2010 College Football Predictions: Big 12

FROM: http://machorhino.com/?p=15995

This is the last year of the Big 12 Conference as we know it. Colorado and Nebraska are leaving, but the Big 12 decided to stick around with just 10 teams. Hopefully they’ll build it back up to 12 teams, but it doesn’t appear they have a plan to now.

Texas won the conference in a somewhat controversial ending to the title game against Nebraska. Again the South is much more talented than the North. The North just leaves a lot to be desired after Nebraska and Missouri.

Here’s how we see the 2010 season playing out in the Big 12.

NORTH

1. Nebraska (7-1)

The Cornhuskers should again have a stout defense, but will the offense be there? I think too much was made of their dominating bowl victory against a mediocre Arizona team last year that’s got them hyped as a potential title contender.

They should be the best in the North because they host Missouri. If they can find a way to score on a regular basis, they could become a top-five team; otherwise they’ll have to settle for the Big 12 North title.

2. Missouri (6-2)

The Tigers hope Blaine Gabbert improves on a good season last year. They look to run the ball more while trying to find Gabbert a go-to receiver. Aldon Smith is a dominant pass rusher that will make things a little easier for the rest of the defense.

The Tigers have to stop losing games they should win, like dropping the game at home last year to Baylor, if they want to become a top program. With a soft schedule, anything less than 10 wins should be considered a disappointment.

3. Colorado (4-4)

Dan Hawkins has to get to a bowl game this year to have any hopes of going with the Buffaloes to the new Pac-12. He’s got several returning starters and a schedule that puts some winnable games on their home field. The Buffs should head to a bowl game with as many wins as they have losses.

4. Iowa State (3-5)

Paul Rhoads took over the Cyclones program last year and led them to a huge upset victory in Lincoln. He brought energy to the team and now needs to focus on the team scoring points. The 20 points a game they averaged last year will need to be improved if they want to return to a bowl game.

5. Kansas (2-6)

Turner Gill takes over at KU and should do a good job. However, he’s got to get the Jayhawks transitioned to his style of play. I think it’s a long year in Lawrence, but Gill will get them heading in the right direction soon.

6. Kansas State (1-7)

Bill Snyder is trying to return the program to where he once had it. He’s just got to get the talent back in the program that once had them at the top of the conference. The schedule does them no favors, and four wins would be a good season for them.

SOUTH

1. Texas (8-0)

Texas lost playmakers on both sides of the ball from last year’s team that played for the BCS Championship. The Longhorns lost Colt McCoy, but I expect Garrett Gilbert to be tremendous. He could bring a Heisman to UT. Will Muschamp will have another outstanding defense that’ll carry the Horns back to a BCS game.

2. Oklahoma (6-2)

The Sooners look to rebound from a disappointing 8-5 season. They’ve got to get improved play from their offensive line this year that’ll allow DeMarco Murray to run the ball effectively. Their defense should be good, and the Sooners will be better than 8-5, but not good enough to win the South.

3. Texas A&M (5-3)

The Aggies have hopes of challenging for the South title this year, but they’ve got to get a better defense. They’ve changed to a 3-4 after being shredded several times last year. I don’t think it’ll be enough to beat Texas or Oklahoma this year though. However, look for a huge season from Jerrod Johnson, who leads them to a good year.

4. Baylor (3-5)

Robert Griffin returns from injury as one of the most exciting players in college football. He’ll once again have to try to carry this team, but Baylor will be improved and should be competitive in most of its games. They’re not ready to challenge for the division title but should make a bowl game this season, which is a step in the right direction.

5. Texas Tech (2-6)

Mike Leach is gone from Lubbock, and Tommy Tuberville is in. Tuberville had a winner at Auburn and hopes to do the same at Tech. He’s planning to run a little more on offense and has a 3-4 defensive scheme. This won’t be a season that endears Tuberville to the fans, as there will be some pains adjusting to a new system, but he won in the SEC and should be able to do the same in the Big 12.

6. Oklahoma State (1-7)

The Cowboys lost a ton of talent from last year’s team that won nine games. Kendall Hunter will have to carry the load on offense, and they’ll need to find a way to get the defense to hold teams down because the Cowboys won’t be as explosive on offense as they have been the past couple of years.

Big 12 Champion: Texas

Player of the Year: Jerrod Johnson (QB, Texas A&M)

Coach of the Year: Mack Brown (Texas)

Top Five Games

1. Texas at Nebraska (October 16)

A rematch of last year’s Big 12 championship that the Huskers have hyped for months now. They both should meet again in the Big 12 championship this season.

2. Texas at Oklahoma (October 2)

This has become an annual battle that you’ve got to pay attention to, as the winner has typically been headed to play not just in the Big 12 championship but also the BCS championship. This year should be no different.

3. Arkansas at Texas A&M (October 9)

This is big for both teams as middle of the pack teams in two power conferences collide. This is an important game for the Big 12 and should showcase a couple of great quarterbacks in the Aggies' Jerrod Johnson and the Razorbacks' Ryan Mallett.

4. Oklahoma at Texas A&M (October 2)

The Aggies are hoping to get back in Big 12 South contention, and this is a game that could show Mike Sherman’s squad is turning the corner.

5. Missouri at Nebraska (October 30)

This game is for the Big 12 North because the other four teams just don’t have the talent to compete with the others. The Tigers will be out to avenge a second half collapse last year against the Huskers.