CSD MAG TEASER: Who is the favorite in the Big 12?

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Baylor fell off a cliff at the end of last year, Texas has talent but a first year coach, Kansas hasn’t won more than one Big 12 game in a season since 2008, Bill Snyder has cancer (and a top 25 team), and TCU will either miss a bowl or win double digit games. The Big 12 conference is without a doubt the weirdest of the power five. I would bet it doesn’t exist in ten years, but for now, we are in for a treat. On paper, Texas should win this conference, or at least contend for a title, but last year we thought the same thing, and they were the only FBS team to lose to Kansas. I’ve got faith in Tom Herman, but I don’t see a Big 12 title this year. Kansas State is another veteran team, and Bill Snyder is one of the greatest coaches in college football today, but in terms of a straight up talent level, K-State shouldn’t even be able to compete with Oklahoma. I would certainly not be surprised if Snyder leads the ‘Cats to a 9 or 10 win season, and their offense might be the most efficient in the Big 12, even though they won’t put up the numbers of an Ok-State. But. The defense is recovering, and while I will have K-State in or near my top 25 this year, I can’t quite put them in title contention. That means I’ve got two candidates, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State.

Oklahoma

I had Oklahoma as the #6 team in the country after bowl season last year, only behind the four playoff teams and Rose Bowl champion USC. Oklahoma is an unknown quantity in the backfield, they return Heisman contender Baker Mayfield, but they will lose both Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon to the NFL Draft. The pair of stud runningbacks certainly took the defense’s attention off of Mayfield, so it will be interesting to see how he does without them. Mayfield will also be without his top target in Dede Westbrook, who graduated last year. Juco transfer Marquise Brown should help at receiver, but a bigger question may be defense, the Sooners didn’t lose as much on the defensive side of the ball, but on a national stage their defense has floundered. They may be able to keep winning Big 12 titles, but to contend for a playoff spot the defense needs to step it up, and stud safety Steven Parker should help with that. Bob Stoops is the Nick Saban of the Big 12, and the Sooners return their entire offensive line, they will be a top 10 team to start the year.

Oklahoma State

The Cowboys finished last season ranked #11 in my end of season top 25, and they will probably start this season around there too. When the combo of quarterback Mason Rudolph and receiver James Washington decided to stay in Stillwater, the expectations for Okie State went through the roof. The Cowboys also return Justice Hill, who rushed for 1,142 yards last year as a freshman. Last year the defense was in the bottom half of the Big 12, and Vincent Taylor left early for the pros. The secondary looked like it was really going to struggle, but cornerback Adrian Baker will fill a big need there, he transferred from Clemson to play his final season in Stillwater. Oklahoma State’s schedule will work out nicely for them as they will host the other two main contenders for the title (Oklahoma and Kansas State). A possible X-factor for the Pokes could come in the form of LSU transfer Tyron Johnson at wideout. Johnson was a five-star recruit at LSU, and with defenses focused on J.W. he could put up huge yardage. Oklahoma State hosts the Bedlam game, so they could be seen as the favorite in the Big 12, and the Cowboys are certainly a darkhorse playoff pick.