Big 12 Preview: TCU and Baylor ready to battle it out once more
Yes, this is the conference that had the mantra "One True Champion" last year. Yet when it came time to crown one, the Big 12 brass couldn't do it, claiming TCU and Baylor were co-champions with 8-1 marks. Did that really keep them both out of the four-team playoff? Hmm, maybe. Either way, look for the Frogs and Bears to go nose-to-nose at the top again this season. But don't sleep on Oklahoma.
Conference Preview
TCU - Two things you can bank on for TCU: First, regardless of the number of returning starters, coach Gary Patterson is going to have a granite-tough defense. He always does. And second, with nine senior starters back on offense, it’s going to be a high-octane group that makes few mistakes and will be difficult for any defense to stop. Trevone Boykin is a Heisman favorite, and if the defense can rack up another 40-sack, 26-interception season, this team could certainly be in the College Football Playoff.
Baylor - Can we all just agree that Art Briles is one bad man and Baylor a national power? Now Briles has the most returning starters of any top-10 team, with no shortage of stars. New quarterback Seth Russell is the next plug-and-play arm, and he'll have one of the best receiving corps in the country, led by Corey Coleman and K.D. Cannon. Stout interior-line play wins titles, and there are four senior O-line starters, while the D-line has the 6-foot-8, 280-pound Shawn Oakman (11 sacks) and All-Big 12 tackle Andrew Billings.
Oklahoma - Though Oklahoma dipped a bit in 2014, the Big Red is never out of contention. A quarterback battle between incumbent Trevor Knight and Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield is intriguing. Both will have the ridiculously talented Samaje Perine behind them and Sterling Shepard, Michiah Quick, and JUCO All-American Dede Westbrook stretching the field in front. The linebackers, led by Eric Striker, will be the defensive strength, but the backfield needs to clamp down after giving up 276 passing yards per game last season.
Texas - Year 2 is always a smoother ride in a coaching stint, so Charlie Strong should calm the waters this year in Texas. Good quarterback play from Tyrone Swoopes (13 touchdowns/11 interceptions) will be vital, as will the O-line play (hold your breath for no injury bug), where all five starters return. The defense got UT into a bowl game, playing well down the stretch, but there are lots of holes to fill. On the positive side, the Longhorns led the Big 12 in pass defense and have three backfield starters returning, led by cornerback Duke Thomas and safety Dylan Haines.
Oklahoma State - Last year was a near-disaster until upsets of Oklahoma and Washington saved Oklahoma State's season. Then-frosh quarterback Mason Rudolph was the key, and he'll have a big year as the full-time starter. His receiving corps is experienced and talented, led by seniors David Glidden and Brandon Sheperd. The defense should be much better, spearheaded by All-Big 12 talents in defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and linebacker Ryan Simmons. The schedule toughens in November, though, as TCU, Baylor, and OU all come to Stillwater.
Kansas State - Thanks to the X-factor known as head coach Bill Snyder, Kansas State is usually better than expected. Losing the quarterback-wide receivers combo of Jake Waters to Tyler Lockett and Curry Sexton will be hard to replace. But four senior O-line starters will help. The defensive backs could be the best in the Big 12, led by safety Dante Barnett and cornerbacks Danzel McDaniel and Morgan Burns - all seniors. The Cats could be in ready-to-shock mode again.
Texas Tech - Scoreboard operators beware: Texas Tech quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Davis Webb have three returning starters at wide receiver. They'll be helped by running back DeAndre Washington and left tackle Le'Raven Clark, big-time talents that will help keep the chain gang moving. Defensive guru David Gibbs takes over coordinator duties after last year's D gave up 500-plus yards per game. Linebacker Mike Mitchell, cornerback Justis Nelson, and defensive ends Pete Robertson and Branden Jackson buoy hopes for improvement.
West Virginia - Last year, the Mountaineers proved they could score on anyone, and anyone could score on them. A minus-15 turnover margin was a major culprit. However, KJ Dillon is a force, and the linebackers will be stout with All-Big 12 candidates in Nick Kwiatkoski, Xavier Preston, and the returning Jared Barber, a former starter who missed 2014. Running backs Rushel Shell and Wendell Smallwood will pace the offense as West Virginia will need to cultivate new QBs and receivers.
Iowa State - Injuries ravaged Iowa State's 2014 season, but with healing comes redemption. Senior quarterback Sam B. Richardson will look to set more records with an experienced O-line and a deep receiving corps that features Quenton Bundrage (missed 2014 with injury) and the glue-fingered Allen Lazard. The defense was a mess last year, but should be improved. Keep an eye on linebacker Jordan Harris, a junior-college transfer who elicited spring raves.
Kansas - Oh mercy. This will be a major rebuilding season for Kansas, and new head coach David Beaty. Since you can fit all the returning starters inside a Toyota Sequoia, three wins may be the ceiling here. Beaty has been lauded as a blue-ribbon recruiter, and he'll need to be. The Jayhawks lack star power, but quarterback Michael Cummings and defensive end Ben Goodman will be senior leaders to rebuild around.
Projected Final Standings
1. TCU
2. Baylor
3. Oklahoma
4. Texas
5. Oklahoma State
6. Kansas State
7. Texas Tech
8. West Virginia
9. Iowa State
10. Kansas