Big 12 Preview

2. Colorado

This team was close to being bowl eligible last year, and this year I think they make the leap. They had a few tough losses down the stretch that kept them from reaching a bowl game, but with Cody Hawkins back for his third year as the starting quarterback and Darrell Scott trimming down, it could equal a big year for the offense. Don't expect anyone in the North to go unbeaten in conference, but these mediocre teams could have some battles.

3. Nebraska

They just can't stop anyone. The black shirts are a thing of the past. The name of the game in Lincoln is offense and they'll have plenty of it. Joe Ganz passed for over 3,500 yards last year and had 25 touchdown passes, and he returns plenty of support on the offensive end. This team allowed over 30 points a game in conference last year, and that's just not good enough, even in the offensive minded Big 12.

4. Missouri

It's up to highly touted Blaine Gabbert to replace Chase Daniel, who ran the Tigers spread offense very well. There are more holes to fill than just one with Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman also being gone. They do return a very underrated runner in Derrick Washington, who ran for over 1,000 yards and had 17 touchdowns a season ago. However, like most Big 12 teams, this one couldn't defend and with a lot of offense to replace, don't expect them to run with the big boys.

5. Kansas State

Looking at the Wildcats schedule and I only see two winnable conference games, even though neither one are a guarantee. Couple that with a game against an FCS team, and Kansas State is going to have a hard time getting the six Division I wins necessary to make a bowl game. Even with Bill Snyder back, this team has a long way to go with a lot of people to replace, namely Josh Freeman.

6. Iowa State

This team has a chance to beat Kansas State and Texas A&M in conference, and that is all. If they don't beat North Dakota State or Kent State early on, we could be looking at a miserable year, and that's saying a lot about a team that went 2-10 last year. Things just aren't looking good for the Cyclones.

SOUTH

1. Oklahoma

How do you pick against the Sooners? It basically comes down to one game for OU and that is the neutral site Red River shootout with the Horns. The winner of that game is the Big 12 champion, and probably plays for a national title. I have a sense that Oklahoma gets back to its winning ways this year. I like Sam Bradford a bit more than I like Colt McCoy, and with DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown in the backfield, the Sooners have the edge.

2. Texas

We all know Colt McCoy is a god in Texas, and he has plenty of talent around him, namely WR Jordan Shipley. With a solid line and an improving defense, the Longhorns will be national title contenders. The only game they have a chance to lose other than against the Sooners is when they take a trip to Stillwater on Halloween to face the Pokes.

3. Oklahoma State

If this team had a better defense, then they are playing for a national championship. But, with a shaky defense and a schedule that includes Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech there is bound to be a loss or two. You can't blame it on the offense, which has a top tier QB in Zac Robinson, a top tier RB in Kendall Hunter and a top tier WR in Dez Bryant. The Cowboys might be the best of the second tier teams this year, and should play in a good bowl game.

4. Texas Tech

Gone are Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree. They will not beat Texas this year and they will likely slip back to 8-4 and will still be a team that scores a lot of points. National relevance and games on national television just aren't in the Cards for Mike Leach and the boys.

5. Baylor

The Bears have something that almost every other team since hasn't had since Michael Vick was at Virginia Tech, and that is extreme, extreme speed at the quarterback position. Robert Griffin threw for over 2,000 yards last year and ran for 846 more, nearly leading the team. Baylor also lost three games by a touchdown or less, meaning they could be going in the right direction and might make a bowl this year.

6. Texas A&M

One of the storied programs in college football is still a train wreck without any signs of it getting any better. They have one good player on offense in quarterback Jerrod Johnson, but he's no world beater. This team surrendered nearly 40 points a game last year, and looking at their schedule, it's hard to see who they can beat that is of any significance.