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Picking the Big 12 Yes, I know, I do understand and can feel your pain. You're tired of all the talk and simply ready for the games to begin… You really do want to buy in and believe, but there's just something on the inside telling you that you're not going to let it happen - AGAIN! You refuse to let yourself fall victim to the hype and you're intentionally restraining yourself, electing to pass on the drink of choice - maroon Kool-Aide they call it - so as not to open up to the possibility of a big letdown. It's the same thing every year, you keep telling yourself…. followed by the same crash and burn…. "I'll believe it when I see it" Ask anyone who's followed A&M football for any period of time and they'll probably tell you they've suffered from some, if not all, of the very same symptoms. And you're hesitance in going all-in on the Aggies may eventually prove a wise choice. I certainly can relate and I might actually agree, at least as it relates to the games getting started, but I can't sit around and only hope for the positive. The urge this time is just too strong! There are simply too many signs; too many things adding up that point to a strong A&M showing. So please, pardon me - just one more time - and let me give you another dose of that maroon serum. Consider along with me some of the reasons the Aggies could very well be the champions of the Big 12 conference: Offense: The Aggies have arguably the best offensive talent in the league, bar none. They are loaded with skill at every position and possess the key ingredients to win the title -- The most experienced returning quarterback in the Big 12; a tough, talented and experienced offensive line; a lethal combination of power and explosiveness at the tailback position; a bruising lead blocker at fullback; a combination at tight end that's among the best in the country; and a variety of skill at the wide receiver position. Defense: The Wrecking Crew defense improved dramatically under the direction of first-year coordinator Gary Darnell. More blitz packages have been installed into the 4-2-5 scheme and the speed with which the defense is playing should create more pressure, sacks, tackles for loss and turnovers. The early fall returns are indicating that the jump in the statistical charts during 2006 should continue into 2007. (See: The Wrecking Crew Returns) Move over Sooners and Horns: Aside from the positional analysis of the various Big 12 contenders - which I think points to A&M as being the logical choice to take home the title - the conference may be ripe for a take-over. Recruiting at A&M has steadily improved and the gap between the Aggies, Sooners and Longhorns has narrowed considerably in the recent years. Texas, beaten rather soundly by A&M to end last season (specifically in the run game), has had off-season troubles with the law and appears a team in disarray; Oklahoma slipped by the Aggies (17-16) last season, but they must replace key personnel on defense and could have difficulty under Bob Stoops outscoring opponents with high-powered offenses. Here's how I see the conference shaking out in 2007: SOUTH Texas A&M (11-1; 7-1) - It's their time. The Aggies have the most explosive set of skill position players in the conference and those type players usually make the bigger difference in games that determine conference champions. The toughest conference games are @ OU, @ Missouri, @ Nebraska and Texas. I'm picking A&M to lose one of those road games and to beat Texas at Kyle Field to claim their second Big 12 conference championship. Texas - (10-2; 6-2) - I believe the Horns will piece together a decent offense, but can they effectively run the ball against the better teams with a rebuilt offensive line? Their defense should be stout - even with the loss of a number of top players off what was considered a bad secondary last season. I'm picking Texas a solid second behind the Aggies because of their easy schedule and the belief that they're probably the second best all-around team in the division behind A&M. Oklahoma (tie) (9-3; 5-3) - The Sooners have what you look for when evaluating conference contenders - a solid defense, a top-notch offensive line and a STOUT run game. Their limitations on offense, however, could eventually cause them to lose a few games that they wouldn't ordinarily lose. If their new QB does prove to be a game-changer then the Sooners could jump significantly and win the conference. Oklahoma State (tie) (7-5; 5-3) - The Cowboys are solid offensively, but what will they do with that defense and its rebuilt line? Offensively, OSU may be the best in the conference, especially if their QB (Bobby Reid) grows and matures, but you don't win titles in this conference with only an offense. Texas Tech (6-6; 4-4) - I know it's popular to think of Tech as an explosive team, but I just don't see it, not this year. They have too many holes to fill and not enough to top talent to build around. Because of the quirky nature of head coach Mike Leach and his offense, the Red Raiders will be a tough opponent for most, but the power teams should be able put them away rather easily…. Baylor (4-8; 1-7) - Not enough talent for the Bears to do anything in this league....... NORTH Missouri (10-2; 6-2) - Obviously the winner of the early season tilt between NU and Missouri will likely decide the North. Both these clubs have questions on defense, specifically along the interior of the defense, with NU also needing an answer at quarterback. Chase Daniel is the leader at QB for MU, and if you find the Tigers as part of the road schedule (Nebraska does) then you could be in for a world of hurt because Missouri has the ability to put up points in a hurry. Nebraska (8-4; 5-3) - I like NU and this should be a tight race between the Huskers and Missouri, but I don't necessarily see either club as a threat in the Big 12 title game. I think there are too many questions for both MU (defense) and NU (defensive line and QB) to be a major threat nationally. The Huskers, however, are always tough in Lincoln and should be near the top in the division race. Kansas (tie) (7-5; 4-4) - A surprise team, in my opinion, and one that returns a bulk of their defense. Watch out for the Hawks as they lost a number of close contests late in the game last season. If they can replace their RB then they should be a solid opponent and in contention. Kansas State (tie) (7-5; 4-4) - A solid team, but their schedule is brutal. I could see them tying Kansas for third, but don't see them going much higher up the ladder than that. Iowa State / Colorado (tie) (3-9; 2-6) - Not much of an opinion on either of these two clubs. CU was horrible offensively last season and they could easily be destined for the basement of the Big 12 North, but I'm not completely sure that Iowa State will fair much better.....it could be a tough year for Gene Chizik during his first campaign in Ames. 2007 Composite Big 12 schedule |