2015 Big 12 Preview

BRETT CIANCIA
August 1st, 2015

1. BAYLOR BEARS

BRETT CIANCIA
Co-Owner

Had you told me 5 years ago that Baylor would be home to a Heisman winner, back-to-back 11-win Big12 titles, and be a Playoff contender I’d have thought you were crazy for several reasons. For decades, Baylor was the punching bag in the Southwest Conference and the Big 12, but Art Briles and his high-octane offense have the Bears in a rare spot atop the college football world. Baylor has been ranked in the Top 10 in 18 of the last 20 weekly polls, after finishing in the Top 10 just ONCE in school history – 1951. Complete with a state-of-the-art stadium, it is truly a new era here in Waco. Baylor’s furious 21-point comeback over TCU had the Bears placed in the Top 4, but an upset in Morgantown a week later set up a strange co-champions scenario. I 100% side with Art Briles in that the head-to-head win over TCU should have been the deciding criteria, and that Baylor should not have to share the 2014 crown with their rivals. That debate has come and gone, with the new debate centered around who will win the Big 12 this season. While the rest of America is selecting TCU to win the league and earn a Playoff bid, I am in the minority of opinion that Baylor will do it.

OFFENSE
Usually the departure of the school’s 2nd best passer ever (8,195 yards) would be enough to cause a rebuilding year, but Art Briles has defied those odds twice already. After Robert Griffin III won the Heisman in 2011, Briles filled the spot with Nick Florence with no drop off in production. Then, Florence left and Bryce Petty was inserted into the driver’s seat and raised the bar even higher, scoring an incredible 52.4 points per game in 2013, and a nation-leading 48.2 in 2014. The next in line is Seth Russell, who actually will be more experienced than Petty was when he took over. Russell adds even more mobility and has a stronger offensive line in front of him, and I expect only minimal dropoff from this juggernaut offensive machine. He is really the only question mark on an otherwise perfect offense. Spencer Drango (All-American) anchors a line that appears to be the league’s best. The WR stable could be the nation’s best. And the top 3 rushers return, featuring Shock Linwood who added 1252 yards and 16 scores in 2014. The weapons on the outside include Corey Coleman, Jay Lee, and the speedy duo of KD Cannon (10.3 100meter dash) and Davion Hall. This offense will again resemble a track meet, as long as Russell can stay poised and distribute the ball to these playmakers. He did just that is his game experience last fall, throwing for 804 yards, 8 TD and just 1 INT. Keep in mind that any growing pains that he must go through will be timed perfectly, as the schedule is extremely back-loaded, giving him several tune-up games before the season-defining ones. Briles reloads this system every year, and 2015 will be no different. This is the most returning starters he has ever had, and the highest overall roster talent ever. After RG3’s Heisman, the recruiting here has ramped up to annually finish in the Top 3 in the Big12. Look for another dominant BU offense despite the loss of their offensive coordinator.

DEFENSE
Many point to the offense as the reason for Baylor’s rise to prominence, and rightfully so. But the reason BU went from the 8 to 10 win range to back-to-back 11 win regular seasons is the vast improvements on defense in 2013 and 2014. In 2011 and 2012 the unit was allowing a poor 37.2 points per game, but that number was cut down to 23.5 and 25.5 in the last 2 seasons. I expect another step in the right direction again, this season. Nine starters return, again the most veteran unit yet under Briles, and the defensive line is the conference’s strongest. Shawn Oakman is receiving national attention for his huge 6’9” frame, backfield disruption (11 sacks), and pro potential. The three other starters return with a combined 9 sacks last season, including a dominant presence in the middle from Andrew Billings. Despite the loss of their leader in the middle, Bryce Hager (114 tackles), this defensive line will require so much attention that opportunity will be opened for guys like Taylor Young, Grant Campbell, Travon Blanchard. The entire secondary returns intact and two junior standouts deserve all-Big 12 accolades: Orion Stewart and Xavien Howard. There is much room for improvement, however, as BU allowed 264 passing yards per game in 2014 (110th nationally). Returning all 4 front men, and all 4 defensive backs shows promise that the pass defense should vastly improve. The athleticism is certainly there, it was just a bunch of inexperience that is now veteran heading into 2015. And remember, Baylor’s schedule allows for plenty of tune-up games before the potent offenses of November come knocking. Don’t forget how much progress has already been made here, and how much higher the potential can be now with the roster talent level rising annually.

OUTLOOK
Baylor’s non-conference schedule has been the laughingstock of the offseason, and many wonder if they must run the table to earn a playoff bid. I think 11-1 can still do it, as long as that 1 loss is NOT to TCU. As I have mentioned, I really like the layout of the schedule and how new starter Russell and the defensive back seven now have the majority of the season to tune up for the November slate, which contains their 4 toughest opponents. A trap game could be West Virginia, but with revenge on BU’s mind, and homefield advantage I am calling for an 8-0 start heading into the final 4-game gauntlet. But by then Baylor’s offensive firepower will be on pace with TCU at the top of the league, and coupled with the best O-Line and D-Line in the league, I am calling for another Big 12 title for Baylor. We are expecting the ACC Champion to be roughed up with a few losses this season, meaning that an 11-1 (Big12 Champ) Baylor still has a good shot at a Playoff bid. After getting the #5 curse last season, BU will get that coveted #4 spot this season.

2. TCU HORNED FROGS

ZACH KINDER
BIG 12 Writer

Follow @zachkinder

While TCU didn’t receive the warmest of welcomes to the Big 12 in its inaugural season, few things could have gone worse for the Horned Frogs in 2013. Despite its typical elite defense, Gary Patterson’s crew missed the postseason, due largely in part to an inept offense (25.1 points/game). Things changed with the installation of a new air raid offense, thanks to co-offensive coordinators Sonny Cumbie and Doug Meacham. The duo transformed quarterback Trevone Boykin into a Heisman hopeful, who proceeded to propel TCU within inches of the College Football Playoff.

After cruising through the first three games of the season, including a 30-7 win over Minnesota, the Horned Frogs welcomed the Oklahoma Sooners, who were coming off solid back-to-back wins over Tennessee and on the road at West Virginia. TCU had just broken into the top 25, but the No. 4 Sooners were still Big 12 favorites. With the game tied at 31-31, TCU’s Paul Dawson intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Marcus Mallett later stopped Sooner phenom Samaje Perine short on a fourth down conversion, and TCU held on to knock of the Sooners. The momentum carried over to the next week at Baylor, where the Horned Frogs found themselves up 21 following Mallett’s 49-yard interception return early in the game’s final period. From there, the TCU defense lost itself in a bevy of hurried Baylor plays as the Bears came from behind to win 61-58. TCU bulldozed its way through Oklahoma State (42-9) the following week, and set a Big 12 record in an 82-27 win over Texas Tech. While the Horned Frogs struggled in road wins against West Virginia (31-30) and Kansas (34-30), they easily dispatched Kansas State (41-20) and Texas (48-10, in Austin).

