
Fuller while the experience lining up on the outside with them is deep. Three different ball carriers
each offer something positive where Cyrus Gray broker the school's freshman record for allpurpose
yards

CONCERNS: No one is blocking or tackling. The Aggies offensive line was swamped last fall
allowing 39 sacks, 23 more than their defense managed. The running game has suffered and the
quarterback is running for his life. The bigger challenge will be getting more out a defense that
was one of the nations worst at almost every category.

PROGNOSIS: The defense is far removed from the ole Wreckin' Crew days when A&M physically
punished opponents. Expect some improvements on this side, as the final outcome can't get any
worse. Like most Big 12 teams, the offense has serious potential assuming the offensive line can
block somebody. But that is a big "IF". Following the same course where both lines of scrimmage
are uninspiring could make for another long season. This team will be better than last year, but
that still will not be enough to get the Aggies bowl eligible even when the light non-conference
schedule allows for a 3-0 start.

PROJECTED RECORD: 4-8

TEXAS TECH


STRENGTHS: Taylor Potts is the new kid on the coach Mike Leach quarterback block. The 6'5
signal caller with a strong arm takes over where the previous five signal callers left off, thriving in
a system built for raking up offensive numbers. Depth at receiver leaves plenty of room for
optimism despite the loss of Michael Crabtree. Veterans like Edward Britton and Detron Lewis will
make sure these crazy receiver sets continue the traditions. Both senior tackles Brandon Carter
and Marlon Winn are as good as any in the league. The ray of sunshine on defense will be at
linebacker where all three starters return.
CONCERNS: No player turnover in the conference was this big from an offensive standpoint
where only four starters return. The offensive line has plenty of holes right up the middle. Expect
Brandon Carter to shift inside to guard in an attempt to remedy the situation. Two star safeties
need replaced as the secondary goes through a rebuilding phase while the pass rush has a few
questions of its own since Brandon Williams bolted early for the NFL and McKinner Dixon still sits
out due to suspension.

PROGNOSIS: The overall number of starters coming back is slim and Texas Tech is predicted to
take a conference back seat this time around when compared to the likes of Texas, Oklahoma
and Okie State. Ho, hum...coach Mike Leach and his new $12.7 million contract says, "Bring on
the doubters!" Tech will continue to find numbers success on offense, but they cannot afford to
settle for shootouts as the defense has major questions concerning their ability to slow down
opposing aerial attacks. Rebuilding is not an option, but repeating another 11-1 regular season is
not a reasonable expectation.

PROJECTED RECORD: 8-4

 

[Lumi]

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

NORTH DIVISION

1. Kansas
2. Nebraska
3. Missouri
4. Colorado
5. Kansas State
6. Iowa State

SOUTH DIVISION

1. Oklahoma
2. Texas
3. Oklahoma State
4. Texas Tech
5. Baylor
6. Texas A&M

 

[bej0101]

thanks

 

[Jaxx]

Go!!!!
POKES!!

Cant wait

:0corn

 

[Sun Tzu]

North

1. Nebraska
2. Kansas
3. Mizzou
4 .Colorado
5. KState
6. Iowa State

1. Texas
2. Okie State
3. Okie
4. Baylor
5. Texas Tech
6. AM

 

[AR182]

North

1. Nebraska
2. Kansas
3. Mizzou
4 .Colorado
5. KState
6. Iowa State

1. Texas
2. Okie State
3. Okie
4. Baylor
5. Texas Tech
6. AM

agree with you choices of the 2 winners....think texas will play fla. in the title game....also think baylor will make it to a bowl & pull off some upsets this year...

 

[Lumi]

NCAAF preview: Big 12 not as good as advertised

NCAAF preview: Big 12 not as good as advertised

NCAAF preview: Big 12 not as good as advertised

The Big 12 is spewing confidence.

Texas coach Mack Brown and Nebraska AD Tom Osborne claim their conference is top to bottom as competitive as the mighty SEC.

Whatever.

Head-to-head, the Big 12 is not better than the SEC. In both bowl meetings last year, the SEC came out on top, with Ole Miss handling Texas Tech and Florida pushing past Oklahoma. The SEC is deeper and has overall better coaching, with four coaches owning national championship rings.

However, when it comes to what really matters - ATS records - the Big 12 is vastly superior to the SEC.

Last season, the Big 12 went 27-18 ATS in non-conference games, compared to the SEC?s rather pedestrian 25-22 mark against the number.

Will the Big 12 be able to continue that trend? It won?t be easy.

Oklahoma and Texas combined to go 19-5 against the spread in 2008.

