Our picks for the Big 12 Conference 2017 (with extras!)

[Cowboyinexile]

Our punter could beat up your punter

Sinor 4 Heisman

 

[tducey]

I went with Oklahoma/Texas

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

I can only see OU vs TCU.

It makes me sad to see what the Longhorns have become.

 

[Deep Creek]

But lets keep thinking that you can see into the future and figure out what Lincoln Riley is going to do,

Go back to his Muleshoe Mules roots?

 

[Deep Creek]

PPGA is one of the dumbest metrics in determining how good a defense is. In 2015 OU was 5th in defensive efficiency using that Air Raid attack.

Be smarter.

Yards per play is the most accurate nowadays. A lot more so than yards per game because of the huge disparity in number of plays the teams run.

 

[Deep Creek]

As we controlled the game with a solid running game, OU defense improved.

Not so sure. Your defensive stats may have improved because the defense wasn't on the field as much because you guys ate up the clock with those two monster RBs. Teams like that actually play defense with their offense. A CFB version of keep away. If a team doesn't have the ball, they can't score with it. And when they do get it, they have a tendency to score too fast and have to put their exhausted defense back on the field to have your two monster RBs pound their ass again for an exhausting 8 minute plus drive.

The only way an Air Raid team will have a good defense...statistically... is if they have enough quality depth to keep 'em fresh....cause their defense is going to be on the field a LLLLOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG time. They'll score quick or have a 20 second three and out on three imcomplete passes. And Tech has never had good first team defensive talent...much less defensive depth. But, they ought to be better than they are. They are recruiting good defensive players for a variety of reasons....some of which are players know they'll have to be on the field too much and don't want to get blamed for poor defense.

 

[romeo212000]

Not so sure. Your defensive stats may have improved because the defense wasn't on the field as much because you guys ate up the clock with those two monster RBs. Teams like that actually play defense with their offense. A CFB version of keep away. If a team doesn't have the ball, they can't score with it. And when they do get it, they have a tendency to score too fast and have to put their exhausted defense back on the field to have your two monster RBs pound their ass again for an exhausting 8 minute plus drive.

The only way an Air Raid team will have a good defense...statistically... is if they have enough quality depth to keep 'em fresh....cause their defense is going to be on the field a LLLLOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG time. They'll score quick or have a 20 second three and out on three imcomplete passes. And Tech has never had good first team defensive talent...much less defensive depth. But, they ought to be better than they are. They are recruiting good defensive players for a variety of reasons....some of which are players know they'll have to be on the field too much and don't want to get blamed for poor defense.

Riley has shown the ability and willingness to pound the rock with a power run game. The offensive line is built to do just that. He learned a great deal last season about how he can help his defense. With that line, and Oklahomas stable of backs he will not struggle to run the ball. That line is built to abuse opposing defenses. Not run that constant zone blocking finesse scheme. People keep calling him an air raid guy because he's a Leach protege, but he's not a true air raid guy. Look at the games Oklahoma won last season. When they run the ball more than they pass they win.

 

[Deep Creek]

When they run the ball more than they pass they win.

And when they do that, the defense is on the field a lot less and their energy level and defensive stats are better. Put the defense out there twice as much by chunking it more and stopping the clock more often, and both the energy level and defensive stats get worse. Like I said, play defense with your offense.

I actually watched a high school team keep the ball the entire third quarter one year. Received the opening kick off, marched it down the field with all running plays of less than 6 yds (converted several 4th and inches), changed ends and scored on the 2nd play of the 4th quarter...all in the same possession. They also wouldn't snap the ball until there was less than five seconds on the play clock. When they asked the coach about it after the game he said it worked out that way because his running backs were so slow the defense actually caught them within five yards of the line of scrimmage...even when the backs broke the run open. Had several similar possessions. Frustrated the hell out of the other team. THey had something like 6-7 possessions the whole game.

I watched Don Haskins do it for years in hoops...prior to the shot clock era. If he had inferior talent, he'd play a very, very, very deliberate offense, keep the score close and win games at the end. Wouldn't let the other team (which was usually more talented) have the ball as much. When he had more talented guys like Tim Hardaway, Nate Archibald, etc, he'd turn the reigns loose because he could.