However, a dominating victory against Iowa State (55-3) to close the season wasn’t enough to convince the Selection Committee that TCU was more deserving than Ohio State, who’s sole loss came at home earlier in the season to Virginia Tech, thanks in large part to an impressive victory against Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game with a third string quarterback. Minnesota linebacker De’Vondre Campbell didn’t share the Committee’s feeling, saying, “Ohio State was probably the second-best team we’ve played this year. I think TCU was a lot better” – a statement he didn’t shy away from following Ohio State’s national championship win over Oregon. “I’ll stick with my opinion that I think [TCU] was the best team we played last year.” To make matters worse, Trevone Boykin wasn’t invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation (meaning he didn’t finish in the top three of the voting). The result of the snub was a complete dismantling of the nation’s top scoring defense, Ole Miss, which had beat fellow College Football Playoff invitee Alabama earlier in the season.

OFFENSE
The TCU offense went from abysmal in 2013 to stellar in 2014, finishing No. 5 in yards per game and No. 2 in points per game. Its 82 points scored against Texas Tech set a Big 12 record for points in a conference game. That offense returns 10 starters, including Heisman contender Trevone Boykin (4608 yards of offense, 41 TDs) and his entire offensive line, which might be the Big 12’s most experienced. Running back Aaron Green returns a year after leading the Horned Frogs in rushing (922 yards, 9 TDs) to replace departing BJ Catalon, who declared pro following the season. David Porter is off to the NFL and wideout Jordan Moore, a Big 12 hurdles champion, left the program, but top targets Josh Doctson (1018 yards, 11 TDs) and Kolby Listenbee (753 yards) return to pace the receiver corps. Behind them are seniors Deante’ Gray and Ju’Juan Story and junior Ty Slanina. Emanuel Porter is an up and coming sophomore receiver to watch this season. There’s always the question of how teams will attack an offense after they’ve become familiar with it. TCU might not have as much success as it saw in 2014, but opposing defenses will have their hands full containing Boykin, Green and Doctson.

DEFENSE
A year ago, Patterson’s defense turned in yet another successful campaign while terrorizing opposing Big 12 offenses. TCU finished ranked in the top 10 in rush defense, pass efficiency defense, scoring defense, third down defense, defensive touchdowns, interceptions, tackles for loss and turnovers forced. But while the offense returns the majority of its playmakers, the defense loses the majority of its leaders. Graduation claimed Kevin White and Sam Carter, while junior safety Christ Hackett opted to forego his senior season. Mallett and Paul Dawson, two of the leading linebackers in the conference a year ago, are also gone. Rising sophomore Ranthony Texada and safety Derrick Kindred return to pace the secondary for the Horned Frogs, but Denzel Johnson and Kenny Iioka will need to be prepared to step into starting roles. They’ll need to stay healthy, too, because there’s not much depth behind them. Wide receiver Cameron Echols-Luper is listed as a corner on the roster, and could contribute on both sides of the ball. The defensive line losses one starter, but Nebraska transfer Aaron Curry should fill in nicely. Curry has two years as a starting defensive tackle under his belt. He’ll play alongside returning starter Davion Pierson at tackle. Josh Carraway and Mike Tuaua are listed as the starters at defensive end, ahead of Terrel Lathan and James McFarland, which was a bit surprising; defensive end could be an area of strength for the Frogs. The soft spot for the front seven, and the entire defense, will be the linebacker position. Sammy Douglas and Paul Whitmill have the most playing experience, and lead a position with little to no experience. Eight of the 10 linebackers on the roster are either freshmen or sophomores. While losing key contributors at each level of the defense can be cause for concern for most programs, Patterson’s defenses have rarely failed to make an impression. Several younger players will be pressed into action this season, though, which could yield unfavorable results with road games in Norman and Stillwater.

OUTLOOK
TCU comes into the season as the Big 12 favorite, which didn’t work out too well for Oklahoma a year ago. Don’t expect a similar performance from the Frogs – Patterson’s teams have a habit of playing disciplined ball. Some might be tempted to write off TCU with its losses on defense, but don’t be so quick to judge Patterson’s defense. Since the NCAA began tracking statistics in 1937, only Alabama (6) has led the nation in total defense more times than TCU (5), and all five TCU defenses are within the past 15 seasons. The defense might take a step back with the loss of some key contributors, but, barring a major injury, has enough experience to maintain the Frogs' standard of solid defense. It certainly helps to return a Heisman-caliber quarterback and game changing players at running back and receiver. Patterson’s team might make the College Football Playoff, but unfortunately his best opportunity to win it may have come and gone.

3. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

ZACH KINDER
BIG 12 Writer

Follow @zachkinder

Oklahoma State didn’t come into the 2014 season with high expectations. Had it not been for Tyreek Hill’s heroics in Norman, the Cowboys may have missed the postseason for the first time since 2005, and the third time in Gundy’s tenure at OSU. The season began on a high note at AT&T Stadium in Dallas against the reigning national champions, Florida State. The Cowboys brought everything (including the kitchen sink), but were unable to pull out the comeback after falling behind 17-0 in the second quarter. J.W. Walsh looked impressive in the loss, but an injury against Missouri State brought on Arizona transfer Daxx Garman. OSU cruised through the next four games before needing a kickoff return from Hill to hold off Kansas in Lawrence. The streak was not a sign of things to come for the Cowboys, who dropped the next five in order against tougher competition. The streak began with a 42-9 thumping from TCU and ended with a 49-28 loss in Waco before the Bedlam game in Norman. The season came to a close on a high note in Tempe, where newly implanted quarterback Mason Rudolph guided the Cowboys to a masterful 30-22 win over Washington.

