Big 12 Preview Part One: Power Rankings

By Marshall Weber 

We are almost a month away from from the 2013 College Football season and with that comes media days. In honor of Big 12 Media Days, let's start YHTS' Big 12 preview. Although it doesn't have all the glamour, Manziel-ness, Clowney-ness, or Alabama/Katherine Webb-ness of an SEC preview...there's still plenty to be excited about. 

Team Power Rankings: 

updated: **Paul Rhoads**, sorry for the mishap. 

1. Oklahoma State Cowboys: 

Despite the excessive amount of gel he puts in his hair, Mike Gundy has the Cowboys in prime position to win their third Big 12 title. 

The hair gel may have played a factor in OSU's bizarre quarterback situation, but even with Wes Lunt gone, they still have two very good quarterbacks in JW Walsh and Clint Chelf. The only question is...which one will transfer in 2014. 

Their scheduling is also going to be a huge factor in their quest to win a Big 12 title. 

The Cowboys will play Mississippi State at Reliant Stadium in Houston opening weekend, a game that will likely be a big statement for them and also give them a huge boost in the polls. I'm taking the Cowboys to win by two or three scores. 

Two weeks before they play TCU at home, the Cowboys have another home game against Kansas State followed with a bye week. This should leave the Cowboys plenty of time to prepare for their toughest home game of the year against the Frogs. 

Trap Game, Texas Tech: If they beat TCU, the Cowboys will have a lot of momentum going into Ames, Iowa where they will likely stomp Paul Rhoads' Cyclones. At this point, the Cowboys will be undefeated and possibly a top 5 team in the country going into Lubbock...a game they could easily overlook. 

Bottom Line: With 12 returning starters and more speed than Keith Richards' medicine cabinet, the Cowboys have all the right things going to take the conference and take it by storm.  

Projected Record: 11-1, Big 12 Champions, Fiesta Bowl 

2. TCU Horned Frogs 

Imagine the TCU team that played Baylor in 2012. 

We all know that TCU has one of the best defenses in the country, but imagine the team that came out firing on both offense and defense in Waco this past season. That's what we could see this season with the Frogs...

With Casey Pachall and Waymon James back, a more experienced offense line, and a plethora of new offensive weapons...the Frogs' offense has potential to take the defense's thunder as the team's brightest spot. Having two quarterbacks is also going to be huge for the Frogs. Running somewhat of a duel system will throw a lot of teams off, especially when Trevone Boykin takes snaps in the redzone. 

TCU's receiving corps is one of the tops in the country and includes play-makers such as Brandon Carter, LaDarius Brown, and Cam White. They also have Ja'Juan Story, who transferred from Florida in 2012 and turned a lot of heads in the spring. Running a 4.4 and squatting 700 pounds will do that. The breakout receiver though is Kolby Listenbee, who showed a lot of great promise during the....err...sloppy......Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against Michigan State. Pachall is already a great passer, but it will be like cutting with Valyrian steel with all of the receiving talent around him in 2013. 

Another big transfer on offense is former 5 Star running back and Nebraska Cornhusker, Aaron Green. Green has potential to be on the the Big 12's breakout stars and draws a lot of comparison's to Texas' Malcolm Brown. Green will be one part of the Frogs' Three-Headed Monster that will include Waymon James and BJ Catalon. 

Everyone knows about their defense and how great Devonte Fields and Jason Verrett are. But look out for safety Sam Carter...who could be a sleeper All-American pick, defensive lineman Chucky Hunter and safety Chris Hackett. 

The Frogs will again have a superb defense and a promising offense, but the difference maker will be their special teams. Placekicker, Jaden Oberkrom and punter Ethan Perry will have a tremendous impact on the Frogs' season. Oberkrom, who is only a sophomore, is on the watch list for the Lou Groza award and may very well be the Big 12's best kicker. Oberkrom's gifted leg could be the difference in TCU's most challenging games. 

Still the offensive line could make or break the Frogs' season. Who knows where Pachall, who has nowhere near the mobility of Boykin, would've been with the shaky 0-line last year. Gary, beef these kids up. 

Trap Game, Texas Tech: The only thing that will catch you more off guard than a trip to Lubbock is a trip to Lubbock for a Thursday night game. This is each team's Big 12 opener and Kliff Kingsbury will be looking to make a statement. But the Frogs still have a bad taste in their mouth from the 2012 triple overtime game and will be looking for some sweet revenge. 

