2008 Big 12 Football Preview

Big 12 football preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official big twelve conference football preview as well as individual team previews for all 12 big 12 football teams and our big 12 predictions. If you dont know how to beat the odds, give Maddux's winning NCAA picks a shot.

BIG 12 SOUTH OVERVIEW

The Big 12 South includes two of the best teams in the entire conference—the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners. It’s also the home of what may be the worst club in the league—the Bears of Baylor. The Big 12 South and conference champion will probably either be Texas or Oklahoma. But don’t count the Texas Tech Red Raiders out. They’re a team on the rise.

Many experts feel that the Sooners of Oklahoma will win the division. The offense is run by one of the best young QBs around and a slew of offensive starters return. On defense, especially upfront, the team excels. These guys certainly could be tough to beat.

The Texas Longhorns have one of the best new classes in the Big 12, and that fact will help them contend. The defense needs to play better, especially when it comes to defending against the pass. The offense will continue to put a lot of points on the board.

The improving Texas Tech Red Raiders could make a splash this season. Almost every starter on offense from last season returns for 2008. They’re led by the explosive quarterbacking of Graham Harrell. On defense the front four and linebackers are solid. The secondary is also quite fine.

Although the Oklahoma State Cowboys can rack up points on offense under the leadership of athletic and talented QB Zac Robinson, their defense has had a tough time keeping the team in the game. The passing game has been especially tough on this unit. The secondary looks good but can the D-line come through and pressure opposing QBs?

There’s an attempt to change things in Aggie-land. Texas A&M’s new coach, Mike Sherman, is looking to install an innovative offense and speed up and refine the defense. It will take some time before this team can really mix things up in the Big 12.

Baylor, with new head coach Art Briles, is in a major rebuilding phase. The team has suffered from both a lack of offense and defense. Briles is an offensive specialist who can turn a team around and the new defensive coordinator, Brian Norwood, is solid.

BIG 12 NORTH OVERVIEW

The Big 12 North is a highly competitive division that is dominated by three teams. The division title will come down to the favored Missouri Tigers, the potentially dynamic Kansas Jayhawks and the much-improved Colorado Buffaloes.

For Missouri a national title could rest on the shoulders of Chase Daniel, one of the best field generals in the nation. This team looks destined to be in a BCS bowl game. If they’re not, which could be the case due to the team missing essential players who are still recovering from injuries and an inexperienced defense, it will be a major disappointment.

Quarterback Todd Reesing will make the Kansas Jayhawks a true contender. The Missouri Tigers will have to watch out for Reesing and company. The problem for the Jayhawks is its conference schedule—it is very tough. It could be a title killer.

Although the Colorado Buffaloes have experienced some key loses on defense, their coach Dan Hawkins, now in his third season, should keep them on track. QB Cody Hawkins is a fine leader and solid force on the field.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers will struggle to make a season out of it. The good news is the offensive line, which will give QB Joe Ganz and RB Marlon Lucky plenty of opportunity to succeed. The defense has major problems. It will be difficult to plug all the holes this season.

There are 19 new junior college players on the Kansas State Wildcats. Both the offense and defense have been upgraded. That should help these Cats improve. Josh Freeman at quarterback is a true playmaker.

The Iowa State Cyclones had a difficult time putting points on the board and stopping opponents from scoring points. That won’t change a whole lot this season. A less strenuous schedule may help ISU win one or two more games than they did last season. Still, they are a long way from a bowl bid.

Big 12 Predictions

BIG 12 SOUTH

1) Oklahoma Sooners
2) Texas Longhorns
3) Texas Tech Red Raiders
4) Oklahoma State Cowboys
5) Texas A&M Aggies
6) Baylor Bears

BIG 12 NORTH

1) Missouri Tigers
2) Kansas Jayhawks
3) Colorado Buffaloes
4) Nebraska Cornhuskers
5) Kansas State Wildcats
6) Iowa State Cyclones

For more info on the 2008 Big 12 Conference, view their official website or read up on all the Big Twelve football team previews below.