OFFENSE
The J.W. Walsh saga began anew at the beginning of 2014, but his swan song has come to an end in Stillwater. While still on the team, Gundy has broken his typical silence and named Rudolph (853 yards, 6 TDs) the starter for the upcoming season without much argument. After a head-scratching decision to pull Rudolph’s redshirt with only two games left in the season, the offensive improvement was immediately evident. In the five games prior to his debut against Baylor, the Cowboys had managed only five offensive touchdowns, and only three through the air. The quarterback in those games, Garman, has since transferred, leaving Rudolph and Walsh to lead the team. Fans should expect to see Walsh in certain sets this season. Things get even more impressive with a quick glance at Rudolph’s targets for the upcoming season. Brandon Sheperd (737 yards, 5 TDs), David Glidden (598 yards) and James Washington (456 yards, 6 TDs) headline a group of receivers who could start for any school in the Big 12, giving OSU a solid case for the best group in the conference next to Baylor. Protecting him will be more of a concern for the Cowboys, who lose stalwarts Daniel Koenig (33 starts) and Chris Grisbhy (21 starts). Paul Lewis (13 starts), Zac Veatch (12 starts) and transfer Victor Salako (UAB) lead a group that allowed 40 sacks in 2014, including 13 over a two-game stretch against Kansas State and Texas. If the offense has a weakness, it’ll be on the ground, where OSU had yet another disappointing season. The Cowboys rushed for only 136.6 yards per game (99th NCAA), and lose both Desmond Roland and Tyreek Hill. Rennie Childs (294 yards, 3 TDs) and Raymond Taylor return, and incoming freshman Sione Palelei adds depth to the backfield. While Cowboy fans will be familiar with Childs, both Taylor and Palelei are unknowns at this point. A lot of how this group turns out depends on the offensive line play.

DEFENSE
For obvious reasons, the defense should have been a weakness for the Cowboys going into 2014. Following the 2013 season, OSU needed replace nearly 240 starts, including most of the secondary. Despite finishing 91st in total defense (99th in pass efficiency defense), the Cowboy defense performed better than expected. While this defense isn’t as talented as the 2013 defense (one of the best in the country that season), it could be one of the deepest of Gundy’s tenure. The defense losses Cactus Bowl hero James Castleman (or should I say the offense?), but returns All-Big 12 defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and Jimmy Bean, perhaps the Big 12’s most dangerous defensive end combo, and senior captain Ryan Simmons to anchor a talented defensive front seven. Questions arise at defensive tackle, however, where lack of depth is a concern. Vili Leveni left spring as the starter, but will miss the 2015 season with an injury. The loss leaves Vincent Taylor to lead interior defensive line, but behind him is a wealth of inexperience. Incoming JUCO All-American Motekiai Maile provides a little relief for the Cowboys. Meanwhile, the secondary returns mostly intact, other than the loss of safety Larry Stephens. All-American candidate Kevin Peterson returns, and is a preseason Thorpe Award watch list member. Depth and experience have replaced last year’s concerns of inexperience. A back-loaded scheduling featuring a combination of powerful offenses and rough road games doomed the Cowboys in 2014. This season Kansas State is in rebuilding mode, Baylor is breaking in a new quarterback, OU is breaking in an entirely new offense and Texas is probably still offensively confused. And OSU gets three of them, plus TCU, at home.

OUTLOOK
Oklahoma State might just be the Big 12’s hidden gem this upcoming season. The Cowboys get all three Big 12 contenders (TCU, Baylor and OU) in Stillwater. TCU’s defense should be retooled for a Big 12 title, but co-favorite Baylor hasn’t won a game in Stillwater since 1939. Oklahoma comes in as an enigma no one can predict, something that should be resolved before the teams meet under the lights at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 28. The Cowboys have a future star at quarterback, a plethora of talented receivers and a defense with the pieces to wreak havoc in the Big 12. A few good plays could separate OSU from the College Football Playoff or a trip to the Alamo Bowl.

4. OKLAHOMA SOONERS

ZACH SEPANIK
Big 12 Writer

Follow @zachsepanik

It’s officially time to move on from the 2014 Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama. The hangover should long be cured.

OU head coach Bob Stoops’ past can’t help his team in the present. Sure, it can provide an advantage with recruiting when he pulls out the number of players he’s churned to the National Football League, or the fact he’s the only coach to have won all four BCS bowls and a championship. But it’s a new era and has been for one full year now.

“After last season finishing—just overall having a disappointing year. When you’re used to 12 of the previous 14 years we had ten or more wins, and then you go 8-5, and it’s not up to our standards and our expectations as a program for sure,” said Stoops.

With that abysmal record came plenty of restructuring in the coaching staff.

Lincoln Riley takes over as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. He spent the past five seasons at East Carolina where he installed and directed an up-tempo spread offensive scheme. It resulted in the Pirates setting over 50 team or individual school offensive records in Riley’s stint with the program, as his units routinely earned national top-10 rankings. He’ll look to do the same with the Sooners and improve on a passing offense that was ranked 85th in the country last season.

“Definitely have to get used to the speed of the new offense that we’ve got in,” said senior wide receiver Sterling Shepard. “Over the spring, we did a lot of getting to learn it and now we just have to implement that speed, that hurry-up offense.”

Another new face is Kerry Cooks. He takes over coaching the defensive backs after spending the past five seasons at Notre Dame. In 2014, the Irish tied for 15th among FBS teams, forcing 16 interceptions. Cooks brings a mentality known for stingy defense, something OU needs after finishing last year with the 120th ranked passing defense.

“He’s a guy that don’t really yell too much, but expects just as much,” said redshirt junior cornerback Zack Sanchez. “He wants us to professionalize our game, that’s his main thing, on and off the field. He’s been real good helping us out.”

The other additions to the coaching staff are Dennis Simmons (Outside Receivers) and Diron Reynolds (Defensive Line). Simmons joins the Sooners after spending the past three seasons coaching outside receivers for Mike Leach at Washington State, who is perhaps the brains of the air-raid offense. He worked with Riley at both Texas Tech (2008-09) and ECU (2010-11). Meanwhile, Reynolds most recently served at Stanford following over a decade of coaching in the NFL.

In a Big 12 environment that has seen up-tempo styles gain popularity and effectiveness, mix-ups had to take place for OU to catch-up with what it originally started in the early 2000s.

With all the new hopes for an improved offense, there still remains a daunting question: who will lead the unit in 2015?

The job just may be redshirt junior Trevor Knight’s to lose, but junior Baker Mayfield is well versed in Riley’s offense after working with the “air raid” at Texas Tech. Cody Thomas, who started for Knight the final three games of the regular season due to injury, has focused more on his football career after quitting baseball and has valuable live-game experience.

“I know it’s popular for everyone to act like a certain guy has already got the job. That couldn’t be further from the truth,” Stoops said. “Trevor Knight and Baker Mayfield are in a tight battle, and Cody Thomas is right on their heels.”

Whichever gunslinger gets the nod, he will have All-Big 12 first team running back Samaje Perine to hand-off to. The sophomore racked up 1,713 yards and 21 touchdowns in his freshman season. And to think Stoops said that Perine has trimmed down, added muscle, and improved his speed. Watch out!

