Bleachers College Sports BCS Football Preview Volume II: Big XII
| 31 August 2009
Here's some unrelated items.
What the hell is with crappy, contemporary pop music? It's always been pretty shitty, but its getting out of control shitty. Let's see, off the top of my head I know there's some shitty song by Beyonce Knowles called "Halo" or something, where she just keeps screaming "HALO" at the top of her lungs for three minutes. Genius song writing.
Next we have Kelly Clarkson's latest tune, the creatively named, "My Life Would Suck Without You." Whille I have listened to the song a couple of times trying to mock it better, I couldn't actually believe that someone titled top 40 "hit" with such a shitty six words. The song at least goes on to make the woman in the relationship appear to be a tough woman, who's man has done something wrong. She of course takes him back because, her life would suck without him. It's a really good message to the young broads who wear too little clothes. If your boyfriend beats you, take him back because otherwise your life will suck. Man, my life wouldn't suck if I never heard this song before.
The song that offends my ears the most that is currently on the radio is Jordin Sparks "Battlefield." I always listen to it when it comes on, just to piss off whoever is in the car with me because, you see I think its clever and that's all I really have going for me at the moment. At first, I assumed that this was a remake of Pat Benetar's "love is a battlefield" circa 1983. But alas its worse than that. The song is full of war-related references including armor, shields, battlefield, war, fighting, raising a flag. So why does love feel like a battlefield? Is Ms. Sparks involved in an abusive relationship? Did the song writer watch Braveheart with a bottle of ether and decide this would be a cool song? Perhaps the record label is trying to reach out to all the level 15 World of Warcraft Warlocks out there. It's the most confusing song I've heard in a long time. I can't hate Jordin Sparks that much though, her father played for the Giants. Keep in mind, the Big XII will most certainly be a battlefield this season.
Big 12 North
Champion: Kansas
Kansas
Look around the Big 12 North. Can anyone else possibly win this division? Missouri has lost talent, Nebraska is young and probably a year away. Kansas State and Iowa State won't be good, and Colorado is a wild card. I'm pretty sure with the returning skill position players Kansas has, they should run away from the rest of the north. Todd Reesing returns to lead the Jayhawks, and he has two quality receivers and a decent running back too boot. The only real question about Kansas, is can their defense put pressure on the quarterback?
Sure, they do face a tough draw from the South playing both Texas and Oklahoma, but the schedule is manageable. I'm going to watch every game just to see if Mangino dies on the field.
9-3
Nebraska
Bo Pellini has done a good job of winning with Bill Callahan's players, at least after year one. I'm pretty sure the defense will be one of the best in the Big 12, and by far the best in the north. The offense still is in flux, they do have a new quarterback in Zac Lee, and did dismiss their number two running back this preseason, but all they have to do is play a time grinding offense to win games.
9-3
Colorado
Sure Dan Hawkins was the hottest coach in America three years ago, and his 13-24 record is not great, but he does have a lot of talent on the team. Running back Darrell Scott was one of the top recruits in the Big 12 last season and is poised to have a good season. Colorado also adds some deep threats at wide receiver. The defense will be a bit off this year, but the secondary should play pretty well. All Colorado needs to do now is figure out who their starting quarterback will be.
7-5
Missouri
The Tigers will miss Jeremy Maclin and Chase Daniel. They will also miss their coordinators that have also left. I think it will be a down year for Missouri, which has had an amazing run the last three seasons. Then again, with Gary Pinkel's offense, I might be able to throw for 3,000 yards. The offense might still be down a bit, but the defense should be improved this season. The schedule is not doing the Tigers any favors. They open with Illinois, later go to Reno to play a tough Nevada squad, play at Oklahoma State, and draw Texas.
7-5
Kansas State
So Bill Snyder is back but that doesn't mean too much to me. Did he bring back Michael Bishop, Ell Roberson or Darren Sproles with him? Nope, but they do have former Indiana quarterback Grant Gregory and Carson Kauffman to choose from. The defense was awful last season and the offense has a lot of question marks. I think Kansas State wins their first five....then the bottom will drop out.
5-7
Iowa State
10 game losing streak, 17 straight losses on the road. The Cyclones return 10 offensive starters, but is that good?
3-9
Big 12 South
Champion: Texas
Texas
The Longhorns are loaded and have revenge on their mind. First against Texas Tech on September 19. Then they will try to put a whoopin' on OU to get back at the Sooners for nosing them out by decimal points to play in the BCS title game. Colt McCoy will get vertical, and Texas will most likely rely on the running back by committee platform since there isn't really a clear cut starter. The defense has lost Brian Orakpo, but that shouldn't matter much since they do return Sergio Kindle and a host of other beefy lineman. If Texas gets by Oklahoma, then they will be undefeated heading into the Big 12 championship game.
11-1
Oklahoma
The simple truth is that Sam Bradford won't improve on his statistics from last season. They may be comparable, but he cannot possibly exceed what he did. Oklahoma does return almost all their skill players though. Chris Brown, DeMarco Murray, Jermaine Gresham and up and comer Ryan Broyles are all back. On defense Oklahoma returns three linebackers, and is in great shape. For some reason the Miami game would scare me if I am Oklahoma.
10-2
Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are a "sexy" pick, but have to play Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma. Your best hope out of those three games is a 2-1 record. There is no way OSU can win all three since Dez Bryant cannot play every position. Boone Pickens (pictured right) seems to think his team will be undefeated prior to their matchup with Texas.....Please, and windfarms were the answer six months ago.
9-3
Texas Tech
Mike Leach has rebuilt his team so many times that I'm convinced in any other year this team could win the Big 12. The offense is probably going to take a few weeks to get into a groove, but that defense is going to be one of the best in the conference this year.
7-5
Baylor
Robert Griffin III is all you need to know. He is the third most exciting player in college football behind Tebow and Terrelle Pryor. Sadly, there is nothing else to know about this team.
5-7
Texas A&M
Playing freshman? Season ticket sales are down, what happened to the 12thman? They even lose big, fat Jovorskie Lane and Stephen McGee. As Jordin Sparks says, better go and get your armor. This is going to be a rough one. Oh, also they have a coach who was in the NFL, which doesn't directly relate to any college success.
4-8
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