2014 Big 12 Preview

BRETT CIANCIA
August 2nd, 2014

The league finds itself in uncharted territory as former league doormat Baylor just won its first Big 12 championship ever, and Texas will have a new head coach for the first time since 1998. The one constant through it all has been Oklahoma, who under Bob Stoops has won the league 7 years since 2000 and won 10+ in 12 of the last 14. As heavy underdogs, the Sooners took out #3 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and therefore threw their name into College Football Playoff discussion. Oklahoma and Baylor are the top two, and their Week 11 collision in Norman may decide the conference title. The pack of teams below them is deep and strong, as it’s hard to distinguish between teams #3 and #7. Bill Snyder has firepower at QB again with Jake Waters, a former JUCO transfer that shattered Cam Newton’s records at that level; Kansas State has potential to finish atop this pack, and I have them higher than most

While Texas has the talent to finish higher, I foresee some growing pains and a typical “transition year” going from Brown to Charlie Strong (Strong already dismissed 6 players in a 24-hour span). TCU, with its elite defense and new-look passing attack, and Texas Tech in its second year under coach Kliff Kingsbury check in at #5 and #6, respectively.

It feels weird placing Oklahoma State so low (#7), but I don’t recall a team ever losing so much production and depth in a single offseason. As I said, the difference between #3 and #7 is razor-thin; the severe inexperience and challenging road slate put the ‘Pokes at the bottom of this tier.

As the only power conference without a conference title game, they are also the only ones to employ a full round-robin schedule; every game counts here in the Big 12, and there will be no shortage of points!

LB Erik Striker

BONUS Feature:

Knighted but Not Crowned

QB Trevor Knight

This fall, make sure to tune in to Pick Six Previews for GamedayU, an OU football show hosted by our staff writer Zach Sepanik.
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1. OKLAHOMA SOONERS

ZACH SEPANIK
Big12 Staff Writer

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Determined. Together. Belief. Shocking. Miraculous.
Those are just some of the words that come to mind when looking back on the University of Oklahoma Sooners 2013 football season. Heading into 2014, OU is still riding a sugar high from their Allstate Sugar Bowl victory over the University of Alabama. The Sooners were such underdogs, there is no other way to describe the result other than shocking and miraculous. Alabama was on a run of dynastic proportions. OU put a halt to it and revived their name at the top of the college football world.

During the 2013 regular season, determination and togetherness came into play. After five straight wins to open the year, the Sooners fell to the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry (since been renamed the AT&T Red River Showdown), a game they were expected to win that ultimately took the wind out of the team’s sails. No matter what, they stayed together when skeptics questioned their chances. Three games later, the Sooners fell flat on their face against the Baylor Bears in Waco, Texas. That game was on Thursday, November 7. OU head coach Bob Stoops has let it be known he is no fan of Thursday night games. There are no Thursday games on the schedule for the Sooners in 2014.

Belief then peeked its head out in Norman, Okla., as it would take wins in the final three games of the season to get some acknowledgement as a possible BCS contender. That is exactly what the Sooners did, including a clutch performance in Stillwater against Bedlam rival Oklahoma State University to put OU back in contention for an at-large BCS bid. And the rest is history. With the Sugar Bowl win, and the dawning of a new era in college football playoff lore, Stoops became the first coach to win all four BCS games and a National Championship. He also passed legend Barry Switzer as OU’s all-time wins leader as head coach during the season.

Hype. Expectations. Playoffs. Heisman. Championship.
Just some words that surround Stoops and the Sooners as they enter 2014. There are some high expectations and serious hype with Playoff talks. One aspect of this year’s team that will be drastically different, however, is the rushing attack. Last season, OU ranked 18th in the country with 223.9 yards per game. Three of OU’s top-five rushers from a year ago are gone (Brennan Clay, Damien Williams, and Roy Finch). The Sooners top returning rusher: redshirt sophomore quarterback Trevor Knight, who racked up 445 yards last year. Blake Bell, the last from that group, moved to tight end. In fact, 70.5 percent of the rushing yards from last season are no longer on the OU roster. Out of the backfield the door is wide open for sophomore Keith Ford and redshirt sophomore Alex Ross. Ford, out of Cypress Ranch High School (Cypress, Texas), and Ross, from Jenks High School (Jenks, Okla.), were each four-star recruits. They have the size and speed to be quite the formidable combo. Throw in senior fullback Aaron Ripkowski and there is a lot of potential.

At quarterback, Knight holds down the fort. His record-setting efforts against Alabama (competed 32-of-44 pass attempts for 348 yards with four touchdowns and one interception) just about ensure his spot as a starter and catapulted him into many preseason Heisman mentions. He welcomes junior Sterling Shepard back to the receiving corps, who will be his go-to playmaker on the outside. Junior wideout Durron Neal will also have a large role, while a name not many are familiar with (but will be when he takes the field) is redshirt freshman Jordan Smallwood, a physical specimen who can go up and get it. The offensive line returns four of the five starters from a year ago. The one void is at center where the leadership and All-American presence of Gabe Ikard will be missed. However, Ty Darlington (probable starter) is a very cerebral player. Just check out his ACT score of 33.

