Big 12 Preview

Big 12 Projected Standings
Oklahoma State, 8-1, 11-1
Oklahoma, 8-1, 10-2
Texas A&M, 7-2, 10-2
Missouri, 7-2, 10-2
Texas, 5-4, 8-4
Baylor, 4-5, 6-6
Texas Tech, 3-6, 6-6
Kansas State, 2-7, 4-8
Iowa State, 1-8, 2-10
Kansas, 0-9, 1-11

Big 12 Synopsis
The Big 12 is now 10.  Out with the Big 12 Championship game and in with a full round-robin conference schedule.  A new era starts in the conference and 4, potentially 5 teams appear loaded with the opportunity to grab the first conference crown in the post-Nebraska era.

Oklahoma State comes off a tremendous season, but defensive breakdowns in the Nebraska and Oklahoma games prevented it from being truly special.  The Cowboys are loaded on offense again, with all-everything WR Justin Blackmon returning to pair with QB Brandon Whedon.  All five offensive lineman return, which should help OK State with two tough September road games.  The key in Stillwater will be the defense, most notably how the defense responds against the powers in the Big 12.  With an offense loaded again, I think the defense will be good enough to win the Conference Title and BCS bid.

Oklahoma's duo of Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles matches that of their in-state rivals. The Sooners have a lot of talent on defense, but must improve on their #53 NCAA overall ranking from a year ago to reach the heights some experts are predicting for 2011. Jones has also struggled in big road games, with a trip to Tallahassee looming in the second game and a trip to Stillwater in the season finale.  I would not be shocked if the Sooners ran the table, but Jones and the defense must prove it to me.

I am not sure if their will be any residual effect of Texas A&M being public enemy #1 in the Big 12.  Their current flirtation with the SEC has to put a target on the Aggies back.  All of that not withstanding, this Texas A&M team could be special.  18 starters return from a team who won 6 of their last 7 games last year, including wins over Oklahoma and Nebraska who played in the Big 12 Title Game.  Cyrus Gray and Jeff Fuller lead the offense and the defense made significant strides last year.  If the defense continues its improvement and the breaks fall right, it could be A&M atop the Big 12 when the dust clears in 2011.

Missouri returns 16 starters from a year ago, but one that they need to replace is at the quarterback position where Blaine Gabbert has moved on.  Gabbert's younger brother Tyler will compete with James Franklin for the job.  Honestly, even with older brother Blaine, the Tigers offense was fairly pedestrian in 2010, ranking only 8th in scoring offense in the Big 12 a year ago.  With 4 returning seniors on the offensive line and experience at WR and RB, the offense could be better in 2011.  Combine that with an always solid defense and a 4th 10-win season in 5 years is entirely possible in Columbia.

Then there is Texas.  What happened to the Longhorns a year ago?  Was 2010 just a huge fluke?  Or is there some rebuilding work to do?  Unfortunately, the four teams I have already mentioned appear to be way more explosive offensively than Texas, so if the Longhorns are going to make a mark it will be with their defense.  If Garrett Gilbert or another QB emerges, Texas will join the group above them.  More likely, they will make strides but be stuck in the middle of the conference standings in 2011.

Baylor and Texas Tech should both be good enough to secure bowl bids in 2011.  Robert Griffin might be the best QB in the conference, but the Baylor defense is porous.  The Red Raiders are almost as bad defensively and must replace all of their skill position players.

Bill Snyder got Kansas State back to a bowl in 2010, but with a new quarterback and the full round-robin schedule in conference, a 2011 bowl bid seems like a long shot.  Iowa State will continue to improve defensively, but their are too many new offensive starters to see much progress this year.  Kansas will struggle to win a conference game as underclassmen will play significant roles in 2011.

Team most likely to exceed my expectations:  Texas.  The Longhorns defense may be the Big 12's best, so any offensive improvement could get Texas back in the Title mix.

Team most likely to play below my expectation:  Missouri.  If the Tigers new QB's struggle, the Tigers could fall back to the middle of the pack.

Big 12 Player of the Year
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Games to Watch
September 9 - Missouri at Arizona State
September 17 - Oklahoma at Florida State
September 24 - Missouri at Oklahoma
September 24 - Oklahoma State at Texas A&M
October 1 - Arkansas at Texas A&M
October 15 - Oklahoma State at Texas
October 22 - Oklahoma State at Missouri
November 5 - Texas A&M at Oklahoma
December 3 - Oklahoma at Oklahoma State

Upset Alert
September 3 - SMU at Texas A&M
September 17 - Oklahoma State at Tulsa

Bowl Destinations
Fiesta Bowl:  Oklahoma State
Sugar Bowl:  Oklahoma
Cotton Bowl:  Texas A&M
Alamo Bowl:  Missouri
Insight Bowl:  Texas
Holiday Bowl:  Baylor
Meineke Car Care Bowl:  Texas Tech

College Football Preview

After a one-month hiatus, I have poured over the upcoming College Football Season and my preview is almost ready for reveal.  Check back over the next few weeks as I provide my pre-season rankings, conference predictions and analysis, and predictions for all 35 Bowl match-ups!!

Random Thoughts - July 8, 2011

After all those lists and a little vacation time, I thought I'd get back in the swing with some randoms...

