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

[Cowboyinexile]

Baylor made one really good hire.......they got a pretty much legendary HS coach from the Dallas area as an assistant, a guy that Texas tried to hire under Strong - Jerry Maguire, from Cedar Hill.....a school that has basically become a 6A powerhouse.

If you guys want to know why Kansas at one point was leading the conference in recruiting its because they did the same thing......hired a legend out of Louisiana HS to coach their RBs.....now they're landing recruits from Louisiana they normally would have ZERO shot at getting

Smart move by Kansas. Good luck holding onto their Louisiana pipeline when they go 3-9 though.

Same with Baylor. I don't know if they will make a bowl this year but they aren't 2002 Baylor. They have the facilities and support to be a solid 8-4 type team. They might be facing serious sanctions from the NCAA over recruiting violations though.

 

[Deep Creek]

We are about to find out at Baylor. They now have the facilities and Rhule is saying the right things. I get the feeling they are still a little shady at recruiting but who isn't these days.

He wants to emphasize ball control and defense but he has no depth on either line (or really anywhere but qb and rb) this year. I'm guessing that won't go well. But Rhule signed a 7 year deal so he has time to turn it around.

Yeah, all the schools except the biggies have to be a little questionable in recruiting or they'll lose 'em to said biggies. That's a given. Rhule did hire some Texas connections as assistants so some of the success might be attributed to that.

Rhule seems to be the exact opposite of Briles in character which is a good hire IMHO. I don't have a problem with coaches at the "non biggie" schools recruiting some good players that have questionable history. I have a problem when those plays continue to do the same things while in college and the coaches don't address it in what most people view as "properly". Briles was the poster child in how NOT to do it! And his superiors must have been just as bad or worse considering what all happened. But there are a bunch of other coaches that let guys slide way too much...very similar to Briles. JMO

I think you are right in thinking the slug it out style won't go too well...at least for a few years. He doesn't have that type of player right now...or at least not enough of 'em. And he may not ever have enough of them at Baylor to ever be real successful on a consistent basis. The guys like that are going to Texas and OU.

I'm also interested in seeing how Baylor fans react to the change. My brother in law is a Baylor grad and he's happy as hell with the change. But I've made a bet with him that their attendance will drop if they lose a lot of games like 24-10 or so. When theylost, those fans are used to losing 63-49, etc. Even though they are both 14 point losses, I don't think most Baylor fans will see it that way. Again, JMO.

 

[outofyourmind]

Yeah, all the schools except the biggies have to be a little questionable in recruiting or they'll lose 'em to said biggies. That's a given. Rhule did hire some Texas connections as assistants so some of the success might be attributed to that.

Rhule seems to be the exact opposite of Briles in character which is a good hire IMHO. I don't have a problem with coaches at the "non biggie" schools recruiting some good players that have questionable history. I have a problem when those plays continue to do the same things while in college and the coaches don't address it in what most people view as "properly". Briles was the poster child in how NOT to do it! And his superiors must have been just as bad or worse considering what all happened. But there are a bunch of other coaches that let guys slide way too much...very similar to Briles. JMO

I think you are right in thinking the slug it out style won't go too well...at least for a few years. He doesn't have that type of player right now...or at least not enough of 'em. And he may not ever have enough of them at Baylor to ever be real successful on a consistent basis. The guys like that are going to Texas and OU.

I'm also interested in seeing how Baylor fans react to the change. My brother in law is a Baylor grad and he's happy as hell with the change. But I've made a bet with him that their attendance will drop if they lose a lot of games like 24-10 or so. When theylost, those fans are used to losing 63-49, etc. Even though they are both 14 point losses, I don't think most Baylor fans will see it that way. Again, JMO.

I think that Mike Leach showed everyone you could run a program right and be competitive and win games when he was at Texas Tech. All he got were leftover Texas High School talent and did wonders with it.

