2011 NCAA Conference Previews Part 7

-Big 12 Conference-

Predicted Finish

1.Oklahoma
-The Sooners go into this season as the #1 ranked team in the country and so they are clearly the favorite in the Big 12. QB Landry Jones returns as an early Heisman candidate and he will have star WR Ryan Broyles and soon to be star receiver Kenny Stills to throw to. Four offensive lineman come back too and the defense looks solid, albeit not great though. While I don't think they will keep their #1 national ranking, I do expect this team to win the conference.
2.Texas A&M
-Placing someone in this #2 spot was tough as I do think both Oklahoma St. and Missouri are capable of being here but I decided to go with the Aggies. The defense should be in the upper half of the conference while the offense gets back QB Ryan Tannehill, explosive receiver Jeff Fuller and 1,000 yard rusher Cyrus Gray.
3.Oklahoma St
-The QB/WR combination of Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon have a lot of people very excited about this team this year and for good reason. Weeden put up big numbers last year and Blackmon is probably the best receiver in all of college football. The 5 returning O-Linemen help the expectations stay high but there are a few holes to fill. Not only does the team lose offensive coordiantor Dana Holgerson but only 2 starters are back from the defensive front 7. If the offense can improve rather than take a step back under new coaching and the defense can just be decent, then look out for this team.
4.Missouri
-Quarterback Blaine Gabbert is gone and so is defensive star Aldon Smith but this team still may be better than many think. The O-line stay in tact and all the receivers return while the defense should be decent. New QB James Franklin will be the x-factor as he has the potential to be above average.
5.Texas
6.Texas Tech
7.Kansas St.
8.Baylor
9.Iowa St
10.Kansas

-Player of the Year-
QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma

-Best Conference Games-
Oklahoma St. @ Texas A&M, Sept 24th
Missouri @ Texas A&M, Oct 29th
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma St, Dec 3rd