Big XII Early Outlook
Nelly's Sportsline
The Big XII was in the news frequently in the last several months and while changes are on the horizon, the 2010 season will play out with the familiar divisions. The usual suspects should be contending again this year but there could be some surprises in order. Here is a quick glance at some summer thoughts as we head towards the 2010 Big XII season.
Big XII North
This division will see some major changes in the coming years and it will be interesting to see an increased intensity in the final conference match-ups between some of these teams. Nebraska was the only North team to deliver a winning conference record last season and the Cornhuskers nearly pulled off an upset in the championship game before delivering a great bowl result. A few big names are gone but the defense should still be one of the best in the conference after allowing just ten points per game last season. Nine starters are back on offense as well and the Huskers could climb into the national picture. Not much went right for Colorado last season despite elevated expectations but Coach Dan Hawkins has been given a big chance at redemption. The Buffaloes return nearly the entire offense from last season and this was a much better defensive team than the overall scoring numbers indicated. The non-conference schedule will feature no easy games but after years of underachieving there can be a breakthrough in Boulder. The best QB in the conference may be at Missouri as Blaine Gabbert was very impressive last season when healthy. The Tigers will also return all of the rushers in the backfield although losing WR Denario Alexander will have an impact. The schedule will likely prevent making a run for a championship but Missouri again has a quality team.
A big fall occurred for Kansas last season, going just 1-7 in conference play. Turner Gill takes over after rebuilding Buffalo's program and he steps into a favorable situation with a chance to make the Jayhawks a winning team in his first year. On defense this will be an experienced team and if Kansas can find solid QB play there will be opportunities on the schedule. After making a surprise bowl appearance last season, Iowa State will have a tough time matching that seven-win total in 2010. They are the only North team that has to play both Texas and Oklahoma and while the offense has experience, the defense that carried the team last season by allowing less than 22 points per game has just four returning starters. The schedule also features two tough non-conference matches and no bye week all season long. Had Kansas State won its final game of the season last year they would have won the Big XII North but the schedule in 2010 will be more challenging. Five of the final seven games of the season are on the road and the home games for the Wildcats will all be difficult. Kansas State was badly out-gained in conference play last year despite a 4-4 record and while Bill Snyder has done more with less in his career, this could be a challenging season.
Big XII South
With Nebraska looking like the clear top team in the North it will be a big advantage to not face them. Oklahoma is a team that will miss the Huskers and the Sooners were a far better team last season than the 8-5 record indicated. The injury to QB Sam Bradford had a huge impact on the results last season and four of the five losses last year came by the slimmest of margins. Oklahoma lost a ton of talent to the NFL but there are players ready to step up and many young future stars got important experience last season. The non-conference schedule is more favorable this season and if the Sooners can beat Texas there will be a clear path to a perfect season. This division appears to be a two-team race this season and Texas will look to bounce back from a tough finish to the season in the BCS championship game. The first half of the season will feature a few tough tests but the second half of the schedule should be smooth sailing for the Longhorns, even after losing many key players from last year's team. The team that could surprise in the South would be Texas A&M. After two years filled mainly with struggles for Mike Sherman he should have his best defensive team as well as the key offensive pieces for a strong season. The Aggies scored nearly 33 points per game last season and the firepower is there to be one of the Big XII's best scoring teams in 2010. The Aggies have struggled away from home in recent seasons going 4-10 the last three years and that will be the key to really making a move.
After the Mike Leach fiasco, Texas Tech will be in a tough situation to have immediate success. Tommy Tuberville had a number of strong years coaching Auburn but making changes to the offensive system and rebuilding the defense will likely mean a fall in the standings. Tech has plenty of experience on offense but how those players fit into the new schemes will be the question. The schedule is reasonable so the Red Raiders can still be a bowl contender. With only eight returning starters Oklahoma State is a candidate for a big fall in 2010. The Cowboys draw a tough conference schedule and attempting to implement a spread offense usually requires some time. While the offensive numbers were way down for OSU last season there was improvement on defense but so few players return this year. The injury to Robert Griffin took the sails out of the season for Baylor last year but the offense could find more production this season. The schedule will be very tough late in the season but the Bears could get off to a strong start. Getting to an elusive bowl game might be a stretch, but Baylor should be competitive enough to win a few.