Perhaps the greatest void for OU is on the offensive line. Senior center Ty Darlington is the anchor, but both tackle spots are wide open. Redshirt senior Josiah St. John and redshirt sophomore Christian Daimler both worked at left tackle a year ago, while redshirt senior Derek Farniok was the top reserve at right tackle. If Perine is to continue his dominance and the new offense is to take off, there will need to be starters who develop consistency in these positions.

In addition to Darlington, fellow senior Nila Kasitati, who was an All-Big 12 honorable mention pick a year ago, can work at either guard position. Versatile sophomore Jonathan Alvarez can play either guard or center, and guys like Nick Hardaway, Dylan Hartsook, and Riley Nolan are other candidates at guard. Looking to maintain its high standards on the offensive line will come down to a pool of talent.

Just like the running game has Perine, but the blocking must work itself out, the passing attack has a bona fide All-America candidate in Shepard, but how the ball gets there will be interesting. Other playmakers include Michiah Quick and Durron Neal. True freshman John Humphrey and junior college transfer Dede Westbrook should quickly become household names, while Mark Andrews and Jeffrey Mead should establish more prominent roles in the passing game.

On the defensive side of the ball, OU may have one of the Big 12’s best linebacker units this year. They return arguably the two most productive inside linebackers in the league in juniors Dominique Alexander and Jordan Evans. With senior Eric Striker serving as the emotional sparkplug for the defense and utilizing his strength up the middle, this group alone should help the defense get off the field quickly and limit opposing offenses.

Up front, senior defensive end Charles Tapper possesses the skills to stuff the run and will be surrounded by fresh names. The spot opposite Tapper on the Sooners three-man line will feature some intense competition. Junior defensive end Matt Dimon served as Tapper’s backup in 2014 and has seen duty in 20 contests. Redshirt sophomores Charles Walker and D.J. Ward could be players to watch at that spot, as well.

At defensive tackle, redshirt junior Jordan Wade started eight games at that post in 2013 and should battle with redshirt sophomore Matt Romar, who played in 12 games at that spot last season. Not as much experience as the linebacker corps, but plenty of options on the line.

In Cooks’ new-look secondary, Sanchez remains the key piece. Jordan Thomas started the final four games of 2014 as a true freshman opposite Sanchez. He figures to be heavily involved in the Sooners 2015 pass defense. At the safety spot, Ahmad Thomas and Steven Parker will see the bulk of action.

“I think where we’ll grow the most is in the secondary, just with more experience and a year behind these guys,” said Stoops.

Furthermore, special teams is absolutely not an afterthought for this squad. For all the struggles Michael Hunnicutt had in 2014, replacing OU’s all-time leading scorer is no easy task. Nick Hodgson will look to be that guy this year. And in the return game, Alex Ross will continue his electrifying ways in the kickoff return, but the punt return chores are another story.

Good decision-making and ball security will be heavily emphasized heading into 2015, as well as how to incorporate a top back in the new offense. The defense has the pieces, but it will come down to the ability to perform as promising as the talent it consists of as Sooner Nation hopes to rebound and restore its form.

5. TEXAS LONGHORNS

ZACH SEPANIK
Big 12 Writer

Follow @zachsepanik

There’s no doubt that Texas continues to rebuild its football program under the direction of head coach Charlie Strong.

Longhorns faithful remember the days that saw Earl Campbell run wild or Vince Young displaying the Hook ‘em Horns after the game-winning touchdown in the 2006 National Championship game. Those were the days for the burnt orange. However, if Strong continues his ways, the program will be back amongst the college football elite in no time.

“We have to have a winning season,” Strong said.

What was a strongpoint a season ago will be the greatest question mark confronting Texas heading into 2015—defense. They only surrendered 4.8 yards per play last season, good for 8th in the nation, but six starters departed including defensive tackle Malcom Brown and linebacker Jordan Hicks, each of whom earned All-America honors last year.

To ease the transition on the line, Desmond Jackson, a fifth-year senior, returns to the defensive tackle ranks after starting the first three games of 2014 before lisfranc surgery ended his season. Junior Hassan Ridgeway stepped into his spot and will see time at the spot, especially considering Strong calls Ridgeway “a mainstay in the middle.” Poona Ford, who saw time as a true freshman last year, expects to see time in the defensive tackle rotation, as well as juniors Paul Boyette, Jr., and Alex Norman.

Cedric Reed will be another difficult player to replace at the defensive end spot. Sophomore Naashon Hughes, senior Shiro Davis, and junior Caleb Bluiett split snaps at the position opposite Reed last season and should be the primary trio used going forward.

Moving up the level, Texas spent the majority of 2014 in a two-linebacker set and both of those productive players have departed. Hicks, a 2014 second-team All-American, collected a career-high 147 tackles, tied for the seventh-highest total on the UT single-season list. Edmond chipped in a career-best 131 tackles from his middle linebacker spot. That is a lot of ground to make-up. On the current roster, seniors Dalton Santos and Peter Jinkens, and junior Timothy Cole have the most experience. Jinkens has 11 starts in his career and Santos has nine. Also expect to hear from Malik Jefferson, one of the more-highly regarded national prospects in the Longhorns 2015 signing class. He shined in the Orange-White spring scrimmage and is a name that will be called plenty in his Texas career.

In the secondary, cornerback Quandre Diggs, a four-year starter, and safety/nickel corner Mykkele Thompson, a two-year starter, are gone to the NFL. But, senior Duke Thomas, sophomore Jason Hall, and juniors Dylan Haines and Adrian Colbert return as starters for Texas.

The offense will have a couple more returning starters than the defense, but there are still some big holes to fill. Malcolm Brown’s departure paves the way for Johnathan Gray to be the feature back. The Longhorns return five of their top six rushers from last season, although Brown was the leading ground gainer. D’Onta Foreman and Duke Catalon will join Gray in the backfield.

Senior fullback Alex De La Torre, a stable force at his position the last two seasons, will help create holes for the rushing attack. He will provide that extra asset for an already stout offensive line, which returns all five starters—left tackle Marcus Hutchins, left guard Sedrick Flowers, center Taylor Doyle, right guard Kent Perkins, and right tackle Carmon Hughes. It’s a group that was very inexperienced last year, but with that time to grow together, it should pay off in 2015.

“Right now we’re just focusing on playing sound, smart football and executing,” Doyle said. “This past season we left a lot of plays on the field. We don’t want that to happen again.”

Under center, junior Tyrone Swoopes started 12 games at quarterback a year ago, but redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard provided some stiff competition in the spring and figures to be heavily involved in the Longhorns plans down the line. It just may be sooner rather than later.

Swoopes threw for more than 300 yards in three games, which is tied for fourth on the UT single-season list. It seems he will get the nod for the starting gig, but the gap between him and Heard is not very wide.

