2009 College Football Preview: Big 12

The Conference Previews Continue: Big 12
Format: Returning Starters/Top Returning Players/Recruiting Class-Impact Newcomer/Quick Fact/Toughest Non-Conference Game
South:
1. Texas - The Longhorns enter the 2009 season coming off a spectacular 2008 campaign that came a year earlier than most people expected. Texas went 12-1, won the Fiesta Bowl, beat rival Oklahoma by 10, and their only loss was by 6 to a hot Texas Tech team on the road in the final seconds. This season, Texas returns 18 players (10 offense, 8 defense). Heisman-candidate and reigning Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year QB Colt McCoy returns to lead the offense. His roommate, best friend, and top WR Jordan Shipley was recently granted a 6th year of eligibility and will return to Austin next season. The defense lost a few playmakers but return a good core led by All-Big 12 LB Sergio Kindle who can play in coverage as well as rush off the edge. DE Brian Orakpo was one of the best sack men in the nation last season and was drafted by the Washington Redskins. 5-Star DE Alex Okafor, part of Texas' 7th ranked recruiting class, could come in and immediately contribute where Orakpo departed. Along with the return of McCoy and Shipley, Texas also returns 3 more WR with experience, RB Fozzy Whitaker, and 4/5 offensive linemen led by 2 All-Big 12 selections (OT Adam Ulatoski and C Chris Hall). The Longhorns will not face a very tough non-conference schedule but will host an athletic UCF team in Austin.

2. Oklahoma State - The Cowboys came out of nowhere in 2008 and had one of their best seasons since Barry Sanders was on campus. Things may be even brighter this season as OSU returns 16 players (9 on offense, 7 on defense). One of the top duos in the country return in WR Dez Bryant and QB Zach Robinson. Robinson was one of the four Big 12 QBs who were in consideration for the Heisman. All-Big 12 RB Kendall Hunter also returns as part of Oklahoma State returning all their skill players besides TE Brandon Pettigrew. One defense LB Andre Sexton will lead the squad and S Daytawion Lowe comes in the 45th ranked recruiting class and will probably see some time in the secondary. 6/7 of the front 7 return. The Cowboys would probably be considered the favorite if Texas wasn't bringing back as much as they were. The Big 12 South by itself will compete with the SEC as the top conference in the country. That very matchup will take flight in the first week of the season when the Georgia Bulldogs come into Stillwater to battle OSU. What a great earlier season game.

3. Oklahoma - The Sooners had the top offense in college football history last season, just over 60 point per game, but were held to only 14 in their national championship loss to Florida. The offense may not be as explosive next season with only 5 starters returning but the defense should be able to step up and carry some of the load. 9 starters return on the defensive side of the ball led by All-Big 12 and All-American DT Gerald McCoy. Heisman-winning QB Sam Bradford returns to Norman to try and lead a young offense to another great season. The Sooners 10th ranked recruiting class will add some depth the defensive backfield with 5-star CB Gabe Lynn. One of the major problems for OU next season won't be at QB but it may be keeping Bradford off the turf. Oklahoma loses 4/5 of their O-line who rarely let Bradford get touched which allowed him to be such an accurate and effective passer. Also, running back duo DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown will find it harder to find holes up front. If Oklahoma's young, inexperienced O-line is able to gel they may be able to compete with Texas for the Big 12 South title but I wouldn't count on it. They'll open the season in Dallas vs BYU and then have to travel to Miami to take on a very, very young, athletic Hurricanes team that seems primed for success. Like I said earlier though, the defense may be able to carry the Sooners long enough for the O-line to gel as they get their entire front 7 back. This will be an interesting team to follow next season, especially Bradford's decision to not enter the draft. We'll see if that decision will pay off with such question marks on the offensive line.

4. Texas Tech - One of the best years in school history in 2008 seems like it will be very tough to repeat. Only 11 total starters return, including only 4 on the fast-paced offense. WR Detron Lewis should be the main target but who will throw him the ball is the biggest question. Record breaking QB Graham Harrell graduates as well as 2-time Biletnikoff (Nation's best WR) award winner WR Michael Crabtree. In addition to that, the Red Raiders lose their slot WR, RB, and 2 OL. CB Jamar Wall leads 7 returning starters on defense, and in a strange role reversal for Lubbock, should be the side of the ball that carries the team. Theoretically. 30th ranked recruiting class will see OT Joel Gray come in and perhaps contribute to one of the departed OL spots. 5/7 of the front 7 return, including all 3 LBs. An easier non-conference schedule will help but a trip to Houston to take on the Cougars will be a lot tougher than people anticipate.

5. Baylor - There's not much to say about Baylor besides QB Robert Griffin. One of the best freshman in the country is a do-it-all kind of guy who can make plays for the Bearcats. Griffin will be one of eight starters returning on offense, which includes the top 2 WRs and RB. 8 starters return on defense as well including all 3 of their LBs, as well as All-Big 12 selection Joe Pawelek. WR Darius Jones, part of the 44th ranked recruiting class, may come in to help Griffin and provide another target. Look for Penn State transfer DT Phil Taylor to make a big impact as he was part of the DT rotation in Happy Valley before he transferred. Their toughest game will come in Winston-Salem against the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest.

