Athlon Sports 2010 Big 12 Preview

[Nexus]

 

 

The Debate

 

This was the 11th picks meeting for Athlon Sports Managing Editor Mitch Light. He cannot recall any year over that span when any team other than Texas or Oklahoma had a legitimate voice in the Big 12 South. And rightly so, since it was 12 years ago when the Big 12 title game saw someone other the Horns or Sooners represent the South. Texas A&M is, in fact, the only other team to make it to the title game from that division (1997, 1998). Texas or Oklahoma have been the conference's champion six years running and one of them should represent the division once again. While it is highly unlikely that Oklahoma State, Texas Tech or Texas A&M will win the South, the conference championship game was no lock for the South. But that is an entirely different discussion.

 

The Texas-Oklahoma battle within the editorial staff has always been an interesting one. A compelling case can be made for both teams. First and foremost, they have the best rosters in the league. Their teams are roughly even and are equally dominant within the conference. Talent certainly isn't everything but it always helps to have the best players doesn't it?

 

The most glaring difference between the two teams appears to be at quarterback. Not because one is better than the other (we are all big believers in Garrett Gilbert), but there is no substitute for time spent under center. Oklahoma's Landry Jones has virtually an entire Big 12 season under his belt — he went 4-2 as the starter in conference (7-3 overall) and almost led the Sooners to victory over Texas. The Sam Bradford injury was a disaster in 2009 but is a major advantage in 2010. Jones has faced Miami, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Stanford in his brief career.

 

The biggest question surrounding Gilbert is not his ability but his experience. He did appear to settle in during the second half of the Alabama championship game. However, it also appeared that the Tide packed it in at halftime — at least, until about the six minute mark of the fourth when the young passer proceeded to turn the ball over three times in a row inside his own territory. Gilbert also loses more around him on offense than does Jones. Jordan Shipley, Dan Buckner (transfer to Arizona) and three offensive lineman leave Austin, while the Sooners lose two lineman and only Chris Brown from the skill corps.

 

 

Once again, this division will likely come down to the October 2nd Red River Rivalry. Here is how the matchup breaks down: The Sooners have the slight edge at quarterback, running back, offensive line and defensive line while we gave the same slight edge to the Longhorns when talking about the linebackers and secondary. The coaches are a virtual wash but this series has been a game of runs. Bob Stoops owned Mack Brown early on with five straight wins. That trend has shifted since Vince Young led Texas to a 45-12 blowout in 2005. Brown and the Horns have won four of five over Stoops since. This recent success gives the Longhorns the mental edge heading into this game. Will the trend continue or will 2010 swing the pendulum back in the favor of the Crimson and Cream?

 

The North continues to be much more wide open than the South, but this year should see Nebraska and Missouri as the top two teams. Which order? Perhaps the October 30th game in Lincoln will decide where two teams with opposite strengths go at it. Mizzou will bring with it by far the division's best offense. Blaine Gabbert is an elite talent and should only get better in his second full year under center. Nebraska, meanwhile, will continue to field the North's best defense, even without Ndamukong Suh.

 

The schedules are similar as each gets one the of the Southern powers at home this fall — Nebraska hosts Texas while Oklahoma goes to Missouri. They both play at Texas A&M and the Huskers travel to Stillwater while Mizzou heads to Lubbock in other inter-divisional games.

 

Aside from the four major players in the Big 12 this fall, there are plenty of other teams to keep an eye on. Kansas changes regimes and will likely re-invent itself. With the entire offensive line and rising star Toben Opurum returning, this offense will look a lot more like a blue-collar, smash-mouth squad rather than the Todd Reesing finesse air attack. Of course, replacing the best passer in school history will be difficult, but an improvement on the 1-7 conference record appears to be all but certain.

 

 

Texas A&M should be able to give this entire conference fits on offense. Jerrod Johnson, Jeff Fuller and Christine Micheal form a dangerous trio that is one of the best in the nation. The key for this team will be its defense. The Aggies return 10 starters to what was a pathetic unit in 2009. Does this mean they have learned and developed after a year of hardship? Or does it mean that there are still a bunch of mediocre players trying to stop some of the best quarterbacks in the nation? Either way, there should be plenty of fireworks in College Station.

