Big 12 North
The Big 12 North will be a two-team race with Missouri and Nebraska leaps and bounds above the rest of the division talent wise. The October 6 game should be a great one!!
Missouri
2006 Record- 8-5
2006 ATS Record- 7-5
Offense: 8 Returning Starters
Chase Daniel is the real deal and this Tiger offense should be explosive again this season. They finished with the #8 offense in the nation in 2006 and should be back in the top 10 in that category in 2007. If Missouri wants to win the division, Daniel has to have another monster year.
Defense: 5 Returning Starters
Besides Daniel having a good year, this unit has to play well if Missouri wants to compete for the division title. They lose both safeties as well as their top, two linebackers. The Tigers did finished #1 in the Big 12 in Total Defense and Scoring Defense a year ago.
Schedule:
The non-conference schedule isn’t too bad with the toughest test verse Western Michigan in mid-September. The Tigers have a bye week before the showdown against Nebraska but end with three of its final four games on the road.
2007 Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Nebraska
2006 Record- 9-5
2006 ATS Record- 7-5-1
Offense: 6 Returning Starters
Transfer Senior QB Sam Keller should fit nicely into Bill Callahan’s west coast offense. Keller has a gun for an arm and makes good decisions when put under pressure. The Cornhuskers also return their top 4 WR’s, making this team very loaded on the offensive side of the ball.
Defense: 5 Returning Starters
The Nebraska defense was very stout in 2006, but might have some trouble come 2007. They lose all four starting defense linemen as well as key personnel in the secondary. This group, like Missouri, will have to come together as a unit if they want a successful season.
Schedule:
Might be the hardest first three games out of any team in D-I. Verse Nevada, at Wake Forrest and verse USC will surely test the Cornhuskers. If that wasn’t bad enough, Missouri and Texas are both the road and those two games are sandwiched between Oklahoma St and Texas A&M. Yikes!!
2007 Predicted Record: 9-3 (6-2)
Kansas St
2006 Record- 7-6
2006 ATS Record- 6-6
Offense: 8 Returning Starters
This offense will go as far as Sophomore QB Josh Freeman takes them. He was very inconsistent, but as a freshman, what do you expect? K-St fans expect Freeman to make better decisions with a season under his belt, that’s for sure. The ground game will be there as well, so Freeman doesn’t have to carry the offense on his shoulders.
Defense: 7 Returning Starters
With the majority of starters returning, look for the Wildcats to have one of the better defenses in the Big 12. They return 3 in the secondary which was stellar in 2006 and should be again this year. The one question mark is up front where RB’s ran wild last year and if K-St has hopes of returning to a bowl, they has to find a way to stop the ground game.
Schedule:
Tough all around. After opening at Auburn, the Wildcats then host San Jose St. Playing at Texas and Oklahoma St won’t be fun. Neither will the home stretch with games at Iowa St, at Nebraska, verse Missouri and at an improved Fresno St squad. Pulling a few upsets might be the only way they go bowling in 2007.
2007 Predicted Record: 5-7 (3-5)
Colorado
2006 Record- 2-10
2006 ATS Record- 3-8
Offense: 9 Returning Starters
Senior QB Bernard Jackson needs to step up if the Buffs are to improve on their horrible 2006 season. He struggled with his accuracy, as well as his decision making. The running game should be consistent with RB Hugh Charles returning as well.
Defense: 6 Returning Starters
This defense wasn’t as bad as people thought; only allowing 22 p.p.g. and was very good against the run. The Buffs should be pretty strong on defense once again with more than half of its starters back.
Schedule:
Overall, this schedule is very tough. They open against rival Colorado St, then travel to Arizona St. before hosting Florida St and Oklahoma. The conference schedule is a little better with road games at Baylor, Iowa St, Kansas St and Texas Tech. Getting to .500 is a stretch, but there’s a good possibility they will improve from last season’s disaster.
2007 Predicted Record: 3-9 (2-6)
Kansas
2006 Record- 6-6
2006 ATS Record- 5-5
Offense: 6 Returning Starters
Last year’s Kansas team relied heavily on the run. However, with star RB Jon Cornish gone as well as four starters off the offensive line, this Jayhawks team will have to do it through the air. And Sophomore QB Kerry Meier is the guy for the job. He is very quick for a QB and has a decent arm. Three of his top four receivers are back from a year ago, so if he gets time to throw the ball, this offense could surprise some people.
Defense: 8 Returning Starters
This defensive unit, at times, showed signs of complete dominance. Then, at times, this unit looked liked La Tech’s. Just kidding Bulldog fans!! They are very blitz heavy, so putting pressure on the quarterback is essential. With the front four returning, as well as three quarters of their secondary, this Kansas D might be the best Lawrence has seen in quite some time.
Schedule:
It’s a good thing Kansas opens with four, pretty weak opponents because the conference schedule is just brutal. Opening Big 12 play at Kansas St is no easy task, nor is their final six games. The only cupcake in that bunch is getting Iowa St at home. Other than that, the Jayhawks will have to fight for that bowl berth.
2007 Predicted Record: 6-6 (2-6)
Iowa St
2006 Record- 4-8
2006 ATS Record- 3-7
Offense: 4 Returning Starters
Bret Myers returns for his senior year and looks to improve on an up-and-down junior year. The Cyclones will go as far as Myers takes ‘em. He does have do-everything WR Todd Blythe back, so the weapons are there. However, attempting to replace four starters off the offensive line will be difficult as well as losing their top 2 RB’s.
Defense: 7 Returning Starters
The defense needs to improve on just about everything. Some key guys are back in the secondary, which will help, but overall this defense is below average.