 

[Deep Creek]

I think that Mike Leach showed everyone you could run a program right and be competitive and win games when he was at Texas Tech. All he got were leftover Texas High School talent and did wonders with it.

He did. But he couldn't crack the BCS and he wasn't a top 10-15 program year in and year out. Don't get me wrong, he did better than anyone else has at Tech IMHO. Spike Dykes got about as much out of 'em as was possible as well. Just not to Leach's level.

I just don't think it is doable at the lesser schools on a consistent basis unless you are able to recruit the same players as the biggies...and that ain't happenin' without what some people consider shady deals. JMO. They can't attract the depth... talent wise... to get through the rough patch like injuries, off field stuff, etc like the biggies can. I don't know if that is consistently doable at places like Tech and Wazzou.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Texas Tech

Preview segment: The Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last season: Yet again, Texas Tech's offense was amazing. And yet again, Tech's defense was just pitiful. And in 2016, that sadly wasn't enough to grab a bowl berth. Now Patrick Mahomes is off to be a flop in the NFL, and Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury may be the next one to go if he doesn't get a handle on things.

Good news: At least Tech knows who's gonna replace Mahomes at the QB spot (Nic Shimonek), so the Air Raid offense should be fine. And besides, Tech still has an embrassment of riches at wide-receiver.

Bad news: I won't rant about the defense. Just listen to this: Out of Texas Tech's 12 games in 2016, the defense gave up 44 points or more 8 times!
Wait... Hey, there IS something else to worry about in Lubbock: Their O-line. It's talented, but pretty young, and it must jell quickly to help the offense out.

Key games:
9/16 vs. Arizona State (Whatever you do, don't expect these two teams to score a combined 123 points this time around. 90 points should be about right.)
9/30 vs. Oklahoma State (This could be a good chance for Tech to pull off a BIG upset. They'll have a GREAT chance if their defense gets any better.)
10/28 @ Oklahoma (Don't scoff at this; Texas Tech almost got the Sooners last year before losing 66-59.)
11/11 vs. Baylor [in Arlington] (According to some sources on this thread, Baylor may be a better team than we thought. Well, I guess we'll find out in Arlington when these two rivals go at it.)
11/24 @ Texas (Remember when Tech ruined Texas's "Senior Day" 2 years ago? Oh, it was horrible! ...Let's hope we see that again!)

Bottom line: There's quite a few questions in Lubbock, Texas right now. Can the O-line hold everything together? Can the new QB lead the passing attack like Mahomes did? And can Tech's new defense stop ANYBODY?
Well to me, all Kingsbury has to do is get the defense going, and that will be the ticket back to the postseason for Texas Tech. If he doesn't, though, Tech may be wanting to try someone else next season.

 

[outofyourmind]

Texas Tech

Preview segment: The Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last season: Yet again, Texas Tech's offense was amazing. And yet again, Tech's defense was just pitiful. And in 2016, that sadly wasn't enough to grab a bowl berth. Now Patrick Mahomes is off to be a flop in the NFL, and Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury may be the next one to go if he doesn't get a handle on things.

Good news: At least Tech knows who's gonna replace Mahomes at the QB spot (Nic Shimonek), so the Air Raid offense should be fine. And besides, Tech still has an embrassment of riches at wide-receiver.

Bad news: I won't rant about the defense. Just listen to this: Out of Texas Tech's 12 games in 2016, the defense gave up 44 points or more 8 times!
Wait... Hey, there IS something else to worry about in Lubbock: Their O-line. It's talented, but pretty young, and it must jell quickly to help the offense out.

Key games:
9/16 vs. Arizona State (Whatever you do, don't expect these two teams to score a combined 123 points this time around. 90 points should be about right.)
9/30 vs. Oklahoma State (This could be a good chance for Tech to pull off a BIG upset. They'll have a GREAT chance if their defense gets any better.)
10/28 @ Oklahoma (Don't scoff at this; Texas Tech almost got the Sooners last year before losing 66-59.)
11/11 vs. Baylor [in Arlington] (According to some sources on this thread, Baylor may be a better team than we thought. Well, I guess we'll find out in Arlington when these two rivals go at it.)
11/24 @ Texas (Remember when Tech ruined Texas's "Senior Day" 2 years ago? Oh, it was horrible! ...Let's hope we see that again!)

