Spring Conference Breakdowns - Big XII South

For the first time in recent memory, the Big XII South took a back seat last year to it's counterparts in the Big XII North. Missouri and Kansas were the stories for much of the season, while the failures of Oklahoma and Texas garnered attention. This year lookf to return to form as the South is once again ready to assert it's dominance over the North.

I have listed the teams below in the order in which I think they will finish.

1. Oklahoma Sooners

2007 Recap - 11-3(6-2) Lost to West Virginia 48-28 in the Fiesta Bowl.

2008 Preview- Back-to-back Fiesta Bowl losses have left the fan base in Norman extremely anxious this year. Lucky for them these Sooners are one of the early favorites to make a run at the national title. Heisman hopeful Sam Bradford is back, and he is looking to build upon last year's successes when he exploded onto the national scene. Bradfor will have steady receivers to throw to that include Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson. The Sooners alos look to add speedster Ryan Broyles to the receiving mix this season. Oklahoma may have the deepest running back rotation in the nation. DeMarco Murray is back to handle starting duties for the Sooners. Superb quality back-up Chris Brown and incoming Freshman Jermie Calhoun will provide Murray with breathers.Defensively, the Sooners will be outstanding once again. Linebackers Jeremy Beal and Ryan Reynolds are back to lead a defense that also includes DB Lendy Holmes and DT DeMarcus Granger.

The Sooners play two decent non-conference games vs. Cincinnati and at Washington. In Big XII play, the Sooners toughest game on the road may be a trip to Texas A&M. Kansas and Texas Tech both make the trip to Norman this season, and of course, there's the annual match-up with Texas in Dallas as well.

Difference Maker - Sam Bradford QB. With the depth at the running back position, the Sooners can still compete if DeMarco Murray or Chris Brown were to go down. This is not the case with Bradford. Oklahoma would be in for a long season if Bradford is injured or somehow fails to produce.

Biggest Game - Oct. 11 vs. Texas in Dallas. Once again this game will more than likely determine the Big XII South winner. This game may also have national title game implications.

Intangible - The depth at the running back position is truly amazing. Bob Stoops is able to plug in a running back whenever necessary and their seems to never be any drop-off.





2. Texas Longhorns


2007 Recap - 10-3(5-3) Defeated Arizona St. 52-34 in the Holiday Bowl.

2008 Preview - This season the Longhorns will have to perform to the best of their abilities if they want to keep pace with Oklahoma. Texas does return Colt McCoy at QB. McCoy is an early Heisman candidate once again. He will have returning receivers Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley to throw the ball to, as well as incoming freshman Dan Buckner. Vondrell McGee will be replacing Jamaal Charles at the running back position after Charles declared for the NFL Draft. Defensively, the Longhorns are lead up front by DE's Brian Orakpo and Sam Acho. They will be backed up by LB Rashad Babino. CB Curtis Brown will have to step up and be the leader of the young secondary.

Texas renews it's long time rivalry with Arkansas this season by hosting the Razorbacks. In Big XII play, Texas will travel to Texas Tech and Kansas. They will also host Missouri and Texas A&M, as well as the annual game with Oklahoma in Dallas.

Difference Maker - Colt McCoy. McCoy will have to have a Heisman type season that has been expected of him in order for the Longhorns to dream of a national title.

Biggest Game - Oct. 11 vs. Oklahoma in Dallas. Texas will have to take this series back in order to turn the tide in the Big XII.

Intangible - New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will bring an extreme intensity to this defensive unit. The impact that Muschamp will have on players like Babino and Orakpo could turn Texas into one of the elite defenses in the nation.




3. Texas Tech Red Raiders


2007 Recap - 9-4(4-4) Defeated Virginia 31-28 in the Gator Bowl.

2008 Preview- There is a ton of optimism in Lubbock for this Texas Tech football season, and rightfully so. Most of the main components from last year's squad are back to help improve upon last year's record. It's not so far-fetched to consider Texas Tech as a contender for the Big XII South title. QB Graham Harrell is back to lead the explosive Red Raider offense. Last year's breakout star, Michael Crabtree is back to lead the receiving corps, along with Eric Morris and Detron Lewis. Perhaps the most over-looked player on this team is running back Shannon Woods. Woods is a terrific receiver out of the backfield, and he can come through when the Red Raiders need a few yards on the ground. Everyone knows about Texas Tech's offense. However, it's their defense that will be the key to their success this season. On several occasions last season, Texas Tech was just unable to stop opponents. Texas Tech's secondary looks to be improved with DB's Darcel McBath and Jamar Wall returning. Also, converted receiver L.A. Reed will try his skill at the safety position this season.

This year's Big XII slate will be a difficult one for Texas Tech. With away games against Texas A&M, Kansas and Oklahoma, as well as a home date with the Texas Longhorns.

Difference Maker - Michael Crabtree. Last year's Biletnikoff winner is easily the favorite to win once again.

Biggest Game - Nov. 1 vs. Texas. The Red Raiders will need to capitalize on home-field advantage when Texas comes to town. If they are able to, they put themselves right in the thick of the divisional race.

