[BigdaddyQH]

Now we take a look at the Big 12, starting in the North:

Colorado: EVEN. The fact that the Buff's have 8 starters returning is offset by the fact that there still is no starting QB established as of yet. This team is also very thin. The defense loses key starters at LB, even though 7 starters return. This team is surrounded by controversy. Is the HC there because Colorado did not have the cash to buy him out? Is Colorado going to the Pac 10? The schedule is no help at all. Who knows with this group.

Iowa State: Down. Many people will disagree with this, especially since Iowa State returns 8 starters on the offense, including their QB and RB's. Still this team was held to 17 or less points in 6 games last season. The defense takes a major hit, only returning 4 starters, and losing their entire LB corps, plus 3 starters on the line. A major rebuilding job awaits HC Rhodes and DC Burnham here. Add that to the fact that Iowa State does not sneak up on anyone this year, and must travel to Iowa, Texas and Oklahoma, and a repeat of last season will look good.

Kansas: EVEN. Another one of these puzzlers that dominate the Big 12 this season. The QB position is up for grabs. 7 other starters return on offense, but were not impressive in the Spring. The Defense also returns 7 starters, but loses a lot of depth, and were also not impressive in spring. New HC Gill may help, but is he ready for the Big 12? The schedule is a help. No Texas, OU, or T-Tech.

Kansas State: EVEN. Yet another very "iffy" team in the North. K-State returns 6 starters on both sides of the ball. The offense must determine a starting QB and develop receivers. They also need to develop the lift side of the line. The defense will need to replace key starters in several positions. The schedule is doable. K-State will be in the middle of a wild scramble for poritions 3-6 in the North.

Missouri: UP. A huge suprise last season, Mizzou returns 9 starters to an offense that put up 31+ points in 8 games last season, but must become more consistant this season. The defense loses LB Witherspoon, but welcomes back 9 starters, and should be very solid in the secondeary. The non-con schedule affords Mizzou time to put everything together before the conference games start. This team is worth watching. Value can be found here.

Nebraska: UP. This is a real no brainer for Nebraska. The offense returns 8 starters, but the QB position is wide open. Nebraska has to score more points than they did last season. The offense should improve. The defense also returns 8 starters, but takes a hit with Suh graduating and a thin secondary. Still, this unit will be very tough. The schedule is soft. This team has a solid shot at winning the Big 12.

South:

Baylor: DOWN. This team was a big disappointment last season, due inpart to injries. The Bears return 6 on offense, but QB Griffin must recover from an ACL injury. The WR's are inexperienced. The defense also returns 6 starters, but takes a major hit in the secondary and at LB, and loses depth. The schedule includes a non-con game at TCU. Baylor must improve to sniff a bowl game.

Oklahoma: EVEN. OU returna 9 starters on offense, including QB Jones, who took over for QB Bradford last season. This offense is loaded, but must replace the left side of the line. The defense is where the problems are, only returning 4 starters. The secondary should be solid, but replacements must be found at LB and on the line. The schedule is challenging, with non-con games against FLorida State, Air Force, and at Cincinnati, and a game at Missouri.

Oklahoma State: DOWN. HC Gundry has a major rebuilding job ahead of him. Only 4 players return on offense, and the losses are huge. You do not replace QB Robinson and WR Bryant. The defense also takes a huge hit, returning only 4, and losing a lot of depth along the way. The one break they get is in the schedule, which is rather easy. Okie State will need all the help it can get this season.

Texas: DOWN: While 6 starters return on the offense, the ones that leave are critical. QB McCoy, and WR Shipley take a lot of offense with them. The entire left side of the line must be rebuilt. The defense also returns 6 starters, and should be good in the secondary, but must rebuild the line and LB's. While the schedule is soft, games against OU and at Nebraska should decide this teams fate. They may be a good fade team.

Texas A&M: UP. The offense returns 8 starters including all of their skill players. If the line holds up, points should be no problem for this team. The defense returns 9 starters, but was a siv last season, giving up 30 or more points in a whopping 9 games. Vast improvment must be shown by this group if A&M wants to challenge Texas and OU. The schedule features Nebraska and Missouri at home, and a non-con game vs Arkansas at Jerryworld.

Texas Tech: UP. By far the most interesting team in the Big 12. New HC Tuberville inherits an offense that returns 7 starters, on offense including their skill players. Tech will continue to throw the ball. The defense returns 6 starters, but takes a huge hit on the line, at CB, and loses a lot of depth. Tuberville has always been a defensive minded HC, and how that translates to this team will determine where they finish.

Overall, the Big 12 can go either way this season. Texas and OU will be favored, but Nebraska and Missouri certainly can not be counted out of the race. Many teams can go either way in this conference. The conference loses many of it's top stars. Whilethe top 4 teams will easily go to bowl games, there could be some wild scrambles amongst the other 8 teams for bowl games. There is a lot of uncertainty in the Big 12. There will also be a lot of great wagering opportunities, because of the reputation of some teams. The key word as far as wagering being "fade" in some cases.

[clonecat]

Watch out for Iowa State. Killer schedule, but will be much improved. Think they will beat either Iowa, Texas or Oklahoma on the road.

[Vince Lombardi]

Texas will be strong still. Down some but with the recruiting they've done there won't be much drop off.

[clonecat]

Iowa State loses both linebackers, but the replacements are actually better than the starters from last year. Secondary is fast. Big question is whether or not Arnaud can understand Herman's system and make reads. If Alexander Robinson can stay healthy they will be fine. They will be dogs quite often with their tough schedule.

[Jasonal_98]

Watch out for Texas Tech. Tuberville will pull at least one major upset next year on the way to a bowl. Once he gets going, he'll keep things interesting.