Bottom line: There's quite a few questions in Lubbock, Texas right now. Can the O-line hold everything together? Can the new QB lead the passing attack like Mahomes did? And can Tech's new defense stop ANYBODY?
Well to me, all Kingsbury has to do is get the defense going, and that will be the ticket back to the postseason for Texas Tech. If he doesn't, though, Tech may be wanting to try someone else next season.

At the Big XII Media Days, every reporter told us that Kingsbury didn't seem into it at all. Looked tired and not enthused to be there at all. Come off like a guy who was beat down and ready to move on with his life.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Oklahoma State

Preview segment: The Oklahoma State Cowboys

Last season:
Gundy: Mullet worth 'millions' in OSU marketing

Well... Obviously that mullet's doing SOMETHING good for Oklahoma State, because last year the Cowboys went 11-2 and smashed Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. In fact, had they not gotten screwed in that game against Central Michigan, OK State could have been in a "New Year's Six" bowl!
Now with a strong team returning, this may be OK State's best chance EVER to get a national title.

Good news: Forget about Mason Rudolph and his awesome passing attack for a moment; how about RB Justice Hill? He'll be leading an improved running game for the Cowboys. On defense, LB Chad Whitener looks like he can be a playmaker...

Bad news: ...but he's the only linebacker I trust right now in Stillwater. There are also holes at other key areas on defense, like defensive tackle (Vincent Taylor is gone) and cornerback.

Key games:
9/16 @ Pittsburgh (OK State fans will probably hate me for this, but I feel like the physical Panthers can take OK State out this season. The key will be if OK State's defense can get to Pitt's quarterback.)
9/30 @ Texas Tech (See my Texas Tech preview.)
10/21 @ Texas (How the Cowboys handle Texas's offense will determine if OK State beats them for the 3rd year in a row.)
10/28 @ West Virginia (If I'm a OK State fan, I'd better not sleep on this game. The Mountaineers will be a dangerous team this year, and the game after this one...)
11/4 vs. Oklahoma (...is the annual "Bedlam Series". And if OK State doesn't beat the Sooners THIS year, I don't think they'll EVER do it!)

Bottom line: Regionally, Oklahoma State will be a good team. But nationally, I think they're the ultimate wild-card of the 2017 season. Can their defense fill in the holes that they have? Will the Cowboys make a run at the CFP? And what will it mean for the Big 12 if they (or anyone else from the conference) don't get in the CFP?
One thing's for sure: Oklahoma State will be in the Big 12 title game and be SOME form of a factor in the national race... which right now sounds like Nirvana in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

 

[Cowboyinexile]

Oklahoma State

Preview segment: The Oklahoma State Cowboys

Last season:
Gundy: Mullet worth 'millions' in OSU marketing

Well... Obviously that mullet's doing SOMETHING good for Oklahoma State, because last year the Cowboys went 11-2 and smashed Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. In fact, had they not gotten screwed in that game against Central Michigan, OK State could have been in a "New Year's Six" bowl!
Now with a strong team returning, this may be OK State's best chance EVER to get a national title.

Good news: Forget about Mason Rudolph and his awesome passing attack for a moment; how about RB Justice Hill? He'll be leading an improved running game for the Cowboys. On defense, LB Chad Whitener looks like he can be a playmaker...

Bad news: ...but he's the only linebacker I trust right now in Stillwater. There are also holes at other key areas on defense, like defensive tackle (Vincent Taylor is gone) and cornerback.

