Big 12 Preview

[cubuffsman78]

I know a lot of you guys are bigger NFL fans than NCAA and I'm one of the few here that prefer the college game to the pros.

But I'm putting together some college preview stuff for a blog with the paper I write for and thought I'd share it with you guys.

I'm doing an individual preview of each major conference, a collective preview on Independents, mid-majors and the lower conferences and then an overall look at the national title scene with bowl projections and All-American teams.

I'm starting with the Big 12 and I'll do another major conference by tomorrow.

Big 12 North
1. Missouri – 12-1 (8-1)
A legitimate national championship contender with a legitimate Heisman candidate in QB Chase Daniel.

2. Kansas – 8-4 (5-3)
Can they duplicate last year’s magic? A tougher schedule says no, but still probably Mizzou’s biggest challenge in the North.

3. Colorado – 8-4 (5-3)
Play one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country, featuring Florida St. and West Virginia. Expect Hawk love to start paying off down the stretch of the season.

4. Kansas St. – 5-7 (2-6)
Conference schedule presents tough challenge with road games at A&M, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. Also get Oklahoma and Tech at home. Need to sweep non-conference schedule for shot at bowl.

5. Nebraska – 5-7 (2-6)
Huskers are still a year away from being ready to contend for a North title.

6. Iowa St. – 4-8 (1-7)
Gene Chizik has Cyclones improved, but still not to the caliber of an average Big 12 squad.

Overall assessment: Missouri is easily the class of the North division. Daniel will contend for the Heisman and Jeremy Maclin should probably get some mention for the award as well. After this season, expect Mizzou to slip significantly with Daniel graduating.

The Tigers should be a top 5 team, and possibly undefeated, heading into the Big 12 Championship, but I can’t see them overcoming a talented OU squad, ending any hopes of a national title berth. A BCS bid is likely, though, after being robbed of one last season.

A changing of the guard is coming in the North and it will show towards the end of the year. Colorado and Nebraska will look like the division’s best squads at the end of the year and the Buffs and Huskers will be battling for North supremacy in 2009.

Big 12 South

1. Oklahoma – 12-1 (8-1)
OU is powered by the best OL in the nation. That type of muscle up front can power a team to a national title game.

2. Texas Tech – 10-2 (6-2)
Believe the hype. The Red Raiders are good enough to win the Big 12. A trip to Norman Nov. 22 to face the Sooners will decide Tech’s BCS hopes.

3. Texas – 8-4 (4-4)
Defensive secondary problems will continue to haunt the Longhorns this season as will a quarterback controversy and the lack of a great running back.

4. Oklahoma St. – 8-4 (4-4)
The Cowboys are always a sleeping threat in the South with the ability to upset any team that travels to Stillwater. Rival OU is a likely victim this year.

5. Texas A&M – 7-5 (3-5)
Mike Sherman brings a winning attitude and a pro-style offense. The talent is there offensively to make some noise within the conference.

6. Baylor – 2-10 (1-7)
Art Briles might have been better off in Houston. However, he successfully resurrected the Cougars’ program. Bringing the Bears back from the dead in a competitive Big 12 is a tougher chore, though.

Overall assessment: The South championship will be decided in Norman Nov. 22 between OU and Tech. The game has the makings of a classic offensive shootout. OU’s defense is capable of getting more key stops and the Sooners haven’t forgotten the upset they suffered in Lubbock last season.

The Sooners national title hopes end in an unlikely fashion again this season in Stillwater. Oklahoma St. always seems to pull off one big upset at home each season and Bedlam is on the Cowboys’ turf this year, making OU a likely prey.

The Sooners refocus for the Big 12 championship, though, and earn a return trip to the Fiesta Bowl, where they’ll try to stave off another classic BCS busting upset from a mid-major.

[cubuffsman78]

I've done all-conference first and second teams for each conference. Remarks as needed.

All-Big 12 1st Team

Offense

QB Chase Daniel Missouri
Gets the nod over Graham Harrell because of his dual-threat abilities.

