BIG 12 RANKINGS  

1.       Texas Longhorns (11-1)

a. Toughest Games: Oklahoma, @TCU, OK State
 

b. Key Returning Players: QB David Ash; OL Trey Hopkins; CB Quandre Diggs


c. Key Question Marks: With David Ash as the unquestioned starter, is he ready to take the next step? Can Running Backs Joe Bergeron, Malcolm Brown, and Johnathan Gray improve on Texas’s poorly ranked running game from 2012? How will new Offensive Coordinator Major Applewhite handle the offense?
 

Overall: I’m not exactly impartial when it comes to Texas. What can I say; I dig Mack’s Brown’s style. Also, I like the fact that the television version of Friday Night Lights was filmed around Austin. Still, Texas deserves to be number one. They return 19 starters from 2012 and I believe David Ash is ready for primetime. They have an interesting out of conference schedule and I don’t expect them to go undefeated. However, I believe in this team enough to predict 11 wins and a Fiesta Bowl appearance. CLEAR EYES, FULL HEARTS, CAN'T LOSE.

 

 

 

2. Oklahoma Sooners: (10-2)

a. Toughest Games: @Notre Dame; Texas; @OK State

 
b.  Key Returning Players: RB Damien Williams, OL Gabe Ikard; DT Jordan Phillips; Linebacker Corey Nelson

 
c. Key Questions: Does Blake “The Belldozer” Bell have the arm to lead the Sooners to another Big 12 Championship? Have the Sooners lost too much talent on Defense? ; Has the Sooner rush Defense improved on last year.
 

Overall: The Sooners have a tough three week stretch starting at the end of September with games against Notre Dame, TCU, and Texas. Despite the talent on offense, I have a hard time believing the Sooners won’t lose two of those games due to Blake Bell’s inexperience throwing the ball. Still, Oklahoma continues to recruits as well as anyone in College Football and they return running back Damien Williams. They’ll compete for a Big 12 Championship once again.


3. Oklahoma State (9-3):


a. Toughest Games: Mississippi State; @Texas; Oklahoma

 
b. Key Returning Players: WR Josh Stewart; WR Blake Jackson; DT Calvin Barnett

 
c. Key Question Marks: Who will win the Quarterback battle between Chelf and Walsh?; Was the gradual improvement of the Defense over the 2012 season a sign of things to come?; Who will pick up the load at Running back this year?

 
 
 
Overall:  Regardless of who ends up playing QB this year, they’re going to have some great receivers to throw to. Additionally, I loved the way the Defense made significant improvements during the 2012 season. Still, I’m not as high on the Cowboys as everyone else. They lost their top 2 Running backs from last year and I still have questions about their secondary. I’ll give them 9-3 and that’s it.

4.       TCU Horned Frogs: (8-4)

a.       Toughest Games: LSU, @Oklahoma, @Oklahoma State, Texas

 

b.      Key Returning Players: Defensive End Devonte Fields; CB Jason Verrett; Safety Sam Carter

c.       Key Question Marks: Is the Defense good enough to carry the Horned Frogs to the top of the Big 12? With Tayo Fabuluje leaving, just how shaky is this offensive line? Is this schedule just too tough for the Horned Frogs to hand?

d.      Overall:  The 2013 defense will be an improvement over the already stout 2012 defense. Seriously, this Defense has no weaknesses and it’s easily the best in the Big 12. However, the offensive line needs work and I’m still not entirely sold on QB Trevone Boykin. The Horned Frogs are gonna be good, but they’re not beating LSU or Texas with the offense they currently have.

5.       Baylor  Bears (8-4)

a.       Toughest Games: Oklahoma, @OK State, @TCU, Texas

 

b.      Key Returning Players: RB Lache Seastrunk; OL Cyril Richardson; WR Tevin Reese; Linebacker Bryce Hager

 

 

c.       Key Question Marks: Can Bryce Petty pickup where RG3 and Nick Florence left off before him?  Will Linebackers Bryce Hager and Eddie Lackey stop opponents from regularly putting 500 yards on the Bears Defense?

d.      Overall:  Despite the loss of Nick Florence at Quarterback there is a whole lot of talent on the Bears offense. However, the offense really can’t improve on last year and unless the Defense shows it can stop someone, the Bears will finish the regular season 8-4 again.  Note, Baylor has a very easy early schedule and might start the year off 7-0 before they play Oklahoma.