Key games:
9/16 @ Pittsburgh (OK State fans will probably hate me for this, but I feel like the physical Panthers can take OK State out this season. The key will be if OK State's defense can get to Pitt's quarterback.)
9/30 @ Texas Tech (See my Texas Tech preview.)
10/21 @ Texas (How the Cowboys handle Texas's offense will determine if OK State beats them for the 3rd year in a row.)
10/28 @ West Virginia (If I'm a OK State fan, I'd better not sleep on this game. The Mountaineers will be a dangerous team this year, and the game after this one...)
11/4 vs. Oklahoma (...is the annual "Bedlam Series". And if OK State doesn't beat the Sooners THIS year, I don't think they'll EVER do it!)

Bottom line: Regionally, Oklahoma State will be a good team. But nationally, I think they're the ultimate wild-card of the 2017 season. Can their defense fill in the holes that they have? Will the Cowboys make a run at the CFP? And what will it mean for the Big 12 if they (or anyone else from the conference) don't get in the CFP?
One thing's for sure: Oklahoma State will be in the Big 12 title game and be SOME form of a factor in the national race... which right now sounds like Nirvana in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

We might be alright at cornerback. We have some young guys that showed enough for the coaches to move Richards to safety in the off-season. It's a more natural position for him, but he has been at corner the past three seasons due to lack of depth at the position. Then we got a grad transfer that is expected to start. I'll wait to see how they perform on the field before I get too excited about the position but we should be better there than we have been the last couple of years.

 

[GoldRusher]

At the Big XII Media Days, every reporter told us that Kingsbury didn't seem into it at all. Looked tired and not enthused to be there at all. Come off like a guy who was beat down and ready to move on with his life.

He has a fair shot at being the OU OC if things go the way we think they are gonna go at Tech this year iyam. Pretty good fit and he is prob a better OC than HC.

 

[Cowboyinexile]

He has a fair shot at being the OU OC if things go the way we think they are gonna go at Tech this year iyam. Pretty good fit and he is prob a better OC than HC.

The Tech Bros together?

Every pair of xxl panties in trailer parks from Norman to Lawton just hit the ground.

 

[romeo212000]

He has a fair shot at being the OU OC if things go the way we think they are gonna go at Tech this year iyam. Pretty good fit and he is prob a better OC than HC.

Please, God no.

 

[miah]

For the first time since 2010, the Big 12 Conference will have a REAL championship game! Who will be in it, and will the conference regret not inviting Houston to join them?

Well, you guys can argue about the latter question all you want. Me, I'll deal with the former. Deal?

Regret not inviting Houston!? You serious, Clark?

 

[Scapegoat]

He has a fair shot at being the OU OC if things go the way we think they are gonna go at Tech this year iyam. Pretty good fit and he is prob a better OC than HC.

Intersting

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Iowa State

Preview segment: The Iowa State Cyclones

Last season: A rough 3-9 in Matt Campbell's 1st season.

Good news: The offense looks potent, with David Montgomery and Mike Warren making up a strong running attack.

Bad news: Both lines need a lot of work; the D-line is lacking wide-bodies and the O-line only has 1 returning starter.

Key games:
9/9 vs. Iowa (After [hopefully] getting revenge on Northern Iowa, the Cyclones will try to take out their "Cy-Hawk trophy" rivals.)
9/28 vs. Texas (This one may not be so bad; after all, the last time Texas went to Iowa State the Cyclones beat them 24-0.)
10/14 vs. Kansas (Putting Kansas in their place in the Big 12 will be necessary for Iowa State...)
10/21 @ Texas Tech (...because they must visit the Red Raiders afterwards. A Red Raider team, by the way, that the Cyclones clobbered last year 66-10.)

Bottom line: A bowl game will be out of reach for Iowa State in 2017, but expect them to inch closer to respectability in Campbell's 2nd season.

 

[outofyourmind]

He has a fair shot at being the OU OC if things go the way we think they are gonna go at Tech this year iyam. Pretty good fit and he is prob a better OC than HC.

Please, God no.