 

 

Still other storylines will be exciting (or depressing) to follow. Oklahoma State returns fewer starters than any other BCS conference team (5). Baylor welcomes back Robert Griffin, who can be as electrifying a player as there is in the nation when healthy. Texas Tech will no longer be throwing the ball 75 times per game — or will they? The regime change, and potential scheme change, in Lubbock will be one of the more intriguing subplots in all of college football. Plus, you never know what will happen at a Dan Hawkins or Mike Gundy press conference, right?

 

 

Stay Tuned to Athlon Sports as we roll out our 2010 Top 25 beginning on May 1st. The countdown begins with No. 25 and will end with our 2010 national champion on June 2.

 

LINK

 

 

[TheCheshireCat]

If we can just get a QB established we can expect good things this year.

[Nexus]

If we can just get a QB established we can expect good things this year.

 

I'm not worried about the QB situation as much as some people here. I'm a believer that it all starts in the trenches. It's up to our O-line to take some of the pressure off the QB and open holes for our running game.

[huskernation20]

If we can just get a QB established we can expect good things this year.

 

I'm not worried about the QB situation as much as some people here. I'm a believer that it all starts in the trenches. It's up to our O-line to take some of the pressure off the QB and open holes for our running game.

 

+1

[TheCheshireCat]

True to a point, but it doesn't matter how much protection you have if you fire a line drive right over their heads or miss-time the route. Cody Green, for instance, seems to have trouble threading the ball on the shorter passes.

[knapplc]

 

The Big XII now has two South divisions?

[huskerguy]

wow that cover is sweet, anyone know when this issue comes out?

[huskerscott]

wow that cover is sweet, anyone know when this issue comes out?

I think they hit the shelves on around mid June or the first of July. Could be wrong, but thats around the time I find one at the grocery/convience store.

[Blackshirt316]

We're only returning 6 starters on D, but it really seems like we're returning twice that number. - it's almost like we're returning 6 starters on D.. in the secondary alone.

[huskerscott]

We're only returning 6 starters on D, but it really seems like we're returning twice that number. - it's almost like we're returning 6 starters on D.. in the secondary alone.

 

Thats is most misinterpreted stat in these stupid previews. Its all about the DEPTH, it allows our defense to be really flexible and make offenses endure 4 Quarters of Hell.

[GMoose]

They seem to make the north sound like it's neck and neck, and just don't see that. If Nebraska does poorly in conference, they lose 2 games. Missouri likely won't beat Oklahoma, they probably can't outshoot aTm, and playing us in Lincoln might be the hardest of their conference games. TTU is definitely a wildcard game for them too, they have a lot of talent back.

[huskerscott]

They seem to make the north sound like it's neck and neck, and just don't see that. If Nebraska does poorly in conference, they lose 2 games. Missouri likely won't beat Oklahoma, they probably can't outshoot aTm, and playing us in Lincoln might be the hardest of their conference games. TTU is definitely a wildcard game for them too, they have a lot of talent back.

 

Unless the wheels fall off, I dont see anybody seriously contending the huskers for the north the title. The only team is any chance is Mizzou. Unless we see a repeat of '08 game its not gonna happen. With the style of offense Mizzou runs and a limited defense, they will max out at 8 or 9 wins every year.

[jnkyrdoff6]

wow that cover is sweet, anyone know when this issue comes out?

I think they hit the shelves on around mid June or the first of July. Could be wrong, but thats around the time I find one at the grocery/convience store.

 

Yep, June or July is when I always see them too.

[wilber24]

wow that cover is sweet, anyone know when this issue comes out?

I think they hit the shelves on around mid June or the first of July. Could be wrong, but thats around the time I find one at the grocery/convience store.

 

Yep, June or July is when I always see them too.

beware the power of rex and roy