6.       Kansas State Cougars (7-5)

 

 

Toughest Games: @ Texas; @OK State; TCU; Oklahoma

 

 

Key Returning Players: OL Cornelius Lucas; Safety Ty Zimmerman;  RB John Hubert

 

 

Key Question Marks: With the departure of Colin Klein how far of a step back will the Wildcats take? Can the Wildcats continue to run the ball with the ferocity they did in 2012?  Does the team have any real leaders anymore?

 

 

Overall: Only 8 starters remain from the 2012 team, so we’ll see just how good of a coach Bill Snyder is this year. Colin Klein and Arthur Brown probably can’t be replaced, but most of the offensive line is returning from last season. The team will be able to run the ball and play solid defense, so you’ll see them in a Bowl game at the end of the year. It just won’t be the Fiesta Bowl.

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-5)


    a. Toughest Games:  TCU; @ Oklahoma; OK State; @ Texas

      b. Key Returning Players: OL Le’Raven Clark; Tight End Jace Amaro; DE Kerry Hyder

      c. Key Question Marks:  Will Michael Brewer win the Quarterback battle against true freshman Davis Webb?;  The Raiders are deep at running back and receiver, but can they stay a power house offense with the departure of Seth Dodge? Will any player emerge from the Raiders secondary as an actual difference maker?

      d. Overall: I have faith in Kliff Kingsbury. The job he did with Johnny Football at Texas A&M last year was nothing short of astounding and at 33, I’m very excited to see him grow with this program. However, Seth Dodge is gone and this team still doesn’t have a defense. Look for them to finish around .500. Still, the future is very bright in Lubbock.


8. Iowa State Cyclones (4-8)


a.   Toughest Games: Texas, @ Baylor; OK State; @ Oklahoma

b.    Key Returning Players: Running Back, James White;
TightEnd, Ernst Brun,  Jr.; Linebacker; Jeremiah George

 

c. Key Question Marks: Can Linebacker Jeremiah George lead the Cyclones Defense to another impressive season? Can Sophmore QB Sam Richardson put up atleast 2500 yards this season? Can this team start being quality teams on a consistent basis?

d. Overall: Maybe you missed it, but the Iowa State Cyclones had arguably the best Defense in the Big 12 last year. With defensive leader Jeremiah George returning, there's no reason ot think this team can repeat their defensive prowess. The offense should get better as well with Sam Richardson replacing Steele Jantz (great name), however the schedule is just too tough for them to even go .500.

 

9.  West Virgina Mountaineers (4-8)

a. Toughest Games: @Oklahoma; OK State; @Baylor; Texas

 

b. Key Returning Players: RB Andrew Buie; OT Quinton Spain;  Defensive Line Shaq Rowell

 

 

c. Key Questions Marks: How much will the WVU offensive attack with the departures of Geno Smith and Tavon Austin? Will true freshman Ford Childress start at QB at any point this year? Can the WVU Defense atleast become a "Bend but don't Break" defense?

 

 

d. Overall: Based on the quality and consistency of WVU Football over the past 10 years, it was hard for me to place WVU in ninth place this year. However, the offense is in rebuilding mode and the defense doesn't have enought talent to help this team navigate a "managable" schedule.

 

10. Kansas Jay Hawks (2-10)

 

a. Toughest Games: @TCU, Oklahoma, @Texas, @OK State

 

b. Key Returning Players: Linebacker Ben Heeney; Running Back James; OL Mike Smithburg

 

c. Key Question Marks: Will the departure of Dayne Crist actually help the Jay Hawks this upcoming year? Can Charlie Weiss finally effectively manage the Jay Hawk passing attack? Can the Jay Hawks actually win a Big 12 game this year?

 

d. Overall: The Kansas Jay Hawks ran the ball every effectively last year. That’s really all they did right. Running back James Sims returns and with the departure of locker-room poison Dayne Crist, the Jay Hawks should improve on last year. Unfortunately, that still leaves them at dead last in the Big 12.

 

2013 College Football Preview

I know it’s only July, however, if you’re like me, you can’t wait for the College Football season to begin.  Full disclosure, I’m not a lifelong college football fanatic. Growing up in Upstate New York, college football wasn't exactly part of the culture here. However, I fell in love with the sport during the 2005 football season, in particular the USC-. Notre Dame game and the RoseBowl. Ever since, I've been following the sport as closely as possible. As a result, I want to get a head start on the season by presenting everyone with my 2013 College Football Preview. I’ll be previewing all the BCS conferences and some other notable teams. I’ll do at least one team everyday and I’m starting with the PAC-12.