On the other side of the ball, Stoops has built a championship caliber group. It all starts on the D-line where junior Charles Tapper and redshirt senior Geneo Grissom anchor the 3-4 defense at the end positions. Meanwhile, at tackle, redshirt senior Chuka Ndulue and redshirt sophomore Jordan Wade offer great flexibility and an overall talented pass rush for defensive coordinator Mike Stoops. At linebacker a name that will be on everyone’s postseason awards list is junior Eric Striker. He is a ballhawk and absolute headache for opposing quarterbacks. Throw in sophomore Dominique Alexander, the reigning Big 12 Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year, and OU adds to the pass rush. In the secondary, redshirt sophomore cornerback Zack Sanchez is poised for a breakout season, while redshirt senior safety Julian Wilson has All-American talent. These two alone could split up field coverage and shut teams down.

All in all, it’s a scary composition for OU football in 2014. Scary good in that the pieces are there to make a run at the inaugural College Football Playoff. Scary bad in that there is tremendous pressure on the Sooners to perform, which a lot of teams fold under. Either way, Bob Stoops will have this team ready to go. If the talent plays to its potential, there are not many teams that will be able to slow down the Sooners.

QB Bryce Petty

WR Antwan Goodley

LB Bryce Hagar

2. BAYLOR BEARS

ZACH KINDER
Big12 Staff Writer

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Gone are the days of being the Big 12 cellar dweller. Baylor left those days behind with the arrival of coveted quarterback Robert Griffin III, better known as the NFL phenom RG3. Who doesn’t remember RG3’s fantastic throw over the top of the OU defense to capture Baylor’s first win against the Sooners en route to his Heisman Trophy? Art Briles massive rebuild in Waco, Texas culminated in the school’s first ever Big 12 championship and a trip to the Fiesta Bowl in 2013. This season, Baylor will retire Floyd Casey Stadium and unveil its shiny, new, on-campus stadium. Season tickets for the inaugural season at McLane Stadium are already sold out, signaling the excitement surrounding this season, as Baylor projects to once again be a national contender.

Few teams in the history of college football exploded out of the gate like Baylor did in 2013. After putting up jaw-dropping numbers and breaking Oklahoma’s record for most points in a season on its way to a 11-2 record, Baylor ended the season with a disappointing loss to UCF, despite being a large favorite going into the game. However, Art Briles hasn’t been one to hang his head, and with a strong returning cast, he doesn’t have much of a reason to. Heisman contender Bryce Petty returns after leading the Big 12 in both passing and rushing touchdowns, and he’ll be throwing to a talented group of receivers led by Biletnikoff hopeful Antwan Goodley. Shock Linwood, who broke out last season playing in place of the injured Lache Seastrunk and Glasco Martin, makes for another formidable offense.

Despite having to replace his third quarterback in as many seasons, Baylor’s offense continued to grow more dominant, scoring more than 40 points on 10 occasions and more than 70 on four occasions. Baylor had 83 offensive touchdowns, 59 of which occurred in 2 minutes or less; 81 plays for more than 25 yards (40 of which resulted in touchdowns), and 16 plays of more than 60 yards. Baylor finished the season averaging more than 52 points and 618 yards per game and 7.5 yards per play, and led or finished near the top of almost every offensive stat available. Petty has his choice of talented receivers to throw to, despite the loss of All-Conference receiver Tevin Reese. Six of Baylor’s top seven receivers from 2013 return, including starters Goodley, Levi Norwood and Corey Coleman. Robbie Rhodes was dismissed from the team shortly after spring practice, but Briles recruited arguably the nation’s best receiver class, including KD Cannon. Spencer Drango leads an offensive line with only returning two starters, and Cyril Richardson will not be easy to replace. Blake Muir steps in this season after starting every game for Hawaii in 2012, and Troy Baker also started every game in 2012 before sitting out much of this past season with an injury. While depth is not a concern, projected starting center Kyle Fuller lacks experience. The second year player saw limited action as a freshman in 2013. If the group can open up holes, sophomore Linwood has a realistic opportunity to lead the league in rushing and become Baylor’s 11th 1,000-yard rusher. Linwood deserves consideration with Jonathan Gray and Malcolm Brown of Texas as the league’s best running back. If someone does somehow manage to stop Baylor’s potent attack, then it has to face its next great weapon. Senior Spencer Roth was named to the Ray Guy watch list, given annually to the nation’s top punter.

While the offense was outgunning whoever had the unfortunate task of defending it, the Baylor defense was quietly putting together one of the better seasons in college football. While Briles has been known for his offensive prowess, the defense has often left much to be desired. His 2013 defense, however, finished first in the Big 12 in yards per play, second in yards per rush and third in pass efficiency defense. Briles has the challenge of replacing six of his top eight tacklers, and a host of All-Conference players, including Eddie Lackey, Ahmad Dixon and Chris McAllister. Fortunately, the Bears are not without experience. Three starters return, including All-Conference candidate Bryce Hager and Beau Blankenship. Blankenship mans the defensive line with Shawn Oakman and Jamal Palmer, both of whom saw significant action the past season. Oakman was honorable mention defensive newcomer of the year and Palmer was second on the team in sacks. Andrew Billings, who started twice in 2013, completes the defensive line, which could be the strength of the defense this season. Aivion Edwards joins Hager at linebacker in Briles 4-2-5 scheme, while Terrell Burt is the lone returning starter in the secondary. Sophomores Xavien Howard and Terrence Singleton will have to replace KJ Morton and Demetri Goodson in the secondary, where Goodson tied TCU’s Jason Varrett for passes defended per game in 2013. Sophomore Orion Stewart completes Baylor’s projected defense.

