The top 25 players: Big XII

This looks like it could be a VERY big year for the Big XII. Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech all have realistic shots of winning the South. While Kansas, Colorado and Missouri are all looking to win the North.


The Big XII has closed the gap on the SEC for the best conference argument. They are just a Nebraska and Kansas St. surprise season away from being mentioned in the same breath.


Here are my top 25 players from the Big XII conference:


1. Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech WR- Crabtree won the Biletnikoff award last season as a Freshman. Expectations are high for the super soph and his Red Raiders. We'll see if he can repeat last season's successes.

2. Chase Daniel - Missouri QB - Daniel was a Heisman trophy finalist last season. He should be competing with Tebow and others to once again make the trip to New York at the end of the season.

3. Sam Bradford - Oklahoma QB - I have said all along that I felt like Bradford had the best argument against Tebow last season for the Heisman. If he plays like he did last year, Bradford should be a finalist for the award this season.

4. Graham Harrell - Texas Tech QB - Harrell will once again put up some pretty impressive numbers in Lubbock. Once again, however, no one will give him any respect.

5. Auston English - Oklahoma DL - There is always a great Sooner defensive linemen. It's English's turn to take that role.

6. George Hypolite - Colorado DL - I think Hypolite might be my favorite defensive player in the Big XII. The guy has a non-stop motor and he plays with all heart. Like Rod Tidwell said, "Heart? I'm all heart mother f***er!"

7. Duke Robinson - Oklahoma OL - Robinson might be the biggest player in the Big XII. Imagine the battles he must have with Auston English during Sooner practices.

8. DeMarco Murray - Oklahoma RB - Another Sooner makes my top 10. No wonder why I have them in the BCS title game this year......

9. Sean Weatherspoon - Missouri LB - It's not all about the offense at Missouri. The Tigers boast a pretty good defense too, led by Weatherspoon.

10. Joaquin Iglesias - Oklahoma WR - Another Sooner............

11. Jeremy Maclin - Missouri WR - Maclin might be the fastest player in the Big XII. He will be the main target for QB Chase Daniel this season.

12. Cedrick Dockery - Texas OL - It's hard to believe the Longhorns first entry onto this list is at 12 and it's a linemen.

13. Mike Goodson - Texas A&M RB - If Maclin is the fastest player in the conference, Goodson is not very far behind him. He is the lightning to Javorskie Lane's thunder.

14. Nic Harris - Oklahoma DB - It's a shame Bob Stoops can't win a bowl game anymore. He has a ton of talent to work with in Norman.

15. Colt McCoy - Texas QB - I would rank McCoy a little higher on this list but he is just so damn inconsistent.

16. Marlon Lucky - Nebraska RB - Lucky will be the main focal point for the Cornhuskers offense this season. That should mean more carries and more yards for this very talented back.

17. Joe Pawelek - Baylor LB - How about Baylor making a surprise appearance on the list? Art Briles should have the Bears competing in the Big XII. Just not this year.

18. William Moore - Missouri DB - Once again, I'm telling you that the Missouri defense will be very good this season.

19. Todd Reesing - Kansas QB - Reesing was the feel good story last season in CFB. I'm not completely sold on Reesing, but he had too good of a season to not include him.

20. Quan Cosby - Texas WR - Texas may not have as much talent on the offensive side of the ball as they're used to, but Cosby is a gem at wide out.

21. Joe Mortensen - Kansas LB - Mortensen is the heart and soul of a very underrated, but tough Jayhawk defense.

22. Zac Robinson - Oklahoma St. QB - Robinson broke all kinds of Cowboy records last season. He just needs to learn how to win on a consistent basis.

23. Brian Orakpo - Texas DL - A lot of people in Austin are clamoring over Orakpo's performance. He clearly has not lived up to his expectations at Texas, but talent alone gets him on this list.

24. Phil Loadholt - Oklahoma OL - I had to squeeze one more Sooner onto the list before it was all said and done. Loadholt doesn't get the pub he deserves, mainly because he shares the line with Duke Robinson.

25. Dez Bryant - Oklahoma St. WR - Bryant was one of the reasons why QB Zac Robinson was able to have such a tremendous season last year. Oklahoma St. will once again feature a very prolific offense, and Bryant will be a big part of it.