“It’s all about managing the offense, putting us in position where we can move the football, but not turning the ball over and having dumb plays or dumb mistakes,” Strong said.

The other holes to fill are at wide receiver where John Harris and Jaxon Shipley won’t be there for Swoopes or Heard, and tight end with Geoff Swaim gone. The Longhorns return players who produced just 32 percent of the receptions and 30 percent of the receiving yards.

Senior wideout Marcus Johnson is the most productive receiver on the roster, having posted a combined 49 catches for 663 yards in 2013-14. Another senior, Daje Johnson, has shown signs of explosiveness and will fit into the offensive scheme in a major way.

“Those guys need to step up and become playmakers,” Strong said. “That takes a lot of pressure off the quarterback because, if you can throw the ball out there and make a guy miss in open field and you can take it the distance, then you always give yourself confidence.”

There are also a number of other options with junior Jacorey Warrick and sophomores Dorian Leonard, Lorenzo Joe, and Armanti Foreman seeing time last season. A new, but familiar, face will lead the unit as former co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach at Oklahoma, Jay Norvell, was hired in January.

There are plenty of questions surrounding Texas. They must get them answered soon, however, as the schedule opens with a trip to South Bend to face Notre Dame on Sept. 5

6. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

ZACH SEPANIK
Big 12 Writer

Follow @zachsepanik

West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen is bright, colorful, and imaginative. His cutting-edge schemes have produced numbers that consistently rank among the nation’s best.

He will have to use all those intangibles to deal with the loss of playmakers Kevin White and Mario Alford, as well as gunslinger Clint Trickett. Having a defense that has earned quite the high praise heading into 2015 should make the transition less painful.

“Without a doubt, it should be the best that I’ve had potentially since I started coaching 20-some years ago,” Holgorsen said. “I’m not going to sit here and apologize for where we’re at defensively.”

The straw that stirs the defensive drink for the Mountaineers is their secondary. Led by senior safety Karl Joseph, teams will likely come to realize that there’s a “No Fly Zone” when trying to throw on WVU. Joseph was an All-Big 12 First Team selection a year ago and was the second-leading tackler with 92 tackles. Opposite him at the free safety slot is sophomore Dravon Henry.

Complimenting the back end of the secondary are two solid cornerbacks in junior Daryl Worley, who led the team in interceptions, and redshirt senior Terrell Chestnut. Other athletes who will fit in to defensive coordinator Tony Gibson’s system at cornerback include senior Rick Rumph and redshirt junior Nana Kyeremeh.

“We have a lot of confidence,” Joseph said. “Feel like we have something to prove if the coaches can have confidence in us like that.”

The linebacker corps is no slouch, either. It is filled with experience and upperclassmen. Redshirt senior Jared Barber will cement things at middle linebacker. Fellow redshirt seniors Nick Kwiatkoski and Isaiah Bruce make the strongside just that—strong. Kwiatkoski should garner the starts, but Bruce will shuffle in and out. As far as the weakside, it won’t be weak with redshirt senior Shaq Petteway filling the gaps and senior Edward Muldrow III adding depth. Among these linebackers alone there are 66 combined starts.

“We’ve been through a lot,” Kwiatkoski said. “This is the first year we have the same defensive coordinator back-to-back years. This offseason we got a chance to make what we know better instead of learning all something new.”

Like Texas Tech has with the Bandit position, WVU rolls out the Spur, a linebacker/safety hybrid. This spot belongs to senior KJ Dillon, the fourth-leading tackler for the Mountaineers in 2014.

On the defensive line, redshirt juniors Christian Brown and Noble Nwachukwu, as well as senior Eric Kinsey figure to see a majority of the action at defensive end. Nwachukwu has the most starts with 13, but Kinsey has the most playing experience, appearing in 32 games. Meanwhile, nose tackle belongs to redshirt senior Kyle Rose and junior Darrien Howard should see some backup duty.

Now, to the side of the ball where holes need to be filled—the offense.

“We’re in a much better place than we were two years ago when we lost 99 percent of our receiving production,” Holgorsen said. “Right now, even with those guys gone, we’ve got at least 50 percent of our receiveng production coming back.”

Of course, the production lost is what White and Alford brought to the table. No matter what, it will be hard to replicate the nationally 9th ranked passing offense from last season.

Redshirt sophomore Shelton Gibson must transform his game to become a big-play threat and senior Jordan Thompson slides in as the proverbial go-to wideout. He was the third-leading receiver for WVU with 598 yards on 49 receptions last season. Also, junior Daniel Shorts, Jr., will be heavily involved on the outside. Redshirt senior KJ Myers should see plenty of balls thrown his way as well.

Junior quarterback Skyler Howard takes over full-time duties after starting the Liberty Bowl in place of an injured Trickett. From the sounds of things, it may be a more rush-heavy offense with Howard said to utilize his legs more, something Holgorsen reiterated frequently at Big 12 Media Days.

“Getting the quarterback involved in the run game. I’ve mentioned that,” Holgorsen said. “So being able to change is important, and then being able to vary things is important as well.”

Coming out of the backfield, Mountaineers fans will most likely see a time-share between redshirt junior Rushel Shell and junior Wendell Smallwood. Each rushed for a shade over 700 yards last season, while also contributing extensively in the passing game, hauling in at least 20 receptions. Shell may be a bit more versatile than Smallwood though, as he was used in kickoff returns.

Providing the protection and steering the offense is redshirt junior center Tyler Orlosky. He has the most experience of any player on the offense line, having played in 24 games with 16 starts. Right tackle is a position that features two monsters. Redshirt senior Marquis Lucas checks in at 6-foot-4, 318 pounds and redshirt sophomore Marcell Lazard comes in at 6-foot-6, 310 pounds. Lucas has the leg up, however, with 17 starts and 23 games played.

Staying on the right side, redshirt junior Tony Matteo and redshirt sophomore Grant Lingafelter each have an opportunity to earn the starting guard position. Opposite them, the left guard spot is redshirt junior Adam Pankey’s. Michigan transfer, Kyle Bosch, will provide depth and has immediate eligibility after starting for the Wolverines as a true freshman. Meanwhile, the left tackle position features no experience with redshirt freshman Yodny Cajuste and redshirt junior Sylvester Townes competing.

“We’re hoping to finish first in the Big 12 in offense,” Smallwood said. “Our biggest thing this year is turnovers and taking care of the ball and helping set us up to win games.”

Shell and Smallwood should be a formidable duo behind the offensive line. Throw in Howard running more and the Mountaineers should see a rise from the 45th ranked rush offense in the country last year.

