Big XII Preview: Nebraska, Oklahoma out front

In 2008, the Big XII was one of the most interesting in years. Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State all had legitimate chances to win the conference, and the games were often exciting (remember OU-Texas and Texas-Texas Tech, people?). In 2009, the Big XII Championship Game was more interesting than both divisional battles put together, with Texas edging Nebraska.  In 2010, the last year for the conference at 12 schools, expect more sparks to fly.

So here are some points:

1) Oklahoma's going to be better than Texas Quite simply, OU is bringing back more talent. DeMarco Murry and Ryan Broyles are better at running back than Texas' Tre Newton, Landry Jones has been quarterbacking longer for OU longer than Garrett Gilbert has been for Texas, and, while both OU and Texas lost hugely talented players to this year's draft (including Colt McCoy, Jordan Shipley and Sergio Kindle), Texas has lost by far away more playmakers. Arguably, though, Will Muschamp's a better defensive coach than Sooners' Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables.

2) Nebraska's going to win the Big XII North Nebraska's got a great coach in Bo Pellini, got a large number of returning starters, and Zac Lee's a pretty tidy quarterback, too. Add into the fact that KU and Missouri aren't that good, and if Nebraska doesn't go to their second straight Big XII Championship Game, it'll be a shock. It's going to be a sweet goodbye for the Huskers to the Big XII (they defect to the Big Ten in 2011), and could see a darn good bowl game, too - particularly if Oklahoma goes to the National Title game.

3) The eyes of Texas....are in College Station?  In recent years, Texas A&M has been nothing but, maybe, entertaining. They have an incredible Michigan State-like ability to drag defeat from the jaws of victory, but it's always fun. Plus, they've probably got the best fanbase in Texas, if not the Big XII. If not in college football. On the field this year, Texas A&M will again entertain. They'll easily go 3-0 by playing no one until they wander into Oklahoma State and if they can beat Arkansas in Dallas, then Aggies fans could start getting excited again. Jerrod Johnson's a good-and-improving QB, and their wide receiving corps - featuring Jeff Fuller - is pretty strong too. The November 6th game against Oklahoma has the potential to be a College Gameday game - particularly if both sides are unbeaten (or close to it) going into it (perfectly possible if you check out A&M's schedule).

4) How will Colorado do in its last season? Big XII fans, the conference over, will hope that the turncoat Buffaloes will end the season getting beaten by everybody. This team showed a hell of a lot of guts in last year's loss to Texas, but CU's offense simply has to improve if Dan Hawkins keeps his job going into the Buffaloes' first Pac-10 season.

5) Who's Going To Suck? While it would be easy to say that everybody in the Big XII North is going to suck bar Nebraska, that's a little unfair. Heck, Iowa State got to a bowl game last year after finishing 3-5 in their division, and Kansas finished at the bottom with a 1-7 record after a stunning collapse.  A collapse, that in fortune, cost Mark "Need Gastric Band" Mangino his job. With a new coach, a new defensive co-ordinator, a new quarterback (haven't finished yet) and a defense that was the same crappy bunch as last year, KU will suck. Sorry. I hope I'm wrong (their helmet might just be one of the coolest in the division).


PLAYERS/COACHES TO WATCH

Texas A&M QB Jerrod Johnson: The kid can fly.

Oklahoma QB Landry Jones: The kid can throw

Oklahoma RB DeMarco Murray: The kid can run

Texas Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp and Nebraska head coach Bo Pellini: The kids can yell and jump up and down and stamp their feet and throw tantrums.

GAMES TO WATCH

Oklahoma vs Texas (October 2nd): The usual conference/national title implications at The State Fair.

Texas A&M vs Arkansas ( October 9th): First taste of how good this Aggies team REALLY is in facing an SEC team.

Texas at Nebraska (October 16): Revenge, anyone?

Oklahoma at Texas A&M (November 6): If Texas A&M can get through Arkansas, then this may well see two unbeaten teams get it on.

Iowa State vs Iowa (September 13): First test for ISU against local rival and Big Ten favourite. Could be fun.

BEST FANS?

Texas A&M. Hands down.

Best Cheerleaders?

Texas. Heart attack central for any middle-aged men watching young ladies in chaps jump around. Pass the smelling salts please!!


The Game of Last Season?

The Championship Game, of course...