Jesus
Fuck
No

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Baylor

The final preview segment for the Big 12: The Baylor Bears

Last season: I'll be honest with everyone here... Baylor is still kind of a hot-potato for me. Mainly because of that whole sexual-abuse scandal still haunting the program... and the fact that the NCAA hasn't laid down sanctions yet. So I'll try to make this as brief as possible.
Last year, we thought Baylor was gonna lick this problem with a 6-0 start, but once the schedule stiffened the Bears folded in a 6-game losing streak.

Good news: A LOT of changes were made off the field in regards to player conduct, and let's all hope that'll settle things down in Waco. On the field, Baylor's offense should still be good with a deep group of wide-receivers.

Bad news: The scandal just DESTROYED Baylor in terms of recruiting, and it shows as depth will be an issue in key areas... mostly on the O-line.

Key games:
9/23 vs. Oklahoma (Whoever is Baylor's starting QB this season [Zach Smith or Anu Solomon] has to play well in order to ruin Oklahoma's Big 12 opener.)
10/14 @ Oklahoma State (Baylor defeated the Cowboys last season, and the Bears will have 2 weeks to prep for this.)
10/28 vs. Texas (Easily the biggest game for Baylor this season. Not just because of what Texas did to them last season, but because they don't wanna give Tom Herman any more momentum in the Big 12.)
11/24 @ TCU (This rivalry is real, folks. Losing 62-22 in Waco last year will do that to a team.)

Bottom line: After a messy 2016, all people want in Waco right now is a team that can find it's way to a bowl game on the field... and football players that'll be upstanding people off the field.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

My predictions for the Big 12

1. Oklahoma (Conference champs)
2. Oklahoma State (Title game losers)
3. Texas
4. West Virginia
5. TCU
6. Kansas State
7. Baylor
8. Texas Tech
9. Iowa State
10. Kansas

And by the way, Oklahoma State fans: If you don't like the order, then prove that you can beat the Sooners this season. THEN I'll believe you're a national power.

Coming up tomorrow, it'll be FCS predictions and Heisman picks! (I'm 2-0 in Celebration Bowl picks so far... Did you know that?

 

[outofyourmind]

And by the way, Oklahoma State fans: If you don't like the order, then prove that you can beat the Sooners this season. THEN I'll believe you're a national power

The most lopsided Conference record in the nation outside Oklahoma/Iowa State
86-18-7

Gundy vs. Oklahoma 2-10

• 

 

[Hook'Em0608]

Very accurate IMHO Hook'em. Briles is a pretty damend good coach but has a ton of character flaws as a person IMHO.

Question...do you think a coach with a more "tradtiional" style could win at places like Baylor and Tech without the "elite" players the big names can get? I think the lower echelon of the P5s have to do things out of the norm since they can't really land the big fish recruits in any significant numbers...especially in the two lines. Just wondering what your thoughts were on that.

Yea, I think they can win at smaller schools with a regular schematic approach. Spike Dykes did just that at Tech. Granted, Tech isn't willing to admit what success looks like at their school isn't what you would see at OU or UT etc.

Why I don't think that will work any longer in Texas is our high school football is fully committed to the spread wide open offensive philosophy. It's trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. So I guess the answer is yes and no.

Baylor being shitty was more to do with bad coaching hires prior to Briles. They were an average team when the Big 12 started. They fell off with shitty hires. From a football standpoint, Briles was a good coach. He's just a shit human being.

 

[Hook'Em0608]

We are about to find out at Baylor. They now have the facilities and Rhule is saying the right things. I get the feeling they are still a little shady at recruiting but who isn't these days.

He wants to emphasize ball control and defense but he has no depth on either line (or really anywhere but qb and rb) this year. I'm guessing that won't go well. But Rhule signed a 7 year deal so he has time to turn it around.

Baylor is going to be in a world of hurt after this season. They will have basically no upperclassmen. Briles left them in as bad a place as he found them. Despite all that success. He burned it down on the way out.