Intangible - As I have said, this Texas Tech team will only go as far as their defense will take them. The defense did show signs of improvement late in the year under interim coordinator Ruffin McNeill. McNeill's interim tag has been removed, and it will be interesting to see what this defense can do with a full year under his tutelage.

4. Texas A&M Aggies

2007 Recap - 7-6(4-4) Lost to Penn St. 24-17 in the Alamo Bowl.

2008 Preview - It seems like a black cloud has been lifted over College Station with the departure of Dennis Franchione. New coach Mike Sherman may not have been the hot prospect coach that some Aggie fans wanted. However, Sherman will bring a steadying calm that was often missing during the Franchione regime. Tough - nosed QB Stephen McGee is back to run the offense. With departure of TE Martellus Bennett and the absense of a true deep-threat receiver, except for Pierre Brown, look for the Aggies to once again run the ball down their opponent's throats. Two big reasons the Aggies will be able to do this are the one-two combo of running backs they possess. Bruiser Jorvorskie Lane will get the bulk of the carries, while speedster Mike Goodson will provide a much needed change of pace. The Aggies may have one of the deepest secondaries in the Big XII. Jordan Pugh, Alton Dixon, Devin Gregg and Arkeith Brown all return to the defensive backfield.

The Aggies will host a much-improved Miami Hurricanes team in the non-conference portion of their schedule. Within the Big XII, Texas A&M plays at Texas while hosting Texas Tech and Oklahoma.

Difference Maker - Mike Goodson. The Aggies are a bruising, pound it out type football team. Goodson brings a necessary change of pace to their offensive system. He has the ability to take it the distance every time he touches the ball.

Biggest Game - Oct. 18 vs. Texas Tech. The Aggies always seem to have trouble with Tech. This will be a huge revenge game for A&M, and could go a long way in deciding how their season will turn out.

Intangible - In a year in which Texas A&M needs all the help they can get in order to prevent a slide, they receive some help from their own schedule. A&M avoids all the top teams of the Big XII North this season. Also, with the exception of the Texas game, all of their "tough" games will be played in College Station.

5. Oklahoma St. Cowboys


2007 Recap - 7-6(4-4) Defeated Indiana 49-33 in the Insight.Com Bowl

2008 Preview - Oklahoma St.'s 2007 season may best be known for Mike Gundy's rant rather than his team's play. On the field, the Cowboys were one of the most prolific offensive teams in the conference. Dual threat QB Zac Robinson is back to run Gundy's offense. Last year's leading rusher, Dantrell Savage, must be replaced. That task goes to Kendall Hunter. Robinson will have a plethora of receivers to throw to. Dez Bryant , Jeremy Broadway and Artrell Woods all provide great speed and skill at the receiver position. The best receiver on the team, however, may be TE Brandon Pettigrew. The Cowboys need to improve defensively this season if they wish to better their record from last season. In the secondary, DB's Perrish Cox and Jacob Lacey return. They are joined by fellow retuning starters Derek Burton at DE and Patrick Lavine at LB.

Oklahoma St. plays a rather difficult non-conference schedule with a game in Seattle vs. Washington St., as well as home games vs. top non-BCS schools Houston and Troy. In Big XII play, the Cowboys play at Missouri and Texas Tech. Home dates vs. Texas A&M and Oklahoma also are on the schedule.

Difference Maker - Zac Robinson. Robinson makes this offense go. If he can improve upon last year's impressive season, Oklahoma St. can go pretty far.

Biggest Game - Oct. 4 vs. Texas A&M. Oklahoma St. opens Big XII play against the Aggies in Stillwater. Oklahoma St. would love to open the season in a big way.

Intangible - Mike Gundy's fire and passion for this program is readily evident. This year should be the year that the Cowboys make a move up the Big XII ranks. With Gundy at the helm it's not impossible to think that Oklahoma St. could do just that.





6. Baylor Bears


2007 Recap - 3-9((0-8)

2008 Preview - Baylor does not return too many weapons from last year's squad. Art Briles will have to make due with what was left him in his first year in Waco. The Bears return QB Blake Szymanski from last year's squad. The starting running back for the 2008 season will be Jay Finley. The returning receivers for Baylor will be Thomas White, Justin Akers and David Gettis. If Baylor wishes to improve upon last year's disappointing season, they will have to do so with their defense. Up front, the Bears are lead by DE Jason Lamb and DT Vincent Rhodes. LB Joe Pawelek is back to lead the entire defense along with S Jeremy Williams.

Baylor's non-conference slate features 3 pretty tough games in home dates with Wake Forest and Washington St. and an away contest against Connecticut. The Big XII schedule doesn't get any easier for the Bears as they play at Texas and Texas Tech as well as host Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas A&M.

Difference Maker - Joe Pawelek LB. Pawelek is the key to the defense and the entire team. If the offense can follow his lead on the other side of the ball, the Bears may be able to surprise a few people.

Biggest Game - Oct 1.. vs. Iowa St. This game may provide Baylor with their best chance to win a Big XII game.

Intangible - Art Briles brings an energy to this program that has been lacking for far too many years in Waco. It may not be this year, but the Bears may be able to turn the corner under Briles very soon.