6. Texas A&M - It's not often you seen this program ranked so low but that's been the trend of late in College Station. 13 starters return (8 on O, 5 on D). QB Jerrod Johnson will take full command of the offense after splitting time with departed senior QB Stephen McGee. 4/5 offensive linemen also return so that will help out the young QB as well. Johnson is very big (6'5 230lbs) and has drawn some comparisons to former Texas QB Vince Young. He isn't quite as athletic or fast but has the playmaking ability Young had. LB Matt Featherston comes back to try and lead what will be an inexperienced defense. 5-star RB Christine Michael headlines the Aggies 12th ranked recruiting class. Although it seems like A&M may have a lot going for them I don't think their offense will be able to keep up with the amounts of points their young defense will allow. A few games into the season the Arkansas Razorbacks come a calling and will be a good test.


North:
1. Kansas - The Jayhawks are favorites to win an extremely weak North division. 14 starters come back, 7 on each side of the ball. The QB-WR combination of Todd Reesing-Dezmon Briscoe return and should be very tough to stop. However, only 2/5 of the O-line come back. SS Darrell Stuckey leads a Kansas secondary that sees all of its starters back. 3/4 of the D-line return as well but all 3 LBs have departed and that is the heart and soul of most defenses. A 50th ranked recruiting class isn't impressive but DE Kevin Young could come in and fill the vacant spot on the D-line. Southern Miss will be the only non-conference test KU sees this season and it will be in Lawrence.

2. Nebraska - The Cornhuskers continue to desperately try to restore themselves as college football royalty and they are continuing to move up the ladder back towards that goal. Only 13 starters come back (6 on O, 7 on D). The Huksers lose their QB, RB, and the top 2 WRs. The O-line, however, returns 4/5 including All-Big 12 OT Mike Smith. Their 33rd ranked recruiting class may see their next starting QB in it with Cody Green. I wouldn't be shocked to see him given a shot. Defensively the "Blackshirt" defense hasn't been the same in nearly a decade but DT Ndamukong Suh will be a force in the middle. Nebraska also returns 3/4 of the secondary. If they want to return themselves to an elite program they will need to show up on national television early in the year, in Blacksburg, with Metallica's Enter Sandman blasting through the PA system, vs the Virginia Tech Hokies.

3. Colorado - The Buffaloes are a very intriguing team coming into '09. 19 starters return (10 on O, 9 on D). The #1 RB prospect in 2007, Darrell Scott, seems ready to shoulder the load as he enters his sophomore year. The only loss of offense is one offensive lineman. All other positions return intact including junior QB Cody Hawkins, son of head coach Dan Hawkins. LB Jeff Smart led the team in tackles in 2008 and returns in the middle of what should be an experienced defense. 6/7 front 7 return as well as 3/4 of the secondary. Freshman DE Nick Kasa could see early playing time as part of the 57th ranked recruiting class. Last season Colorado was able to knock off Big East power West Virginia in Boulder but this season they will go into the hostile Milan-Pulskar stadium in Morgantown. Revenge will undoubtedly be on the mind of the Mountaineers.

4. Missouri - The perrenial Big 12 North favorite for the past few seasons will need to rebuild before they're able to make it back to the top. Only 9 total starters are returning. 5 of them are on offense led by All-Big 12 RB Derrick Washington. All the other skill positions will be gone though. QB Chase Daniel, TE Chase Coffman, and their top 2 WRs including do-it-all Jeremy Maclin will be gone. All-Big 12 LB Sean Witherspoon is back to lead an even more depleted defense. Only 4 starters are back. 3/4 of the secondary are gone and only 3/7 of the front 7 are back. The 38th ranked recruiting class may bring in some help for them in 5-star DT Shelden Richardson. He should contribute immediately. The defense will be tested earlier on when they travel to Reno and face the heavy option running attack of Nevada.

5. Kansas State - QB Josh Freeman was an immaculately major part of the Wildcats offense. He's gone to the NFL. This isn't good news for fans in the "Little Apple." Only 11 total starters are returning, including 4 on offense. WR Brandon Banks will be the best player but there currently is no one to throw him the ball. The only positive of the 7 returning on D will be the entire secondary returning intact. CB tandem Blair Irvin and Josh Moore will make it very tough for teams to pass the ball but only 2/7 of the front 7 coming back may not have teams throwing at all. Massive gaps up front should allow teams to run the ball at-will vs. K-State. The Wildcats have an absolutely miserable recruiting class, infact it's the 7th worst in the nation, #112. The only newcomer making an impact will probably be DE Jeffery Fitzgerald, a transfer. K-State may get taken to the woodshed early when they have to travel the Rose Bowl and play UCLA.

6. Iowa State - The Cyclones haven't been much better than last since Seneca Wallace was behind center. Their head coach Gene Chizik, has left for Auburn where he was once defensive coordinator, to become head coach. Coincidently, Auburn defensive coordinator Paul Rhodes comes to Ames to coach Iowa State. Only 12 starters come back. 7 are on offense, including QB Austen Arnaud. He will be surrounded by some talent as the RB, TE, and top WR also return. Only 5 are back on D. 3/4 of the D-line are gone. The CB duo of Leonard Johnson and Ter'ran Benton will make it tough to throw but in the same case as Kansas State, opposing teams may not have to throw. Their annual rivalry game for the Cy-Hawk trophy has them traveling to Iowa City to face Iowa. The Hawkeyes should dominate this game the same way they've dominated the series as of late.