College Football: 2008 Big 12 Preview.

By Nostradamus from Football Maniaxs.com

Entering my personal rankings as the second best conference coming into the 2008 season, the Big 12 has many good things to boast about.  At the end of the 2007 season, they had four teams ranked in the final top 10 rankings. 

They had two teams that played in BCS bowl games and three teams with serious National Championship considerations nearing the last two weeks of the 2007 season.

But...there is always a but.  The conference champion, Oklahoma, got absolutely manhandled by West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.  More importantly, as a collective entity, no one allowed more points in conference play than the Big 12.  Not the Sun Belt, not Conference USA, not the WAC, not the MAC, not the MWC.  The Big 12 held the 'distinction' of being the highest scoring conference in all the land last year.

When all was said and done, the Big 12 looked more like the 'old' WAC, than it did the stodgy days of the Big 8 and Big 12 defensive lore. 

Sure, the Big 12 may be loaded offensively, but it has no excuses for inter-conference scores like this:  
41-31, 49-45, 59-43, 38-35, 41-39, 49-17, 38-30, 52-21, 42-28, 49-32, 36-28, 76-39, 73-31, 65-51,  43-28,  47-20, 51-13, 55-10, and 58-10.

Many of these scores topped conference basketball final outcomes.    
If you are looking for defense, well...turn off your TV if a Big 12 game is on.  The vaunted spread offense, west coast offense, and tons of speed have taken over.  Keep your “D” and “fence” signs at home.  They just aren't needed.

So what does the Big 12 have in store for 2008?  Unfortunately for us defensive gurus, the offenses will likely rule again.  All told, every team other than bottom feeding Iowa State has a QB returning with significant starting time.  If you enjoy offense, turn on the Big 12 game of the week in 2008.  The players may well be donning flags instead of pads, helmets, and mouthpieces.

My conference rankings:   

North:    
1.       Missouri
2.       Colorado
3.       Kansas
4.       Nebraska
5.       Kansas State
6.       Iowa State
 
 
 
South:
1. Oklahoma
2. Texas Tech
3. Texas
4. Oklahoma State
5. Texas A&M  
6. Baylor

North

Missouri: In 2007, the Tigers enjoyed one of their most fruitful seasons in the entire history of their program.  12-2 and a final ranking of No. 4.  With 14 starters returning, the Tigers should be considered serious Big 12 and National Title contenders.

On offense, Heisman Trophy finalist, and first Team All-Big 12 QB Chase Daniel returns.  Alongside Chase is do-everything WR Jeremy Maclin, the Big 12's best impression of Percy Harvin.

Martin Rucker (TE), and Will Franklin (WR), may be gone, but Chase Coffman (TE) and a plethora of quality receivers return including Danario Alexander and Tommy Saunders and the aforementioned Jeremy Maclin.  All told, the Tigers will likely have an even better receiving unit than the one they enjoyed last year.  
One of their problems on offense is to replace Tony Temple at RB. 

As great as Tony was at times last year, he was far from being consistent week in and week out.  Returning at RB is Derrick Washington and Jimmy Jackson.  Washington looks to be far more talented than Temple, and Jackson is a solid backup.  Look for a breakout year from Washington, and a more consistent output at RB.

On the offensive line, the Tigers return a solid corps.  They aren't great, but in the wide open Tiger offense they just need to get in front of people.  That they can do.  Expect the Tiger O-Line to at least replicate the 40 Ppg. outputs from last year, and likely exceed that number.  This will be one of the most explosive offenses in the entire country.

On defense is where the Tigers will either contend for Big 12 supremacy and a possible National Championship, or be another also-ran.  With eight starters returning, including William Moore, Sean Weatherspoon, Ziggy Hood, and Stryker Sulak, the Tigers have a very solid core.  William Moore is one of the best safeties in the country, and Sean Weatherspoon is one of the best LBs in the entire Big 12.

Look for Andy Maples at DT, Luke Lambert at LB, and Justin Garret at safety to have solid breakout years for the Tigers on defense.  All told, Missouri will have one of the better stop units in the entire Big 12.  Maybe even nationally.   
As much as it pains me to say it, Missouri is the best team in the Big 12 North. 

