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Big 12

Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005

MATT HAYES' TAKES

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I know Colorado coach Gary Barnett has been to three of the past four Big 12 title games. But if the Buffaloes don't win it this year, he's gone. Think about it: He's the last man standing from that recruiting mess--including the school's president, chancellor and athletic director.... I love how everyone is dismissing Kansas State this year. Suddenly, all those years of nine- and 10-win seasons don't mean squat. If QB Dylan Meier finally plays to his potential, the 'Cats will win the North Division. But that's one hell of an if.... How good would Texas be if Reggie McNeal were playing quarterback for the Longhorns instead of Texas A&M? Then again, we wouldn't be able to make fun of Mack Brown every October.... I know, I know; Missouri coach Gary Pinkel snuffed QB Brad Smith's creativity last season and that's why the Tigers weren't playing in the Big 12 title game. That, or the Tigers are the most undisciplined team in the conference. Take your pick.... Big 12 breakout player: Texas A&M freshman TE Martellus Bennett. Think Kansas City Chiefs star Tony Gonzalez.... Texas Tech will beat either Texas or Oklahoma. And heaven help me if it's Texas, especially if the Sooners beat the Longhorns again in October. I may have to convince Sporting News Radio to pipe in the local Austin sports talk shows 24/7 if that happens.... Settle down, Nebraska fans. You're still a year away. QB Zac Taylor will be an upgrade, but at some point, freshman Harrison Beck will get a shot at the job.... Think Oklahoma has learned to cover the deep ball yet? If it hasn't, that little tussle in Pasadena (at UCLA) on September 17 will be loss No. 1.... If I needed a first down on third-and-short, I would give it to Iowa State's Stevie Hicks, the most underrated back in the nation. Few outside of Ames know of him, but I can guarantee the NFL does. Says one league scout: "He's Eddie George with speed." Then again, a lot of guys might look like Eddie George with no Texas and Oklahoma on the schedule--for the second straight season.... Don't be foolish, Oklahoma State: Play QB Bobby Reid over team favorite Donovan Woods. Reid is a better thrower and runner, and Woods will be a fantastic receiver once he's forced to play the position.

SCOUTS VIEWS Observations from Big 12 coaches

Baylor's Guy Morriss won't finesse on offense or defense, especially on defense. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't.... Colorado QB Joel Klatt is a gritty guy, but there probably are a lot of other quarterbacks better than him in the league.... Iowa State QB Bret Meyer's throwing has gotten better, but it isn't consistent. He'll pull the string on some balls.... Kansas likes to mix it up on defense and pick its spots to gamble. But there have been some people who have exposed them.... I think Kansas State dropped off on defense last year. The line and linebackers weren't as good as in years past. They have some issues at safety.... I think Missouri's secondary was average last year, and I don't see major changes. We thought they did a good job of hiding it last year, if that's possible.... In the past, Nebraska's quarterbacks seldom checked the play because they were going to line up and knock your block off. It's a different mind-set now.... Oklahoma has received a lot of national attention in recent years. Maybe some of those kids recruited the last few years don't understand where Oklahoma was before Bob (Stoops) got there.... Oklahoma State will run a one-back, shotgun, nohuddle spread offense. The old staff just wanted to run it down your throat. Do they have the personnel?... If Texas is in a tight game or gets behind, can they pass and catch it? They went to the Rose Bowl, but I don't know if they've taken that next step. ... Texas A&M will run a little bit of everything on offense.... When you play Texas Tech, you'd better be prepared for anything because Mike Leach will make adjustments in a hurry. And you'd better be able to adjust in a hurry.

MATCH GAME By Michael Bradley

1. Has been ranked in the top three in 29 straight polls and has fallen from the top 10 just once since Oct. 7, 2000.

2. Finished 2004 ranked in the "top 25 for the first time since 1995.

3. Led the Big 12 and finished third nationally in pass defense in 2004 but returns only three defensive starters.

4. Has played in four bowls over the past five years after appearing in only four before that stretch.

5. Returns its starting quarterback and eight other offensive starters from a unit that had only four interceptions in 2004.

6. Finished last in the Big 12 and 113th nationally with a minus-15 turnover margin last season.

7. Has the only coach in the country to have won at least nine games in each of the past nine seasons.

8. Has scored in 197 consecutive games dating to 1988, the longest streak in the conference.

9. Will try to engineer a turnaround with a mammoth 31-player recruiting class.

10. Returns three defensive backs after leading the Big 12 with 19 interceptions in 2004.

Big 12

Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005

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