Baylor continues its trend of nonconference cupcakes with SMU, Northwestern State and Buffalo before a date with Iowa State to open up Big 12 play. Baylor then travels to Texas before hosting TCU. If Baylor can navigate unscathed through the Texas teams, it could be undefeated going into Norman, a game that could have national title implications. Baylor closes with three games against dangerous competition – Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Kansas State. OSU and KSU will be home games in McLane Stadium, however, which figures positively in Baylor’s favor.

WR Tyler Lockett

BONUS Feature:

Waters ready to shine

QB Jake Waters

3. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

BRETT CIANCIA
Co-Owner

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It was a Tale of Two Seasons last fall for Kansas State, as they opened just 2-4 but won 6 of the final 7 including a dominant bowl win over Michigan. The underlying current that shifted both the 2013 season and the 2014 level of optimism was the progression of quarterback Jake Waters. At the Junior College level, Waters shattered Cam Newton’s passing records, and after adjusting to the high speed of Division 1 football he looks poised for a breakout year. All 4 of KSU’s conference losses were within 10 points, and the results of those early season heartbreakers may have swung the other way had they occurred in November, given the overall team progress. Unlike other elderly coaches that become figureheads towards the end of their careers (Paterno & Bowden), 74-year-old Bill Snyder is still very much in control; he still works 16-hour days! He needs all that time and then some to repair and patch up the defense, which loses a lot of production. But with the usual influx of JUCO and walk-on talent, Snyder has the pieces to the puzzle. The Wizard must concoct another dose of Snyder Magic.

Daniel Sams (the runner) and Jake Waters (the passer) started the season sharing the quarterback position, but it was Waters that took over around the halfway point. This spring, Sams transferred to McNeese State, leaving the entire workload to Waters, who improved drastically as the season progressed. Waters carried the ball 118 times and demonstrated enough rushing ability to make the defense respect the threat. Both veteran running backs are gone, but star WR Tyler Lockett returns. The All-American is the real deal, both receiving and in the return game. As Lockett draws significant attention from the secondary, WR Curry Sexton should also thrive. Just 2 starters return up front, but its quality over quantity here as both BJ Finney (Center) and Cody Whitehair (Left Guard) are All-Big12 worthy. Look for the offense to improve on its 33 points per game and become the strength of the team while the new defense gels.

The defense returns a star at each level of the defense, but leaves many voids to be filled by incoming JUCO talent. Up front, DE Ryan Mueller leads the charge (11.5 sacks in ’13) and will be joined by newcomer Terrell Clinkscales, a 4-star JUCO DT who switched his commitment from Nebraska to K-State. Travis Britz will man the other Tackle spot creating a solid defensive front that looks to help out the less experienced back 7. Jonathan Truman is the leading returning tackler and will most likely play alongside JUCO standout D’Vonta Derricott. Randall Evans (CB) and Dante Barnett (4 INT in ’13) will need to keep up their high levels of play to account for the loss of Ty Zimmerman – a Pick Six legend. Yet another JUCO addition helps here, as Nate Jackson will start at the other corner spot. As I mentioned, the returning stars will need to mesh with the JUCO additions; the pieces are here for a successful defensive unit.

In our first season (2012), I was a big-time seller of Kansas State, placing them 6th in the Big 12. Pick Six Previews’ first and most loyal diehard fan, MARTY, gave us some flak for our prediction. Marty and Collin Klein proved me wrong, en route to an 11-2 season and Heisman appearance. I like what I saw towards the end of last season, and for the first time, I am a Kansas State buyer. KSU has ample time for the defense to gel as the Big12 race doesn’t heat up until October. An intriguing Thursday Night matchup with Auburn will catch the nation’s eye. Regardless, I see Kansas State competing towards the top of the league, but falling victim to road games at both favorites (Oklahoma and Baylor). Perhaps with even more beginning-to-end season improvement, Snyder’s Wildcats could position themselves for a league title run.

Head Coach Charlie Strong

QB David Ash

BONUS Feature:

Texas Strong

4. TEXAS LONGHORNS

BRETT CIANCIA
Co-Owner

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Even a former National Champion head coach’s proverbial hot seat can eventually heat up. No one will ever forget Vince Young’s 4th down game-winning score to bring Texas its first National Title since 1970, and Texas Exes will always love coach Mack Brown for his tenure. But after the 2009 title run came up short, the Longhorn program struggled, and it took 4 years of mediocrity, blowout losses, and underperforming blue-chip talent to ultimately end Brown’s tenure. The program had turned stale, and it found a jolt of electricity in new head coach Charlie Strong, who went 23-3 (with an Orange Bowl victory) in his final two seasons at Louisville. Strong is changing the culture of the program, evidenced by the dismissal of SIX players in a 24-hour span. His zero tolerance and high emphasis placed on academics, character, and commitment will pay dividends in the long run, but may take some time for his efforts to come to fruition in the win/loss column.