 

[outofyourmind]

I actually watched a high school team keep the ball the entire third quarter one year.

Barry Switzer could eat up an entire quarter with one drive.

 

[romeo212000]

And when they do that, the defense is on the field a lot less and their energy level and defensive stats are better. Put the defense out there twice as much by chunking it more and stopping the clock more often, and both the energy level and defensive stats get worse. Like I said, play defense with your offense.

I actually watched a high school team keep the ball the entire third quarter one year. Received the opening kick off, marched it down the field with all running plays of less than 6 yds (converted several 4th and inches), changed ends and scored on the 2nd play of the 4th quarter...all in the same possession. They also wouldn't snap the ball until there was less than five seconds on the play clock. When they asked the coach about it after the game he said it worked out that way because his running backs were so slow the defense actually caught them within five yards of the line of scrimmage...even when the backs broke the run open. Had several similar possessions. Frustrated the hell out of the other team. THey had something like 6-7 possessions the whole game.

I watched Don Haskins do it for years in hoops...prior to the shot clock era. If he had inferior talent, he'd play a very, very, very deliberate offense, keep the score close and win games at the end. Wouldn't let the other team (which was usually more talented) have the ball as much. When he had more talented guys like Tim Hardaway, Nate Archibald, etc, he'd turn the reigns loose because he could.

My brother in laws high school team (Cabbot Arkansas) did exactly that. Won several state championships that way. Coach told the running backs "The line will get you two yards. Your job is to fall forward for one more. Three times four is 12 yards. How can we lose?"

 

[starbigd]

I don't think Riley is going to do that tho.

He has a heisman candidate QB......he's going to be chucking it up a LOT next season. He'll run when he has to is my guess. He's going to be relying on that QB for most of the season.

 

[romeo212000]

I don't think Riley is going to do that tho.

He has a heisman candidate QB......he's going to be chucking it up a LOT next season. He'll run when he has to is my guess. He's going to be relying on that QB for most of the season.

We will see. He's been caught doing that before. It was a major screw up in the Houston and Ohio State game. Hopefully he's learned his lesson, but I'm a little gunshy till I see he has for good.

 

[AlaskaGuy]

Mike Gundy thinks his mullet is worth 'somewhere in the millions' in marketing to Oklahoma State | SportsDay

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Big XII media was talking about this situation with Snyders health yesterday.
They tell us that Bill Snyder very much wants his son, Sean, to take over the program when he steps down, but nobody up there seems to want that at all and it will be a fight when it happens.

They also thought that there might be signs of Bill Snyder's cancer progressing faster than thought and that he just might resign mid season in order to force the issue about his son to the Administration, and make them name Sean at interim head coach, just to get him in there.

I see huge infighting and people/coaches trying to position themselves for the ever approaching change, and because of this, predict that KSU just might be a dumpster fire this year.

Really?! Oooooo... This just got a little more interesting.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Texas

Preview segment: The Texas Longhorns

Last season: Well, shoot. I've been trying to find a video of that funny ESPNU segment with the "Not Texas Radio Network" (you know, where homer Texas fans hype up their team... only to see their beloved Longhorns lose to Kansas in Lawrence), but my searches have come up empty.
...Ah, maybe it's for the best; Texas fans are trying to forget that little debacle, as they dumped Charlie Strong and grabbed some guy named Herman.

Bad news: Losing D'Onta Foreman to the NFL has crippled the running game of the Longhorns, as questions abound about replacement RB Chris Warren III. Depth is an issue at key points (like cornerback), and Texas's special teams need a HUGE overhaul.

Good news: If Texas stays healthy, their defense could be a terror with 10 starters coming back. The O-line is experienced, and with 8 of the top 10 WR's from 2016 returning I think Shane Buechele will feel VERY comfortable throwing the ball.

