College Football: My Big 12 North Predictions

Big 12 North

Missouri Tigers

2007 record 10-2 (Defeated Arkansas 38-7 in the Cotton Bowl)

Mizzou took giant steps last year including a #1 ranking during the season. Though the lost the Big 12 Championship Game to Oklahoma, the Tigers ended the season on a high note beating the heck out of Arkansas at the Cotton Bowl.

Things To Like About Mizzou:

Chase Daniel: Daniel and Florida’s Tim Tebow will be the favorites for the Heisman Trophy. Daniel is one of the most efficient and effective quarterbacks I’ve ever seen on the college level. He becomes a special player this year and is my pre-season pick to strike the heisman pose in New York this December.

Receivers: One of the most talented corps in the country. Jeremy Maclin is the playmaker. Chase Coffman is an explosive downfield threat from the tight end position and will drive defensive coordinators crazy going through mis-match hell.

Things Not To Like About Mizzou:

Secondary: The corners are OK but that might not bode well in the pass happy Big 12.

October 4th at Nebraska: I put this here because the Tigers always seem to soil the drawers in Lincoln. It’s the Big 12 opener for both teams and will be a big hurdle for Mizzou to clear. 1978 was the last time the Tigers won in Lincoln.

Mizzou Rah: Mizzou fans, this could be the year we have dreamed about. A talented team among the nation’s elite and more than a chance to win the Big 12 title. Should the Tigers have the kind of year expected, this will make up for all the curses of Mizzou football in my lifetime,(the Woody Widenhofer era, Tony Van Zant blowing out his knee at a high school all star game, there are many others.)

Mizzou opens against Illinois in the Busch Braggin’ Rights game in St. Louis which will be tough yet entertaining. Get by that and win a Nebraska and an undefeated season is in the cards. Dare I dream?

Kansas Jayhawks

2007 record 12-1 (Defeated Virginia Tech 24-21 in the Orange Bowl

Last year the nation realized they do play football in Lawrence, Kansas. The Kansas Jayhawks went to a BCS bowl last year, yes Kansas. But even in a year when KU broke through in football, men’s basketball still overshadowed the football team winning the NCAA Championship. KU football can’t catch a break even on campus.

Things To Like About Kansas:

Todd Reesing: Reesing doesn’t make mistakes and he makes plays. Pretty good combination at QB.

Linebackers: The Jayhawk defense should be great. Joe Mortensen, Mike Rivera and James Holt are the best linebacker corps in the Big 12 and maybe the country

Things Not To Like About Kansas:

Offensive Line: The anchors of the 2007 line are gone. Those holes will need to be filled.

Find a running back: Jocques Crawford will need to be the workhouse for KU out of the backfield.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk: KU’s schedule is no cupcake this year. The Jayhawks have a road date with South Florida and have trips to Oklahoma and Nebraska on the docket. They may not have the horses to overtake Missouri but Kansas will be a factor and has an outside chance to go to a good bowl game.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

2007 record 5-7

There is much rejoicing in Lincoln, Nebraska because the dark ages of Cornhusker football is over. Bill Callahan is gone, Tom Osbourne is back on campus and handed the keys to Bo Pelini,

Things To Like About Nebraska:

Nebraska has a quarterback: Joe Ganz was impressive toward the end of the season and in spring ball.

Marlon Lucky: He’s a heck of a running back that can catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s a big offense threat for the Cornhuskers.

Things Not To Like About Nebraska:

Defense: The Cornhusker “D” was god awful last year. Last in the Big 12 and 112th in the nation, they will be better with Pelini in charge.

Shucking Corn: Nebraska isn’t at the level it was back in the Bob Davaney – Tom Osbourne – Frank Solich years but the Cornhuskers will return to what many Nebraskans felt was an entitlement, a bowl game. Bo Pelini will have get that accomplished.

Kansas State Wildcats

2007 record 5-7

Kansas State took some steps back last year in but K-State has a plan to bounce back.

Things To Like About Kansas State:

Win right now attitude: Head Coach Ron Prince brought in a bunch of JUCO transfers to fill in the holes. He wants to give K-State the chance to win right now.

Offensive Line: It’s the bright spot of the offense and is a solid unit.

Things Not To Like About Kansas State:

Receivers: Jordy Nelson is playing in the NFL and leaves a big hole at that position. Someone will have to step up and be a playmaker for QB Josh Freeman to be successful

Defense: Only 5 starters return on defense that gave up a ton of points toward the end of the season.

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty: The JUCO transfers will help some of the talent drain from a year ago. If the defense improves from last year’s number, the Wildcats will go bowling again.

Colorado Buffaloes

2007 record 6-7 (Lost to Alabama 30-24 in the Independence Bowl)

Other than upsetting Oklahoma last year at Folsom Field, the Buffs didn’t do anything spectacular last year. Colorado did just enough to earn a trip to Shreveport, an appropriate destination for a 6-6 team.

Things To Like About Colorado:

Strong defense inside: The Buff tackles and safeties are rock solid

Cody Hawkins: He is the key on offense and if he cuts down on his erratic play should put up some big time numbers.

Things Not To Like About Colorado:

Pass rush: The outside of the defense is a question mark. Last season the Buffs were 95th in the nation in QB sacks. That must change with the quality of quarterbacks in the Big 12

Schedule: It is a bear. First Colorado opens against cross state rival Colorado State plus West Virginia and Florida State are on the non-conference schedule. Texas comes to Boulder and Colorado plays at Kansas, at Missouri and at Nebraska

Buff Stuff: It’s going to be tough for Colorado to improve on 6 wins with the schedule they play. Dan Hawkins has a reputation as a miracle worker and he did a great job last year but Hawkins will have to work his magic to go bowling this year.

Iowa State Cyclones

2007 record 3-9

It’s tough to win games at Iowa State. But Gene Chizik may have a group of young talent that could make strides this year

Things To Like About Iowa State:

Running Backs: Alexander Robinson and J.J. Bass are a couple of good running backs that can spark the offense. Robinson emerged as the feature back late last year.

Things Not To Like About Iowa State:

Quarterback: Who’s going to emerge as the starter, Austin Arnaud or Phillip Bates. Expect both to play on a QB rotation

Cyclone Winds: The best way to describe Iowa State is pesky. They won’t be fun to play against and will win a few games they shouldn’t but a bowl game will be a long shot this year. But watch this program grow because there is a commitment to Coach Chizik and football at Iowa State.