Big 12 Football: 10 Biggest Storylines for 2013

With the start of college football in the Big 12 just one day away, there are several storylines that are sure to dominate each team's season. 

After several subpar seasons, Mack Brown may be on the hot seat at Texas. 

One year removed from a conference title, the Oklahoma State Cowboys were picked to win the Big 12 again this year in the preseason Big 12 poll. So whether or not Mike Gundy can deliver on those expectations will remain to be seen. 

And TCU and West Virginia, both entering its second year in the conference, will each have to deal with unique challenges surrounding the team. 

Take a look at each team's biggest storyline in 2013. 

Baylor: How Will Lache Seastrunk Perform?

Baylor Bears running back Lache Seastrunk has delivered some lofty promises during the offseason. He has guaranteed that he will win the Heisman Trophy and has also said that Baylor will be in contention not just for a Big 12 title, but a BCS one as well. 

The Bears have plenty of talent around Seastrunk and there is a feeling that the Bears could be the sleeper team in the Big 12 in 2013. 

Seastrunk's performance will likely make or break the Bears' season this year as they introduce quarterback Bryce Petty to Art Briles' no-huddle system. 

Iowa State: Will Paul Rhoads Survive the Season?

Paul Rhoads has yet to eclipse three wins in Big 12 play since arriving in Ames. 

Now entering his fifth season as the head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones with just a 24-27 overall record, Rhoads may be on his last chance to bring the Cyclones to the next level. 

The Cylcones have certainly had some marquee wins since Rhoads arrived, most notably against then-second ranked Oklahoma State in 2011, a win that spoiled the Cowboys' chances at appearing in the BCS National Championship. 

But if Rhoads can't make the Cylones, who were picked ninth in the Big 12 preseason poll, more competitive this season, he could be on the chopping block. 

Kansas: Will the Jayhawks Win a Big 12 Game?

The Kansas Jayhawks are riding a 21-game losing streak in Big 12 play as Charlie Weis enters the second year of his rebuilding project in Lawrence. 

There are signs that this team may turnaround this season, including the addition of BYU transfer quarterback Jake Heaps as well as the running back tandem of James Sims and Tony Pierson.The ceiling for the Jayhawks could very well be bowl eligibility in 2013. But it's also possible that the Big 12 losing streak could hit 30. 

Kansas State: Can Bill Snyder Work His Magic Again?

Last year, the Kansas State Wildcats won the Big 12 behind the play of Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein as well as a stout defense that only gave up 22.2 points per game last year. 

But Klein has graduated from Manhattan and Snyder also lost nine starters from last year's defense. 

So in 2013, if the Wildcats want to be competitive, Snyder will again have to work his magic. 

He recently named junior college transfer Jake Waters as the heir apparent to Klein. That decision will likely either make or break this year's squad.

Oklahoma: Did Bob Stoops Make the Right Decision with Trevor Knight?

Bob Stoops named quarterback Trevor Knight his starter over Blake "Belldozer" Bell, long thought to be the presumptive replacement to Landry Jones. 

Jones left Oklahoma as the Big 12's all-time leader in passing yards, so Knight has some big shoes to fill in Norman. 

Knight is known as a mobile quarterback, so Stoops' decision could indicate a shift in scheme offensively. Whether or not Knight is able to hang with the big boys of the Big 12 remains to be seen. 

Oklahoma State: Can They Win the Big 12?

The media pegged the Oklahoma State Cowboys as the favorite to win the Big 12 in 2013. 

Those are certainly high expectations to put on a team that doesn't have a solidified quarterback in a league known for its gunslingers. 

The Cowboys have plenty of weapons on both sides of the ball, including wide receiver Josh Stewart and defensive tackle Calvin Barnett. And with the no-huddle offense, the Cowboys will surely put up a lot of points. 

But fans in Stillwater will likely see any result less than a berth into a BCS bowl as a disappointment in 2013. 

TCU: Can Casey Pachall Stay out of Trouble?

Casey Pachall's dismissal from the TCU Horned Frogs last season derailed the entire season in Fort Worth. 

But now, Pachall is back on the team and is looking to take the Horned Frogs to new heights. But in order to do that, he'll need to stay out of trouble. 

Head coach Gary Patterson has been optimistic about Pachall's return, but only time will tell. 

The Horned Frogs have a huge test in Week 1 against the LSU Tigers. If Pachall is indeed the starter, fans will likely get a good idea early on as to whether this team will be at an elite level. 

Texas: Is 2013 Mack Brown's Last Chance in Austin?

After several years of failing to meet expectations, Mack Brown could be down to his last straw in Austin. 

Fans of the Texas Longhorns expect their team to be in contention not just for a Big 12 title but a national title year in and year out. And with the budget that the Longhorns have, that's completely justifiable. 

The biggest factor to the success of Texas this season will be the play of quarterback David Ash, who has been inconsistent in his two years as a starter. 

The Longhorns are also switching to a no-huddle style this season. If Ash struggles to pick it up early, it could be another long season in Austin, and one that sees Brown ousted at its completion. 

Texas Tech: How Will Kliff Kingsbury Do in His First Year in Lubbock?

Texas Tech Red Raiders legend Kliff Kingsbury is back in Lubbock this season, now as the head coach. 

Last year, Kingsbury was the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, where he had Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel under his tutelage. 

So Kingsbury has certainly proven he can take young, unproven talent and develop it. But being the head coach is a completely different animal. 

The Red Raiders were picked to finish seventh in the Big 12 preseason poll, so expectations might not be too high in Lubbock. 

But all that does is open the door for Kingsbury to take the league by surprise. 

West Virginia: Who Will Be the New Star on Offense?

West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen has plenty to replace in 2013. 

Geno Smith, Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey have all moved on to the NFL ranks. Holgorsen also redshirted Andrew Buie, the team's leading returning rusher from last year. 

So Holgorsen may be calling on Houston transfer running back Charles Sims a lot this season. Sims was pegged as the preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, so expectations are set high for him. 

Alabama transfer wide receiver Ronald Carswell may also play a big role in Morgantown. 

Regardless of who steps up, someone at West Virginia has to take the reins on offense if the Mountaineers want to be successful in 2013.