Question is:  "Can they play with the big boys?"  History hasn't been kind to the Tigers.  Last year was the first time that they played in the Big 12 Championship game.  Last year was the 12th time the Big 12 Championship game was played.  Missouri has never won a National Championship, and has not won or shared a conference championship since 1960.  Yep! 1960.

They have also never beaten Oklahoma or Texas since the inception of the Big 12.  Nor have they beaten Nebraska, in Nebraska, since 1978.  If the Tigers are to be serious contenders on the National landscape, then they have some serious history and trends to overcome.  They may well be the rep out of the North, but anything more than that is very unlikely.

History has a strong sense of repeating itself.  Taking history into consideration, the Tigers play @ Nebraska and @ Texas.  They also play Illinois in non-conference.  The Tigers will be very good.  But I doubt that they will be great.  Great as in National Title contenders.

Colorado: Newsflash.  Dan Hawkins can coach!  Not that you didn't know that, but Mr. Hawkins looks to be on his way of returning the Buffs to their late '80's and early '90's glory years.  In 2007, Mr. Hawkins guided the Buffs to a 6-7 season.  Not good?  Well when you consider they were 2-10 the year before you can appreciate the job he did last year.  He also beat Oklahoma and Texas Tech.   
All told, this may be a bit of a stretch putting the Buffaloes this high.  The schedule is daunting.  Back to back games against West Virginia and Florida State highlight their non-conference schedule, and they also play conference games against Texas, @ Kansas, @ Missouri, @ Texas A&M, and @ Nebraska. 

The West Virginia, Florida State, Texas, and Kansas gauntlet of straight games starting on September 18 could definitely spell their doom.  But this is a vastly improved team.

On offense, coach's son, and heady QB Cody Hawkins returns.  Save your comments.  The kid can play.  As a freshman, he threw for 3,015 yards, 22 TDs, and 17 INTs.  He will be much better in '08.

Their receivers are very underrated as well.  Scotty McKnight and Josh Smith are solid Big 12 players.  Also look for Patrick Williams to have a break-out season in 2008.  The addition of highly recruited Markques Simas won't hurt much either.  
Then we have the RB.  Hugh Charles is gone.  He was a solid Big 12 RB. 

But what the Buffs bring to the table is one of the best RB recruits in the nation. Darrell Scott. 

Remember that name.  He will likely be one of the biggest breakout stars in the entire country.  Coming in as a true freshman, Mr. Scott was the No. 1 overall rated RB in the country.  He has size, speed, and vision.  And he will unveil his talents in Boulder this fall.

The offensive line is the biggest concern. Talented?  Yes. Inexperienced?  Yes as well.  Two starters return, including future AA Ryan Miller, but the Buffs need this unit to gel, and gel quickly in '08 if they are to give elite teams some fits.  Offensively, this is without a doubt their biggest concern.  
On defense the Buffs return eight starters including AA candidate George Hypolite at DT.  Unfortunately they lose do-everything LB Jordan Dizon.

The AA and first team All-Big 12 LB only had 173 tackles last year.  Yes, you read that correctly. ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE.

That type of production can not, and will not be replaced.  Jeff Smart and Brad Jones are decent LBs but are a far stretch from being Mr. Dizon.  Look for JUCO recruit Shaun Mohler to make a big impact in the LB corps for CU in '08.  Likely he will be the best of the bunch.

The biggest improvement on the entire team will be the play of the Buff's secondary.  Sure, they lose all-conference performer Terrence Wheatley, but they also return one of the best safety combos in the conference in Daniel Dykes and Ryan Walters.  The solid front four will also help this unit into becoming one of the Big 12's best secondaries.

If Colorado is to contend for a Big 12 North 'title' they will definitely need some good things to happen.  But Hawkins has already provided some minor miracles since his arrival in Boulder, and we should expect that streak to continue.  Playing one of the toughest schedules in the country will be a hindrance, but will also be a blessing as well.

This team will gain some early toughness, and will be a tough out for anyone come season's end.  No doubt, this a risky pick being this high in the Big 12 North, but Hawkins showed last year that he could get an inexperienced team up and ready to play.  A definite sleeper for Big 12 supremacy.