Bottom line: TCU, like Texas and Oklahoma State, has all the tools to win the Big 12, but the young Frogs are no longer mostly freshman and will need leadership from Verrett, Pachall, and James to reach their full potential. 

Projected Record: 10-2 (BCS at large) 

3. Texas Longhorns 

In reality, the Longhorns should be tied at number two with the Frogs...but in order to avoid confusion.... I'll put them at number three. 

There's no denying that Texas is the most talented team in the Big 12 and the highest ceiling of any other team in the conference. But there's also no denying that Mack Brown doesn't develop talent very well and a lot of would-be great players fall at the wayside. 

That being said, it wouldn't be any shock if Texas won the conference in tremendous fashion. In the David Ash-era, we've seen glimpses of how scary this team can be. Jonathan Gray is going to have a breakout season and will have be the Big 12's best running back behind Lache Seastrunk. Joe Bergeron, Malcolm Brown and Daje Johnson are also huge play-makers and will make it easier for Ash down the stretch. 

Also David Ash isn't that bad. He's miles greater than the Stephen Baldwin of college football...Case McCoy. Ash is streaky, but when he's on...he's an animal. If Ash plays like he did against Ole Miss in 2012, 19-23, 326 yards and 4 TDs, he could bring the Longhorns back to the big time. But if he plays like he did against Kansas, 8-16, 63 yards and two INTs, Texas will have a lot of "re-structuring" come 2014. 

"Why does everyone love my brother more than me?"-Casey McCoy, Stephan Baldwin

I'm not sold on Manny Diaz, but there's no denying he has some great talent to work with. Jordan Hicks, who's taking some time off from his directorial pursuits, is the second best linebacker in the Big 12 behind Baylor's Bryce Hager. Senior Jackson Jeffcoat may not be Jadaveon Clowney or Devonte Fields, but he's certainly up there as one of the best defensive ends in the country. With Kenny Vaccaro gone, defensive back Quandre Diggs will emerge as the defensive leader in the backfield and is my pick for the Longhorn's defensive MVP this season.  

Trap Game, Ole Miss: I know it's not a conference game, but the Ole Miss game could very well make or break Texas' season. Texas is a team that thrives beautifully on momentum and folds like a flea market suit when they hit a bump in the road...OU the past couple of years, UCLA in 2010, Ohio State in 2006, etc. But if Texas can win this one in dominating fashion, Texas will get the momentum they need to not only plow through OU...but all of the Big 12.

Bottom Line: It's the same old story with Texas. They have all the potential in the world to win National Championships, it's just a matter of having the coaching and leadership to capitalize on it. 

Projected record: 9-3, Cotton Bowl 

4. Baylor Bears 

Waco hamburgers may be overrated, but their football is not. Some folks are already writing off the Baylor Bears. The chatter is that the Bears have already hit their ceiling and that their brief run at success will soon come to an end. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Art Briles and The Brooding Baptists are just getting warmed up. 

Lache Seastrunk exploded onto the scene at just the right time. In the latter half of last season, the soon-to-be phenom was averaging almost 140 yards a game. Seastrunk, a transfer from Oregon,  is just another example of the kinds of talent that Baylor is getting and will continue to get in the Briles era. Bryce Petty should also make a huge in his first season as the Bears' starter and is touted by many as the best quarterback in the league. While that's definitely jumping the gun, it's still in the realm of possibility.  

Baylor's defense is also on the up and up. Bryce Hager is the best linebacker in the Big 12 and one of the most underrated defensive players in the country. Last year the former Austin Westlake standout showed glimpses of All-American potential. 

Trap Game, Iowa State: The Cyclones have long loved playing  spoiler. The problem now is that they're actually kind of good. Paul Rhoads is no slouch and is slowly building ISU into a competitor. They visit Waco on October 19th. 

Bottom Line: Don't look for Baylor to West Virginia themselves after a dominating bowl performance against UCLA. The Bears will carry their moment into 2013 and if no one's careful...they may run the table. It's just the pre-season, but Lache Seastrunk is the Big 12's best chance for a Heisman. But it's going to take a lot more than one great player for Baylor to make a run at greatness (ie RG III). The Bryce Brothers... Petty and Hager... will have to step up on their respective sides of the ball if Baylor wants to make anything real happen. 

