College Football 2011: Top 5 Storylines of Big 12 Football

Nebraska's gone.  Colorado's gone.  The conference title game is gone.  Yet, Big 12 football should be every bit as exciting and dramatic as before with so many questions and potential high-stakes opportunities on the line. 

Oklahoma State is good, looking to be great.  Oklahoma is great, looking to be the best in the nation.  Texas is a mess, but has a coach who can turn it around in a hurry. 

With its current state of flux, the Big 12 will no doubt be one of the most talked-about conferences in the nation this year, so here are the top five Big 12 storylines heading into the 2011 season:

Can Missouri Pull off Another Seamless Quarterback Transition?

Coach Gary Pinkel is quietly creating a quarterback factory in Columbia with three consecutive Mizzou signal-callers making NFL rosters (Brad Smith, Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert).

Had Gabbert not bolted for the NFL after his junior year, the Tigers (coming off a 10-win season) would have been a preseason Top 10 pick.  As it stands, Missouri will now rely on dual-threat quarterback James Franklin, who is actually a better fit to direct Pinkel’s spread offense than his predecessor.

The good news is the offense is loaded with depth at running back and offense line.  Plus, Franklin has the best tight end in college football, Michael Egnew, and All-Big 12 slot receiver T.J. Moe to ease his transition.  If Franklin can avoid turnovers and make plays with his feet, the Tigers will be in good position to challenge Oklahoma for the conference title. 

Can Texas A&M Build on Last Year’s Late-Season Success?

Last year’s six-game winning streak to end conference play created an excitement level in College Station not seen since R.C. Slocum’s heyday.  Ryan Tannehill became an instant Aggie legend when he switched from wide receiver to quarterback midseason and directed A&M’s late-season surge.

The Aggies boast one of the nation’s best running back tandems in Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray, a premium NFL talent in wide receiver Jeff Fuller and an offensive line with experience.

The defense, which has been the team’s Achilles heel under Mike Sherman, won’t be better with the loss of LB Von Miller (the second pick in the 2011 draft).  But, if the offensive line (which led the Big 12 in sacks allowed last year) can protect Tannehill and the defense can at least come up with some key stops each game, the Aggies should continue to progress.      

Does Oklahoma Have the Right Pieces To Win a National Title?

Oklahoma has all the makings of a great team in a year of transition for most other high-profile programs. 

Landry Jones, one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and a potential top-10 pick in next year’s draft, will be throwing to one of the nation’s best receiving corps headlined by All-American Ryan Broyles.  The defense is big, fast and experienced—especially along the front seven. 

The schedule is favorable, with a bye week before visiting Florida State and Missouri coming to Norman.  Because of a scheduling quirk in the revamped Big 12, Oklahoma’s biggest test will be traveling to Stillwater for the second year in a row, but the Sooners have yet to lose against a Mike Gundy-led Cowboys team (the player and the coach).

How Will the Texas Longhorns Rebound from a Disappointing 2010?

Texas not only snapped its streak of nine consecutive 10-win seasons last year, it experienced its first losing season under Mack Brown.  Brown overhauled his coaching staff to infuse some life into a complacent program with what he called “entitlement” issues. 

However, the Longhorns still must find a way to transition from the spread offense that made them one of the best teams in the nation from 2005-2010 to a pro-style offense that fits the strengths of quarterback Garrett Gilbert.

Is This Finally the Year Oklahoma State Wins the Big 12?

All the pieces are in place for the Cowboys to not only win the Big 12, but also contend for a national championship.  The offense will be electric once again (despite losing OC Dana Holgorsen) with Brandon Weeden throwing to returning Biletnikoff winner WR Justin Blackmon behind the best offensive line in the conference. 

The Cowboys lose All-American RB Kendall Hunter, but have a thunder-lightning duo in Jeremy Smith and Joseph Randle that should keep defenses from blitzing ad nauseam.  And, top running back recruit Herschel Sims should make an immediate impact.

Defense remains a question, especially after losing LB Orie Lemon and DE Ugo Chinasa.  But the Cowboys have been quietly putting together solid recruiting classes under Mike Gundy (thank you, Boone Pickens’ hefty alumni donations), and the talent is in place on both sides of the ball to compete with anyone. 

Given the fast pace of Oklahoma State’s offense, the defense will be on the field a ton and give up yards that will make statisticians cringe.  But, if the defense can come up with big stops in the red zone and force turnovers, the Cowboys should be in great to position to finally win the Big 12...and maybe more.