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Twelve questions for the Big 12
OSU junior receiver Dez Bryant had 1,480 yards receiving in 2008, a mark that was second-best in the nation. Stephen Holman/ Tulsa World file
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published:
7/26/2009 3:50 AM
Last Modified: 7/26/2009 5:31 AM
The 2009 college football season unofficially kicks off Monday when the Big 12 Conference hosts its annual three-day Media Day event. Coaches and players from each team — beginning Monday with Nebraska and ending Wednesday with Texas — will answer questions from newspaper, television, radio and online media outlets. While waiting until Monday's questions get rolling, World Sports Writer John E. Hoover offers 12 questions to ponder:
1. Can Oklahoma win its fourth Big 12 title in a row?
A Web site called
BetOnline.com
says Oklahoma is the favorite to "beat Texas, handle the Bedlam and play (Florida) for another BCS Championship in 2010." That's a popular opinion, though Texas remains a very close second. As was apparent last year, the winner of the Red River Rivalry isn't necessarily the winner of the South.
2. How close is OSU to interrupting Texas and OU's Big 12 deathgrip?
That depends on how close new coordinator Bill Young is to turning the Cowboys' defense into a championship unit. The offense could be better than ever, but Zac Robinson and Russell Okung are seniors, and Dez Bryant likely will turn pro. On defense, it may be now or never.
3. How many airplanes will be hired for in-your-face flyovers this year?
The over-under is two, regardless of which teams are in the South Division race. Hey, it's trendy — or, it was last year, when Texas fans hired a plane to fly over an OU game in Stillwater, Texas Tech fans hired a plane to fly over UT practice in Austin and Texas fans hired a plane to fly over the Missouri-OU Big 12 title match in Kansas City — where both participants had lost their regular-season game to Texas.
4. Who will win the North?
Does it matter? The North's last title was in 2003, when K-State shocked OU. OK, it matters. Mark it down to either Nebraska (seemingly on the rise) or Kansas (leaning heavily on feisty senior QB Todd Reesing and a lot of hope on defense) to stand opposite OU or Texas in Cowboys Stadium on Dec. 5.
5. Will Texas Tech's (insert QB's name here) lead all of creation in passing yards?
One wouldn't think so. Not after Graham Harrell owned the position for three years. But Mike Leach's offense has produced one-year wonders like B.J. Symons (5,833 yards), Sonny Cumbie (4,742) and Cody Hodges (4,238). Harrell in his debut season threw for 4,555. Even without WR Michael Crabtree, sophomore Taylor Potts will put up huge numbers.
6. Can Missouri replace all those offensive stars and still compete for the North title?
Sounds impossible. Coach Gary Pinkel thought three-year starting QB Chase Daniel was the free world's best leader since Patton. WR Jeremy Maclin was a terrific WR and even better on returns. TE Chase Coffman is off to a long NFL career. Their replacements are all question marks. So is Mizzou.
7. Will ESPN push to rename the Heisman Trophy the Tebow Trophy, or can the Big 12 repeat?
The Worldwide Leader's love for all things Tebow shows with each broadcast. That's a tough PR campaign to overcome, especially with the "should've won it last year" sympathy vote. But Sam Bradford is the reigning winner, and Colt McCoy is the resident runner-up. Keep an eye on Dez Bryant, who could win it with another year like '08. Todd Reesing is a darkhorse.
8. Does Bill Snyder still have the fire to patch up Kansas State?
Unknown. His early comments would indicate he's either playing the Lou Holtz "poor us" card, or he realizes there is little chance of recapturing the Manhattan Magic.
9. Will Colorado finally get going under Dan Hawkins?
They'd better. Hawkins' motto this season is "Ten wins and no excuses." This is a team that went 5-7 overall and 2-6 in league play and now, apparently, has uncertainty at quarterback. Buff fans won't rest over another underachieving season.
10. Which freshman will help his team the most this year?
Depends. Could it be RB Christine Michael injecting life into a moribund Texas A&M offense? Or DE Alex Okafor sliding in for Brian Orakpo at Texas? Don't overlook OU's Tom Wort, who won't play LB much but might be just what the Sooners need on their sagging special teams.
11. Who has the farthest to go to be a winner: Iowa State, Texas A&M, Kansas State or Baylor?
Not Baylor. With Robert Griffin, the Bears lead this pack. K-State has the coach in place. Texas A&M at least has the expectations (realistic or not). ISU remains the Big 12's worst program.