The defense is the hype, as it should be. Milan Puskar Stadium is a loud, advantageous home for the Mountaineers. Defense and crazy home crowds are a good combination. Morgantown may just set fire to plenty more couches this football season, and for good reasons.

7. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

BRETT CIANCIA
Co-Owner

Quick – off the top of your head, who has won the most Big 12 games over the past 4 seasons? No, it’s not the two national powerhouses Oklahoma or Texas, nor do the upstarts Baylor and TCU hold that claim. It is none other than Bill Snyder’s Kansas State Wildcats whose 27-9 record is tops in league since 2011. Last season with Jake Waters at the helm, KSU went 7-2 in Big 12 play but lost by double-digits to both Playoff contenders TCU and Baylor. If not for red zone collapses in the Week 3 loss to Auburn, a game KSU should have won, 2014 would have marked yet another double-digit win season under the magician: Bill Snyder. But with significant roster changeover, issues replacing a 2-year starting quarterback, and the loss of top playmaker Tyler Lockett, expectations are low in the Little Apple. And that is just when Snyder strikes.

OFFENSE
A quarterback competition will rage on through fall camp and potentially into the season, as Snyder mentioned at Big 12 Media Days that SEVEN quarterbacks are currently on the roster. Joe Hubener is the physical specimen, and only player with game action in the mix. But incoming true freshman Alex Delton was in for spring ball, and will also compete with Jesse Ertz, the scout team player of the year in 2013, for reps. But this apparent lack of direction is troubling, especially in this pass-heavy league. After years of elite performance from the signal caller under Collin Klein and Jake Waters, a definite step back is coming this season. While both efficient throwers, each brought an element of mobility that may or may not be seen in the new starter. Snyder has used his quarterbacks heavily in the ground game; Klein was more successful and nationally known for his rushing, but keep in mind that Waters led the team in rushing attempts with 154. Maybe it is worth keeping all of these QBs on the roster, the wear and tear can’t be sustained.

It will be very difficult to match last season’s 35.8 points per game (23rd nationally) and impossible to eclipse the 287 yards passing per game (17th). The departure of the team’s three leading receiving targets worsens the issue. Lockett brought the game-breaking ability while Curry Sexton was Mr. Reliable. Usually Snyder has a JUCO-heavy recruiting class to help fill these voids, but there is no apparent help at WR. 2014 leading rusher Charles Jones returns and will benefit from an experienced offensive line that returns 4 starters and is the strong point of the offense.

DEFENSE
Defensive coordinator Tom Hayes has fielded solid, not elite, defenses in his 3 seasons at the helm. Last season’s unit finished 29th nationally allowing 23.2 points per game, and was especially strong in the ground game. But woes on 3rd down (96th) were back-breakers, as were the 41 and 38 points allowed in the road losses to the “co-champions.” Gone are 5 starters including 3 that received All-Big12 honors: Ryan Mueller, Randall Evans, and Jonathan Truman. But, two decorated defensive backs return, as Denzel McDaniel and Dante Barrett lead the secondary. One area the Snyder did help by the addition of a JUCO player is at defensive end. Here, the highly-touted Aulelio Olomua comes to Manhattan to add more to the pass rush across from returning starter Jordan Willis.

OUTLOOK
This offseason we developed the Weighted Average Talent Index, but Kansas State is one of the outliers to the Index. Recruiting has not been strong here, but the immediate impact and contributions of JUCO players are not factored in as much. Snyder has masterfully churned in JUCO talent time and again, but the aforementioned Olomua is the only such player incoming this season. On paper, I expect a major step back for Kansas State. But these are the odds that Snyder defies, and the phrase that loyal Pick Six Nation member “KSU Marty” disproved when Optimus Klein brought the Cats to #2 in the nation in 2012. Just when you go to write off KSU, they bounce back out of nowhere.

September features three tune-up games before a very front-loaded Big 12 slate. The first 5 league games are against the 5 toughest teams, meaning that the young/new quarterback doesn’t have long to progress. This is a season where KSU could have really used a back-loaded, November-heavy schedule, but here we see the opposite. Kansas State simply has more question marks (especially offensively) than most teams in the 5th to 8th pack of teams. Keep in mind that KSU is one of just three teams in the nation to have winning records against the spread for the past 4 seasons. Reading between the lines, this states that KSU has a penchant for beating the national/Vegas expectations more times than not. In two words: perennially underrated.

8. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

ZACH SEPANIK
Big 12 Writer

Follow @zachsepanik

Even the flying tortillas from the fans at Jones AT&T Stadium couldn’t stop opposing teams from coming in to Lubbock and showing the Red Raiders a thing or two, leaving Kliff Kingsbury and his group with a 4-8 record in 2014 and feeling pretty humbled.

Junior quarterback Davis Webb is healthy once again and ready to command the fast-paced Red Raiders offense. He started eight games last season before suffering a leg injury against TCU that kept him out the rest of the year. Webb threw for 2,539 yards and 24 touchdowns in those contests.

He’ll have a plethora of wide receivers to spread the ball around to. Senior wideout Jakeem Grant is the go-to guy for the fifth ranked passing offense from a year ago. He caught 67 passes for 938 yards. Other athletes that will make an impact are juniors Devin Lauderdale (31 receptions in 2014), Reginald Davis (29 receptions), and Dylan Cantrell (20 receptions), as well as sophomore Ian Sadler (23 receptions).

“All those guys late in the year made a bunch of plays for us, where at the beginning of last year seemed to be timid,” Kingsbury said. “If we can continue that progress, I think it will bode well for obviously what we’re trying to do offensively.”

The “air-raid” offense is what Kingsbury and the Red Raiders are known for. They will have plenty of deep threats at their disposal to light up the scoreboard in 2015.

But for all the talk about the passing game, we haven’t even discussed the greatest threat Texas Tech has—senior running back DeAndre Washington. Perhaps the most elusive and undervalued back in the Big 12, Washington racked up 1,103 yards on 188 carries last season, while also chipping in with 30 receptions for 328 yards and four total touchdowns.

“I’ve been working on my consistency this offseason,” Washington said. “Doing whatever I can to help the team.”

Washington was the first 1,000-yard rusher Tech has had since Ricky Williams in 1998 (I know what you’re thinking and no, it’s not THAT Ricky Williams).

“We’ll continue to find ways to get him the ball,” Kingsbury said. “In a down year, he was definitely a bright spot on and off the field. Couldn’t be more impressed with him. I expect another great year from DeAndre.”