RB DeMarco Murray Oklahoma
Injuries kept him from breaking out last season. A healthy year means big things for OU offensively.

RB Mike Goodson Texas A&M
Possibly the fastest player in the conference, although he'll have to battle Jeremy Maclin for the title. He'll be more of a focus in Mike Sherman's offense.

WR Michael Crabtree Texas Tech
He broke records in his redshirt freshman campaign. What does he do for an encore? Records might not shatter, but Tech alumni hearts will when he departs early for the draft after another stellar season in a pass happy offense.

WR Jeremy Maclin Missouri
Electrifying. Quietly led the nation in all-purpose yards last season.

WR Juaquin Iglesias Oklahoma
Consistent and reliable. Was OU's best WR last season despite Malcolm Kelly getting all the hype.

TE Chase Coffman Missouri
Overshadowed by Martin Rucker last year. He's the focus this season and is more talented than Rucker.

OL Phil Loadholt Oklahoma
Last name says it all.

OL Duke Robinson Oklahoma
Could be the best OG in the nation.

OL Jon Cooper Oklahoma
The brains behind OU's supreme OL.

OL Louis Vasquez Texas Tech
Biggest part of Tech's unbelievable ability to give up very few sacks in a pass happy offense.

OL Jason Smith Baylor
Only Bear on the first team. A likely mid-round draft choice.

K Jeff Wolfert Missouri
Not a lot of competition to be the best kicker in the Big 12.

Defense

DE Brian Orakpo Texas
Underrated and overlooked. Could emerge as a top 10 draft pick.

DT George Hypolite Colorado
Fantastic pass rusher from the interior.

DT Evander Hood Missouri
Mizzou's defense is overlooked and Hood frees up plenty of space for other players.

DE Auston English Oklahoma
9.5 sacks as a sophomore.

LB Sean Weatherspoon Missouri
Tigers' leading tackler.

LB Rashad Bobino Texas
Sergio Kindle is supposed to be the Longhorns' star LB, but Bobino stands out more.

LB Brock Christopher Missouri
Main player Hood will free up.

LB James Holt Kansas
Kansas' defense was underrated last season. Holt is the top returning player.

CB Jamar Wall Texas Tech
Best CB in the conference. Tech's best hope for a game changing performer on the defensive side of the ball.

S William Moore Missouri
Best safety in the country.

S Nic Harris Oklahoma
OU's field general in the secondary.

CB Perrish Cox Oklahoma St.
Playmaking CB with stellar return skills.

P Justin Brantly Texas A&M
One of the nation's best.

[cubuffsman78]

All-Big 12 2nd Team

Offense

QB Graham Harrell Texas Tech
Big numbers are guaranteed.

RB Marlon Lucky Nebraska
Should be Nebraska's main offensive threat.

RB Jovorskie Lane Texas A&M
Carries could be reduced, but too much of a phenomenon to not give the ball.

WR Quan Cosby Texas

WR Dezmon Briscoe Kansas

WR Dez Bryant Oklahoma St.

TE Brandon Pettigrew Oklahoma St.
Potential first day draft pick.

OL Dan Gay Baylor

OL Cedric Dockery Texas

OL David Washington Oklahoma St.

OL Brandon Walker Oklahoma

OL Lydon Murtha Nebraska

K Ryan Bailey Texas

Defense

DE Ian Campbell Kansas St.
Undersized DE, who could be an OLB in the NFL.

DT Roy Miller Texas

DT DeMarcus Granger Oklahoma
All-American potential if his mind is on football.

DE Michael Bennett Texas A&M

LB Patrick Lavine Oklahoma St.

LB Joe Pawalek Baylor
Overlooked because he's at Baylor. Otherwise, he'd be considered one of the country's best MLBs.

LB Ryan Reynolds Oklahoma

LB Andre Sexton Oklahoma St.

CB Jacob Lacey Oklahoma St.

S Darcel McBath Texas Tech

S Lendy Holmes Oklahoma

CB Arkeith Brown Texas A&M

P Matt Fodge Oklahoma St.