Texas has always been able to lockdown the state borders and essentially hand pick its recruiting class each year. The elite talent is certainly there, it just needs to be motivated and put to use correctly. At quarterback, David Ash is back from his season-ending injury; in his 10 starts in 2012 and his 3 in ’13, Ash was actually quite impressive, and I expect even more development. Protecting their injury-prone leader may be an issue due to learning a new offense and replacing 3 starters, however center Dominic Espinosa is one of the Big12’s best, and the other new replacements are all elite prospects. Yet again, Jaxon Shipley will be a prime target, but Ash loses Mike Davis from his arsenal. The running back tandem is up there as one of the best in the nation; Malcolm Brown and Jonathan Gray were both the #1 RB in the nation in their respective high school classes, and will share carries again (1684 yards combined in ’13). Other RB’s Joe Bergeron and Jalen Overstreet were 2 of the 6 players tossed off the team in July.

There is no reason that a roster this talented should be giving up 29 (2012) and 26 (2013) points per game. Look for defensive-minded Strong to fix that in a hurry. Texas returns 8 defensive starters and the unit’s potential is sky high given the talent at each level. Cedric Reed and Malcolm Brown provide a dangerous 1-2 punch at End and Tackle. The linebacking trio returns intact and should be flying all over the field. At corner is perhaps the team’s best player and vocal leader, Quandre Diggs, who spoke out about some of his teammates poor attitudes and is attempting to fix the culture. Strong aided in that by dismissing 2 safeties including assumed starter Josh Turner. The defense must learn Strong’s system quickly, as BYU and UCLA await in September, while Baylor and Oklahoma are early on the schedule as well.

It’s only a matter of time until Texas is atop the Big 12 standings year in and year out. It could be as soon as this fall, as the talent is there for immediate success. But it could take 2 or 3 years, however long Strong needs to instill HIS program. The season outlook is difficult to gauge; I can see an instant turn around that has the Longhorns chasing the league title, AND I can also see a transition year with more dismissals and a struggle for bowl eligibility. I think 4th in the league is fair for now, especially considering the roster may look different in a few weeks if Strong keeps up his pace of clean-up.

LB/S Sam Carter

DT Chucky Hunter

BONUS Feature:

Devonte Fields Suspended

5. TCU HORNED FROGS

BRETT CIANCIA
Co-Owner

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After the undefeated 13-0 season (and Rose Bowl victory) in 2010 and another 11-2 Mountain West title in 2011, TCU made the jump up to the BCS level and joined the Big 12 Conference. TCU has gone through some growing pains, going just 6-12 in Big 12 play, but half of those losses were within a score and very well could have gone the other way. Clearly TCU is close, and with another year of familiarity with the league, the Frogs are ready to enter the upper tier of the conference.

The issue has been on the offensive side of the ball and has not assissted its solid defense at all. Casey Pachall was supposed to be the star quarterback in ’12 but was suspended for the year, throwing the unprepared freshman Trevone Boykin into the fire. Pachall was set to return in ’13 and I had high hopes for the offense’s improvements; he again was sidelined, this time to injury, and Boykin never really found his way. The Frogs hope that Texas A&M transfer Matt Joeckel will be the much-needed answer at QB. This season, it will be a new-look offense as 2 new coordinators attempt to install a spread passing attack that will resemble their roots: Sonny Cumbie (QB and OC at Texas Tech), and Doug Meachem (OC at Houston and Oklahoma State). Look for Boykin to be used at WR more this year, especially in response to the removal of WR Brandon Carter (academics). The offensive line is one of the weaker units in the league, but if they do install the offense correctly, it is designed for quick reads and throws, taking the pressure off of the line’s pass protection. It is always difficult to gauge how quickly and effectively a new offensive scheme can be implemented. That said, with 8 returning starters, I will use the cliché “it simply can’t get any worse.”

Defense has always been coach Gary Patterson’s forte. His special 4-2-5 defense helps slow down aerial attacks like those often seen in the Big 12. Schematically, the back seven adapts their coverage responsibilities based on the receiver’s routes. The defense needs a hybrid linebacker/safety that can fill run holes but also cover the inside receiver effectively. TCU has their guy in Sam Carter, who plays that hybrid perfectly (5 interceptions in ’13). They suffer a huge loss as All-American CB Jason Verrett moves on to the NFL. TCU will also (likely) be without Big12 Defensive Player of the Year DE Devonte Fields, who is being investigated for domestic violence. This loss isn’t as big as it looks on the surface because they were without him for most of 2013 anyway and still fielded a solid defense. The front seven is still stacked with Chucky Hunter at DT, while the secondary returns two All-Big12 candidates Kevin White and Chris Hackett (along with hybrid Carter). We all said it last offseason, that TCU should be the top defense in the league. Entering 2014, they “should” be up there in the top 3 Big12 units, and strong enough to keep them in any game, especially crucial early in the season as the new offense works out the kinks.

