OU headlines top-heavy Big 12
Mayfield has Heisman hopes; league still searching for national respect
Ignore as best you can the bottom half of the Big 12 Conference, which will spend the 2017 season bordering on the verge of bowl eligibility — if not much, much worse — while serving as cupcakes for those five teams with legitimate postseason aspirations.
Those five: Oklahoma, of course, with its eyes on the national title; rival Oklahoma State, which could be hampered by a questionable offensive line; TCU, which aims to rebound from a rare losing season; Kansas State, that annual pest; and Texas, rejuvenated by the arrival of coach Tom Herman from Houston.
These are good teams — with maybe one or two great teams, in fact, with Oklahoma the safest bet to plow through conference play and again represent the conference in the College Football Playoff.
But this is very clearly a league lacking in proven depth. Why is that a larger concern? Because this has a profound impact on the conference’s national reputation, which in turn has a negative influence on the minds of the Playoff selection committee.
Maybe that’s an overblown concept. Maybe it’s not. One thing I can say with confidence: The Big 12 has an image problem. That’s not new. But while conducting an informal straw poll might lead to some dissension at the top — maybe some believe the Southeastern Conference is the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision, others the Atlantic Coast Conference or Big Ten — there is a consensus at the bottom: Everyone puts the Big 12 last among the Power Five leagues.
A national title would change that. And while the Big 12 does have a sloppy and ineffective bottom half, that top half is worthy of a degree of commendation. Better yet, what if Texas rebounds? What if the league has two powers, Oklahoma and Texas, to tout on a national level? That’s the foundation upon which the latter-day Big 12 was built.
BEST UNITS
Quarterback: Oklahoma. There are few better in college football than Baker Mayfield, who should rightfully be considered the preseason favorite for the Heisman Trophy. Running back: West Virginia. It’s very exciting to consider what senior Justin Crawford could achieve statistically if given 200plus touches. Wide receivers and tight ends: Oklahoma State. This James Washington-led unit ranks among the best in the FBS.
Offensive line: Oklahoma. With all five starters back in the fold and a few key additions for depth purposes, this offensive front is an obvious strength for the Sooners.
Defensive line: Kansas State. The most appealing aspect of the Wildcats line is the projected growth from two sophomores — Reggie Walker and Trey Dishon — who impressed as rookies.
Linebacker: TCU. The Horned Frogs group deserves praise, but don’t sleep on what Texas brings to the table on the second level. Secondary: TCU. Vastly more experienced than at this point a year ago, this secondary combines with the linebacker crew to give TCU the top back seven in the Big 12. Special teams: Kansas State. You can set your watch to Kansas State’s consistent excellence on special teams.
RANKING THE STARTING QUARTERBACKS
1. Mayfield, Oklahoma. He’s back for his third stab at the Heisman Troiphy and a national championship.
2. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State. With his monster arm, Rudolph is a perfect fit for the Cowboys’ explosive passing game.
3. Nic Shimonek, Texas Tech. It won’t be easy to match Patrick Mahomes’ impact, though Shimonek was terrific in backup duty last season.
4. Shane Buechele, Texas.
Buechele is the starter, but whether he remains the answer for Herman — and can fend off freshman Sam Ehlinger — hinges on his performance in Sep-
tember. 5. Jesse Ertz, Kansas State.
Recent history has shown that Bill Snyder’s Wildcats tend to flourish behind second-year starters.
6. Kenny Hill, TCU. Hill would be a feel-good story on a national scale should he lead the Horned Frogs to a top-three finish in the Big 12. 7. Will Grier, West Virginia.
The Mountaineers are a year away, in my opinion, but I expect Grier to challenge for all-conference honors in 2017. 8. Zach Smith, Baylor. The overall numbers will slide under
the new staff, but Smith looks the part of a multiple-year starter for Matt Rhule and the Bears. 9. Jacob Park, Iowa State.
The former Georgia transfer will benefit from being the Cyclones’ unquestioned starter. 10. Peyton Bender, Kansas.
David Beaty also could go with sophomore Carter Stanley over Bender, though the latter’s experience running an Air Raid system should give him the nod.
GAMES OF THE YEAR
Oklahoma at Ohio State, Sept. 9. The Sooners are fully aware that this game presents an outstanding opportunity to bolster their case for the Playoff.
TCU at Arkansas, Sept. 9. A win here would provide TCU a jolt in the polls and set up a can’tmiss date with Oklahoma State two weeks later. Texas at Southern California, Sept. 16. Maybe you can recall the last time these two met.
TCU at Oklahoma State, Sept. 23. The matchup of Oklahoma State’s receiver corps against TCU’s secondary is one of the best in the Big 12.
Oklahoma vs. Texas (in Dallas), Oct. 14. The annual rivalry takes on a different feel with new coaches: Lincoln Riley at OU, Herman at UT.
Oklahoma State at Texas, Oct. 21. The Cowboys aim to continue their recent dominance in the series.
Oklahoma at Kansas State, Oct. 21. Riley was just 6 when Bill Snyder coached his first game at Kansas State.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State, Nov. 4. That this comes on the first Saturday of November is idiotic, for one, but it also affords the loser time to make up ground before the end of the regular season. TCU at Oklahoma, Nov. 11.
It’s totally reasonable to view OU and TCU as the two best teams in the Big 12.