The Biggest Hole Each Big 12 Team Must Fix for 2012-13

The Big 12 conference offset its tumultuous off-the-field issues with a strong collective showing of strong play on the field. 

In the Week 15 BCS rankings the Big 12 seeded five teams in the top 25 but now that 2011 is coming to a close it's time to look ahead to next season. 

With Missouri and Texas A&M on the way out the door and TCU and hopefully West Virginia on their way in, each Big 12 team has a glaring hole they must fix and/or replace in the 2012 season. 

Here's a closer look at one hole each Big 12 needs to take care of to be ready for the 2012-13 season.

Note: Teams that will be playing in the Big 12 in 2012 will be included. West Virginia not included because of their legal rift with the Big East on whether they can join conference in 2012 or wait until 2014.

Baylor Bears

Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III led the Baylor Bears to a magical season in which they finished the regular season at 9-3 and an Alamo Bowl bid. 

The biggest hole the Bears will have to fix in 2012 is at the skill positions. Where will they find play-makers to maintain Baylor's 2011 success?

Many people believe that Griffin will forgo his senior season and declare for the NFL draft leaving a gaping hole at quarterback, all while Baylor will be losing seniors Kendall Wright and Terrance Ganaway. 

Only time will tell if Baylor's 2011 heroics will repeat to the same extent in 2012 or if the Bears will drop back to being the bottom-feeders of the conference. 

Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa State produced the best upset of the 2011 season and is the lone reason why the Oklahoma State Cowboys won't be competing in the BCS National Championship. 

What people don't realize is that this team will be returning players at skilled positions next year and will be able to score a lot of points for head coach Paul Rhodes.

If there is one hole the Cyclones need to address in the offseason it's adding speed and aggression on the defensive line.

In 2011 Iowa State only recorded 11 total sacks all season and were 106th in the nation in tackles for loss and that is simply unacceptable. 

If they can get help from their defense to force turnovers and force quarterbacks into bad situations, they could be that much better by getting added chances for the offense. 

Kansas Jayhawks

This may sounds cruel but the one thing that the Kansas Jayhawks need to fix heading into 2012 is their entire team. 

They've made a good start by hiring former Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis and claiming transfer quarterbacks Dayne Christ and Jake Heaps. 

However, I'm not convinced the three early moves in Lawerence are going to make the Jayhawks that much better because of how absolutely terrible they were last year. 

Kansas' defense ranked dead last in the nation in scoring defense, giving up 43.8 points per contest, so if you must pick one hole they need to fill the defense would be it. 

Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State and head coach Bill Snyder quietly became one of the best teams in all of college football led by their dual-threat quarterback, Collin Klein. 

Heading into 2012, Kansas State's biggest hole is their offensive line. 

The Wildcats are a team the thrives on the run and they were successful at that thanks to their athletic offensive line. 

However, in 2012, Kansas State will lose three key players from that line and will need to bulk it back up so they don't miss a beat heading into next season. 

The Wildcats are a team with multiple skill players on offense that can put up points in bunches, they are just going to need some bruisers up front to open the holes. 

Oklahoma Sooners

There's no doubt that the Oklahoma Sooners' 2011 campaign fell far short of expectation as the team will settle for a battle with Iowa in the Insight Bowl.

There are many holes that a team like Oklahoma needs to fix if they want to return to the level of expectation they have for themselves. 

The biggest one has to be the running game. Oklahoma has too much big game talent for their running game to rank near the bottom of the Big 12. 

We all know Landry Jones has skill and most believe that he'll return for his senior season, so if the Sooners are looking to make it back to glory in 2012 they'll need more balance and help in their rushing attack.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oklahoma State's high-flying offense has captivated the attention college fans everywhere as well as becoming a weekly mainstay on SportsCenter but the question remains whether or not we'll see it again next year.

Brandon Weedon is finally moving on, as is All-American wide receiver Justin Blackmon because of his high NFL draft projection. 

While losing Blackmon will be tough, finding a suitor to fill the void at quarterback is far more important. 

That man is going to be junior Clint Chelf. 

Whether or not Mr. Chelf will succeed is still yet to be seen, but a match on 2011's 11-1 record will be difficult to duplicate for any team. 

Texas Longhorns

The Texas Longhorns' 2011 season was a tale of two sides of the football. On offense, they struggled to move the ball and committed a plethora of turnovers, while on defense they stuffed teams and gave up little points. 

Heading into 2012, Texas should improve but it all is going to start with quarterback David Ash, who will be the presumed starter for the Longhorns. 

Ash must improve off his four touchdown, eight interception season in 2011 if Texas wants to continue moving forward. 

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech completely fell apart after their monumental upset at Oklahoma in Week 8. They were one win away from being bowl eligible and some how stumbled to five consecutive losses to close the season. 

There is room for hope in 2012, though, as the Red Raiders return 19 starters from a year ago and none more important than quarterback Seth Doege. 

If there is a hole the Red Raiders need to fix it's on the defensive side of the ball and more specifically the secondary. 

In 2011, Texas Tech's secondary only forced five interceptions while giving up over 39 points per game, boasting the nation's fourth-worst defense. 

Tech's offense can light up a score board. So can anyone playing the Red Raiders.

TCU Horned Frogs

TCU has been long flirting with power conferences in hopes to one day move into the realm of automatic qualification. Well, in 2012 their wish is granted and they will become a member of the Big 12.

What exactly they are bringing to the table is a balanced brand of football and some really neat looking jerseys. 

In the offseason the Horned Frogs will lose two of their big time play-makers on defense in Tank Carder and Braylon Broughton and losing their experience and leadership will be a hole TCU will have to fill. 

TCU has the players in place to continue their terror on the defensive side of the ball but we'll have to wait and see if they are willing to step up to the task.