Key games:
9/2 vs. Maryland (It's Tom Herman's big debut as Texas coach, but wait! This may not be the easy win we all think it's gonna be; Maryland does have some talent.)
9/16 @ USC (Blah blah blah, "2005 Rose Bowl", blah blah blah, "Vince Young", blah blah blah... Oh, please! Texas needs to stop reliving the past and focus on stopping Sam Darnold.)
10/14 vs. Oklahoma [in Dallas] (In October, things REALLY get crazy for Texas. The month starts with Kansas State, then it's this annual extravaganza in Dallas.)
10/21 vs. Oklahoma State (This isn't really an ideal game for Texas to play right after dealing with the Sooners. Expect a lot of bitter feelings to come out here in Austin.)
10/28 @ Baylor (And finally, Texas travels to Waco to face a Baylor team they pushed out of the national title picture last season. Thankfully, the schedule lightens up afterwards.)
11/4 @ TCU (Or... maybe not.)

Bottom line: The Longhorns fans have been REALLY loud on this thread so far, and maybe even more so when they read this. But I'm giving them some credit; not even the hardcore fans are thinking about a national title in 2017. They know that even with Tom Herman and the promise he shows, washing off the stench of the Charlie Strong regime will take more than 1 year.
Thankfully, a lot of starters are still in Austin, so I see Texas finishing in 3rd place... just out of reach of the Big 12 title game.

 

[outofyourmind]

Texas

Preview segment: The Texas Longhorns

Last season: Well, shoot. I've been trying to find a video of that funny ESPNU segment with the "Not Texas Radio Network" (you know, where homer Texas fans hype up their team... only to see their beloved Longhorns lose to Kansas in Lawrence), but my searches have come up empty.
...Ah, maybe it's for the best; Texas fans are trying to forget that little debacle, as they dumped Charlie Strong and grabbed some guy named Herman.

Bad news: Losing D'Onta Foreman to the NFL has crippled the running game of the Longhorns, as questions abound about replacement RB Chris Warren III. Depth is an issue at key points (like cornerback), and Texas's special teams need a HUGE overhaul.

Good news: If Texas stays healthy, their defense could be a terror with 10 starters coming back. The O-line is experienced, and with 8 of the top 10 WR's from 2016 returning I think Shane Buechele will feel VERY comfortable throwing the ball.

Key games:
9/2 vs. Maryland (It's Tom Herman's big debut as Texas coach, but wait! This may not be the easy win we all think it's gonna be; Maryland does have some talent.)
9/16 @ USC (Blah blah blah, "2005 Rose Bowl", blah blah blah, "Vince Young", blah blah blah... Oh, please! Texas needs to stop reliving the past and focus on stopping Sam Darnold.)
10/14 vs. Oklahoma [in Dallas] (In October, things REALLY get crazy for Texas. The month starts with Kansas State, then it's this annual extravaganza in Dallas.)
10/21 vs. Oklahoma State (This isn't really an ideal game for Texas to play right after dealing with the Sooners. Expect a lot of bitter feelings to come out here in Austin.)
10/28 @ Baylor (And finally, Texas travels to Waco to face a Baylor team they pushed out of the national title picture last season. Thankfully, the schedule lightens up afterwards.)
11/4 @ TCU (Or... maybe not.)

Bottom line: The Longhorns fans have been REALLY loud on this thread so far, and maybe even more so when they read this. But I'm giving them some credit; not even the hardcore fans are thinking about a national title in 2017. They know that even with Tom Herman and the promise he shows, washing off the stench of the Charlie Strong regime will take more than 1 year.
Thankfully, a lot of starters are still in Austin, so I see Texas finishing in 3rd place... just out of reach of the Big 12 title game.

This breaks it down.
It's not pretty

2017 Texas Longhorns Schedule with honest opinion/analysis/percpective - discussion inside........

 

[Deep Creek]

I don't think Riley is going to do that tho.

He has a heisman candidate QB......he's going to be chucking it up a LOT next season. He'll run when he has to is my guess. He's going to be relying on that QB for most of the season.

Then he may not be true to the Air Raid if he does. From what I know about Air Raid, the defense you see (or the other team has ) dictates whether you run or pass and even what type of run or pass it is. Unless you botch the run opportunity and then they pass regardless.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Kansas

Preview segment: The Kansas Jayhawks

Last season: Yes, we know about what happened on Kansas's "Senior Day", but let's not forget these facts: Kansas was 1-9 entering that game, they finished the year 2-10, and the school hasn't had a 5-win season since 2009.