Four big bodies paved the way for Washington’s breakout season and figure to retain their starting roles in 2014. Seniors Le’Raven Clark and Jared Kaster started and played in 12 games at left tackle and center, respectively. Clark was a member of the All-Big 12 First Team, while Kaster earned All-Big 12 honorable mention. At left guard, senior Alfredo Morales started and played in 11 games and was also an All-Big 12 honorable mention. On the right side of the line, junior Baylen Brown played in 10 games with nine starts at guard and Justin Murphy will be the new face to the mix as a redshirt freshman at tackle.

“The offensive line helped me to have last year in the run game,” Washington said. “It was huge. It was something to build off of. We are definitely looking forward to continuing it.”

Tech’s 3-4 defense includes the Bandit, a hybrid outside linebacker—defensive end, really making their formations flexible. Pete Robertson started all 12 games last season at the position, recording 81 tackles and 12 sacks on his way to an All-Big 12 Second Team. He’s back as a senior.

The defensive line sees the return of important pieces. Senior defensive end Branden Jackson will be instrumental in helping the Red Raiders improve on their 124th ranked rush defense from a year ago. His 10.5 tackles for loss stand out. Another effort like that will pace the line in 2015. At nose tackle, senior Rika Levi made four starts last season and the defensive tackle position is locked down by senior Keland McElrath, who accumulated 46 tackles in 11 games played with five starts.

Robertson’s fellow linebackers (he’s more linebacker than defensive end, but it’s a hybrid position so say whatever floats your boat) are not yet decided, but several will compete for three spots. Senior middle linebacker Micah Awe played in 12 games, had four starts, and finished the year third on the team with 69 tackles. The position is his to lose. However, both the weakside and strongside linebacker spots feature a couple of players each that are looking to make a name for themselves. At weakside linebacker, junior Kris Williams and sophomore Mike Mitchell will compete, and look for junior Malik Jenkins or senior Sam Atoe at strongside linebacker.

In the secondary, plenty of athletes will look to turn around the fortunes of the nation’s 98th ranked passing defense in 2014. As for safety, junior Keenon Ward and senior J.J. Gaines each started and played in 10 games last year. At cornerback, sophomores Nigel Bethel II and Tevin Madison have seven starts apiece under their belts. They were the only Red Raider true freshman to start on defense last season. Don’t overlook junior Justis Nelson though, as he was an All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2014 and led Tech in pass breakups.

Thanks to the offensive attack the Red Raiders run, the defense feels fairly confident they can progress with the similar offenses popping up across the conference and nationwide.

“The first thing that comes to mind when I think of the Big 12, actually, is passing,” Jackson said. “We’re just known to kind of spread everybody out and go. I feel like that’s why we put up good fights.”

If the offense can hold things together, ride Washington to the end zone, and stay healthy, they should be good enough to keep Tech in just about every game. And if the defense can find some strong, consistent play, the Red Raiders have a chance to be the surprise of the Big 12. A lot has to go right though for Kingsbury’s squad to right the ship

9. IOWA STATE CYCLONES

ZACH SEPANIK
Big 12 Writer

Follow @zachsepanik

Probably the most excitement in Ames since frolicking in the cornfields is the renovations to Jack Trice Stadium, making it the third largest venue in the Big 12 Conference. The upgrades will be done just in time to kick-off 2015.

“I think our fan base, which I’ll categorize as the most loyal in all of college football, they’ve got a realistic view on what’s taken place with injuries the past season,” said Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads. “I think they share in the excitement and expectations of this football team and what we’re going to put out there.”

Rhoads may have something there about the Cyclones fan base being the most loyal in the country. ISU has regularly seen 50,000+ in attendance at their home games, especially last year in November games against Texas Tech and West Virginia, contests that saw the thermometer drop well below freezing.

Any way you look at it, the Cyclones can only go up from the year they had in 2014, finishing 2-10 and on a six-game losing streak.

OFFENSE
Signal caller Sam B. Richardson is back to lead the Cyclones in his senior season. He is coming off one of the best statistical seasons by an ISU quarterback in school history. Richardson set the school record for completions in a season with 254 and became just the third quarterback in ISU history with over 3,000 yards of total offense in a season (3,090).

“We’re very fortunate to have Sam in place,” Rhoads said. “It’s the first year in seven years at the helm that we’ve had a veteran quarterback like Sam ready to lead us into the season.”

To compliment Richardson, there is a talent-laden group of wide receivers for him to target. That includes senior Quenton Bundrage, junior D’Vario Montgomery, and sophomore Allen Lazard. Bundrage is coming off a major knee injury, while Montgomery led the Cyclones in receiving yards last season. Other names to keep an eye out for Richardson in the passing game will be junior Dondre Daley and senior Brett Medders.

In the backfield, it’s a pretty young group for offensive coordinator Mark Mangino to coach up. Look for sophomore Tyler Brown to crack camp as the starter. But, freshman Mike Warren and junior Mitchell Harger will most likely see plenty of action.

The glue of the offense is the line, which will see four starters coming back. Two seniors lead the group—Jamison Lalk at center and Brock Dagel at right tackle—with another senior, Oni Omoile, probably getting the nod at starting left guard after earning one start last season. Other returning starters include sophomore left tackle Jake Campos and junior right guard Daniel Burton. With another year of experience under their belt, the line must work to improve on the 124 rushing yards per game the Cyclones averaged last season, which left them ranked 108th in the nation in that category.

DEFENSE
While the offensive mix is pretty set, the defense is a whole different story. Six starters return, but there is plenty of competition across all levels. Senior defensive end Trent Taylor figures to step in at the left slot, while every other defensive line position is up for grabs.

Up the middle, juniors Pierre Aka and Devlyn Cousin, who started two games in 2014, will battle it out at defensive tackle. At the nose guard position, junior Demond Tucker and sophomore Vernell Trent, who started the final three games last season, are primed for the majority of playing time. Meanwhile, the defensive end position opposite Taylor features senior Dale Pierson and junior Darius White, who played in all 12 games a year ago.

The goal for this group will be to stack up against the opposition’s ground game. Last year the Cyclones surrendered an average of 246 yards rushing per game, 123rd in the country.

“Both run offense and run defense are always an important part of any program’s success,” Rhoads said. “Yeah, we’ve been porous as far as stopping the run. I think the addition of several defensive players, the junior college players that I talked about, I think the continued development of the players within our program, I think our defensive line is going to have depth.”

In the linebacking corps, juniors Kane Seeley and Luke Knott are back at the middle linebacker and weakside linebacker slots, respectively. Seeley started five contests and registered 52 tackles last year, while Knott was third on the team in tackles with 74. At the strongside linebacker, junior Jarnor Jones and freshman Reggan Northrup are the two names to watch.

The one area that is pretty set on the defense is the secondary. At cornerback, senior Sam E. Richardson and junior Nigel Tribune have things locked down. Richardson was third in the Big 12 last year with four interceptions and Tribune ranked sixth nationally with 13 pass breakups.