Schedule:
The non-conference isn’t too bad with winnable games against Kent St, Northern Iowa and Toledo. They need to rack up those W’s because the conference schedule is brutal. At Nebraska, at Texas Tech, at Missouri as well as Texas and Oklahoma at home will most likely turn into 5 losses.
2007 Predicted Record: 4-8 (1-7)
Big 12 South
Will Texas continue its domination over Oklahoma or is this the year of the Sooner?
Oklahoma
2006 Record- 11-3
2006 ATS Record- 9-4-1
Offense: 8 Returning Starters
Heartbreak is the only way to describe OU’s defeat in last year’s Fiesta Bowl. But not to worry Sooner fans; this team is even better. Losing Adrian Peterson obviously hurts, but Allen Patrick stepped in nicely for Peterson last year and will be the starter this season. Once Stoops finds a QB, this offense should be very productive.
Defense: 7 Returning Starters
If Bob Stoops knows anything, it’s how to load up on the defensive side of the ball and this year will be no different. Seven starters return on a unit that will be very strong against the run and the pass. Losing their LB core will hurt, but not destroy OU’s chance at a conference title.
Schedule:
The big non-conference match-up verse Miami will be the only true test until the meeting with Texas. A potential hangover game the following week verse Missouri awaits and playing at Texas Tech to end the season is the other big roadblock for the Sooners.
2007 Predicted Record: 11-1 (7-1)
Texas
2006 Record- 10-3
2006 ATS Record- 5-7
Offense: 7 Returning Starters
If Colt McCoy didn’t get hurt at the end of last season, the Longhorns would have been in a BCS game. He’s back for his sophomore campaign and has loads of talent around him. Limas Sweed is one of the best WR’s in the game and Jamaal Charles is a solid RB.
Defense: 6 Returning Starters
The one Achilles heel for Texas this season might be the secondary as it lost its top 3 players. Both defensive ends are also gone, but the entire LB crew returns. If the secondary can find a groove, a BCS game is a definite possibility.
Schedule:
The early match-up verse TCU will be Texas’ one true test before Oklahoma. The rest of the conference schedule isn’t too bad getting both Nebraska and Texas Tech at home.
2007 Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Texas A&M
2006 Record- 9-4
2006 ATS Record- 8-3-1
Offense: 9 Returning Starters
QB Stephen McGee leads the Aggie offense in what should be an explosive year. Jorvorskie Lane and Mike Goodson are a mean one-two punch at RB and A&M returns 4 offensive linemen.
Defense: 6 Returning Starters
This unit led the Big 12 in Passing Defense in 2006 and they are the front-runners to repeat that category in 2007. They do lose their core LB’s, as well as their top 2 tacklers from a year ago, but it should be another successful year.
Schedule:
This docket is the main reason A&M won’t break into the top 10. Road games at Miami, Texas Tech, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri are nasty. Ending the year verse Texas won’t be an easy task either. However, there are enough easy games for another trip to a decent bowl.
2007 Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3)
Oklahoma St
2006 Record- 7-6
2006 ATS Record- 7-5
Offense: 8 Returning Starters
If there’s a dark horse to win the Big 12, it’s the Cowboys. QB Bobby Reid is something special. Mix in RB Dantrell Savage and WR Adarius Bowman and that’s a three-headed monster no defense wants to see.
Defense: 7 Returning Starters
This unit was up and down in 2006, but should be very consistent this season. They did lose their entire defensive front, but have enough experienced players to fill those holes. The Cowboys have to stop the run though, as they were one of the worst in the Big 12 a year ago.
Schedule:
Opening the season at Georgia will be a huge test for this Cowboys team. The first 3 conference games are tough with Texas Tech, at Texas A&M and at Nebraska. It doesn’t get much easier after that with Oklahoma and Texas in back-to-back weeks.
2007 Predicted Record: 8-4 (4-4)
Texas Tech
2006 Record- 8-5
2006 ATS Record- 5-7
Offense: 5 Returning Starters
Graham Harrell returns and he is a very solid QB. Outside of Harrell and RB Shannon Woods, there isn’t too much experience returning. Four starting O-linemen are gone as well as Tech’s top 3 receivers.
Defense: 5 Returning Starters
The defense was average last season and looks to rebound with a strong 2007 effort. The pass defense will be there with three starters returning in the secondary. Three defensive linemen are gone meaning the run defense will suffer. Putting pressure on the QB will be key if Tech wants to go bowling.
Schedule:
Overall, a pretty easy slate. Conference road games at Oklahoma St, Missouri and Texas will be tough, as well as ending with Oklahoma. Another decent year and bowl berth seems likely though.
2007 Predicted Record: 7-5 (3-5)
Baylor
2006 Record- 4-8
2006 ATS Record- 3-8
Offense: 4 Returning Starters
The Bears have been on the decline for a while now and this year looks no different. QB Blake Szymanski looks to improve on his accuracy in 2007. With a half-season of reps under his belt; look for the Baylor passing attack to cause issues for some defenses.
Defense: 7 Returning Starters
Well, the defense has nowhere to go but up. In its last three games, the D gave up 157 points!! That’s an average of over 52 points per game. The majority of starters return and it’s tough to say whether that’s a good thing or not. Keeping the team spirit alive when things start to go south will be important.
Schedule:
After a most likely loss to TCU, the next 3 games are winnable for the Bears. The next 8, not so much. Getting off to a 3-1 start would do wonders for the team’s momentum and could lead to an upset or two.
2007 Predicted Record: 4-8 (1-7)
Big 12 Championship
Oklahoma- 27
Missouri- 21
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