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Big 12
MATT HAYES' TAKES
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.
11. Didn't go to a bowl game last year for the first time since 1992.
12. Led the Big 12 in turnover margin (plus-17) and was second nationally last season.
A. Baylor
B. Colorado
C. Iowa State
D. Kansas
E. Kansas State
F. Missouri
G. Nebraska
H. Oklahoma
I. Oklahoma State
J. Texas
K. Texas A&M
L. Texas Tech
ANSWERS
1-H; 2-L; 3-F; 4-C; 5-K; 6-A; 7-J; 8-B; 9-G; 10-D; 11-E; 12-I
WATCH OUT FOR ...
Thomas Clayton, RB, Jr., Kansas State. Bill Snyder traditionally has liked to lean on the ground game. With Darren Sproles gone, there are lots of carries to be had, and Clayton figures to get many of them. Unlike the jitterbug Sproles, Clayton, who began his career at Florida State, is a straight-ahead sort who can get physical.
Alex Ligon, DE, Jr., Colorado. His added size and strength will make him more effective against the run. But it's as a pass rusher where Ligon, who explosive off the edge, figures to make his mark.
Ryan McBean, DT, Jr., Oklahoma State. He's quick, fast and stronger than he was when he arrived from junior college.
Milan Moses, WR, So., Iowa State. The brother of former Cyclones standout receiver J.J. Moses, Milan has speed and sticky hands. Plus, the talent around him should create room for him to operate.--T.D.
TSN's ALL-BIG 12 TEAM
Offense
Pos. Name, school Ht. Wt. Cl.
WR Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech 6-4 209 Jr.
WR Todd Blythe, Iowa State 6-5 210 So.
TE David Thomas, Texas 6-3 245 Sr.
T Jonathan Scott, Texas 6-7 310 Sr.
T Davin Joseph, Oklahoma 6-7 312 Sr.
G Tony Palmer, Missouri 6-2 325 Sr.
G Will Allen, Texas 6-6 315 Sr.
C Adam Spieker, Missouri 6-3 310 So.
QB Reggie McNeal, Texas A&M 6-2 206 Sr.
RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma 6-2 210 So.
RB Cory Ross, Nebraska 5-6 195 Sr.
Defense
E Brian Smith, Missouri 6-3 225 Jr.
E Larry Birdine, Oklahoma 6-5 251 Jr.
T Rodrique Wright, Texas 6-5 305 Sr.
T Larry Dibbles, Texas 6-2 285 Sr.
LB Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma 6-1 225 Jr.
LB Brian Iwuh, Colorado 6-0 225 Sr.
LB Thaddaeus Washington, Colorado 5-11 250 Jr.
CB Cedric Griffin, Texas 6-2 193 Sr.
CB Charles Gordon, Kansas 5-11 177 Jr.
S Jaxson Appel, Texas A&M 6-0 198 Sr.
S Michael Huff, Texas 6-1 205 Sr.
Specialists
K Mason Crosby, Colorado 6-2 210 Jr.
P Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor 6-3 222 Jr.
KR Willie Andrews, Baylor 5-10 190 Sr.
10 BEST GAMES
1. Texas at Ohio State 9/10
2. Oklahoma vs. Texas (Dallas) 10/8
3. Iowa at Iowa State 9/10
4. Texas at Texas A&M 11/25
5. Texas A&M at Oklahoma 11/12
6. Iowa State at Missouri 10/15
7. Oklahoma at UCLA 9/17
8. Colorado at Miami 9/24
9. Texas A&M at Clemson 9/3
10. Texas Tech at Texas 10/22
UNIT
RANKINGS
OFFENSE
PROJECTED Back- Wide
FINISH field receivers Line Overall
North
1. Iowa State 4 4 9 5
2. Missouri 6 11 8 9
3. Colorado 8 9 3 6
4. Kansas State 10 5 10 10
5. Nebraska 11 6 6 8
6. Kansas 5 10 11 11
South
1. Texas 2 3 1 2
2. Oklahoma 3 8 5 4
3. Texas A&M 1 2 2 1
4. Texas Tech 7 1 4 3
5. Oklahoma St. 9 7 7 7
6. Baylor 12 12 12 12
DEFENSE
PROJECTED Line- Defensive
FINISH Line backers backs Overall
North
1. Iowa State 5 11 9 9
2. Missouri 9 10 11 11
3. Colorado 8 3 2 3
4. Kansas State 10 7 8 8
5. Nebraska 3 9 6 7
6. Kansas 11 8 10 10
South
1. Texas 2 z 1
2. Oklahoma 7 6 4 6
3. Texas A&M 2 1 5 2
4. Texas Tech 6 4 3 4
5. Oklahoma St. 4 5 7 5
6. Baylor 12 12 12 12
PROJECTED Special Schedule
FINISH teams Coaching strength
North
1. Iowa State 12 10 3
2. Missouri 11 9 11
3. Colorado 1 5 1
4. Kansas State 10 4 9
5. Nebraska 6 7 2
6. Kansas 8 8 8
South
1. Texas 4 3 6
2. Oklahoma 2 1 4
3. Texas A&M 3 6 5
4. Texas Tech 5 2 12
5. Oklahoma St. 9 12 10
6. Baylor 7 11 7
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