Projected Record: 8-4, Alamo Bowl 

5. Texas Tech Red Raiders 

To the delight of Red Raider nation, Tommy Tubbs is gone and Kliff Kingsbury is here. Texas Tech is my sleeper team for 2013. Kingsbury was a key part to Sumlin's teams at Houston and Texas A&M, and it won't be different now that he's the head hancho at his alma matter. The only thing I'd worry about with Kliff is relationships with the Lubbock co-eds. 

Tech's offense will likely be led by sophomore Michael Brewer. Starting a freshman obviously doesn't phase Kingsbury, as he started Manziel last year, but true freshman Davis Webb is more than likely not Johnny Football. Brewer is safe bet. Tech will also use both Kenny Williams and DeAndre Washington at tailback. Williams is Tech's strongest back and will likely be the number one, but Washington is the speedier back who could have a key impact with Kliff's offense. Tech never has to worry about its receiving corps and this year will be no different with explosive senior wideout Eric Ward. 

Tech's defensive history is similar to my history of picking up women at the bar. Sloppy and ineffective. But with new Defensive Coordinator Matt Wallersedt, formerly of A&M, Tech is making a step in the right direction of where they need to be. Senior defensive lineman Kerry Hyder is Tech's defensive gem and will need to continue to his brilliant play and leadership to help out the Red Raider offense and give them some breathing room. 

Trap Game(s), SMU and West Virginia: The former is much more likely to be Texas Tech's statement game and the Red Raiders could crush the Ponies by 40 or more. But Kliff and company could easily have an early season slip as they adjust to a new era. June Jones is also a slimeball and will do anything to get people talking about SMU football again. My advice, just keep watching Pony Express on Netflix. West Virginia will also be looking to avenge to the loss that spiraled their season out of control in Morgantown on October 19th. 

Bottom Line: Just like an Oregon offense or an LSU defense...it doesn't necessarily matter who comes and goes with a Kingsbury offense, we just know it's going to be good. This season is going to be great for Tech fans as they'll witness their first stepping stone to greatness. 

Projected Record: 8-4, Holiday Bowl

 6. Oklahoma Sooners

My instincts tell me that this will be one of Oklahoma's down years. Don't cry though....If losing five game is the worst you ever do, you're still one of the best coaches of all time, Bob Stoops. 

Blake Bell returns as the best rugby player in college football. We know he can power his way through the endzone and score touchdowns, but the question is whether or not he can throw the ball. Bell might not even be OU's starter this season and has severe competition with Trevor Knight and Kendal Thompson. OU's biggest offensive strength is their backfield and will be led by running back Damien Williams and fullback Trey Millard.  The quarterback is the main problem, but it's a big problem. But no matter who's taking snaps, they will have a solid line to back him up this season, highlighted by the best center in the Big 12...Gabe Ikard.               

Mike Stoops, another Big 12 Stephan Baldwin, will have his work cut out for him on defense. OU's defensive line is in a word....atrocious. They don't have any strengths at linebacker either, but their secondary should still keep the competitive on the defensive side of the ball. 

Trap Game, Tulsa: Another non-conference game that could spell trouble for a Big 12 team. The Golden Hurricanes, a name that is surprisingly not based off an R. Kelly song, are a very good, very hungry football team and there's nothing they'd love more than to beat up their big brother...or more like their asshole cousin who shows up to family Christmas blacked out. 

Bottom Line: This is probably going to be a 'rough' year for OU. With a vast amount of coaching changes, losses of key players...yes even Landry Jones, and a shaky defensive could spell trouble for OU. Except maybe the Texas game, where it usually seems to miraculously come together. 

Projected Record: 7-5, Texas Bowl

7. Kansas State 

Never rule out Bill Snyder. Even with a returning Collin Klein in 2012, the Wildcats didn't get any respect and were picked as low as ninth in pre-season polls. Snyder and Klein got the last laugh as they dominated and won the Big 12 last year. The season didn't end in the fashion they wanted--as the got upset by Baylor and lost all national title hopes and Klein's Heisman bid in the process. They also got their asses handed to them in the Fiesta Bowl by an Oregon team who should've played the Crimson Tide in Miami. But again---never discount Bill Snyder, this year or any. 

