edhookem
Member
Hopefully this hasn't been done on any other threads and if it has I apologize, but I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on where they rank the teams this year from top to bottom. I am trying to do this with my mind and not my heart which can be very difficult at times. However, here are my picks and the reasons for them.
12. Kansas - They are a basketball school and this year is no different. Sure they may when a couple of games on gimmick plays, however, thier coach is the most likely coach to die during a game which would cause a complete tailspin (and probably renovation of the stadium where he plummets to the ground).
11. Iowa State - In a few years they may win a few conference games but they have the odds against them. Recruiting against Iowa and the rest of the Big 12 does them no favors. They have a new head coach which will inspire them with new energy but this isn't Texas or Auburn and winning will not be easy.
10. Baylor - Improved yes. Good no. Baylor will most likely win 2 Big 12 games this year. Which to them is a successful season. To the rest of the Big 12 it is successful as well. Watch out though Aggies, Baylor seems to have your number and you can bet I will be cheering for them on 9/29.
9. Kansas State - I know some if not most people will pick K-State higher than I will. After all, they finished strong last year and beat my beloved Longhorns after Colt was knocked out of the game after the first series. However, Ron Prince is an idiot. Making your coaches run stairs and laps with the team is a move that can't even be pulled off in Pop Warner football. Prince will have a revolt on his hands after K-State gets bitch slapped in Auburn in week one. He will be the one running.
8. Colorado - Improved from last season but still not over the new coach hump. I like what Hawkins stands for but it is tough to come in and immediately start winning without your own players. It is rarely done. However, there are a few coaches in the country who may be able to pull off such a feat. I would put Hawkins at or near the top of that list. Hawkins, has come in and gotten his players, coaches and fans to buy into his philosophy and that is a huge step in the right direction. Don't be surprised if Colorado ends up in the top 5 of the Big 12 this season and is a legit contender next year. Also, look for CU to be playing in a bowl game.
7. Texas Tech - Same thing different verse. High powered offense, no defense, horrible coaching. Same result, 2nd tier team at best. Seven could in fact prove to be too high.
6. Oklahoma State - There are lots of people picking Oklahoma State to be the surprise team in the Big 12 this year. I will be surprised if they are anywhere near the top of the conference this year. They still have to answer to Big brother Oklahoma and the Longhorns come to town this year and spot them 30 only to shut them out in the second half for a 56 to 30 win. At least that is what has happened pretty much every year here recently. Coaching is still a huge issue for Okie State and this year is no different.
5. Texas A&M - Like Okie State some think the Aggies may rise and be a force in the Big 12 this year. Think again. The Aggies are only 5 on this list because the North has been down for a few years now. Don't be surprised if they post 6 losses this season. Yes they did beat Texas last year for the first time since 99. Look for the Longhorns to restore order this year in the state of Texas. I do have a blind hatred for this team so 5 is pretty much as high as I could put them. Coach Fran is gone after this year...although I hope they keep him.
4. Missouri - I think the Tigers could have a decent year. However, not good enough to win the North. Look for this team to show promising signs only to be deflated on a cold Nov. day in Boulder where the Buffaloes will send their season into an unrecoverable tailspin.
3. Nebraska - They win the Big 12 North and get punished in the Big 12 championship game. Look for the North to be more competitive next year and for the talent to level out. Nebraska, has some tough games early this year which will prove to help them out in the long run.
2. Texas - You don't lose 3 All Americans from your offensive line and immediately recover from that hit. However, Texas has blue chip players ready to step in this year. I think it will be a learning process for the first few games and hopefully they will be a cohesive unit by the opening confernece game in late September. Texas also lost 2 All American defensive backs from an already weak secondary. I am pleased with the preseason 4th national ranking but it will be hard to obtain for an entire year. Colt McCoy, has been impressive in the spring and could be good enough to lead this team to a Conference title. Jamall Charles, has put on 10 pounds of muscle and will be the feature back this year. The Loghorns are also loaded at WR. Talent is not the problem, however, if this team wants to be a national contender, they will have to gel quickly. It all comes down to the annual Red River Rivalry TX/OU.
1. Oklahoma - As much as I hate to admit it. OU is the most talented team in the Big 12 this year. They return a ton of starters and have a very talented backfield.(a freshman who is drawing immediate comparisons to Reggie Bush) The only question mark is QB. If the young QB can play pretty much mistake free as McCoy did last year at Texas then OU will have an excellent chance to win the Big 12 this year. They are also loaded with talent and with one of the best coaches in the country. Again, it all comes down to the TX/OU game.
