Oklahoma 12-2, Oklahoma State 11-2, Missouri 10-3, Texas A&M 9-4, Texas Tech 8-5, Baylor 7-6, Kansas State 7-6, Iowa State 5-7, Texas 5-7, Kansas 3-9
Reasons to be excited: For most conferences, the reason to get excited is the addition of a conference title game, like we’re seeing in the Pac-12 and Big Ten. For the Big 12, the reason to be excited is just the opposite. For the first time in conference history, which really isn’t long, the Big 12 will have an outright champion. Just like the ‘old’ Pac-10, all 10 teams in the league will play one another, giving way to an even more chaotic regular season.
Breakout player(s): Look for senior Baylor wideout Kendall Wright to become the next breakout wide receiver of the Big 12. It’s hard to say Wright hasn’t already done so, bringing in 78 catches for 952 yards last season, but eye popping numbers can be expected in 2011. He’s been quarterback Robert Griffin’s favorite target throughout his career and there’s no reason to expect 2011 will be any different. On defense, Oklahoma sophomore linebacker Tom Wort was overshadowed by Travis Lewis last season, but come next fall that will all change. Wort had 66 tackles and 4.5 sacks in his first season of starting, proving he’s got the on-field talent to be special. Don’t be surprised to see 100+ tackles and a great deal of tackles for loss on Wort’s resume next season.
Get to work on: The conference was nearly gutted before the season began last year, most notably because of the weighted top and cupcake bottom of the league. To keep other conferences away from stealing teams in the future, the league needs to up its level of competition from top to bottom. Texas having a down season last year didn’t help, while Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State need to hold their own in the out of conference schedule.
What to look for: Look for a whole lot of offense…again. The Big 12 had five of the top 25 teams in the nation in both total offense and passing offense last season, with seven teams scouring 30 or more points a game. With starting quarterbacks returning to six of the league’s 10 teams, it’s reasonable to believe huge numbers will again be put up next season. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State may boast the top offenses in the conference, but Texas A&M, Baylor, Texas Tech and Missouri should all be able to score with anyone.
Quarterback competitions: Quarterback competitions will headline the talk at Texas Tech, Kansas State and Missouri, but none will be talked about more than the open competition at Texas. The Longhorns return 2010 starter Garrett Gilbert, but after a 5-7 record, an open completion isn’t a surprise. Gilbert’s challengers include Connor Wood, Case McCoy and true freshman David Ash, who’s in for spring. Gilbert may be the favorite to take the job, but it was McCoy who impressed most in the Longhorns recent spring scrimmage, completing nine of 11 passes for 124 yards and a score against the first team defense. Gilbert on the other hand struggled, completing eight of 15 passes for 76 yards and an interception. The Missouri competition seemed to be James Fanklin’s to lose heading into spring ball, but Tyler Gabbert, brother of Blaine, has grabbed hold of the co-No.1 job this spring.
Bold Prediction: Texas finished the 2010 season losing five of their last six and missed a bowl game for the first time in over a decade. The problems however, don’t look to be dissolved just one year removed from a 5-7 campaign. The starting quarterback is yet to be determined, the offensive line losses four out of five starters and the defense loses its top three cornerbacks and best pass rusher. There is still an ample amount of talent remaining, but as shown last season, talent alone doesn’t always produce wins. In an even more competitive Big 12, and against what looks to be a challenging schedule, don’t be surprised to see a four or five loss season in Austin.
How they’ll finish: The top of the Big 12 conference will be strong again in 2011. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and even Baylor, all have a viable shot at claiming a league title. Kansas, Texas Tech and Iowa State, however, make for a relatively frail bottom. Texas will be improved, but as stated before, the Longhorns are a year off from regaining their place amongst the top of the league. Kansas State and Missouri are darkhorse teams, where the fate of the team will ride on whichever quarterback steps up. Baylor, led by Griffin and an experienced defense, should compete with Oklahoma State for the third spot in the league. The October 29 meeting between Texas A&M and Oklahoma should decide the Big 12. The Sooners are a highly regarded as the favorite for the National Title next season, but those expectations will be hard to live up to. Led by quarterback Ryan Tannehill, A&M returns 10 offensive starters and eight defensive starters on a team which finished the 2010 Big 12 schedule on a 6-0 run. The Aggies should be just as impressive in 2011. CHAMP: Texas A&M
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