12. Did last year's controversial tiebreaker for the South title work, and is it fair?
It worked perfectly. OU played the nation's most difficult schedule and was rewarded for its hubris. The system was in place for 10 years before anyone gave it a second thought. The tiebreaker's design is to give the highest-ranked team the best shot at the BCS title game and still get a second team into the BCS. That was a $22 million payday last year. So yes, to the Big 12, it's fair.
Daily schedule
Monday
Nebraska:
Head coach Bo Pelini, RB Roy Helu Jr., C Jacob Hickman, DE Ndamukong Suh
Oklahoma State:
Head coach Mike Gundy, assistant HC Jason Jones, QB Zac Robinson, LB Andre Sexton
Iowa State:
Head coach Paul Rhoads, QB Austen Arnaud, OL Reggie Stephens, DL Nate Frere
Texas A&M:
Head coach Mike Sherman, players TBA
Tuesday
Missouri:
Head coach Gary Pinkel, LB Sean Weatherspoon, DL Jaron Baston, OL Kurtis Gregory
Baylor:
Head coach Art Briles, def. coord. Brian Norwood, QB Robert Griffin, FS Jordan Lake, LB Joe Pawelek, C J.D. Walton
Kansas:
Head coach Mark Mangino, QB Todd Reesing, WR Kerry Meier, DE Max Onyegbule
Oklahoma:
Head coach Bob Stoops, QB Sam Bradford, DT Gerald McCoy, TE Jermaine Gresham
Wednesday
Kansas State:
Head coach Bill Snyder, players TBA
Texas Tech:
Head coach Mike Leach, OL Brandon Carter, DB Jamar Wall, DL Colby Whitlock
Colorado:
Head coach Dan Hawkins, assoc. HC Brian Cabral, TE Riar Greer, LB Marcus Burton, LB Jeff Smart
Texas:
Head coach Mack Brown, players TBA
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
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5
comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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lovethemsooners
, Fayetteville (7/26/2009 9:33:56 AM)
1) Yes
2) Not as close as they think they are.
3) None
4) Doesn't matter.
5) No
6) Absolutely not.
7) ESPN will push, but Sam or Colt could still win.
8) No chance, but his OOC scheduling will help.
9) No
10) Probably Okafor.
11) ISU, who else?
12) It worked and it's fair. Strong OOC schedules should be rewarded.
Report Comment
MexiMike
, Tulsa (7/26/2009 4:43:16 PM)
Wow, lovethemsooners, that wasn't biased at all...
Unfortunately, Dez Bryant doesn't have a shot at the Heisman. It's a QB award these days and I'd say Zac has a better shot than Dez does. With that being said, as long as it doesn't end up in Tebow's hands, I'll be happy.
Report Comment
Mimosa_House
, Tulsa (7/26/2009 8:04:01 PM)
Texas A&M players are to-be-announced because Mike Sherman hopes to get a couple of walk-ons tonight that can start at Quarterback, Running Back, and Middle Linebacker respectively.
Report Comment
Darockwilder
, Tulsa (7/27/2009 8:59:09 AM)
I hope our D steps up and we will do great this year!!
Report Comment
Rhymeister
, Tokyo, JPN (7/28/2009 11:08:48 AM)
Here are my predictons:
1. The Bill Snyder hire at K-State is not going to pan out well at all. They should have given Prince one more season to work it out. He got entirely too much flak for bringing in juco players but KSU can no longer get the elite athletes they were getting before when they went on a run. And the run was helped in LARGE PART by playing quite a few Div II and tiddlywinks colleges that barely had a football program, many no longer do, lol.
2. I see Colorado at about .500 or a bit above. That might get Hawkins fired but they should give him one more year after this one.
3. A&M will stink it up this year. That HC hire was a poor choice. If they hire Gill after they fire Mike Sherman then that will not be good for the other South Div schools and might cause the Big XII to do another alignment, East-West, so as to make the league more competitive in the two divisions.
4. Baylor will upset at least one of the three "Top 20" teams in the South.
5. OU will not only be going undefeated but will lose two conference games as a porous offensive line will not allow Bradford to be comfortable in the pocket akin to what Matthew Stafford faced last season at Georgia...
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