Big XII preview

Alex Ferguson previews the Big XII ahead of the start of the NCAA Football season…1.    Texas

Sadly, they’ll be no trouble in guessing who’s going to win the division this year. Although they showed they missed Vince Young last year, Colt McCoy’s shown he’s a pretty great replacement (954 yards, 12 TDs, 2 INTs). They’ll look back to the A&M game as the big revenge mission this year – although in Kyle Field, it certainly won’t be an easy prospect. Watch out for senior wide receiver Linas Sweed (801 yds, 12 TDs), and Quan Cosby (795 yards, 4 TDs) who’ll fill in a heck of a lot for Aaron Ross.
If they win it all, they’ll have to beat Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas State and highly-rated TCU to come through it.

2.    Oklahoma

Now Adrian Peterson’s gone, Allen Patrick’s got to pick up quite a mantle to pick up. If he’s as good as he was last year, then don’t bet against a big year for the quiet man from South Carolina.
The quarterback position for the Sooners is again going to be a pain in the neck for OU, with three QBs still battling it out for  starting spot in Norman.
The Miami game in Oklahoma on the second week of the season’s going to be a monster before the showdown in Dallas on October 6th. Three out of their last four games in Norman should help them, too.

3.    Nebraska

The return of Nebraska has been much-vaunted since Bill Callahan took the reigns, but a 28-10 blowout against Southern California and a hard-fought 22-20 loss against Texas proved that this team still has an awful lot to do. San Keller’s quarterbacking skills WILL make this team better (in this writer’s opinion he’s actually better than his replacement at Arizona State, Rudy Carpenter), and if Terrence Nunn’s on form, the Huskers will be dangerous…..if they can get through Southern Cal and a small roadtrip in Texas.

4.    Texas A&M

Probably the most infuriating team in the whole of Division I-A last year, losing no less than SIX games by under 10 points, the Aggies finally made it happen when they stopped the highly-rated Longhorns 12-7 last year.
This year, they are ranked #25 and could well do something. They’ll have some cupcakes in the first two games of the year – but an away game at Miami (Fl.) should show how good this team is. Stephen McGee certainly isn’t a bad quarterback – although the wide receiving corps isn’t exactly spectacular. If the season isn’t spectacular, then say goodbye to Dennis Franchionne, people.

5.    Missouri

With eight starters returning on the offense, Missouri can’t wait to show people what they can do. Quarterback Chase Daniel will hurt you in the air (3,527, 28 TDs) and on the ground (400 yards rushing) in a high-octane offence,. The problem with the Tigers, though, is defence, which let 184.1 yards rushing per game. In conference that prides itself of fantastic running backs, that isn’t good.
    The biggest test of the season may come in the home game against Ron Zook’s Illinois. If they can get through that potential banana skin, then Nebraska could well be a game for the ages.

6.    Oklahoma State

At 6-6, Oklahoma State weren’t that great last year, and we’re hardly jumping through hoops about this team this year, either. While they’ll take a lot of confidence from their Bowl game 34-31 victory against Alabama, they’ll soon have it drained out of them at Georgia on the opening day. The non-Big 12 cupcakes of Troy and Florida Atlantic will give some confidence before the Big XII season gets going. Quarterback Bobby Reid has got a great arm (602 yards, 2 TDs), but still has to learn to throw it to his own players (48.1 completion ratio; 4 INTs) – like superb wide receiver Adarius Bowman (1,181 yards, 12 TD). But if no-one’s open, expect him to to run like the wind (139 yards). Don’t get us wrong- we love the offence. But if the defence plays like it did last year, then it will be another semi-inspiring season ending up in another Independence Bowl game.

7.    Kansas State

Quarterback Josh Freeman threw for a K-State record 1,780 yards last season and six TDs, and if he can get it over effectively to Jordy Nelson and Daniel Gonzalez, this team – which were 6-6 last year – could go far. However, we’ll see how good Freeman & Co are when they face off with Auburn on the first day of the season. The away game in Texas – who’ll be wanting to wreak revenge after their 45-42 loss last year – won’t be too easy either.

8.    Iowa State

First-year coach Gene Chilzik will have a baptism of fire in his third game of the season when his Cyclones come against hated rival Iowa in one of the biggest rivalries of the Midwest. The road games at Toledoa, Nebraska and Texas Tech won’t make things a lot easier, either. Watch out for QB Bret Meyer, who threw for 2,546 yards last year with 12 Touchdowns. If he can get the interceptions down to something respectable (he threw 12 picks last year), then he could well be something to look for all year long – and Draft time.

9.    Texas Tech

An 8-5 year really shouldn’t be that disappointing. But when you’re blown out by Missouri and Colorado, it’s not been the greatest, has it? A starting quarterback with over 4,000 yards of passing behind him in Graham Harrell should help matters, but the issues with the offensive line – and at wide receiver – are monstrous. Having said that, if they are unbeaten going into the Oct 13 clash with Texas A&M, then we might be believers yet.

10.    Kansas

The Jayhawks lost a heartbreaker when they failed to beat Nebraska in overtime last year in one of the games of the year. And this year they’ll also lose to Nebraska – except it won’t be that close.
Although it will be interesting as to who picks up the mantle between Todd Reesing and Kerry Meir at quarterback, the brutal honesty is that even they won’t be able to save the Jayhawks from what will be a long, tough season.

11.    Baylor

     Despite being blown out for most of the season, the Bears managed to make some fans happy when they beat Kansas State, Kansas and Colorado. However, they really aren’t that good. The first game of the season isn’t going to be pretty against the highly-rated TCU, but a 3-1 start before they travel to Texas A&M might give Cinderella fans some confidence. That’s good, because this writer’s not one of them.

12.    Colorado

Let’s be honest, the Colorado Buffaloes were total crap last year. And the scheduling Gods aren’t going to make this one any easier after they play the equally terrible Colorado State Rams. Arizona State and Florida State will score a bunch against their lowly offense, and Nebraska will cap a season of kickings by giving out another one.