In 2008, the Big 12 Conference, and in particular the North Division, surprised many college football enthusiasts, and likely ranked as the second best conference in the game. Powerful quarterbacks and two outstanding defenses should dominate the Big 12 North again this season as the conference takes a shot at dethroning the perennial top conference, the SEC. The Big 12 North will play out as follows:
1) Missouri (8-0, 5-0 Division) – The Tigers should roll on, continuing last year’s spectacular success. Mizzou returns Heisman candidates Chase Daniel at QB and Jeremy Maclin at WR/RB. The O-Line may struggle early, but the skill positions are outstanding team-wide. And the Tigers return TEN starters off of an already solid defense. Mizzou’s toughest tests will come on October 18th at Texas and in late November, when they play Kansas, likely for the North title, in Kansas City. The schedule sets up nice if Mizzou can win those two games…. Look for the Tigers to run the table and go a perfect 12-0 before a tough title game vs. Oklahoma.
2) Kansas (6-2, 4-1 Division) – The Jayhawks return nine starters on defense, and QB Todd Reesing comes back to Lawrence with a full year of experience and success under his belt. Kansas might just be better than last season, but the schedule isn’t kind enough to allow them to repeat their 12-win campaign. The Jayhawks will face five of the top 19 preseason ranked teams this year. Trips to Oklahoma in October and to Kansas City to face Mizzou, coupled with difficult home games against Texas Tech and Texas (the week before the Mizzou matchup) will cause Kansas to drop two games in conference. Look for a potential trap game at South Florida on September 12.
3) Nebraska (4-4, 3-2 Division) – Bo Pelini’s return to Nebraska and his added emphasis on defense pay off for the Cornhuskers as the program finally starts moving in the right direction. Nebraska goes 7-5 overall, and recruits strongly into 2009. A program on the rise.
4) Colorado (3-5, 2-3 Division) – The Buffaloes are finally starting to get on track, but a brutal schedule will drag down this rising program in 2008. Trips at Nebraska, Texas A&M, Mizzou, and Kansas, plus a game against Texas early will cripple the Buffs 2008 Bowl hopes. Freshman RB Darrell Scott is a sensation, but isn’t enough to put the Buffs over the top in close games.
5) Kansas State (1-7, 1-4 Division) – K State returns phenom Josh Freeman, but a difficult schedule slays the Wildcats. Conference road games include trips to Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado, plus a home game against Texas Tech and the Red Raiders’ prolific passing attack.
6) Iowa State (1-7, 0-5 Division) – Iowa State is, simply put, not going to be a good team this season. A lone win at Baylor is the only conference triumph for a woefully terrible Cyclones squad.
Look for Mizzou to go undefeated overall if they can pass their early season test against Illinois. A hungry Sooners squad will meet them in the Big 12 title game, ending their perfect season and stopping the Tigers one step short of the National Championship Game.
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I think it's pretty clear at this point that we need to wager on that Baylor-Iowa State matchup. I'll start the shit-talking now. Joe Pawelek is going to plant Austen Arnaud's ass in the ground! You've got nothing Cyclones! NOTHING!!!1!
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