The defense will be top-notch, but how will the offense go through the transition? Two optimistic views on the offense’s development lie in the coaches’ collective expertise and prior success. Additionally, the schedule layout sets up well for a system to be installed, worked on, and developed before hitting the conference schedule. TCU opens with Samford, then a bye week, followed by a beatable Minnesota test. Then yet another bye week leads into the Iron Skillet game vs SMU. Those 2 early bye weeks – sandwiched between game experience and film – will help Cumbie and Meachem correct offensive issues well. I do not see TCU beating Oklahoma or Baylor, but then the middle-tier schedule hits with a 4-game stretch of Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, AT West Virginia, and Kansas State. They catch 3 of those 4 at home, with the easiest on the road. The Thanksgiving game at Texas could have serious implications on the conference standings for those 3/4/5/6 spots. Ultimately, I have faith in Patterson, his defense, and that the new coaches can make somewhat of a functioning offense to help get TCU back to bowl season.

QB Davis Webb

WR Jakeem Grant

RB DeAndre Washington

6. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

ZACH KINDER
Big 12 Staff Writer

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Players will often get motivated to play under a new head coach, and that’s exactly how it looked in Kliff Kingsbury’s first season at Texas Tech. Until, suddenly, it didn’t anymore. Tech ran through its first seven games in 2013, outscoring opponents 41-19, and rose as high as No. 10 in the polls heading into Norman. Baker Mayfield and Davis Webb were carving opposing defenses. The talent, however, wasn’t there to compete with the conference elite, and the Raiders dropped its next five contests, including embarrassing home losses to Oklahoma State and Kansas State. Davis Webb helped the Raiders end the season on a positive note in a Holiday Bowl upset of Arizona State. Kingsbury, in the same vein as former Tech head coach Mike Leach, will air it out again this season, and hopes to build on the win and outperform preseason expectations in his follow-up season.

Offense hasn’t been a struggle for Texas Tech in recent memory. Kliff Kingsbury himself set records as quarterback in Mike Leach’s air raid system. Last season, Tech again led the league in passing yards and finished second in the NCAA, all while playing two freshmen quarterbacks. Since then, things have changed. Davis Webb is the lone quarterback on the roster until fall camp begins after Michael Brewer’s transfer to Virginia Tech and Baker Mayfield’s to Oklahoma. Patrick Mahomes will join him in the fall, but an injury to Webb could doom the Tech offense. Kingsbury will also have to find capable replacements for NFL-bound receivers Jace Amaro and Eric Ward, and running back Kenny Williams, who moved over to defense this season. Jakeem Grant, an all-conference candidate who finished seventh in all-purpose yards in the Big 12 in 2013, will replace Amaro at inside receiver. Fellow all-conference candidate Bradley Marquez joins Grant as the lone returning receiver starters. However, coaches have been positive about the development of Reginald Davis and DJ Polite-Bray. DeAndre Washington will take over for Williams in the backfield, which hasn’t produced a 1,000-yard rusher in several seasons and ranked dead last in the league in rushing yards per game. Protecting them will be an offensive line returning four starters, led by All-American candidate Le’Raven Clark. The offensive line will need to find a way to fill holes for Tech after allowing 33 sacks and 92 tackles for loss, which both ranked 9th in the conference. Tech also needs to work on taking care of the ball. The Raiders gave up more than 30 turnovers, including 18 interceptions, and ranked near the bottom of the FBS in turnover margin.

While the offense should still maintain its typical gaudy stats, the defensive transition could be more difficult. The defense returns only four starters from a unit that allowed more than 400 yards per game last season and wasn’t able to force turnovers. Despite the issues, Tech managed a respectable pass efficiency defense and ranked higher than elite teams such as Alabama in third down defense, but allowed more than 200 yards rushing per game. The defensive line was hurt before the 2013 season began with the loss of Delvon Simmons, who transferred to USC. Kingsbury’s 3-4 scheme makes use of three down linemen, but returns only one starter, Branden Jackson. Senior Jackson Richards started four games in 2013, but junior Demetrius Alston lacks extensive experience. The linebacker corps returns two starters in Pete Robertson, an all-conference candidate, and Sam Eguavoen. VJ Fehoko arrives in Lubbock after transferring from Utah, and should be eligible immediately. Williams fills out the linebackers for Matt Wallerstedt’s defense. It says something about the state of the Tech linebacker unit that a former running back could so easily earn a starting role, but nevertheless has a little bit of depth should problems arise. The secondary receives an immediate boost from the return of safety JJ Gaines. Despite an injury against Iowa State, Gaines still led the team in interceptions. His return is huge for an otherwise inexperienced unit. Corners Justin Nelson and La’Darius Newbold and safety Keenon Ward are all second year players without significant experience. Newbold saw action in only three games in 2013. Nelson’s redshirt was removed late in the season, and he saw action in five games (starting three), which should provide a little comfort to Tech secondary. Ward has the most experience, and also started three games late in the season. A quick look at the roster might reveal depth in the secondary, however, many of the returning players are upperclassmen who have limited playing experience or have been practice squad members. Wallerstedt faces a tough challenge again this season competing against an improved nonconference slate and a tough Big 12 schedule.