 

Ranking the PAC- 12 12 through 1:

12.  Colarado Buffaloes (Projected Record: 3-9)

a.     Toughest Games: @Oregon State, Oregon, @Wash, USC

b.     Key Returning Players: Defensive End, Chidera Uzo-Diribe; Running Back Christian Powell, Wide Receiver Nelson Spruce (really the less people that return the better)

c.      Key Question Marks: Connor Wood’s ability at Quarterback?, Will the defense be faster in 2013 (apparently Head Coach  Mike MacIntyre is making the entire Defensive Line lose 20 pounds each)?

 

Overall: With seemingly no hope at Quarterback and a Defense which let up 46 points per game last year look for the Buffaloes to finish last in the Pac -12 even with a favorable schedule

11. Utah Utes (Projected Record: 4-8)

 

a. Toughest Games: UCLA, Stanford, @USC, @Oregon

b.     Key Returning Players: Quarterback Travis Wilson, OT Jeremiah Poutasi,   Line Backer Brian Blechen.

c.  Key Question Marks: Can Travis Wilson continue to improve at Quarterback?, Can the Defense continue its relative dominance from 2012 after losing several starters?

   Overall: Let me be clear, I believe in Coach Kyle Whittingham and Quarterback Travis Wilson. However, Wilson has very little to work with on offense this year after losing Running Back John White. Also, the schedule is just too tough and the Defense has lost too many starters to improve from last year. I hope I’m wrong though.

10. Cal Golden Bears (Projected Record 4-8)

a.  Toughest Games: Ohio State, @Oregon, USC, @Stanford

b. Key Returning Players: Running Back Brendan Bigelow, Wide Receivers  Chris Harper, DeAndre Coleman DL,

c. Key Question Marks: Maynard just graduated and Bridgford just transferred, so the current projected starting QB  is 6-2 Freshman Zach Kline???or Jared Goff??? or Austin Hinder???, How will new Head Coach Sonny Dykes do in his first year in the PAC 12?, Can this Defense get any worse?

Overall: With a new Head Coach and a Freshman QB, the Cal Bears are definitely in rebuilding mode. Although I love the young crop of Freshman talent entering the program this season, this team is too young and their schedule is just too tough to finish .500 or better.

 

9. Washington State (4-8)

 

a. Toughest Games: @USC, Stanford, @Oregon

 

b. Key Returning Players: QB Connor Halliday; Wide Receiver,  Dominique Williams;  Safety, Deone Bucannon

 

c.   Key Question Marks: Can Coach Mike Leach’s high flying offensive system produce more wins? Can the defense play consistently on a weekly basis?

 

d.  Overall: The Washington State Cougars were the most frustrating team to watch in 2012. One week there taking Stanford to the wire in Palo Alto and the next week there getting blown out by Utah. Coach Leach is a proven commodity and his system produces yards, however I still think this team is a year away from playing in a Bowl Game.

 

8. Arizona (6-6)

 

a. Toughest Games: @USC, Oregon, @Arizona State

 

b. Key Returning Players: Running Back Ka’Deem Carey; Wide Reciever Austin Hill; Linebacker Jake Fischer

 

c. Key Question Marks:  Is Ka’Deem Carey a legitimate Heisman contender? How will this offense perform without Matt Scott?  Will Austin Hill play this season after his recent ACL tear?

 

d. There’s a lot to like here. Rich Rodriguez is a very good offensive coach (despite what people in Ann Arbor say) and Ka’Deem Carey led the nation in all-purpose yards last year. However, the team is now weak at wideout and I don’t trust a single QB on this roster, as a result they won’t contend for the PAC 12 Championship.

 

7. Washington (6-6)

 

a. Toughest Games: Boise State, @Stanford, Oregon (back to back), @UCLA

 

b. Key Returning Players: Quarterback  Keith Price; Running Back, Bishop Sankey; Wide Receiver Kasen Williams

 

c. Key Question Marks: Can the Huskies avoid getting swept in October, with Stanford, Oregon, and Arizona State all in a row? The Huskies stingy defense returns 8 starters, can they continue in the right direction?  Will Keith Price ultimately fold under these newfound expectations?

 

d. Overall: The Huskies return 9 starters on Offense and 8 starters on Defense, including their starting QB, RB, and top Wide Receiver.  Additionally, this defense is one of the top 3 in the PAC-12. However, there schedule does them no favors and I expect them to slide during the middle of the season. As solid as this team is, there still not at Stanford’s or Oregon’s level. They’ll be in a bowl game, but that’s about it.

 

6. Oregon State Beavers (8-4)

 

a. Toughest Games: Stanford, USC, @Arizona State, @Oregon

 

b. Key Returning Players: QB Sean Mannion; Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks Jr.; Defensive End Scott Crichton Jr.