Kansas: The best coaching job in the entire country has been performed in Lawrence, KS over the past six years.  Mark Mangino has built a conference also-ran into a Big 12 contender.  Don't think for a minute that this was done overnight.  He has done it the right way.  Solid recruiting, solid coaching, and a “stay the course” attitude have resurrected one of the worst programs in NCAA history into legitimate contenders.

Sure, go ahead, bag on KU's schedule from last year.  But keep in mind this has been one of the worst programs EVER in College Football over the last 50 years.  Scheduling SE Louisiana, Florida International, and Toledo is a mainstay for 'building' programs.  Kansas should not be excluded. 

They just happened to hit their stride a bit earlier than even they expected last year.  This year they play some cream-puffs as well in Florida International, Louisiana Tech, and Sam Houston State.  But...they do play South Florida on the road.  A definite upgrade.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, they also get the bullies from the South on their schedule.  Games @ Oklahoma, vs. Texas, and vs. Texas Tech will definitely test their new found success.  Throw in contests @ Nebraska, vs. Colorado, and vs. Missouri and this season's schedule is a HUGE upgrade.

On offense they return feel-good story Todd Reesing at QB.  From oblivion to greatness can sum up his 2007 season.  Before the season started Mr. Reesing was the 'backup' QB vying for the starting job against incumbent Kerry Meier.  He won the job in August.  The rest is...well, KU history.  In 2008 he is THE guy.  
He will have solid targets to throw to in Dezman Briscoe and Dexton Fields.  They lose their 'stud' WR in Marcus Henry, but we should definitely see Briscoe or Fields take over that role.  The biggest loss will be TE Derek Fine.  A solid blocker and good pass-catching TE is hard to replace.  They just don't have anybody on hand to fill his shoes.

The offensive line is another story.  The 'corps' of the Center and Guards returns.  But they will have to replace the early NFL departure of Anthony Collins at LT, the best offensive lineman to roll through KU for well over two decades.  That is a big concern, especially when KU is looking to replace him with a lightly recruited redshirt freshman.

On defense is where the 'Hawks will earn their gravy in '08.  They return nine starters from one of the best stop units in the entire country from last year including one of the most undervalued LB units with Mike Rivera, Joe Mortensen, and James Holt.  Look for the most athletic of the bunch, Holt, to have a big season in 2008.

Up front they lose AA and NFL'er James McClinton at DT.  That won't be replaced and neither will all-everything CB Aqib Talib.  Aqib was the most talented player that KU has had since Gale Sayers was carrying the rock in Lawrence.  He will not be replaced.  However, Chris Harris is another solid lock-down CB, and the safety combo of Darrell Stuckey and Justin Thornton may be the best in the Big 12.

Hate to say it, but the defense, even with nine starters returning will likely be a notch lower than the unit we say in '07.  Throw in the tougher schedule and this unit will be much more tested than they were last year as well.  If KU is to repeat last year's success, they must have one of the best defenses in the country.  That just isn't likely.

Overall, KU will be good again.  But they will be far from the team/season they were a year ago.  After a 12-1 campaign, it is hard to say that the Hawks should be grateful for a bowl game in the next.  But that is the reality entering 2008.  A sub .500 conference record is looming.  This is the year that will make or break Kansas as they try to build toward Big 12 greatness.  Are they for real?  We will see.

Nebraska: This hurts.  It hurts bad.  Pegging my 'Skers as fourth in the Big 12 North is the last thing I thought that I would believe in my entire life.  But such is the downfall of one of the proudest and most storied programs in the history of College Football.

Last year, records were broken.  Not the records that you would like to be recognized for:  Worst defense in the history of Nebraska football.  Most points given up in a single game.  Worst record in over 50 years.  Worst coached team in the entire nation.

Wiping a tear from my eye in recollection, I must look forward to the 2008 season.  The Bo Pelini era at Nebraska has begun.  The bevy of Husker fans are extremely excited that this is the dawn of a new age.   A new age that will bridge the gap in Husker-dom to the glory years of the '90's. 

