2008 Big 12 Conference
Written July 2, 2008 by Jason Lowry
Its that time of year to start thinking about football, and professional handicapper Jason Lowry is ready to give you his 2008 Big 12 Conference football predictions. Last season Usually the South is were all the action is now that Nebraska has been down for a few years, but the North came alive again in 2007 with Missouri and Kansas both having outstanding seasons. Oklahoma took the South and Missouri was able to hold off Kansas in the North, and the Tigers were just one game from likely getting a national tittle shot, but fell short against the Sooners in the Big 12 title game. Here is a look at how we see the conference playing out in 2008, and be sure to check out each team’s preview for additional information.
Big 12 North
1) Missouri Tigers
The Tigers bring back a ton of talent and have a pretty easy schedule, with their two toughest road games coming against Nebraska and Texas. We will get a good look at this team in week 1 when they square off against Illinois. It all could come down to a showdown in the final game of the regular season against Kansas to see who wins the North.
2) Kansas Jayhawks
We really like what this team brings to the table, and we really feel like it could wind up being another 10 win season for the Jayhawks. There defense should be lights out, but they got a tough draw having to play Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech out of the South.
3) Nebraska Cornhuskers
We aren’t as high as others might be on this team, as the offense will likely struggle and we really don’t know how the defense can improve greatly after a season of giving up almost 38 points a game. Maybe new head coach Bo Pelini can work some magic, but our bets on it taking more than a year or two.
4) Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffaloes return 14 starters from a team that was okay last season going 6-7and while the defense is full of experience, the offense is going to be young and likely to make too many mistakes for this team to be a real contender. If the Cornhuskers don’t get it together they will be looking up at the Buffaloes in the standings.
5) Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats are coming off a disappointing season where they finished just 5-7 and only managed to win 3 games in conference play. With road games at Texas A&M, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri this team might be looking at the Cyclones as their only win during conference play.
6) Iowa State Cyclones
We really don’t see much difference between the Cyclones and the Wildcats, as both teams are likely going to be bottom feeders to the powerhouses this season. The Cyclones lost to much talent on the offensive side of things, and there defense isn’t good enough to bring them more than a couple wins.
Big 12 South
1) Oklahoma Sooners
This is probably going to be one of the toughest years to come out of the South, as Texas Tech and Texas both look like they are going to be fielding pretty good teams this year. The Sooners look to be a step up as their offense looks like its going to feast on teams this season. We got the Sooners taking out the Tigers yet again in the title game, and maybe playing for another National Title.
2)Texas Tech Red Raiders
We got the Red Raiders slightly ahead of the Longhorns this season, as one of the best offenses in the country brings 10 starters back, and to top it off they might have one of their best defenses since head coach Mike Leach has taken over. It could all come down to a showdown at the Sooners house on Nov. 22nd.
3) Texas Longhorns
While many teams only returning 4 starters on defense wouldn’t even think about winning a conference title, but you have to know this team has plenty of talent to plug in the holes. We give the edge to the Red Raiders, but one thing to keep in mind is that in Mack Browns 10 years as coach they have never finished worse than 2nd.
4) Oklahoma State Cowboys
This is a solid team and should manage to get enough wins to make it to a 3rd straight bowl game, but we just don’t see them beating any of the 3 teams we got listed ahead of them. This team could wind up needing to beat the Buffaloes in November to get that 6 or 7th win.
5) Baylor Bears
We know that this team was 0-8 in conference play, but they got 15 returning starters and we think they will be able to beat Texas A&M at home when the two teams square off on Nov. 15. This team is going to finish with no more than 4 wins in 2008, but hey thats an improvement from last year.
6) Texas A&M Aggies
Some people are probably going to think we are crazy for putting the Aggies below the Bears in the South, but we just don’t think that this team has enough talent to compete in this conference week in and week out. We see possible wins at Iowa State and maybe at home against Kansas State, but those aren’t sure things for a team only bringing back 10 starters.
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