Big 12 Conference Preview & Odds 2012

[Freddy Wills]

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In the 15 year Big 12 Championship Game era, either the Oklahoma Sooners or the Texas Longhorns have played in the Championship game. This year does not look any different with both of them having the best odds to win the Big 12 Championship and I'm sure we will have plenty of featuring this conference.

There are a lot of changes to go over with the SEC snagging Missouri and Texas A&M, but they replace them with perennial contenders in West Virginia and TCU. In the coming years we could see the Big 12 add other teams like Louisville, Miami, Florida State, SMU and Houston. Notre Dame is even out there in theory.


1. QB Landry Jones, Sr. Oklahoma
2. DE Alex Okafor, Sr. Texas
3. CB Quandre Diggs, Soph. Texas
4. DE Jackson Jeffcoat, Jr. Texas
5. LB Arthur Brown, Sr. Kansas State

– Bob Stoops is back for his 14th year with the Sooners and he’ll get his star QB back for his senior year in Landry Jones. This team could have been 11-0 going into their final game with Oklahoma State but their defense was the reason to blame with late losses to Texas Tech and Baylor. 2012 could be much different.

Offense - It starts up front with the offensive line that allowed just 11 sacks on 583 passing attempts and made a walk on running back in Dominique Whaley look like a star. They lose LT Donald Stephenson, but they could be a better overall unit with Gabe Ikard and Tyler Evans as the alleged best guard tandem in the nation. Lane Johnson replaces Stephenson and is said to be ultra athletic prospect. Either way they will look better than they are with an NFL QB in the pocket in Landry Jones. The receiving corps is thin and the running backs are a huge question mark we will find out early if this team is a real contender.

Defense- We spoke about its collapses that robbed the Sooners of a shot at a national championship or a Big 12 championship. The fingers are being pointed at the secondary, but if you look at the wealth of QB’s they had to face it is no wonder why they struggled at times. The corner tandem of Demontre Hurst and former safety Aaron Colvin could be the best in the Big 12 to go along with a pass rush that was ranked 8th last year.

- There were plenty of winners in 2011 on the back of Texas' defense for us and not much should change in 2012. However, Texas could really improve and be a real contender if they can have any output from their offense.

Offense - Production from the offense has to come this year as this team has all the talent in the world. Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron form a power 1-2 rushing punch behind three returners along the offensive line led by junior OG Mason Walters. Unfortunately there are still many QB issues with David Ash being the leading candidate but junior Case McCoy still may have something to say about that. The receiving corps is full of talent with Mike Davis and Jaxon Shipley, but they won't be able to live up to the potential without a capable QB throwing them the ball.

Defense - This could be the very best defense in the nation and if it's not it will be the fastest and most athletic. 1 year after being the Big 12's number one defense they will return six starters. The other 5 positions will mostly include upgrades in athleticism. We mention it all the time in our , it starts up front and Texas has a pair of NFL defensive ends in Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor. The line backing crew could be even better they are big and fast despite losing two starters.

- Moving to the Big 12, the Mountaineers won't be dim on expectations. Dana Holgorsen will return for his second year where he hopes to continue scoring points.

Offense - This is the team that put up 70 points on Clemson in their bowl game and average 470 yards per game and only go better behind now senior QB Geno Smith who threw for 31 TD's and 7 interceptions. Senior Shawne Alston returns at running back and will be running behind a loaded offensive line with experience with the LT being the lone question mark.

Defense - The defense was always the pedigree of the Mountaineers and that may be transitioning behind an offensive minded head coach like Holgorsen, but the defense should be solid even against more offensive threats in the Big 12. The strength of the defense will be athleticism and linebacker.

- TCU might finally get some real respect now moving to the Big 12. Head coach Gary Patterson is in his 12th year and is 109-30. TCU will return their star QB in Casey Pachall, who is now a junior.

Offense - Pachall threw for 2,921 yards, 25 TD's and just 7 interceptions and he'll have plenty of guys to throw to ball in particular WR Josh Boyce returns after 998 yards receiving a year ago and we could see a lot more out of sophomore Brandon Carter. The strength of this team is clearly the receivers and skill positions and they lack experience on the offensive line and at TE. They may have serious issues against the good defense like Texas and Oklahoma State.

Defense - TCU has been a perennial power house ranked in the top 10 in total yards against the run and pass, but now they will be really tested in a conference that is loaded with great offenses that can put up points. They have good linebackers and 5 corner backs that can tackle which will make them a solid real contender in this conference.

- Bill Snyder is one of the brilliant coaches in the Big 12 conference and he did one of his best coaching jobs a year ago. The key last year was ball control and turnover margin. Their offense was on the field 34 minutes per game and they were +12 on turnover margin. Senior QB Collin Klein had his moments last year and he’ll be even more of a factor in 2012 as he closes out his career at Kansas State.

Offense – Klein rushed for 1,141 yards and 27 TD’s while he passed for another 13 while throwing just 6 interceptions. If he improves his pass completion rate of 57.3% this offense can be even more complete. He’s got a veteran group of speedy receivers and he’s already been opening it up a bit last spring. The big question mark on whether or not they will be able to continue the same grind it out, ball control type attack is the offensive line which will have three new starters up front..

