2008 Big 12 Football
July 16, 2008
2008 Big 12 Football Predictions
Big 12 South:
1.) Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma’s offensive and defensive lines rank among the nation’s best, which is always a good sign for any winning program. A young secondary could be put under the gun in a pass-happy Big 12 conference. The Sooners are more than capable of winning it all with Sam Bradford at quarterback. But it won’t be easy against the tough Big 12 South.
2.) Texas Longhorns
Will Muschamp has the tall task of trying to help the Longhorns’ defense regain its National Championship form. Running back Jamaal Charles’ early exit to the NFL leaves Texas searching for a No. 1 back. A tough schedule will test a team that won’t have trouble scoring points.
The Red Raiders return 36 players from a two-deep depth chart. But questions persist whether or not the defense can slow opponents’ rushing attack. Expectations are running high in Red Raider country with a always-potent offense and an improved defense.
4.) Texas A&M Aggies
The electric Mike Goodson returns at running back to get the bulk of the carries as their go-to guy. If the Offensive line doesn’t improve, Goodson could find his yards hard to come by. Can new head coach Mike Sherman pump enthusiasm into an under-achieving outfit from 2007?
Zac Robinson returns to lead the offense at quarterback, but the Cowboys must replace a few big playmakers at running back and receiver. The defense could again struggle if new faces don’t step in an make an immediate impact. Any chance OSU has of contending in the Big 12 South rests on defensive improvement.
6.) Baylor Bears
New coach Art Briles offers the Bears their latest whiff of hope. Baylor’s best defensive playmakers in Jordan Lake is coming off shoulder surgery and needs to return healthy to lead this unit. Briles faces a tall order in trying to get the Bears competitive in the tough Big 12 South.
Big 12 North:
1.) Missouri Tigers
QB Chase Daniels at the helm automatically makes the Tigers a national championship contender. Injuries to key personnel on defense slowed this unit’s improvement in the spring. Missouri’s season will be considered a disappointment is their bowl lacks a BCS logo.
2.) Kansas Jayhawks
With a competitor like Todd Reesing at quarterback, the Jayhawks will try and make another run at a BCS Bowl game in 2008. He’s a premier playmaker. But the soft schedule from 2007 is gone, and now Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech are on it. That schedule is too tough for Kansas to repeat their 2007 level of success.
Cody Hawkins is another one of the Big 12 North quarterbacks that gives his team a chance to win as a strong offensive leader. Key defensive losses for the Buffaloes include leading tackler Jordan Dizon. Colorado looks primed to continue progress in Dan Hawkins’ third season as coach.
A veteran offensive line offers QB Joe Ganz and RB Marlon Lucky a great chance to succeed this season. Inexperience and outright holes could make the Cornhuskers’ defensive improvement very slow. Bo Pelini has his work cut out for him in his head coaching debut. But Pelini’s championship experience could be exactly what Nebraska needs to become a national contender in the near future.
The Cyclones can look forward to a softer schedule in 2008, with no Texas, OU or Texas Tech on their slate. Depth is a major concern for a team that was outscored 192-114 after halftime in ‘07. ISU made big strides in Gen Chizik’s first season but still have a lot of ground to cover if they are to be competitive.
QB Josh Feeman and DL Ian Campbell are two big-time playmakers on this squad. The addition of 19 junior college transfers appears the act of a desperate coach, but at least he’s doing something. The Wildcats need to show real improvement in Ron Prince’s third season.