Missouri
Not necessarily because they are the best team in the Big 12..But because they have the easiest road to get to the Big 12 title game, which will be held in KC..In the Tigers backyard...Many people will dismiss this team because they lost to OU twice last season...But you have to understand that the Big 12 title game was the first time Missouri had been on that stage in 40 years..You learn from your experiences..And Missouri will be a better more confident team this season. I also think their Cotton Bowl win over Arkansas gave this team some added confidence and momentum coming into this season...Many may disagree here, but I believe this team has the personnel to not only win the Big 12, but to get to the BCS title game. And although they probably have the best personnel in the Big 12, OU isn't a given to get to the Big 12 title game..They are on the hard year of their football schedule having to go to 4 very hostile stadiums on the road. If OU doesn't get there, don't be surprised to see a rematch of the Texas-Missouri game from earlier in the season..Or a Missouri-Texas Tech matchup. And don't tell anybody, but with the losses to graduation and early defections that OU and Texas have incurred at crucial positions on defense, there is a chance that Mizzou could be the team with the best defense in the Big 12 this season..And good defenses have a habit of winning championships. On second thought, Mizzou might very well have the best team in the Big 12.
Not necessarily because they are the best team in the Big 12..But because they have the easiest road to get to the Big 12 title game, which will be held in KC..In the Tigers backyard...Many people will dismiss this team because they lost to OU twice last season...But you have to understand that the Big 12 title game was the first time Missouri had been on that stage in 40 years..You learn from your experiences..And Missouri will be a better more confident team this season. I also think their Cotton Bowl win over Arkansas gave this team some added confidence and momentum coming into this season...Many may disagree here, but I believe this team has the personnel to not only win the Big 12, but to get to the BCS title game. And although they probably have the best personnel in the Big 12, OU isn't a given to get to the Big 12 title game..They are on the hard year of their football schedule having to go to 4 very hostile stadiums on the road. If OU doesn't get there, don't be surprised to see a rematch of the Texas-Missouri game from earlier in the season..Or a Missouri-Texas Tech matchup. And don't tell anybody, but with the losses to graduation and early defections that OU and Texas have incurred at crucial positions on defense, there is a chance that Mizzou could be the team with the best defense in the Big 12 this season..And good defenses have a habit of winning championships. On second thought, Mizzou might very well have the best team in the Big 12.
VD...Needless to say I hope your right..I wish that the Sooners had last seasons schedule this year. But like I've said here before, I believe winning the Big 12 conference this year will be harder than winning the BCS national championship. I think OU has the best personnel of anybody in the country except USC, who has 1st or 2nd round NFL talent at virtually every position on the field..But they are a team who don't exactly have it easy either this season. I also question how good USC's offense is going to be..Something tells me it could cost them a game or two before it's all said and done. Anyway, if by chance it comes down to OU-Florida, I hope to be there with flying colors...Hopefully BOTH of these QB's will be Heisman winners when they meet.
I have to admit I think Mizzou will win the Big 12 this year. I don't see any weaknesses in their team and with a QB like Chase Daniels, they are the team to beat in my eyes. Experienced QB's like that are difference makers especially when they are too tough to knock out of the game. Throw in a return specialist who can take it to the house everytime he touches the ball and a way above average defense, not a team that will loose many games.
I would put Nebraska in the 8th spot in place of Kansas State..I think they get between 6 to 8 wins this season...There are still many questions to be answered with KSU..Personally, I think they're gambling too much with JUCO transfers. Where former coach Snyder use to plug in about a quarter of his team with JUCO's, HC Prince uses well over half...What it comes down to is a one year gamble to try and jumpstart this team after a poor season. With the 3-4 defensive scheme that Prince uses, the linebackers and db's are going to be a busy group this season because of the weak defensive line. I look for teams to be able to run and control the ball against this unit..On offense I think their going to miss Jordy Nelson more than people think. He was their lone big play/special teams threat the last couple years..The two JC WR's taking his place are both a big question mark..Their also a little smallish, and I think their going to get pushed around by the better more physical safeties/db's in the league. And maybe the most important issue is the head coach himself...I think the verdict is still out on Prince, and if he can get the job done with his own players..Teams with this large amount of JUCO's is simply not looking to the future, or smart coaching imo...They'll be a different team every year. And they'll be very unpredicable..The last couple years this has probably been the hardest team to gamble on in the Big 12...