12. Kansas - They are a basketball school and this year is no different. Sure they may when a couple of games on gimmick plays, however, thier coach is the most likely coach to die during a game which would cause a complete tailspin (and probably renovation of the stadium where he plummets to the ground).
11. Iowa State - In a few years they may win a few conference games but they have the odds against them. Recruiting against Iowa and the rest of the Big 12 does them no favors. They have a new head coach which will inspire them with new energy but this isn't Texas or Auburn and winning will not be easy.
10. Baylor - Improved yes. Good no. Baylor will most likely win 2 Big 12 games this year. Which to them is a successful season. To the rest of the Big 12 it is successful as well. Watch out though Aggies, Baylor seems to have your number and you can bet I will be cheering for them on 9/29.
9. Kansas State - I know some if not most people will pick K-State higher than I will. After all, they finished strong last year and beat my beloved Longhorns after Colt was knocked out of the game after the first series. However, Ron Prince is an idiot. Making your coaches run stairs and laps with the team is a move that can't even be pulled off in Pop Warner football. Prince will have a revolt on his hands after K-State gets bitch slapped in Auburn in week one. He will be the one running.
8. Colorado - Improved from last season but still not over the new coach hump. I like what Hawkins stands for but it is tough to come in and immediately start winning without your own players. It is rarely done. However, there are a few coaches in the country who may be able to pull off such a feat. I would put Hawkins at or near the top of that list. Hawkins, has come in and gotten his players, coaches and fans to buy into his philosophy and that is a huge step in the right direction. Don't be surprised if Colorado ends up in the top 5 of the Big 12 this season and is a legit contender next year. Also, look for CU to be playing in a bowl game.
7. Texas Tech - Same thing different verse. High powered offense, no defense, horrible coaching. Same result, 2nd tier team at best. Seven could in fact prove to be too high.
6. Oklahoma State - There are lots of people picking Oklahoma State to be the surprise team in the Big 12 this year. I will be surprised if they are anywhere near the top of the conference this year. They still have to answer to Big brother Oklahoma and the Longhorns come to town this year and spot them 30 only to shut them out in the second half for a 56 to 30 win. At least that is what has happened pretty much every year here recently. Coaching is still a huge issue for Okie State and this year is no different.
5. Texas A&M - Like Okie State some think the Aggies may rise and be a force in the Big 12 this year. Think again. The Aggies are only 5 on this list because the North has been down for a few years now. Don't be surprised if they post 6 losses this season. Yes they did beat Texas last year for the first time since 99. Look for the Longhorns to restore order this year in the state of Texas. I do have a blind hatred for this team so 5 is pretty much as high as I could put them. Coach Fran is gone after this year...although I hope they keep him.
4. Missouri - I think the Tigers could have a decent year. However, not good enough to win the North. Look for this team to show promising signs only to be deflated on a cold Nov. day in Boulder where the Buffaloes will send their season into an unrecoverable tailspin.
3. Nebraska - They win the Big 12 North and get punished in the Big 12 championship game. Look for the North to be more competitive next year and for the talent to level out. Nebraska, has some tough games early this year which will prove to help them out in the long run.
2. Texas - You don't lose 3 All Americans from your offensive line and immediately recover from that hit. However, Texas has blue chip players ready to step in this year. I think it will be a learning process for the first few games and hopefully they will be a cohesive unit by the opening confernece game in late September. Texas also lost 2 All American defensive backs from an already weak secondary. I am pleased with the preseason 4th national ranking but it will be hard to obtain for an entire year. Colt McCoy, has been impressive in the spring and could be good enough to lead this team to a Conference title. Jamall Charles, has put on 10 pounds of muscle and will be the feature back this year. The Loghorns are also loaded at WR. Talent is not the problem, however, if this team wants to be a national contender, they will have to gel quickly. It all comes down to the annual Red River Rivalry TX/OU.
1. Oklahoma - As much as I hate to admit it. OU is the most talented team in the Big 12 this year. They return a ton of starters and have a very talented backfield.(a freshman who is drawing immediate comparisons to Reggie Bush) The only question mark is QB. If the young QB can play pretty much mistake free as McCoy did last year at Texas then OU will have an excellent chance to win the Big 12 this year. They are also loaded with talent and with one of the best coaches in the country. Again, it all comes down to the TX/OU game.