For a while, the Big 12 had turned into the Big 2 and Little 10 with OU and Texas dominating. Those days are over. The Big 12 is making a comeback. In my opinion, it is now a close 3rd behind the Pac 10 when ranking the strongest conferences. You could even make a case that the Big 12 has surpassed the Pac 10. By the way, is there a way we can bar OU from the Fiesta Bowl for a while? Here are the picks...
North Division
- Missouri- This team is loaded and primed for another strong year. They are a legitimate contender for the national title. The defense should be better. They were robbed of a BCS bowl a year ago, but that shouldn't happen again this year.
- Kansas- Everyone thought they were a fluke last year until they beat V Tech in the Orange Bowl proving that they did belong in a BCS bowl. Should have another good year but won't be as strong as last year.
- Nebraska- Finally hired the right coach after ousting the Beau Bridges look alike. Pelini will bring pride back to the Black shirt defense but it's going to take a little time.
- Colorado- Nowhere to go but up for this improving program. They have an interesting early season match up with West Virginia in Boulder. That game will tell us a lot about where this team is.
- Kansas St.- Not what they were ten years ago, but they are respectable and cannot be overlooked. Ron Prince seems to always have the team ready.
- Iowa St.- Does the word "doormat" ring a bell?
- Oklahoma- Stoops always has one of the most talented teams year in and year out, but for some reason they have a tendency to lose games they shouldn't. It's almost as if they get bored. Should be considered a national title contender.
- Texas- Do you ever get the feeling Mack Brown would like to bring Vince Young back as his permanent qb? He never won anything before Young and hasn't won anything since. They'll be good again this year, but they'll be playing second fiddle to OU again.
- Texas Tech- I almost put these guys ahead of Texas. Should have a breakout year a la Hawaii a year ago. Explosive offense. If the defense can get better, these guys could make a serious run at the Big 12 South. They did beat OU last year...handily.
- Texas A&M- Talented team that has been underachieving the last several years. New coach, new system could translate into more consistent play. These guys would be a serious BCS contender if they weren't in such a strong division. They always seem to find a way to beat Texas.
- Oklahoma St.- Scrappy team that just never seems to get over the hump...that may have something to do with their in state rival, just call it a hunch. Like A&M, they could be a more serious contender if they weren't in such a strong division.
- Baylor- See Iowa St. The front porch called...it wants its doormat back!
Oklahoma v. Missouri in Kansas City. Missouri wins it this time and gets a trip to the Fiesta Bowl.
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