2008 KANSAS JAYHAWKS FOOTBALL
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Texas
Coach: Mack Brown, 11th year
2007 Record: 10-3
Key Players: Junior quarterback Colt McCoy, senior receiver Quan Cosby, senior defensive end Brian Orakpo, senior linebacker Rashad Bobino
Key Losses: Running back Jamaal Charles, receiver Limas Sweed, safety Marcus Griffin
For the first time in three years, the Longhorns aren't receiving much national attention headed into the season. There's no Vince Young to talk about, no national championship to defend and no second-year quarterback who put up Heisman-like numbers as a freshman.
Quarterback Colt McCoy wants to return to his freshman-year form, when he threw 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.
Yes, quarterback Colt McCoy regressed last season. He threw 18 interceptions as compared to only seven his freshman season and completed three percent less of his passes. McCoy said he learned a lot from his rough sophomore season and would return to form this year. McCoy isn't the primary concern for coach Mack Brown, though. The Texas defense returns only four starters from last year's team. Brian Orakpo dealt with injuries all of last season but is one of the conference's best pass rushers when healthy.
Coach's Take:"This is the first time we've been considered an underdog for a while. It's a different role for us and seems to be motivating our guys to work really, really hard."
Texas Tech
Coach: Mike Leach, ninth season
2007 Record: 9-4
Key Players: Sophomore receiver Michael Crabtree, senior quarterback Graham Harrell, senior safety Darcel McBath, sophomore linebacker Brian Duncan
Key Losses: Receiver Danny Amendola, running back Shannon Woods, safety Joe Garcia,
Texas Tech and its 41 points per game are no longer the Big 12's secret. The nation is starting to take notice. That happens when a freshman receiver, Michael Crabtree, is named an All-American after scoring 22 touchdowns and gaining nearly 2,000 receiving yards. Quarterback Graham Harrell isn't bad, either. He completed 72 percent of his passes for 5,705 yards and 48 touchdowns last season.
But for Texas Tech to compete for its first Big 12 Conference title, its defense needs to continue to progress. Ruffin McNeil took over as interim defensive coordinator in the middle of last season, and the Red Raiders ranked first in the conference in total defenseduring the last nine games. Leach expects that trend to continue this season as he named McNeil the permanent defensive coordinator in the off-season.
Coach's Take:"I've never coached in a game in the Big 12 when before the game started, I didn't think we were going to win."
Wide receiver Michael Crabtree, left, and quarterback Graham Harrell will likely hook up on pass plays several times this year. Last season, Crabtree totaled almost 2,000 receiving yards.
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KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Texas A&M
Coach: Mike Sherman, first year
2007 Record: 7-6
Key Players: Junior running back Mike Goodson, senior tackle Travis Schneider, junior cornerback Jordan Pugh, senior defensive end Cyril Obiozor
Key Losses: Tight end Martellus Bennet, linebacker Mark Dodge, defensive tackle Red Bryant
The Aggies will still wear maroon and white this season, but that might be the only thing Mike Sherman isn't planning on changing. The former Green Bay Packers coach came to College Station, Texas, after being hired to replace Dennis Franchione and immediately started a
Quarterback Stephen McGee is back, but his role could change under new coach Mike Shrerman.
transformation of his team. He told senior quarterback Stephen McGee, who had started for three straight years, he would have to beat out sophomore Jerrod Johnson for the starting job. He informed 285-pound running back Jorvorskie Lane that he must lose weight and would be moved to fullback. And he's changing the offense completely. Defensively, the Aggies will look different as well with a new linebacking corps. Junior Matt Featherson and sophomore Von Miller are among the new linebackers who have to replace Mark Dodge and Misi Tupe, who combined for 214 tackles last season.
Coach's Take:"I feel strongly about the university and the leadership there and the potential that is within our grasp at some point. I look forward to achieving that potential, getting that potential to fruition."
Thursday, August 28, 2008 www.kansan.com
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