2012 NCAAF Conference Predictions Part 9

-Big 12 Conference-

Predicted Finish

1)Oklahoma
     Oklahoma is the most talented team in the Big 12 and they have a legit shot at a top 5 finish with 15 returning starters including QB Landry Jones. I've been waiting for Jones to really have that amazing season and maybe this is the year. The top spot in the conference might rest on a trip to West Virginia in late November.
2)West Virginia
      West Virginia, with a great offense led by QB Geno Smith and a good defense, will challenge for the top spot in their new league. Geno Smith threw for 4385 yds and 31 TD and is on many Heisman lists. Mention Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin, two 1000 yard receivers, and you can see why the offense is expected to be near unstoppable. If the defense is anywhere close to the offense, watch out.
3)Texas
      Texas is coming off disappointing years but will look to turn it around as they return 15 starters. Dont be surprised if they end the season in the top 12 with both good offense and defense.
4)TCU
     TCU takes a step up in joining the Big 12 but something makes me think that wont hinder them too much. Look for QB Casey Pachall to have his team competitive in every game.
5)Kansas St
     Many are calling for K-State to drop off drastically from last year and while I agree they wont win 10 games, I don't think theyll just roll over. Coach Bill Snyder and Do-Everything QB Colin Klein will have this team ready to go.
6)Oklahoma St
    I've seen the Cowboys be picked as high as #2 in the Big 12 but i have them here at #6 mostly because of the team having to a play an 18 year old Freshman at Quarterback. This team wont come close to that top-3 finish of last year.
7)Texas Tech
8)Baylor
9)Iowa St
10)Kansas

-Player of the Year-
  QB Geno Smith, WVU

-Best Conference Games-
Texas vs. Oklahoma, Oct 13th
Oklahoma @ WVU, Nov 17th
Oklahoma @ TCU, Dec 1st

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

NCAA Football Conference Previews Part 6

-Big 12 Conference-

Predicted Finish

 - North -

1.Nebraska

 The heavy favorite to win the North Division thanks in part to 17 returning starters, their strong finish in 2009 and an overall weak division. Bo Pelini has to replace Ndamukong Suh but the defense should be as fierce as ever as the offense hopes to finally show consistency throughout the season.

2.Missouri

 The Tigers also return 17 starters including QB Blaine Gabbert and should be a safe bet in the #2 spot in the north division. Although if they continue to play inconsistently, as they did last year, then they may be passed up.

3.Iowa State

 While only returning 4 defensive starters return from a 2009 team making a surprise bowl game, the return of 9 offensive starters including QB Austen Arnaud and back Alexander Robinson makes the outlook positive for this cyclones team.

4.Colorado

 This will be a make or break year for coach Dan Hawkins who hasn't really done much in Boulder and he will rely on QB Tyler Hansen, over his son Cody, and RB Scotty McKnight to help see another year at Colorado. The talent should be there by now to make a run at atleast the #2 and #3 spots but we will have to see if the Buffs can finally make progress.

5.Kansas

 A new coaching staff has the Jayhawks pointed in the right direction but actually moving may not happen right away. 2010 seems to be a rebuilding year as they try to replace a QB and to great Receivers but there is some talent there to maybe surprise a few people. The offensive line returns with more experience and there is good talent with the running backs. The key will be the quarterback and secondary play.

6.Kansas St

 Kansas St is still working it way up with the return of coach Bill Snyder and will rely heavily on running back Daniel Thomas. If QB Coffman can have a good year then K-State may be better than expected as well.

 - South -

1.Oklahoma

 This Sooners squad returns 14 starters, 9 of them on offense, and looks to have a big year. Returning is QB Landry Jones, RB DeMarco Murray, and WR Ryan Broyles, not to mention almost the entire offensive line. I thought i could look good by picking the Sooners first by surprise but it seems like a lot of people have taken notice of this team, thus explaining its top 10 preseason ranking.

2.Texas

 The play of QB Garret Gilbert in the title game last year seems to have people optimistic about replacing Colt McCoy but only returning a total of 13 starters may slow this team down just a bit. The running game needs to find a consistent back and the defense must replace NFL talent and that may be the small opening for Oklahoma to take this division back.

3.Texas A&M

 This is a team that has a lot of potential and that I am excited to see play this year. The offense was very productive again and it looks to do the same this year led by dual threat QB Jerrod Johnson. Surrounding Johnson is very good receivers, a solid backfield and a returning interior line. The defense will have to step up though, just enough to not ruin the good thing the offense will have going.

4.Texas Tech

  Helping new coach Tommy Tubberville have a decent year will be QB Taylor Potts, RB Baron Batch and the returning receivers. This team is quite ready to make a run at the likes of Oklahoma and Texas but it certainly shouldn't fall into the cellar of the Big 12 South.

5.Oklahoma St

 The Cowboys will have several holes to fill including the spots of QB Zac Robinson, WR Dez Bryant and 9 defensive starters. Back Kendall Hunter will be one of the few bright spots early on and the Cowboys hope to have new QB Brandon Weeden pregress throughout the season.

6.Baylor

 QB Robert Griffin is an exciting player to watch but without decent play from his supporting cast, the Bears won't have the year they're hoping for.

-Player of the Year-

Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

 This should be a huge year for Jones and this might not be the most prestigious award he's up for by season's end.

-Must See Games-

Oklahoma vs. Texas, Oct 2nd

Oklahoma @ Texas A&M, Nov 13th

Nebraska @ Texas A&m, Nov 2oth

Texas A&M @ Texas, Nov 25th

BCS National Title

Unfortunately, the end of the College Football Season is near with the finale on Thursday night in Pasadena. The National Championship game will feature #1 Alabama and #2 Texas. After Texas' less than spectacular performance in the Big 12 championship and Bama's rout of Tim Tebow's Florida, many expect Alabama to roll over the Longhorns. As Lee Corso says, Not so fast! I won't go into specific matchups and stats, ESPN can do that, but i will say do not sleep on Texas. They've had to hear for a month now that Bama should and will win. Look for the Longhorns to come in with a chip on their shoulder. Oh, and don't forget the last time Texas came to Pasadena as the underdog. Texas 24, Bama 20