At free safety, sophomore Kamari Cotton-Moya, who was named to the First-Team Freshman All-American team by the FWAA and is the reigning Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, is back and ready to wreak havoc. He led the Cyclones with 77 tackles. The other safety spot will feature guys like seniors Qujuan Floyd and Darian Cotton. Cotton saw action in all 12 games last season, starting the final two, while Floyd played in 11.

With the experience throughout the roster and a new-look Jack Trice Stadium, Iowa State has plenty of room for optimism. Maybe, just maybe there will be a renewed home advantage for the Cyclones with a bigger stadium and the cold temperatures at the Frozen Tundra of the Big 12.

10. KANSAS JAYHAWKS

ZACH SEPANIK
Big 12 Writer

Follow @zachsepanik

There is a new era beginning in Lawrence in 2015. No, no, Bill Self hasn’t taken his talents to the gridiron. David Beaty enters his first season at the helm for the Kansas Jayhawks, looking to turn around the fortunes of a program that has fallen on hard times since winning the FedEx Orange Bowl in 2007.

Beaty was probably the most upbeat and positive person at Big 12 Media Days in late July. I mean, every coach is positive heading into a new season, but he had a fresh energy, something that will spread through the Kansas football program.

“The first thing we’re going to do is we’re going to work hard,” Beaty said. “And the second thing we’re going to do is we’re going to earn everything we get.”

Beaty brought some new coaches along who share in his energy and have a strong football pedigree. Gary Hyman comes in as the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, while Klint Kubiak, son of Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, joined the staff as the wide receivers coach.

“Coach Beaty has lots of energy, lots of juice, lots of passion for the program,” said senior defensive end Ben Goodman, Jr. “I just love the things he brings. And what he’s doing for the team, but not only for the team, but for the community.”

For a team predicted to challenge ultimate futility in Division 1 FBS history, let alone the Big 12, there are plenty of bright spots for Beaty to work with to improve the Jayhawks.

DEFENSE
It all starts with Goodman on the defense. He started all 12 games in 2014, racking up 21 tackles and a sack. Opposite Goodman, redshirt junior Anthony Olobia. They’ll be joined in the rotation by senior T.J. Semke, who will play more on the edge.

Complimenting the defensive ends are the defensive tackles. One spot will belong to senior Andrew Bolton. He played in a total of 11 games a year ago. The other slot will feature a mix of new faces, including redshirt freshman Daniel Wise and JUCO transfer, Jacky Dezir, from the College of DuPage where he spent two seasons.

Linebacker Ben Heeney will be the most difficult to replace on the defense. Redshirt junior Schyler Miles and sophomore Kyron Watson will do their best to make the effects from the loss of Heeney as short-term as possible. Each expects to see plenty of time at middle linebacker. Watson played in 11 games last season and Miles redshirted. Weakside linebacker features junior Courtney Arnick, who started five of the 12 games he played in a year ago, finishing the year sixth on the team in total tackles with 45.

Perhaps the most interesting level of the Jayhawks 4-2-5 defensive scheme is the secondary. The nickelback slot will feature athletic junior Tevin Shaw who started eight games there in 2014, accumulating 36 total tackles. Arnick also figures to see time at the position.

At cornerback, junior Brandon Stewart, a JUCO transfer from Trinity Valley Community College where he spent two seasons, and senior Ronnie Davis have the leg up. Other guys to get mixed in are sophomore Matthew Boateng and junior Marnez Ogletree.

Another JUCO transfer from Trinity Valley Community College, junior Bazie Bates IV, should slide in as the starting strong safety. Junior free safety Anthony “Fish” Smithson, who was KU’s fifth-leading tackler last season, is the backbone in the secondary.

“We want every coach to turn on the tape and be like, ‘Man, that Jayhawk defense run to the ball and they hit hard. We have to give them our all,’” Goodman, Jr., said. “Our coaching staff wants other coaches to have to run trick plays to beat us.”

OFFENSE
Offensively, the Jayhawks are hoping to find a formula to light up the scoreboard after only averaging 17.8 points per game last year, good for 118th in the country.

Senior quarterback Michael Cummings, who started the final seven contests in 2014, had surgery in the middle of June and will likely be sidelined for at least the first half of 2015. Junior quarterback Montell Cozart will command the offense. He threw for 701 yards and five touchdowns with 64 completions on 128 attempts in seven games last year, including five starts.

Cozart’s targets are extremely raw and inexperienced. As of right now, the leading candidates to crack the starting lineup at wide receiver are senior Tre’ Parmalee, sophomore Bobby Hartzog, Jr. There is 20 total receptions between them, all from Parmalee. Other names to watch for are freshman Steven Sims, Jr., and sophomore Derrick Neal.

The most experience in the receiving corp is at tight end, where redshirt sophomore Ben Johnson holds down the fort.

“Play smart, tough football, really is the main thing” Johnson said. “If you play smart and you play tough, you’re less likely to make turnovers, you’re less likely to have bad plays happen. That’s been the main thing that Coach Beaty has preached.”

In the rushing attack, senior De’Andre Mann is the focal point. He started one game in 2014, while seeing playing time in nine total contests, ending the year as KU’s second leading rusher with 399 yards on 85 carries. Beaty listed numerous additional assets beside Mann.

“Taylor Cox has fought the injury bug. He got his sixth year back,” Beaty said. “And we signed a kid named Ke’aun Kinner out of Navarro Junior College, the National College Player of the Year. He came from Little Elm High School. And we signed a kid, Taylor Martin, out of Fort Worth who we think is going to be an exciting running back for us. We need every one of them.”

From left to right on the line, junior Jordan Shelley-Smith switched to offensive line from tight end during fall camp last year and played in all 12 contests. With the transition year under his belt, he looks to leave a mark at left tackle. Right next to him at left guard, redshirt freshman Jacob Bragg is a big body that Beaty likes, but don’t count out junior Will Smith, a JUCO transfer from Butler Community College.

Snapping it to Cozart will most likely be redshirt sophomore Joe Gibson, who started seven games at the position last season. At right guard sophomore Junior Visinia played in all 12 games last year, starting three. Next to him, senior Larry Mazyck made nine starts at right guard a year ago and should see the majority of playing time.

“We feel like we have something really special in Lawrence, and we look forward to seeing great things as our time turns forward,” Beaty said.

No matter what last year’s record was, the slate is wiped clean heading to 2015. There is a renewed and invigorating sense of optimism in the Jayhawks program. And it all starts with Beaty.

“He’s always preaching ‘Earn It,’ and ‘Earn everything you do,’” Johnson said. “I think a lot of guys are buying into that.”