While the offense should be able to handle its own throughout the schedule, defense is a little concerning, considering just how few people it returns from a unit that didn’t perform well last season. Texas Tech has to hit the road to play Kansas State and TCU, two teams projected to improve this year. The Red Raiders do get to host Arkansas, as well as Big 12 contender Oklahoma. While the Sooners won their most recent trip to Lubbock, they have not fared well there in the Stoops era. Iowa St, which came close to knocking off Tech last season, is a trap game sandwiched between OU and Baylor. Iowa St should be improved this season, which might be bad news for Tech. Another five-game losing streak is not out of the question.

QB JW Walsh

RB Desmond Roland

WR Jhajuan Seales

Pistol Pete

7. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

ZACH KINDER
Big 12 Staff Writer

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A 42-14 defeat at the hands of rival Oklahoma cemented a disappointing end to Mike Gundy’s opening season at Oklahoma State. Ten years later, after a $165 million renovation to what is now Boone Pickens stadium, a Big 12 championship and a Fiesta Bowl victory over Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinals, Gundy has positioned OSU as an annual contender for the conference crown and on the verge of the national elite. Despite unsure expectations in 2013, OSU won 10 or more games for the third time in four seasons. An exuberated fan base eagerly awaits the opening kickoff against defending national champion Florida State in Arlington.

The Cowboys ended 2012 with optimism, but entered 2013 with doubt. Quarterback Wes Lunt’s transfer left OSU with questions and uncertainty, questions that haunted them through a defensive struggle against Mississippi State and a head-scratching defeat at the hands of West Virginia. Meanwhile, the running game failed to carry any of the load, leaving the usually potent OSU offense looking stagnant and confused. Gundy righted the ship after replacing J.W. Walsh and Jeremy Smith with Clint Chelf and Desmond Roland. The Cowboys coasted to wins in each of its next five games, including a 49-17 blowout of eventual Big 12 champion Baylor, before dropping its next two. Bedlam was a chilling defensive affair. With wind chills below hovering below zero, both teams struggled to find the end zone until the fourth quarter, when OU scored a gut-wrenching touchdown in the winding minutes of the game to secure its 10th Bedlam victory in the past 11 meetings. The Cowboys then dropped the ball against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

After exceeding expectations in 2013, the Cowboys have a daunting test ahead of them in 2014. The offense will again hand the reigns over to J.W. Walsh, whose up and down career has included being benched twice, or true freshman Mason Rudolph. Desmond Roland and Rennie Childs anchor the running back position for the Cowboys, which could be the strength of the offense. Roland exploded onto the scene last season after rushing for more than 200 yards against Iowa State and finished the season with more than 800 yards and 13 touchdowns despite playing in a backup role for the first half of the season. The addition of track star Tyreek Hill adds a bit of variety for the Cowboys, who’ve made a mark with quick, elusive running backs in Kendall Hunter and Joseph Randal. Despite losing star receiver Josh Stewart early to the NFL draft and leading receiver Tracy Moore to graduation, the Cowboys remain loaded at the position. Expect big things from Jhajuan Seales and Marcell Ateman, who have been compared to both Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon in ability and potential. Behind them sit a stable of reliable weapons. Questions loom large, however, on the offensive line. Devin Davis and Brandon Garrett, expected to anchor the tackle positions, both sustained injuries last season that may keep them unavailable early in 2014. Projected starter at center, Jake Jenkins, and backup Travis Cross have both left the team, leaving inexperienced Paul Lewis (six games, one start) as the likely candidate to fill the position. Daniel Koenig (22 starts) and Chris Grisby (8 starts) represent the most experienced lineman on the team, which will only make the loss of coach Joe Wickline to Texas more painful.

In Glenn Spencer’s first season as defensive coordinator, the Cowboys were one of the best defenses in the Big 12, ranking 10th in the country in yards per play, 19th in scoring defense and finished fourth in the Big 12 in rushing defense while leading the league in pass efficiency defense. It will be hard for Spencer to duplicate such rosy numbers in his second campaign. Gone are four-year starters Shaun Lewis and Thorpe finalist Justin Gilbert, as well as a multitude of other playmakers. Combined, the Cowboys are losing 239 career starts on the defensive side of the ball, which underscores key rotation guys who are also gone, including Tyler Patmon, Zack Craig and Lyndell Johnson all in the secondary. The defense returns All-Conference candidates James Castleman along the defensive line and shutdown corner Kevin Peterson in the secondary. Ryan Simmons, fourth on the team in tackles in 2013, also returns, manning the middle of the field. Surrounding them will be a bevy of inexperience, with the biggest holes at linebacker and safety. While Spencer has depth at the linebacker spot, the same cannot be said of the safety core, which lost its top three players at both strong and free safety. Don’t expect Big 12 offenses to stagnate two years in a row, particularly a Baylor team loaded with speed and an Oklahoma team that found its rhythm against Alabama. Even Texas, which will look to improve its game under new head coach Charlie Strong, and Kansas State will push Oklahoma State to the brink. Before the Cowboys get to face the Big 12 slate, however, it must go through Jameis Winston and Florida State. It could be a long day, and an even longer season, for Gundy and the Cowboys as they look to add experience at each position.