 

c. Key Question Marks: After an early schedule that should leave Oregon State 6-0, will the Beavers be able to handle the spotlight and expectations as they play the Big Dogs down the stretch? Will Cody Vaz or Sean Mannion be named the starting QB this year? Can the Beavers establish a running game this year?

 

d. The Beavers should be favored in their first 6 games before they play consecutive games against Stanford, SC, and Arizona State. The Defense is stout and loaded with talent, however with question marks at Quarterback and no running game, the Beavers will ultimately lose key games against Stanford and Oregon.

 

5. Arizona State (8-4)

 

a .Toughest Games: Wisconsin, @Stanford, USC, Notre Dame, @UCLA

 

b. Key Returning Players: Defensive Tackle Will Sutton, QB Taylor Kelly, Tackle Evan Finkenberg

 

c. Key Question Marks: Can Taylor Kelly improve on his stellar 2012 season? Is the non-conference schedule too difficult for the Sun Devils?

 

d. Overall: Arizona State has a big time team this year but is also facing a big time schedule. However, I like their chances in many of these games thanks to returning QB Taylor Kelly who threw 29 touchdowns last year. This team can compete for the PAC-12 South Title, but I still think their defensive secondary is too problematic for them to actually win it.

 

4. USC (8-4)

 

a. Toughest Games: @Arizona State, @Notre Dame, @ Oregon State, Stanford

 

b. Key Returning Players:  Wide Receiver Marquis Lee,  Defensive End Morgan Breslin, Safety Dion Bailey

 

c. Key Question Marks: Is Max Wittek mobile enough at QB to compete with top tier Pac-12 defenses? Can Lane Kiffen lead the Trojans to a bounce back season?  Will  Marquis Lee have a disappointing season with the departure of Robert Woods?

 

Overall: USC has a favorable schedule, getting Stanford at home and not having to play Oregon. Their defense is stout and Wittek might end eclipsing Barkley as an all-around quarterback. Still, Lane Kiffen’s Trojans have failed to show me they can win tough games away from home. They’ll compete for the Pac-12 South title, but they’re still not in Oregon’s or Stanford’s league.

 

3. UCLA (8-4)

 

a. Toughest Games: @Nebraska, @Stanford, @ Oregon, USC

 

b. Key Returning Players: QB Brett Hundley, Linebacker Anthony Barr, Guard Xavier Su'a-Filo

 

c.  Key Question Marks: Has Jim Mora Jr. sufficiently changed the culture of UCLA or was last year a flash in the pan? How will the Bruins handle back to back games at Stanford and Oregon? Is Brett Hundley ready for the big time?

 

Overall: UCLA shocked everyone last year and went 9-5. Additionally, they return last year’s Freshman Breakout QB Brett Hundley. However, Running Back Johnathan Franklin is gone and this Defense is still pretty flimsy. I like the Bruins to repeat as PAC-12 South champs, but ultimately lose to the PAC-12 North winner.

 

2. Oregon Ducks (11-1)

 

a. Toughest Games: @Wash, @Stanford, Oregon State

 

b. Key Returning Players: QB Marcus Mariota, Tackle Jake Fisher, Running Back De'Anthony Thomas, Corner Back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu

 

c. Key Question Marks: Can Head Coach Mark Helfrich pickup where Chip Kelly left off? Will the Ducks high-powered offense be stopped by Stanford again? Can Marcus Mariota establish a consistent passing attack to compliment the run game?

 

Overall: Oregon has been a model of consistency in the PAC-12 since 2009. With most of the talent on offense returning and an easy non-conference schedule, Oregon is sure to finish the year in the BCS Top 10. However, Chip Kelly will be missed and his offensive mind isn’t something that can simply be learned. Oregon will win a lot this year and Helfrich will have a lot of success, but I think Stanford beats them easily in Palo Alto this year.

 

1. Stanford (12-0)

 

a. Toughest Games: @UCLA, Oregon, @USC, Notre Dame

 

b. Key Returning Players: QB Kevin Hogan, Tackle Cameron Fleming, Guard David Yankey, Linebacker Shayne Skov, Safety Ed Reynolds

 

c. If asked to, can Kevin Hogan throw for big yards against elite PAC-12 defenses? Is there enough talent at wide receiver here to sustain potential shoot outs with Oregon and USC?

 

 

Overall: The defense is head and shoulders the best in the PAC-12. Of course, there are deficiencies on offense. Running back Stepfan Taylor just graduated and the best receiver on the team is a Tight End. Still, Stanford from the top down is the most efficiently run program in the PAC-12. This team is well prepared every week and Coach Shaw continues to richly develop young talent. I don’t see a loss on the entire schedule