Optimus Klein is gone and the Cats will use either Daniel Sams or Jake Waters as their play-caller. Stud wide receiver Chris Harper is also gone, but with their entire offensive line coming back and All-Conference-worthy tailback John Hubert returning...the Cats offense should be just fine. 

The challenge is the defense. There's no denying Collin Klein was a huge part of the Cats' success last season, but as a result their great defense went under the radar. Snyder has always been good at recovering and filling in the gaps, but losing and having to rebuild the entire front seven would be hard for even an LSU or Texas.

Trap Game, Kansas:  Losing 90% of your defense and Heisman finalist is going to hurt. While the Cats will likely be fine and get to a bowl game, they will also be very banged up by season's end and there's no worse team for them to finish off with than the Jayhawks. The Jayhawks will be on the verge of continuing their bowl-less streak and will be looking to 'salvage' their 2013 season by upsetting the Wildcats in Lawrence the final game of the season. 

Bottom Line: Even in a rebuilding year, Bill Snyder and the Cats will still prove that they have more guts and drive than anyone else in the conference and once again play in the post season. 

Projected Record: 7-5, Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl 

8. West Virginia 

The good news for West Virginia is that 2013 won't be as disappointing as 2012. The Mountaineers shellacked Clemson in the 2012 Orange Bowl and in turn made them the most hyped team in the Big 12. But early on, you saw their weaknesses as they looked sloppy against teams like Maryland and Marshall. Their Wild Wild West, 70-63  shootout win against Baylor was the strongest indication that West Virginia lacked any sort of defense. Despite a heroic win in Austin, they suffered a blowout loss to Texas Tech the following week and were never able to recover. Dana Hologorsen and company will be looking to bury the omens of last season all while getting a little revenge. 

Losing Stedman Bailey, Tayvon Austin, and Geno Smith is going to hurt. Especially when you have a defense like the Mountaineers do. They will have to rely heavily on their new quarterback that will be either freshman Ford Childress or sophomore Paul Millard. 

Let's be honest. West Virginia will have to improve significantly on the defensive side of the ball if they want to survive this season. But there is good/bad news...they are returning seven starters. The good part is that these starters, like most West Virginia players, are great athletes and if they improve even the slightest from last season...it will take a significant amount of pressure off of the new offense. The bad news is that if they do play like they did last season in addition to having a new offense...they might not make a bowl. There's no denying Hologorsen is an offensive genius, but that genius hasn't yet translated into a great team, and West Virginia can't afford a season in the pit of the Big 12.  

Trap Game: Maryland. The Mountaineers looked ok against them at home with Geno Smith, Stedman Bailey and Tayvon Austin. They play the Terrapins again at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on September 21st two weeks after travelling to Norman. With a new quarterback, whoever it may be, it could be trouble. Luckily they have Georgia State as a tune-up with week before.  

Bottom Line: Hologoren's offensive will find its groove as always, but defensive improvement needs to come first for Mountaineers if they want to have any sort of relevance this season. 

Projected Record: 6-6, Pinstripe Bowl 

9. Iowa State 

The king of upsets are finally starting to find a real groove in the Big 12 and 2013 could be the year where they start turning some heads. There's a little pressure for Paul Rhoads in Ames...but there really shouldn't be. Even when the team had phenom Seneca Wallace in 2002, seven years before Rhoads, Iowa State was a mediocre team. Being a BCS contender maybe years off, but Rhoads are showing signs that they are ready to move from spoiler to competitor. 

The Cyclones' pistol offense returns a great starting five, deep backfield, strong tight ends, and the Big 12's most underrated quarterback in Sam Richardson. The glaring weak spot this year is the receiving corps after losing a handful in last season. Richardson is good enough to get by with the youngsters for the most part and he'll still have the Cyclones best player and tight end Ernst Brun as his main target until those young receivers come around. 

Rhoads spent 8 years as a defensive coordinator at Pitt and Auburn and his expertise showed last year with AJ Klein and Jake Knott. But they are gone and Iowa State will have to rebuild what was it's greatest strength the past two seasons. 

Trap Game, West Virginia: The Cyclones close out 2013 with the Mountaineers in Morgantown and both teams could be fighting to earn bowl bids. If this comes true, it'll be a real dog fight and I'd give the Mountaineers the home crowd advantage.  