Both are expected to be powerful again, but another 80 percent ATS winning percentage seems unlikely, especially with the big numbers the Sooners and Longhorns will be laying.

Oklahoma State moves ahead of Texas Tech and Missouri as the Big 12?s third wheel. Kansas and Nebraska should battle it out for the North Division. But, after those teams, the bottom of the Big 12 could struggle.

PROJECTED FINISH

(ATS records are for last three years.)

South Division

Texas Longhorns

ATS: 20-17-1 (Home: 11-8, Away: 5-7-1)

Thing to remember: Look for Mack Brown to attempt to establish the running game early in the season. Last year?s leading rusher was quarterback Colt McCoy, the one player the Longhorns absolutely cannot afford to lose to injury.

Bonus: The Longhorns own the best in-conference ATS record since 2000 at 41-31-2.

Oklahoma Sooners

ATS: 25-14-2 (Home: 13-4-1; Away: 7-4-1)

Thing to remember: The Sooners must replace four starters on the offensive line. Two reserve linemen also left during the offseason, making depth a concern. This could cause Bob Stoops to pull back on the reigns of his super-fast, no-huddle attack that was so potent last season. An improved defense also could lead to slightly slower offensive scheme.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

ATS: 21-13-2 (Home: 10-4-2; Away: 9-8)

Thing to remember: Under coach Mike Gundy, the Cowboys are 1-7 straight up against teams ranked in the Top 10. Their regular-season losses last year were to teams ranked No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

ATS: 16-19 (Home: 8-7; Away: 8-10)

Thing to remember: Mike Leach knows how to get his team to rebound. Under Leach, the Red Raiders are 21-11 ATS after a straight up loss.

Texas A&M Aggies

ATS: 17-18-1 (Home: 7-4-1; Away: 8-6)

Thing to remember: Texas A&M is going to a no-huddle, high-tempo offense, similar to what Oklahoma used to set numerous NCAA records last season. The Aggies don?t have the personnel of the Sooners, but the offense?s tempo will at least result in more plays. Whether or not it equals more points is up for debate.

Baylor Bears

ATS: 15-18 (Home: 7-10; Away: 7-8)

Thing to remember: Don?t be surprised if the Bears? offense takes a step back this season. In Art Briles? second season at Houston, the Cougars averaged 14 points less than they did in his first season and finished 3-8 ATS.

North Division

Kansas Jayhawks

ATS: 24-11 (Home: 12-6; Away: 9-4)

Thing to remember: The Jayhawks return the division?s top quarterback in Todd Reesing and the conference?s top receiving corps, led by Dezmon Briscoe. But their offensive line is extremely shaky. Two redshirt freshmen and two sophomores could possibly start.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

ATS: 17-20-1 (Home: 10-11; Away: 6-7-1)

Thing to remember: The Cornhuskers have covered in only four of their last 12 games as road underdogs. They?re at Virginia Tech, Sept 19.

Colorado Buffaloes

ATS: 14-21 (Home: 7-9; Away: 5-9)

Thing to remember: With nine returning starters on offense, this should be the year coach Dan Hawkins finally gets the Buffaloes offense rolling.

Hawkins? Boise State teams averaged more than 40 points a game. The Buffalos, under Hawkins, have averaged just over 21 a game.

Missouri Tigers

ATS: 21-17 (Home: 9-7; Away: 7-6)

Thing to remember: New quarterback Blaine Gabbert is a highly-touted pro-style quarterback, who has the potential to make Tiger fans forget about Chase Daniel. Unfortunately, Gabbert doesn?t have Daniel?s weapons. Missouri must replace its top four receivers from last year.

With the fewest returning starters in the conference, including only four on defense, Missouri should take a step back this season.

Kansas State Wildcats

ATS: 16-18 (Home: 9-9; Away: 6-8)

Thing to remember: At least a dozen players have left Kansas State since 70-year-old coach Bill Snyder came out retirement to return as Wildcats coach.

Iowa State Cyclones

ATS: 14-19 (Home: 7-10; Away: 7-9)

Thing to remember: The Cyclones have lost 17 consecutive road games. That?s particularly bad news, seeing as Iowa State has only three conference home games.

Play the over on?

Iowa State: Offensive coordinator Tom Herman, who directed Rice?s prolific attacks the past two years, inherits nine returning starters, including dual-threat quarterback Austen Arnaud.

Last season, Rice averaged over 41 points a game. Nine of the Owls? 12 games went over the total.

This offense will be much more wide-open and tailored to Arnaud?s skills this season than last year?s under Gene Chizik.

The defense is another story, where first-year coach Paul Rhoads has some major questions marks throughout the unit.