The schedule is brutal, featuring the defending national champion, as well as road games at Kansas State, Baylor and Oklahoma. Texas comes into Stillwater during a back-loaded second half of the season, but don’t count out games at home against Texas Tech or on the road at TCU, which could surprise the Cowboys. The good news: the Cowboys return a ton of talent and experience for 2015.

RB Dreamius Smith

8. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

BRETT CIANCIA
Co-Owner

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Dana Holgorsen burst onto the scene in Morgantown (2011) with a 10-3 season highlighted by a 70-33 Orange Bowl victory over Clemson. WVU rode that momentum into 2012; QB Geno Smith opened up with an incredible 5 games (averaging 52 ppg) and skyrocketed to the top of every Heisman list in America, while leading the Mountaineers to a #5 ranking. Since that point in October 2012, WVU is just 6-16, and it looks as though the transition from the Big East to the Big 12 was harder than initially expected. Can Holgorsen revive the program and return it to bowl season?

Clint Trickett follows a line of successful quarterbacks - Pat White, Geno Smith – and while no one will mistake him for the elusive White or the accurate Smith, coach Holgosen has repeatedly voiced his approval and trust in him as the starter. Trickett is a transfer from Florida State (ironically opens the season against another FSU transfer QB Jacob Coker) and started half the season here last fall. Barely over 50% completion, Trickett needs serious improvements to compete with the other stars in the quarterback-centric Big12. Gone is leading rusher Charles Sims, but a 5-star transfer (from hated rival Pitt) Rushel Shell will combine with Dreamius Smith for quite the RB duo. The top 3 receivers return making both skill areas solid surrounding Trickett with options. The offensive line loses 3 of 5 starters and is a major question mark.

7 starters return to the defense, but that positive stat needs to be clarified. This defense simply has not adjusted well to the Big12 and is still figuring out the aerial assault. The 2012 squad gave up 38 ppg, and even last year’s unit allowed 33, trailing only Iowa State for the worst in the league. Heck, they were outscored by Kansas, who hadn’t won a Big 12 conference game in 3 years! Tony Gibson gets the promotion from safeties coach to defensive coordinator and surely has his hands full. The good news is the addition of long-time Penn State DC Tom Bradley, who will take over as the Defensive Line coach. Nick Kwiatkoski is a standout at middle linebacker and led the team in tackles in ’13. In fact the entire linebacking core returns intact, and will be the strength of the defense. No longer a 3-3-5 defense, the new 3-4 system needs to continue to grow and develop.

In addition to the Big 12 gauntlet, West Virginia opens with National Title contender Alabama and travels to Maryland. Towson and Kansas should (SHOULD) be wins, but the matchups with the other lower-tier Big 12 teams are on the road (@Iowa State, @OSU, @Texas Tech). I do not see West Virginia returning to the postseason this fall, in fact it will be tough to even match last season’s 4 wins.

WR Quenton Bundrage

QB Grant Rohach

TE EJ Bibbs

9. IOWA STATE CYCLONES

ZACH SEPANIK
Big12 Staff Writer

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Ending 2013 with a 3-9 mark must’ve left Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads scratching his head. It also had to make Baby Bash think “she doesn’t move her body like a cyclone.”
Not only did the Cyclones lose to Northern Iowa in the season opener, they also fell in the battle for Iowa in week two when the Iowa Hawkeyes squeaked out a 27-21 win. Victims of robbery, defeated on the football field, whichever way you look at it for Iowa State, the Hawkeye State truly was just that last year as Iowa State was banished to the cornfields.
To make things worse, Iowa State was just a year removed from an appearance in the Liberty Bowl, a game which they lost to Tulsa. The downward spiral could've started there. However it developed, the Cyclones struggled all last year, going 1-5 at home. If anything, they must find a home field advantage. Combine the atmosphere at Jack Trice Stadium and the cold weather for most of the second half of the season and there’s a start.
If the end of 2012 was a signal as to how 2013 would go, then maybe the end of 2013 is evidence for how 2014 will look. The Cyclones ended the year with two straight wins—a shutout against Kansas for their lone home win of the season and a triple overtime thriller in Morgantown against West Virginia.
Perhaps the road to improvement has already begun. It will be one steep road, however, as Iowa State faces one of the most difficult schedules in the country in 2014. Beside their competition in the Big 12, they also face North Dakota State, Iowa (road), and Toledo in non-conference battles. No contest is a cupcake.

One key piece to the puzzle is new wideout Allen Lazard. The true freshman will add an instant playmaker to the offense. He will line up opposite junior receiver Quenton Bundrage, who tied the school record with 9 touchdowns last year. University of South Florida transfer D’Vario Montgomery gets thrown into the mix and senior tight end EJ Bibbs is back after his 39 receptions a year ago were good for second most in school history by a tight end. As Rhoads enters his sixth year at the helm, this group might be the most talented he has ever had. Out of the backfield, senior running back Aaron Wimberly will be an instrumental threat. He led the Cyclones last season with 567 yards on 141 carries. Wimberly also is a force in the passing game where he had 18 receptions for 211 yards.
At the quarterback position, two experienced guys are available to direct the offense in sophomore Grant Rohach and junior Sam B. Richardson. For the first half of last season, Richardson was the guy before ankle issues forced Rhoads to bring in Rohach as relief. Each had similar numbers a year ago and it really is a toss up as to who will open the year as the starter.
Making everything click is the offensive line where six linemen that had eight or more starts last season are back for Iowa State. Injuries were the story in 2013 for this group. The Cyclones started four different right tackles, two different right guards and left tackles, and three different centers and left guards. There was never a real opportunity for the group to gel, which showed in their production of only 144 rushing yards per game and 38 sacks allowed, the worst numbers in each category since 2006. Look for a drastic improvement here led by seniors Tom Farniok at center and Jacob Gannon at right tackle.