Good news: Kansas's D-line may be the best in the Big 12, with Dorance Armstrong Jr. the one to watch. Overall team speed has improved since Beaty took over the team, no doubt thanks to his recruiting efforts.

Bad news: The secondary could get lit up thanks to a lack of experience, and a fight is ensuing to see who'll be the starting QB.

Key games:
9/16 @ Ohio (Not just because Kansas wants revenge on the Bobcats for beating them last year, but also because Kansas hasn't won a game on the road since 2009. How is that even possible?)
9/23 vs. West Virginia (That great D-line, the rebuilding secondary, that Kansas offense... It'll all be in for a big test right here.)
10/14 @ Iowa State (The next step in Kansas's rebuilding phase: Shoving Iowa State into the cellar.)
10/28 vs. Kansas State (And then, Kansas needs to upset Kansas State for the first time since 2008.)

Bottom line: It's getting better, but the postseason will still be out of reach for Kansas this season. Unless, of course, Kansas can shock a Big 12 heavyweight again.

 

[starbigd]

Texas

Preview segment: The Texas Longhorns

Last season: Well, shoot. I've been trying to find a video of that funny ESPNU segment with the "Not Texas Radio Network" (you know, where homer Texas fans hype up their team... only to see their beloved Longhorns lose to Kansas in Lawrence), but my searches have come up empty.
...Ah, maybe it's for the best; Texas fans are trying to forget that little debacle, as they dumped Charlie Strong and grabbed some guy named Herman.

Bad news: Losing D'Onta Foreman to the NFL has crippled the running game of the Longhorns, as questions abound about replacement RB Chris Warren III. Depth is an issue at key points (like cornerback), and Texas's special teams need a HUGE overhaul.

Good news: If Texas stays healthy, their defense could be a terror with 10 starters coming back. The O-line is experienced, and with 8 of the top 10 WR's from 2016 returning I think Shane Buechele will feel VERY comfortable throwing the ball.

Key games:
9/2 vs. Maryland (It's Tom Herman's big debut as Texas coach, but wait! This may not be the easy win we all think it's gonna be; Maryland does have some talent.)
9/16 @ USC (Blah blah blah, "2005 Rose Bowl", blah blah blah, "Vince Young", blah blah blah... Oh, please! Texas needs to stop reliving the past and focus on stopping Sam Darnold.)
10/14 vs. Oklahoma [in Dallas] (In October, things REALLY get crazy for Texas. The month starts with Kansas State, then it's this annual extravaganza in Dallas.)
10/21 vs. Oklahoma State (This isn't really an ideal game for Texas to play right after dealing with the Sooners. Expect a lot of bitter feelings to come out here in Austin.)
10/28 @ Baylor (And finally, Texas travels to Waco to face a Baylor team they pushed out of the national title picture last season. Thankfully, the schedule lightens up afterwards.)
11/4 @ TCU (Or... maybe not.)

Bottom line: The Longhorns fans have been REALLY loud on this thread so far, and maybe even more so when they read this. But I'm giving them some credit; not even the hardcore fans are thinking about a national title in 2017. They know that even with Tom Herman and the promise he shows, washing off the stench of the Charlie Strong regime will take more than 1 year.
Thankfully, a lot of starters are still in Austin, so I see Texas finishing in 3rd place... just out of reach of the Big 12 title game.

Not bad, but I think the Texas running game and secondary are better than you think. Lack of depth is not an accurate description. At RB Texas has Warren, Kirk Johnson, Kyle Porter, Toneil Carter and Daniel Young........and the secondary is absolutely LOADED with talent - no depth issues there either.

Problem areas are LB and DE, TE

We agree on STs

 

[romeo212000]

Not bad, but I think the Texas running game and secondary are better than you think. Lack of depth is not an accurate description. At RB Texas has Warren, Kirk Johnson, Kyle Porter, Toneil Carter and Daniel Young........and the secondary is absolutely LOADED with talent - no depth issues there either.

Problem areas are LB and DE, TE

We agree on STs

Problem is, can your running backs stay on the field?