Kansas, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Texas also will put up points in bunches, but that foursome isn?t going to sneak up on anyone; The Cyclones might.

Play the under on?

Nebraska: In a high-scoring, defense-lacking conference, let?s tread lightly here. But Nebraska could develop into a dominant defense.

Bo Pelini is an elite defensive coach, with an elite defensive tackle in Ndamukong Suh. Some project the 6-4, 300-pound Suh as the No. 1 pick in next year?s NFL draft. Behind Suh is a secondary with all four returning starters.

In Pelini?s first year, the Huskers held opponents to nearly 10 points less than the previous season.

On the offensive side of the ball, they?re breaking in a new quarterback in Zac Lee, a junior with two career pass attempts. Lee didn?t win the starting job outright until redshirt freshman Kody Spano was injured in the spring.

There are not a lot of stars on this offense.

The coaching staff readily admits ball control will be a big part of their offense.

The Huskers were among the nation?s leaders in time of possession last season.

Talent-gauging games

(Check out these September tests to see how the Big 12 stacks up.)

Oklahoma vs. BYU, Sept. 5, at Arlington, Texas
Missouri vs. Illinois, Sept. 5, at St. Louis
Georgia at Oklahoma State, Sept. 5
Baylor at Wake Forest, Sept. 5
Iowa at Iowa State, Sept. 12
Nebraska at Virginia Tech, Sept. 19
Kansas State at UCLA, Sept. 19
Southern Miss at Kansas, Sept. 26

 

[Lumi]

5 Thoughts On The Big 12

5 Thoughts On The Big 12

5 Thoughts On The Big 12

Q: 5 Thoughts on the Big 12.

A: The Big 12 took a PR hit after the bowl season, with Oklahoma losing to Florida, Texas struggling to beat Ohio State, Texas Tech losing to Ole Miss, Oklahoma State losing to Oregon, and Missouri needing overtime to get by Northwestern. Fans from other conferences, who groused throughout last year that all the big offensive numbers had as much to do with bad defenses as they did the great talent on offense, but there was a reason for this: time off.

Look at what happened in the bowl games and who the big-time attacks struggled with. Florida won on defense and the running game. Ole Miss was able to get into a shootout and let its tremendous defensive front four go to work. Oregon won on its running game, and Ohio State, who all but gave up the downfield passing game after Terrelle Pryor took over, was able to use its speed on defense and the ground attack to give Texas problems. It is a time honored truth when it comes to bowl games that teams with great ground games and top-shelf defenses almost always beat the teams with the high end offenses mainly because they have time to prepare. That, and for college kids who have more than a month off after their last big game, they tend to lose their edge and their timing. How did Nebraska beat Clemson in the Gator Bowl? It stuffed the Tiger ground game, holding it to a net four yards.

Missouri's Chase Daniel was never right against the Wildcats, Colt McCoy, by his own admission, needed a half to get on track in the Fiesta Bowl, and Graham Harrell and the Texas Tech offense weren't consistent against the Rebels. Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson bombed away for 350 yards against Oregon and simply lost in the shootout, but again, Oregon didn't need the precision passing attack to win. It ran the ball for 307 yards and five scores. And then there's Oklahoma.

The fatal flaw in the Sooners' loss to Florida wasn't that Sam Bradford and the offense that put up record-setting numbers only threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns, it's that the coaching staff didn't rely enough on the best offensive line in college football. While the signature moment of the national title game was Florida's goal line stand, the OU O line was actually doing a decent job throughout the game when it got its chance. Chris Brown ran for 110 yards in grinding style, his longest run was just 17 yards as he averaged five yards per carry, while Florida was able to overcome a two-interception day from Tim Tebow with 249 rushing yards to help settle things down. When the timing of the passing game isn't working, and the quarterback isn't quite on, it's vital to be able to go to the ground game. Florida did that, Oklahoma didn't, ball game.

Now the Big 12 has to learn from how it struggled with the time off and not just assume it was because its defenses were lousy. Yes, with quarterbacks like Bradford, McCoy, Robinson, Todd Reesing at Kansas, and Blaine Gabbert at Missouri, it'll be easy to try to fall back on the passing games and let the stars do all the work, but not being afraid to get powerful isn't a bad thing, either. This year, the Big 12 has more high-end talent than any conference in America, the SEC included, but none of it matters in the court of public opinion if the teams can't close in the end. Watch throughout the year to see if the league tries to adjust, or if it's going to be another year of very fun, but potentially hollow shootouts week after week.

Richard Cirminiello, CFN

Q: 5 Thoughts on the Big 12.

A: Is Dan Hawkins still the right man for the job in Boulder?

