5 Things: Big 12 Preview

George | August 28, 2012 | 0 Comments

The Big 12 has been through a few close encounters of implosion in the last 2 years but with the conference anchors Oklahoma and Texas staying put the league is ready to move forward. Let’s take a look at 5 things that you should expect to see in 2012.

1. The 3 top teams from last year will return to the top?
FALSE
Last year the top 3 teams were Oklahoma State, Kansas State, and Baylor. 2 of those teams had quarterbacks drafted in the first round and those teams will have no chance to repeat last years performance. K State has an opportunity with returning QB Collin “Optimus” Klein as they should be favored in all their games except against OU, WVU, and Texas. Baylor will return to their cave as they await for another RGIII and OK. State will be return to Little Brother status to Coach Stoops and the Sooners.

2. Landry Jones is the best QB in the league?
FALSE
Jones should have left after his Sophomore season that included a Fiesta Bowl victory. His draft stock has become extremely questionable after an average year in 2011. His yardage went down, he threw 9 less TD’s, but also threw 3 more interceptions. He was overshadowed by less heralded QB’s in his own conference including Klein, RGIII, and Brandon Weedon. He certainly is no chump and will have a good year but this year Klein and the Wildcat rushing attack will be TD monsters and West Virginia’s Geno Smith will put up some seriously outlandish numbers in his final campaign.

3. West Virginia has a chance to run the table
MAYBE
I don’t think West Virginia will go undefeated, but this team fresh off their Orange Bowl thumping of Clemson has a great chance. Their toughest road matches will be Texas and OK. State, but they will have OU, TCU, and K State in Morgantown. I do think they will be vying for the conference championship against Oklahoma. They have a chance to earn the BCS birth, but they have to perform on the road in a league that will provide a stronger week in and week out test.

4. The new additions are better than the teams who left?
TRUE
West Virginia and TCU are better than the departing Missouri and Texas A&M. They have had recent success in the last decade and should put quality teams on the field this season. As Tigers and Aggies go off to be mid-to-lower level teams in the SEC, the ‘Neers and Frogs will be looking to make an impact early. TCU has a talented team that lost 50-48 against the RGIII led Bears a year ago. Casey Pachall will look to build on his success from last year and could become a breakout star if Gary Patterson’s team can pull out some big wins. I expect both teams to be in the top half, with WVU challenging for the title.

5.Charlie Weiss continues his run as an unimpressive head coach?
TRUE
Weiss has had difficulty in the college world. I don’t really know why he left the pro ranks after his debacle at South Bend but Florida came calling and he led the Gators offense to a lackluster season. Now, he is going to Kansas to challenge the schools record for girth! They should start 2-0, but will be lucky to have one victory the rest of the way.