Let's just say I don't quite have the same enthusiasm as my Husker brethren.   
Last year many of my Husker faithful were predicting 10-2 seasons and National Championship aspirations.  I was thinking eight or nine wins would be a good season.  A 5-7 disaster was nothing anybody expected. 

But such are the expectations in Lincoln, NE.  In 2008 the Huskers are just looking for respect.  The respect that 40 years of winning football teams earned.  The respect that five National Championships garnered.  The respect that was given away in one single year.

On offense the Huskers return Joe Ganz at QB.  In limited duty, and late season greatness, Mr. Ganz threw for 1,435 yards and 16 TDs.  In roughly four games mind you.  Question is whether he can handle the pressure of knowing he is 'the' guy.

At RB is the best situation.  Returning is do-everything, all-everything, Marlon Lucky.  Run, catch, pass, block, Marlon can do it all.  The most underrated RB in the entire country.  At WR, the Huskers have a bit of a problem. Gone is go-to guy Maurice Purify.  Along with him departs Terrence Nunn and Frantz Hardy.

But...the Huskers do return some of the most talented WRs they have ever had in the history of the program.  Nate Swift will be solid, but look for either Niles Paul or Menelik Holt to have a big year in '08. 

Also look for speedster Curenski Gilleylen to show up as well.  He is the game-breaking speed at WR that the Huskers have been looking for since moving to a more progressive offensive attack.  Throw into the mix one of the best offensive lines in the Big 12 and the Huskers have an attack that can score.

On defense?  Where do you start?  Thankfully, Bo Ruud, Cory McKeon, Cortney Grixby and Tierre Green are gone.  Last year Nebraska was the worst defense in all of BCS football.  Ranking 112th in total defense and 114th in scoring defense the Huskers set records that I defer to mention.  The vaunted 'Blackshirt' defense gave up on AVERAGE 477 yards per game and 38 points per game.  Included in the disaster was a gouging 5.2 YPC (Yards per Carry) given up by the sieve-like 'D' that lived in Lincoln, NE last year.

Will the defense get better in '08?  No doubts.  Your mother could coach a better D this year.  Talent is not lacking on the defensive side of the ball.  Ndamukong Suh can be one of the best DTs in the country.  Barry Turner can be one of the best DEs in the Big 12. 

Armando Murillo and Larry Asante are two of the more talented DBs in the Big 12.  They also have a bevy of talented, but yet unproven youngsters to bring some new life to an obviously depleted unit.  
This unit will get better, mainly because it can't get any worse.  Bo Pelini and crew will make this defense better, and likely one of the middle tier stop units in the Big 12.  Large aspirations?  Sure.  But there is too much talent to believe otherwise.

All said and done, the Huskers should expect to go bowling in 2008.  Contending for the Big 12 North?  There is a shot.  No doubt there is enough talent to get it done, plus they get Missouri and Kansas at home.  But any bowl game would be greatly appreciated in Lincoln.  And that should be the expectation.  Contending for conference and national championships are now secondary in Nebraska.  Competing on a weekly basis is now the priority.

Kansas State: Ron Prince enters his third year as head coach at K-State.  In his first two years he has guided the Wildcats to an overall 12-13 record and one bowl game in which they were manhandled by Rutgers 37-10.  The biggest question in Manhattan is whether the 'Cats are getting any better?

In the 2008 recruiting season, Mr. Prince and company have brought in 19 Junior College transfers.  Yes.  You read that correctly.  NINETEEN.  Out of a class of 32, Mr. Prince obviously has felt the need that their depth and talent is severely lacking.  I can't doubt that.  However, to recruit 19 JUCO transfers screams that you are trying to make a fix.  OR, you are trying to capitalize on the talents of JUNIOR QB Josh Freeman, and then skate town with a better coaching offer IF successful.

I'll side with the last.  Josh Freeman is one of the most talented, and 'raw' players in the entire country.  He isn't getting the proper coaching at K-State. That I can guarantee you.  At 6'6" and 250 pounds, he has skills very reminiscent of former LSU QB JaMarcus Russell although, he may be better.  Problem for Josh though is that he is at K-State and has zero supporting cast.    
On offense the 'Cats return Leon Patton at RB.  But he is an average RB in the Big 12.  They return four starting offensive lineman, but they also had Josh running for his life last year.  Should we expect anything less this year?  The addition of Aubrey Quarles (JUCO) will be nice at WR, but the loss of Jordy Nelson will be hard to replace. 