After three years of mediocrity and a 13-24 record, it?s a very fair question to ask. Wasn?t he supposed to bring the glory back to Colorado with hard work, a can-do attitude, and a blueprint that worked so well at Boise State? He still might, but the early returns have not been positive and people are becoming justifiably impatient. Not only have the Buffs failed to catch fire, but the offense, which the Hawk was supposed to revamp, has had more schematic changes than high points. In a North Division that?s far more upstart-friendly than the South, it?s about time for the program to start showing some tangible progress.

Hope for 2009 can be found in an offense that returns 10 starters, and could finally be effective with an old-fashioned approach. The Buffaloes plan to simplify things this fall, which is code for a lot less no-huddle and shotgun and a greater reliance on a power running game. The parts are there for it to work, including a physical, improving offensive line and a quartet of backs capable of carrying the load. Sophomore Darrell Scott has a star?s ceiling if he can stay healthy. If Colorado can control the tempo on the ground, everyone benefits, especially iffy quarterbacks Cody Hawkins and Tyler Hansen, and a defense that has some rebuilding to do.

Was it really only three years ago that the hiring of Hawkins was being hailed as a no-brainer? It?s time to start fulfilling expectations because a reputation and candid sound bites can keep everyone sated for only so long.

Matthew Zemek, CFN

Q: 5 Thoughts on the Big 12.

A: Wish I could say something about an actual team or division, but when the league?s coaches voted (on May 6) to KEEP the same tiebreaker system that depends on the ultra-politicized and ever-subjective BCS, well?.. (sigh)?. one is left to wonder why people in power make such stupid decisions, over and over and over again. There are no words.

Hunter Ansley, Publisher, DraftZoo.com

Q: 5 Thoughts on the Big 12.

A: The defenses are going to be incredible? Okay, they?re not. But they should be better. With a few marquee names gone from the offensive side of the ball, there?s a key hole of space for a couple of ace defenders to squeeze through and make names for themselves.

Baylor will get drenched in preseason underdog hype because of quarterback Robert Griffin, but their tacklers might have to carry more of the load if they want to head to the postseason. Safety Jordan Lake, linebacker Joe Pawelek, and incoming Penn State transfer DT Phil Taylor are all among the top five or so at their respective positions in the conference. And they?re not that far off nationally.
Oklahoma has perhaps the best group of defensive tackles in the nation in Gerald McCoy (a probably top ten pick in the 2010 NFL Draft), Demarcus Granger, and Adrian Taylor. The guys playing behind them aren?t exactly scrubs either. Ryan Reynolds, who coincidentally shares the name of an actor who once appeared on Scrubs, should be a great one if he can stay healthy, and Travis Lewis may be talented enough to jump to the NFL after only two seasons of playing for the Sooners. The Texas secondary, which was so publicly burnt on Texas Tech?s infamous game-winning drive in 2008, will be one of the strongest units in the country in 2009 led by the coverage of safety Earl Thomas and the pressure of end Sergio Kindle.

Even Oklahoma State has a puncher?s chance of fielding a defensive lineup that could at least not embarrass their offensive counterparts with new defensive coordinator Bill Young back in Stillwater. And Nebraska boasts one of the best defenders at any position in DT Ndamukong Suh being coached by one of the best defensive minds around in Bo Pelini.

The Big 12 isn?t suddenly going to become the SEC, and the Sam Bradfords, Colt McCoys, and Todd Reesings will keep the scoreboards sizzling, but there?s hope, and certainly room, for improvement. Maybe one of these squads will rank in the top 50 this year. Anything?s possible right?.

Jon Miller, Publisher, HawkeyeNation.com

Q: 5 Thoughts on the Big 12.

A: This is a league that is one of the two most entertaining leagues to watch in the country, along with the SEC, over the past few years. I love the Big Ten, and I appreciate the brand of football they play, but from a 'mass appeal' standpoint, the Big Ten is a few rungs down the latter as of late, and unless you grew up in that region watching November smash-mouth games, then the Big 12 is probably a league more up your alley right now. It's been an amazing transformation, as it used to be a running league.

However, most of the schools have either embraced some form of a spread attack, or they are in the process of doing that. Short passes account for rushes these days, quarterbacks put up mind boggling statistics that will have to be measured in their era when we look back on how we remember Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Chase Daniels and others. But it's an exciting league that has some of the best playmakers in the country under center and some dangerous speed demons on the outside.

Do they still play defense? They didn't have any teams ranked inside the Top 50 last year in total defense. Is that a function of the offenses they play, or an emphasis on putting up such a pace on offense that defense has taken a back seat?