Big XII Football: Looking Ahead to 2009

Though the bowl season didn’t fare well for the Big XII, the regular season gave the conference a lot of credibility and had people arguing if the Big XII might just be the best conference in 2008.

The 2008 season started with five teams ranked in the top 25 and finished with the same number. Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, and Missouri all stayed, while Oklahoma State replaced Kansas.

Of those five teams, two were in BCS bowls where they went 1-1. The overall bowl record for the ranked teams was 2-3. For the entire conference, the record was 4-3.

Many will point out that the South division is the stronger division with Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State all ranked in the top 25. This division alone went 1-3 in their bowl games.

What can we expect for 2009?

One thing I think most people will agree with is that the South is still way ahead of the North.

It seemed like with Missouri and Kansas, the North may have been catching up. Now I honestly question where Missouri will go now that they are losing so many of the players that have made their offense a success.

Nebraska looks like they may be on the way up again, but it is hard to know for sure just yet.

Kansas State has brought back one of their most successful coaches, Bill Snyder. Kansas State found pretty good success under him the first time, but he is pushing 70 right now. How long will he last in this stay at Kansas State?

I think Kansas and Nebraska are likely to be ranked, but I am not so sure Missouri will be. I really just think they have lost too much.

The South, on the other hand, has I would think Oklahoma and Texas in the top 10 if not top five to start the season.

Both are returning Heisman candidates at quarterback in Colt McCoy (Texas) and 2008 winner Sam Bradford (Oklahoma).

Oklahoma State could be top 10 as well, but probably more likely top 15.

Texas Tech could possibly be ranked as well. They have lost a lot like Missouri did, but their system has been proven to succeed no matter who you plug into it.

Can the Big XII North close the gap to the South?

If they can, I don’t think it will be this year or in the immediate future for that matter. Eventually it could happen. Having Nebraska back on the upswing helps.

One of the biggest things that happened last season was in the Big XII South, where it came down to three teams with the same records with wins over each other.

A tiebreaker had to be used, and it ended in a lot of upheaval from the team that was left out, as well as fans from other teams.

No one could understand how, when it came down to the two teams, Oklahoma and Texas, Oklahoma was chosen as the representative for the South in the Big XII title game over Texas, who had beat the Sooners head to head.

The tiebreaker for the Big XII was attacked over and over by every sportswriter and sportscaster everywhere.

As far as I know, despite all the complaints and criticism, the tiebreaker is still in place.

If something similar happens in 2009, I would hope a cry for change is made.

As it stands right now, it would appear that the winner of the Red River Shootout would be in the lead position for the conference and a spot in the National Championship.

But like I said, they have a weird tiebreaker, so who knows what will happen?