Defense – The defense should improve in 2012, but they could be on the field more. Arthur Brown and Tre Walker will lead a veteran group of linebackers and the secondary should only be better with Nigel Malone and safety Ty Zimmerman tow of the best at their position. The key is whether or not the defensive line can get into the backfield.

- I’m one of the few who did not believe Oklahoma State deserve to play LSU for the Championship. As we all know they are without their elite QB and WR for 2012 and the offense is likely to struggle at points because of that. Their schedule is pretty easy considering they host most of their key games including Texas, TCU, and West Virginia.

Offense – Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon are long gone, after finishing 3rd in the nation with 546 yards a game and close to 49 points per game. QB job is up in the air although I feel Wes Lunt, the true freshmen will win the job after two Illinois state championships. At running back they return a stud in Junior Joseph Randle 208 carries for 1,216 yards and 24 TD’s. At receiver they do get one experienced returner in Tracy Moore who had 45 catches and 672 yards a year ago. He has big play capabilities and should fit right in this offense as the go to guy. The offensive line is the key to any offense and they return senior right guard Lane Taylor and that’s it. Although the line won’t be helpless considering they have a ton of experience and veterans with a mix of spot starts.

Defense – The defense was better than what paper would show in 2011 as they had a total of 44 takeaways, one of the signatures of this team in 2011. The secondary will be among one of the best in the Big 12 once again as they return all of their starts except one. The linebackers are full of athletic hitters, but up front they have to be better against the run and get a pass rush. Those are the two question marks for the defense and they both come up front. If they face a balanced attack they will struggle to keep teams from scoring.

- Tommy Tuberville heads into his 3rd year at Texas Tech and he’ll have 49 returning lettermen and 24 departures. The key to this team is improving on defense, because they were absolutely roasted a year ago whether it was on the ground or through the air. Overall their schedule is favorable with home games vs. the favorites of Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Texas.

Offense The Red Raiders get their experienced senior QB back in Seth Doege (28TD, 10 INT and 4,004 yards). The unit lacked consistency last year, but put up a ton of yards with WR Eric Ward and potential super star Darrin Moore returning. The health of the running game is really a huge question mark especially for running back Eric Stephens. The offensive line only returns two starters and will be a huge question mark early. They have the potential to be just fine but I’m a bit skeptical of their overall physicality and ability to run the ball.

Defense – The Red Raiders have minimal depth and despite all the speed and athletes they have and a new defensive coordinator in Art Kaufman (2011 DC UNC) it won’t matter. The defense will switch from a 4-2-5 that it ran last year to a 4-3. What separates the good defenses from the bad is the defensive line and there are way too many question marks. This team has speed especially at he linebacker position but it won’t matter if the linebackers are making tackles 4 or 5 yards from the line of scrimmage.

- Baylor loses its two best players in the first round of the NFL draft including Robert Griffin III. Many feel the offense will get by and the defense will get better, but there was so much magic a year ago it may be hard for this team to get to a bowl game.

Offense - The overall numbers can not match up to last year. This team lost their starting QB, best WR, and RB to the NFL draft. However, the rushing attack should still be effective. Jarred Salubi is a speedy back who can do a little bit of everything while Oregon transfer Lache Seastrunk would have put up LaMichael James –like stats had he stayed in Oregon. I believe the rushing attack will be just fine and QB Nick Florence has plenty of talent at receiver including Senior Terrance Williams.

Defense- Junior S Sam Holl is the star of the defense after recording 113 tackles last year. The defense can only improve as the offense won’t score nearly as quick this year. The unique 4-2-5 alignment returns all 5 in the secondary, but they really need to improve against the run. They were ranked 118th in pass defense, but then again how fast did they have to come back on the field, how many solid QB’s did they face and how many of them had to bomb away to keep up with Griffin?

– This team got by last year and went to another bowl game by running the ball, playing sound defense, and quality special teams. I even cashed in on them as +2200 when they upset Oklahoma State to knock them out of the title run. Much like recent years the defense will be the true strength of this team particularly at linebacker.

Offense - It all starts up front and the Cyclones get 3 starters back on the offensive line which should be solid. The passing game was not consistent a year ago, but it can only get better once the starting QB is decided. They have a lot of athleticism back at receiver and their best player in running back James White who came onto the scene late with 743 yards rushing, 8 TD’s and 4.7 yards per carry.

Defense – The true weakness of this team in 2012 was the pass rush. Having just 1 starter return on the line may not be a bad thing as they were dead last in the conference ranked 106th in the nation with just 17 sacks. They really do not have anyone that will be a true menace in the backfield, but luckily for them they have two studs at linebacker in Seniors A.J. Klein and Jake Knott. The secondary lost star corner Leonard Johnson, but Jeremy Reeves is eager to fill his role.

- Are you excited that Charlie Weis is taking over as the head coach? I don't think you should be, but you never know with 23 Letterman returning on offense and 24 on defense this team can only get better right?

Offense - Will this team ever get to show their running game? A year ago they were outscored 392-223 by half time and usually came out bombing away in the second half to no avail. Until they are worth discussing and relevant this is all the time I will spend on a team that will likely be double digit under dogs throughout the year and our philosophy on is not to bet on bad teams with bad offenses and defenses.

Defense - Their defense plays in a very tough conference, but one thing is for sure you should not get comfortable with any of the faces that go out there. Charlie Weis is likely to move things around and when they don't work and they won't he will try some other magic.