Deon Murphy is good, but far from great.  If the 'Cats are to reproduce the 35+ PPG they did last year, they will need some WRs to step up, and they will need Josh to be 'the' man.  Josh is great; I seriously question everything and everybody else.

On defense the 'Cats return five starters.  Ian Campbell is back at DE, and Gary Chandler is back at CB.  Other than that, it is hard to get excited about the K-State D.  Look for JUCOs in Grant Valentine and Ulla Pomele to make some serious noise at LB for the Wildcats.  If they don't this unit will be hurting.

All told, this very much looks like a 'dine and dash' experiment by Ron Prince.  He has two years left with Josh Freeman, and he will try to make the most of it with the influx of JUCOs to try and make a run.  Very unlikely his 'experiment' will come to fruition.  Look for Ron to be looking for a new job by 2010.

Iowa State: Gene Chizik will turn this team around.  It will just take some time.  With 14 starters returning from the best-coached team in the conference, it is tough to put them in the six hole in the North.  Honestly, it is.  If you can say anything about Iowa State in 2007, they played hard.  They weren't good, but they played hard.  That is coaching.

On offense they return a decent but not great OL.  What can you expect at ISU?  But for Cyclone fans, they will get to ring in the Austen Arnaud legacy at QB.  He has some serious promise of being very good.  He also has one of the best and deepest tandems of RBs in the Big 12.  JJ Bass, Alexander Robinson, and Jason Scales are all very serviceable.  Todd Blythe is gone at WR, but Marquis Hamilton is more talented anyway.  Look for RJ Sumrall to have a big year in his senior season for the 'Clones at WR.

On defense, well...they return seven starters?  Is that good enough?  This is where ISU needs to improve the most.  Talent is severely lacking.  There is not a single player that has the ability to make All-Conference consideration.  But, Chizik is a defensive guy, and he will get these guys to play hard again.  Look for Leonard Johnson, a true freshman at DB, to make a bit of a splash in the Cyclone secondary in 2008.

All told, this is a rebuilding year in Ames, Iowa.  Chizik will get this team to eventually compete on a week in and week out basis in the Big 12.  It just won't happen in 2008.
 
South

Oklahoma: The two-time defending Big 12 Champs are loaded for bear in 2008.  But...they have some serious black-eyes to cover up.  In their last five bowl games they are 1-4, with their lone victory over Oregon in a hard fought 17-14 victory.  Otherwise, the Sooners have been routinely manhandled in January.  Included in those losses are a 21-14 loss to eventual BCS Champion LSU in 2003, the Orange Bowl disaster against USC in '04 in which they were handed their lunch in 55-19 type fashion, and last year, the most humbling of them all, a 48-28 wipeout loss to West Virginia. 

Missed in this equation is the other 'disaster' in a loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl after the '06 season.  
The biggest and proudest member of the Big 12 has some serious questions to answer in 2008.  How good are you?  And for that matter, if you are the dominant team in the Big 12, how good IS the Big 12?

On offense they return the leadership of Sam Bradford at QB.  Last year he only led the nation in QB efficiency ratings.  Thirty-six TDs and only eight INTs will lead to those kind of scores.  Without a great arm, Sam relies on schemes, protection, and great receivers.  Fortunately he has them all.  Plus one of the most dynamic RBs in the country.  Last year I gave you a warm welcome and preview to one of the most talented players in the entire nation:  DeMarco Murray.  Most didn't even know who this kid was.  If you don't know who he is now, let me re-introduce the most explosive player in ALL of College Football.

DeMarco Murray.  Percy Harvin?  Jeremy Maclin?  Noel Devine?  Michael Crabtree? Tim Tebow?  Pat White?  Chris Wells?  No, No, No, No, No, No, and No!

The most electric and most exciting player in all of College Football is DeMarco Murray.  If he can stay healthy.  Do you think Reggie Bush was good?  DeMarco is faster, quicker, and more skilled.  Lofty words you ask?  Sure. Hard to believe, but DeMarco has better 'one-step' speed than Reggie could ever ask for.