• 55 days until the College Football season starts!!  62 days until the NFL season starts??
• This lockout sure is wreaking havoc on Fantasy Football...don't the owners and players understand that?
• The NBA lockout is destined to be even messier, which is not good for LeBron James and the last impression he was able to give us...Hey LeBron, what are you going to wake up and do tomorrow now?
• I used to love Wimbledon, but as I have gained more priorities, apparently Tennis was one of the things that got replaced.  Unfortunately, the United States feels the same way as I do.
• Speaking of United States, can't believe we are about a year away from another Summer Olympics...There goes that 17 days of productivity next year.
• My new Home Run Derby Format - 9 AL hitters vs 9 NL hitters, Old School 9-inning HR Derby style, each player gets 3 outs...While it might prevent anyone from getting in a huge groove, it should also prevent anyone from ruining their swing for the 2nd half.
• Tim Lincecum should not be an All-Star this year, that was a lazy selection.
• All-Star Break Awards
• AL CY Young - Justin Verlander
• AL Rookie of the Year - Michael Pineda
• AL MVP - Adrian Gonzalez
• NL CY Young - Jair Jurrjens
• NL Rookie of the Year - Freddie Freeman
• NL MVP - Prince Fielder
• The surprising Indians, Pirates and Diamondbacks will be forgotten by season's end.
• I liked Cars 2 better than Hangover 2.
• Blake Lively caught my attention in Green Lantern.  Also, I wonder what the other guy from the pizza place is doing?
• I enjoyed Toby Keith at Summerfest but I can't believe he turns 50 today.
• Damn, still 55 days until College Football.  Maybe I should preview that or something?

Who's Next A-Z

25 Letters, 250 Athletes from the past 30ish years.  The beauty of these lists on sports is that they are fluid.  They look one way today and a different way the next.  My list of the Top 10 Power Forwards from last summer is already out-of-date with the ascension of Dirk Nowitzki and the realization of my exclusion of Dennis Rodman.  So after completing these last 25 lists the question is...how will they look 1, 3, 5 years from now?  What follows is a list by letter of the players (one per letter) who could break into these lists eventually.  Obviously, some letters will be harder to crack.

A - Dustin Ackley (MLB)
B - Ryan Braun (MLB)
C - Robinson Cano (MLB)
D - Novak Djokovic (Tennis)
E - Carl Edwards (NASCAR)
F - Rickie Fowler (Golf)
G - Blake Griffin (NBA)
H - Felix Hernandez (MLB)
I - Kyrie Irving (NBA)
J - Andre Johnson (NFL)
K - Matt Kemp (MLB)
L - Andrew Luck (Football)
M - Rory McIlroy (Golf)
N - Cam Newton (NFL)
O - David Oliver (Track)
P - Michael Pineda (MLB)
Q - Robert Quinn (NFL)
R - Aaron Rodgers (NFL)
S - Steven Stamkos (NHL)
T - Troy Tulowitzki (MLB)
U - Ekpe Udoh (NBA)
V - Joey Votto (MLB)
W - John Wall (NBA)
Y - Titus Young (NFL)
Z - Jordan Zimmerman (MLB)

Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "M" - Post 1980

"M" is for Magical, as I close my list of 250 athletes A-Z with another list chalked full of greats who brought magic to their sports.

10. Randy Moss (NFL)
9.  Moses Malone (NBA)
8.  Pedro Martinez (MLB)
7.  John McEnroe (Tennis)
6.  Phil Mickelson (Golf)
5.  Karl Malone (NBA)
4.  Greg Maddux (MLB)
3.  Peyton Manning (NFL)
2.  Mark Messier (NHL)
1.  Joe Montana (NFL)

Yes, that is Randy Moss at #10.  With Montana often carrying the best quarterback ever moniker, it is tough to argue anyone else at #1.  Maybe another title from Manning and some passing records will do it.  Messier is top 10 all-time in the NHL, so it is easy to slot him here at #2.  Maddux and Malone dominated for so long, I could not put them lower.  McEnroe vs Mickelson is a good debate.  Omissions included Reggie Miller, Mike Modano, Curtis Martin and Eddie Murray.

Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "S" - Post 1980

"S" is for Skillful.  The following list brought unmatched skills to the table and is a deep list with some tough omissions.

10. Curt Schilling (MLB)
9.  Ryne Sandberg (MLB)
8.  Mike Schmidt (MLB)
7.  Joe Sakic (NHL)
6.  Anika Sorenstam (Golf)
5.  Barry Sanders (NFL)
4.  Deion Sanders (NFL)
3.  John Stockton (NBA)
2.  Pete Sampras (Tennis)
1.  Emmitt Smith (NFL)

First off, any list with Barry Sanders #5 is a great list.  Smith, as the NFL's all-time leading rusher and the engine of those great Cowboy teams, was a tough choice for #1 over Sampras, who many feel is the greatest Men's tennis player of all-time.  The ringless "Pasty Gangsta" is a tick behind, coming in before the Great Sanders Debate.  Baseball dominates the bottom, with Schilling beating out Monica Seles for the last spot.  Other notables missing include Ozzie Smith, Vijay Singh, Ichiro Suzuki and Warren Sapp.

Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "W" - Post 1980

"W" is for Wide-Eyed.  The great performances of the following list often left me in awe and wanting to see more.

10. Rod Woodson (NFL)
9.  Tom Watson (Golf)
8.  James Worthy (NBA)
7.  Dominique Wilkins (NBA)
6.  Dwyane Wade (NBA)
5.  Kurt Warner (NFL)
4.  Venus Williams (Tennis)
3.  Serena Williams (Tennis)
2.  Reggie White (NFL)
1.  Tiger Woods (Golf)

Woods was an easy choice for #1, as he is side-by-side with Jordan atop any list from my generation.  The Williams sisters are tough to separate, but I feel younger sis has had the more fulfilling career.  They were also held back by their refusal to have a rivalry against each other which would have been great for Women's Tennis and may have vaulted them ahead of White.  The three NBA players are tough to rank, just as it was tough to leave Chris Webber off the list.  Watson drops behind the NBA triumvirate due to career timing.