Bottom Line: Iowa State is certainly not, and will never be, the sexiest team in the Big 12. But Rhoads and company are finding their niche and will soon be a competitor.  

Projected Record: 6-6, Pinstripe Bowl, Liberty Bowl (again)  

10. Kansas 

It's hard to believe that just six years ago Kansas was the Big 12's best team and came a hair away from playing in the National Championship. Since then it's progressively gotten worse for the Kansas Jayhawks...but Charlie Weis is hoping to change that. 

There's no denying that Charlie Weis is a great offensive mind but that has yet to have any sort of effect in the Big 12. During his first year Weis continued the recent Kansas tradition of dismal football, posting a 1-11 record with their only win being against an FCS team. But the Jayhawks likely starter, Jake Heaps is ready to change this. The former BYU quaterback and brief wunderkind will be looking for redemption in his fresh start with the Jayhawks and has the talent to make a significant impact on the Weis offense. 

Kansas' defense, on the other hand, is a different story and is the main reason they haven't won a Big 12 game since 2010 and have gone 2-32 in conference play since 2009. The Jayhawks' 4-3 hybrid scheme ranked 112th in scoring defense in 2012, which was somehow a 20% improvement from the year before....silver linings, right? They do however have junior linebacker, Ben Heeney, who recorded 112 tackles last season and is Kansas' best shot at having an All-Conference player. 

Trap Game, Rice: Like I said, Kansas didn't even beat an FBS team in 2012 and could very well lose to Rice their second game of the year. If they do in fact lose, the Jayhawks will lose whatever traction they might've had and will continue their drought of Big 12 wins. 

Bottom Line: Unfortunately, last year's record wasn't indicative of the turnaround and improvements that Weis is actually making. On the field, Kansas showed a lot of promise in 2012. His team played TCU and Oklahoma State very close, took Tech to double overtime, and came one down short of beating Texas. Off the field, Weis is cooking up (no pun intended) interest and excitement among the students. Good Guy Weis even went as far as purchasing tickets out of his own pocket for the entire student body for Kansas' senior day game. "This one's on me" he said. It's on Weis indeed. Whether good or bad, the identity of Kansas football for the next ten years is on Weis' shoulders. The good news is that Kansas isn't Notre Dame and with a bit of the pressure off, Weis will have the time to make the changes Kansas needs to start playing in bowls again. There's no denying that Kansas is, and always will foremost be a "basketball school"...but Weis wants to at least give it a run for its money.

Projected Record: 3-9, No Bowl :'( 

Hopefully no one is shocked. 

Miscellaneous Big 12 Power Rankings: 

1. Mike Gundy's hair gel: 

Repetitive. But deserved. The year of the Cowboy begins now.

2. #blessed: 

My personal pick to win the 2013 miscellaneous power rankings (MPM...just made that up...boo yeah!) 

3. This girl:

Last year's reigning champ looks to continue her reign of dominance. Wherever she may be. 

4. Kliff's Frogskins: 

You probably misread that as "foreskin". Looking like a cross between Bradley Cooper and Ryan Gosling, Kliff Kingsbury needs little gaining a strong female fan base, but his soon-to-be signature wayfarers fit in perfectly with the new era and personality of Texas Tech football. 

5. Gary Patterson's shoes: 

Loop, swoop and pull, Gary. Not that hard. 

6. Mack's Grumpy Face: 

Grumpy cat is so early 2013 and already a thing of the past. I present you with...Grumpy Mack. 

  

7. Dana's reciting hair line: 

If Holgorsen loses anymore hair, he'll have to place an add on a milk carton. 

8. Sam Richardson's 80's flow: 

On a scale of 1 to '80s-high-school-movie antagonist ..Sam Richardson's feathered mop succeeds on all levels. Luckily for Cyclone fans, there are no suspensions for giving wedgies. 

9. Bob Stoop's visor: 

An oldie, but a goodie. 

10. Logo Unveilings 

I'm not going to start to get into my feelings about Zack Snyder taking over Batman.  

Also in contention: Pachall's arm sleeve, Case McCoy, No longer playing Nebraska, Good Twitter game,  Paul Rhoads' sweat shirts, crop tops, Bill Snyder's 6pm bedtime.