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KANSAN.COM
SPORTS
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BIG12 PREDICTIONS:
Who will end up on top?
▶ WESLEY DOTSON
@WestleyDee23
- Edited by Madi Schulz
2. TCU (10-2, 7-2 Big 12)
A defense that ranked fourth in the Big 12 in 2015 should become even better this season. Sophomore linebacker Montrel Wilson is a player to keep an eye on. His 61 tackles were fifth on
the team during his freshman year, and he could become the leader of this defense.
The loss of quarterback Trevone Boykin will hurt this pass offense. Whether the Horned Frogs roll with Texas A&M junior transfer Kenny Hill or sophomore Foster Sawyer, neither will match the play of Mayfield, and that's where the team will fall short.
5. Baylor (7-5,
5-4 Big 12)
The Bears will undergo an overhaul after losing coach Art Briles and some key starters. Most notably, wide receiver Corey Coleman. Still, this offense has a chance to be productive
with the return of senior running back Shock Linwood. He was fourth in the conference with an average of 110.8 yards per game and led the Bears with 10 rushing touchdowns. Their pass offense won't be as explosive as it has been in the past with sophomore Jarrett Stidham under center, who was up and down last season.
8. Texas Tech (4- 8,2-7 Big 12)
There might not be a more lopsided team in the Big 12 than Texas Tech in terms of having a fantastic offense and a porous defense. The Red Raiders ranked second in the nation in
scoring, passing, and total yards, but consistently failed to get the job done defensively.
In 2016, there still most likely won't be any slowing down this Texas Tech offense. Junior quarterback Patrick Mahomes seems poised for a big year, and he's getting back a much better receiving corps. The question all year will be whether the Red Raiders can get enough stops defensively. The Red Raiders finished second-to-last in the nation in total defense, allowing a ridiculous 548 yards per game in 2015.
3. Texas (8-4, 6-3 Big 12)
This season might be the most important one for head coach Charlie Strong, who continues his rebuild of the Long-horns. It doesn't help that his team opens the season Sept. 4
against Notre Dame. Defeating the Fighting Irish could really set the tone for the season.
While the pass defense should be one of the best in the Big 12, there are still question marks at the quarterback position. Texas ranked last in the Big 12 in pass offense last season. Inexperienced freshman play is likely on the way with Shane Buechele more than likely on his way to winning the starting job. Still, the Longhorns have more than enough talent to dominate on defense.
6. Kansas State (5-7, 3-6 Big 12)
The biggest issue for the Wildcats last season was their dreadful offense. Quarterback injuries forced head coach Bill Snyder to turn to senior Joe Hubener, who struggled to make
accurate throws and good reads all season. The returns of junior quarterback Jesse Ertz and redshirt freshman Alex Delton will help the pass attack. Sophomore wide receiver Byron Pringle, a JUCO transfer, has the speed and athleticism to become the biggest factor on offense.
Defensively, the Wildcats are solid. They ranked fourth in rush defense and should be able to maintain that level of play with a strong, experienced linebacker corps. Limiting the opponent's passing game will be a key task, as Kansas State ranked second to last in passing yards per game (285.5).
9. Iowa State (3-9, 1-8 Big 12)
A new coaching staff means a new vision for the Iowa State football team, and that appears to be running the ball the best way they can. That means the
Cyclones will lean heavily on redshirt-sophomore Mike Warren. The back ran for 1,339 yards and scored five touchdowns in his first season with the team.
The passing game has a glaring need for improvement. The Cyclones will need to take more shots downfield. They averaged 6.6 yards per pass last season, and that just won't cut it in the Big 12 conference. This has to be a major focus for new offensive coordinator Tom Manning.
With only one week left until Kansas football and the other nine Big 12 schools take the field, Kansan football beat writer Wesley Dotson made predictions on every Big 12 team for the upcoming season.
Dotson broke down the teams' changes from last year, and where he thinks each will finish and why.
1. Oklahoma (12-0, 9-0 Big 12)
The Sooners are a pretty obvious choice here. Not only should they run away with the Big 12, they will have a chance to be one of the best teams in the nation. Quarterback Baker
Mayfield has a serious shot at the Heisman Trophy, and Oklahoma's rushing attack should be stronger with junior running back Samaje Perine and redshirt sophomore Joe Mixon at the helm. Expect the Sooners to make a run at the National Championship.
4. Oklahoma State (8-4, 5-4 Big 12)
This is a dangerous offense that ranked seventh in the nation in passing and second behind Texas Tech in the Big 12. It all starts with junior quarterback Mason Rudolph, who should improve upon his sophomore campaign with his top receivers returning to the program.
The defense must be better. The Cowboys allowed 187 yards per game on the ground last season and gave up 45 points in their last three games of the season. Someone on defense will need to fill the void of Emmanuel Ogbah's 13 sacks, and there isn't quite yet a favorite on defense to do that.
7. West Virginia (5-7,3-6 Big 12)
The Mountaineers excelled on the ground last season. Their 228.2 yards per game were second in the Big 12, but the loss of running back Wendell Smallwood will hurt the team's rush.
ing dynamic. Senior Rushel Shell is a talented back who will receive the majority of the carries, but he was at his best when sharing carries with Smallwood last season.
Senior defensive lineman Noble Nwachukwu was a star defensively with his team-leading 8.5 sacks and 47 tackles last season, but there isn't much help around him this year. Losing leading tackler Nick Kwiatkoski as well as Shaq Petteway and Jared Barber from the linebacker corps will prove to be a problem.
10. Kansas (2-10,
0-9 Big 12)
After many struggles and a winless 2015, the Jayhawks appear to be a better team this season.
Sophomore Ryan Willis should be able to secure the
starting quarterback position, and he will be surrounded by a heap of talent that includes senior running Ke'aun Kinner, junior transfer LaQvionte Gonzalez, freshman Keegan Brewer and junior tight end Ben Johnson.
Opening with FCS opponent Rhode Island on Sept. 3 creates a realistic opportunity for second-year coach David Beaty to secure his first win. Still, the defense is a work in progress. It was the worst in college football, allowing 561 yards and 46 points per game, giving up 40 points or more eight times.
Kansas is still far away from competing in any capacity in the Big 12, but at least one win this season will give the program positive vibes moving forward.
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