The offensive line is loaded.  Likely the best in the country.  Only Ohio State can bark.  Jermaine Gresham is the second best pass-catching TE in the country, and Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson will more than make for the loss of Malcolm Kelly.  Throw in the possibilities of Quentin Chaney living up to the hype and this is a better offense than Missouri.

On defense, they have the best DL in the Big 12.  Auston English will be an All-American, and look for DeMarcus Granger and Gerald McCoy to be the best DT tandem in all of College Football.  At LB Ryan Reynolds will get better, but look for Austin Box to shine in '08. 

In the secondary, Nic Harris is solid.  This is the weakest link in the Sooner's chain.  But like always, they will be able to fit enough of the talented recruiting pieces to cover up for the loss of Reggie Smith.

The biggest problem is replacing stalwarts Curtis Lofton (LB) and DJ Wolfe (S).  Talented guys are behind them, but these guys were pretty special.  All told, we should expect this to be one of the premier stop units in the entire country.  Even with the losses.  The front four are just too special to think otherwise.

In the end, the Sooners should be considered on the very short list of National Title contenders once again.  They will be favored in every game this year.  Not many teams will have that luxury.  If DeMarco Murray has a monster season like I expect, look for OU to play Ohio State for all the marbles in early January.

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders are on track for a monster 2008 campaign.  Mad man Mike Leach has guided the Red-Gun attack into the stratosphere of the most feared offense in the entire country.  If it was possible, Mike would split out nine receivers.

Man-to-man, one-on-one, in 'space', call it what you want but Tech capitalizes on this theory more than any team in the nation (OK, maybe June Jones has a beef. Michael Crabtree didn't catch 134 passes for 1,932 yards and 22 TDs last year because he was double-covered.  Do you remember Danny Amendola?  Didn't think so.  He also had over 1,200 yards receiving last year.

As usual, Mike will just plug in another name, another guy, and get results.  Crack on it all you want, but how does he achieve such regular results with talent comparable to Baylor?  Time to give the madman some much deserved respect.  Obviously offense will never be a problem in Lubbock as long as Leach is in town.

On defense, the Raiders return eight starters.  There is absolutely no doubt that this is what can make the Raiders very special.  Leach has been attempting to bring in defensive talent.  We are starting to see the fruits of his actions.  In 2007 they weren't the thriftiest of defenses, but they were definitely not the worst.  Colby Whitlock is an AA in the making at DT, and McKinner Dixon will lead a much better LB corps in 2008. 

The secondary?  They will struggle.
Imagine this.  Texas Tech in a lot of shoot-outs.  It will happen again, you can count on it as much as taxes and death.  Question is whether they can outscore everybody.  Not likely, but possible.

Texas: A down year in Texas last year?  Yep.  Only a final top 10 ranking.  That is the expectations in Austin.  The best, or...?  The John Mackovic and David McWilliams 'eras' have obviously been ignored.

Bag on Coach Brown all you want.  But what he has brought to Texas is pride in high school players committing to and playing for THE University of Texas.  Football doesn't get much bigger than Friday Nights in Texas.  High School Football is king.  How is your local High School doing packing 2,000 - 5,000 every game?  How about 50,000+ at a high school game?  That is Texas, and that is Texas football.  It doesn't get bigger and it doesn't get better.

On offense, Colt McCoy returns after his injury-plagued Sophomore slump.  He has six starters returning with him including a rejuvenated offensive line.  All five could earn All-Conference honors.  RB is another story.  Gone is speedy RB Jamaal Charles.  In return will likely be a RB by committee.  No one looks to have the abilities of Jamaal, but the very much improved OL can cover that up.

At WR, they lose Nate Jones, but that isn't tough to overcome for Texas.  Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley are very solid, but look for a 'stud' to emerge in '08.  Don't be real surprised to see Dan Buckner, Malcolm Williams, or DeSean Hales to have a huge season for the 'Horns at WR.

All told, this is a 'tweener' year for the Horns.  But a 'tweener' year for Texas means they will win at least nine games.  But it is very unlikely that happens since they have not won less than 10 games in a season since 2000.  Third in the South is fairly brash, considering they have enough talent to contend for a glass football.  But such is the Big 12 in 2008.

