2009 BIG 12 NORTH PRESEASON FORECAST
1. Nebraska ... Suh and the Blackshirts are set to dominate again
2. Kansas... Still a solid team with Reesing
3. Kansas State ... Snyder can still coach
T-4. Missouri ...Can't recruit in their own state
T-4. Colorado ... Hawkins finally starts to make his mark
6. Iowa State ... They can move the ball, but couldn't stop a D-III team
Thoughts?
Well...since you DID ask....
1. Kansas...With Reesing and his core skill players back, they should be just a tad bit better than everyone else. NOBODY in the Big 12 had a particularly stellar defense last year. If Kansas can manage to put together even an average defensive effort, they should be good to go.
2. Nebraska...Sorry, but until I can be sure that the LB and secondary aren't going to get shredded by pass-happy spread offenses in the Big 12, I can't justify a first place finish...IF the running game takes off and IF Lee can play like a verteran from day one and IF the O-line holds together and the young receivers hold up, the the Huskers could play themselves to the top, but right now, there are a lot of questions.
3T - Missouri...Gabbert is going to have to show me he can lead more than a group of frat boys on a panty raid before I'll even be convinced he's a solid leader. With all the departures on offense and defense (which didn't particularly cover itself with glory last year), I'm pretty sure Missouri is going to tumble
3T - Iowa State - The defense that couldn't stop a D-III team was Chizik's (the defensive genius) defense. You'll be seeing different personnel sets, different formations and a lot more aggressive play...and ISU looks like it might be turning the corner in personnel...especially in the secondary. The offense was very effective last year and with everyone essentially back...will continue to do so.
5 - K-State...Snyder will be a lot better than Prince...but the players are still the same bunch of cast-offs and Juco's that they had last year. Without an experienced QB, a lot of newcomers and a questionale defense, I'm thinking K-State is in for a long season.
6 - Colorado...The two QB system doesn't work for good teams and it won't work for Colorado...Look for Hawkins to get mad at his kid for not moving the team, replacing him in the middle of the season...and finally replacing the replacement again near the end so he can maybe get his kid a late draft pick so he can pay for his retirement after CU can's him whent he season ends.