All in all, the Cyclones return 10 starters on the offensive side of the ball. Meanwhile, the defense will only have five starters back. The team’s top two tacklers from a year ago are gone (Jeremiah George - 133 tackles; Jacques Washington - 119 tackles). George also was the sacks leader for Iowa State with 3.5. This leaves senior strongside linebacker Jared Brackens as the returning leading tackler with his 61 recorded tackles last season. Brackens will lead a tough linebacker corps that includes sophomore weakside linebacker Luke Knott, the brother of former Iowa State First Team All-American Jake Knott. Complement Brackens and Knott with junior Jordan Harris and there is plenty of reason for optimism for a defense that surrendered 36 points per game last season. The Cyclones return five of their top six players from the group, with three of them starting at least five games a year ago.
Up front, the 6-4, 260 pound senior defensive end, Cory Morrissey, leads the unit. He finished last year with 52 tackles including 4.5 for loss, and two sacks. The defensive line welcomes in four junior college transfers including Trent Taylor, who originally signed with Tennessee.
In the secondary, cornerbacks Sam E. Richardson and Nigel Tribune had a combined 13 starts a year ago. Richardson recorded seven passes broken up, while Tribune had seven passes deflected. The safety position is a big question mark with little experience, however, they could plug in two junior college transfer. Look out for junior Qujuan Floyd and redshirt freshman Kamari Cotton-Moya to work their way into contetion for a starting spot.

Perhaps one of the biggest holes to fill in 2014 for Iowa State will be on special teams where Kirby Van Der Kamp is gone. He was a huge playmaker. DeVondrick Nealy should see a substantial increase in opportunities with this group and even without Van Der Kamp, they should remain steadily solid.
The Big 12 is just so tough. Being 7-30 on the road in the conference since 2005 doesn’t make anything easier for the Cyclones. Look for a slight improvement in overall team play, but a record that ultimately doesn’t reflect it.

LB Ben Heeney

Head Coach Charlie Weis

10. KANSAS JAYHAWKS

BRETT CIANCIA
Co-Owner

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It feels so strange to look back a few years and see Kansas ranked in the BCS Top 5 and beating Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Those were the glory days under Coach Mark Mangino; in ’07 and ’08 they won a combined 20 games. But in the FIVE seasons combined since, they haven’t come close to that mark (14-46 overall). Kansas has won just ONE conference game since the Big12 retracted to 10 teams (1-26), and last season finished 120th in scoring offense with just 15 points per game, a slow quarter of football for Baylor’s offense! Entering his 3rd season here, former Super Bowl Champion and Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis hopes to take another step forward. Even if it means simply doubling their league wins from one to two, Weis needs gridiron momentum at this hardwood-focused school.

The 2013 KU offense was historically bad, especially the passing attack that threw more interceptions than touchdowns and finished with an atrocious 47% completion rate. If Weis, the alleged offensive guru, can’t improve on this embarrassing performance, his seat will be red hot. To make matters worse, starting QB Jake Heaps fled the scene, transferring south to The U. Heaps took a majority of the snaps, while assumed ’14 starter Montell Cozart was used here and there. This offseason Cozart made some significant improvements, enough to earn Spring Game MVP and for Weis to publicly declare him the Jayhawks’ starter. The departure of 1000+ yard rusher James Sims will hurt, but the receiving core is deep and talented. Tony Pierson, the leading receiver last season, is joined by Miami (OH) transfer Nick Harwell, who already has 3166 career receiving yards – nearly more than KU’s entire 2012 and 2013 seasons combined! Look for Jimmay Mundine to benefit from the talent at WR. As the defense gives more attention to the outside receivers, Mundine will thrive over the middle from his tight end spot.

For as bad as the defense was in 2011 (44 points allowed per game), defensive coordinator Dave Campo (NFL pedigree) has managed to improve the unit each year. Now with 9 returning starters and 2 stars in the back seven, this could be his best defense yet. LB Ben Heeney is the leading returning tackler, not only for KU but in the entire Big 12, and should be a machine yet again. Over at corner, Dexter McDonald is a bright spot and is gaining All-Big12 attention. There is experience all over the defense, but it is a matter of continuing to improve as a unit.

Kansas has the rare Week 1 bye week, and opens with SE Missouri State in what is their only guaranteed victory. It’s all open from there with a rare ACC matchup (Duke), and the unforgiving Big12 gauntlet. Of the basement dwellers, they have to travel to West Virginia but do host Iowa State in what is probably their best bet at getting a conference win. A successful season would be stealing a Big 12 victory (or two) and improving the win/loss record, but more importantly continuing to rebuild and fix the offense.