Oklahoma State: "I'm a man, I'm 40!"  Mike Gundy enters his fourth year at Okie State, and yes, he is 40 years old. With Boone Pickens giving Okie State everything but his left arm, the Cowpokes should start to seriously compete in the Big 12 in every sport.  Question is whether Mr. Gundy should lead the football team into the new age?

I may be a bit harsh on Mr. Gundy, considering he was one of the best QBs to ever play for Oklahoma State.  (He was the QB when Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas were on campus.  With Hart Lee Dykes, Gundy, and Sanders they were called the "Triplets".)

On offense the 'Pokes return Zac Robinson.  Another great QB in a long line of great QBs in the Big 12.  Gone is All-Big 12 WR Adarius Bowman.  Not a problem, they have Dez Bryant to pick up the slack.  They also have a solid TE in Brandon Pettigrew.

With four returning starters on the Offensive Line, the 'Pokes should be able to make some holes for the talented RB combo of Beau Johnson (JUCO transfer), Kendall Hunter, and Keith Toston.  Yet another explosive offense in a loaded Big 12.

On defense?  Six starters return, but the front four is the biggest problem.  Only Jeray Chatham returns and he is far from spectacular.  LB is a serious question as well.  Andre Sexton is OK, but the rest are average at best.  Perrish Cox is a stud in the secondary, and he has some experienced guys around him in Jacob Lacey and Ricky Price.

Problem is, they are both average as well.  If the 'Pokes want to seriously compete in the Big 12, it will be their front seven on defense that needs to improve the most.  And that just doesn't happen in 2008.  They are likely better than many middle-feeding teams in other conferences, but this is the Big 12 South. The toughest division in all of College Football, and they get a ranking of fourth and a possible bowl game.

Texas A&M: Dennis Franchione is gone. Enter Mike Sherman.  Year in and year out, this is one of the most talented teams in the Big 12.  Heck, they are the second biggest hitching post in Texas behind UT in recruiting.  Not a bad position to be in.  But year in and year out, aTm has secured themselves as being also-rans.  In the last eight years they have not had a season in which they garnered more than nine wins.

On offense, they bring back Stephen McGee at QB, but he is getting challenged by the seriously talented Jerrod Johnson.  Throw in the fact that TAM is going full blown into the 'spread' offense, and the returning two- year starter may not have his job intact.  At RB, the Aggies are loaded.  Mike Goodson is the next best thing to DeMarco Murray in the Big 12.  We also have a huge spring out of Bradley Stephens.  Moving Jorvorskie Lane to FB may be a blessing, but the guy still needs to shed a few pounds.  Even at FB.

TE Martellus Bennett opted for the NFL, so they are left as usual with a bunch of unproven talent to catch the ball.  With a very limited starter in Pierre Brown returning, the Aggies have a tough challenge at hand in the WR area.  Who can catch and run with the ball in the Aggie offense remains to be seen.  Add in what is arguably the worst OL in the entire conference, and the Aggies will have problems breaking in a new offense, coach, and scheme.

On defense, the wrecking crew is long gone.  The Aggies have been dwindling at the bottom of the Big 12 defensive rankings since 'you know who' stepped on campus.  Now that he is gone, the resurgence of the wrecking crew should begin.  But it will not happen overnight.  There just isn't a single guy on this defense that makes one stand up and say aaagh!

Texas A&M will start building themselves back to prominence, but it won't be this year.  They may upset a team or two, but they will not challenge for conference superiority.  The challenge at hand is going to a bowl game.  And that is the goal in Mike Sherman's first year as head coach.

Baylor: The red-headed step-child of the entire conference.  This is also the graveyard site of many up-and-coming coaches.  If you know someone you like, tell them NOT to coach at Baylor.

Baylor adds a new coach in Art Briles on 2008.  Nice job, Art.  A solid career-ending decision.  Someone will turn this program around, but it is not likely Art.

I won't even go into the particulars of this team.  The worst in the Big 12, year in and year out.  Until they can at the least go .500 in conference play they get nothing because they have offered the Big 12 nothing in return.