After seeing the first spring Big 12 power rankings from ESPN and disagreeing with their placement of the Missouri Tigers at number one, I am now proud to present the first 2008 Bevo Sports Big 12 Power Rankings. This will be a weekly feature during the season and we’ll likely post updates at the end of spring practice and again in the preseason.
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[tag]Oklahoma[/tag]
I’m not 100% behind Sam Bradford as a top quarterback but he’s definitely good enough to lead this team. They lost several good players early to the NFL Draft, but they’ve got talent and running back DeMarco Murray is a stud.
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Texas
Too many question marks to be ranked any higher this early, but early practice reports from this spring are encouraging. If the Horns’ secondary and linebackers improve and flourish under coach Will Muschamp they’ll be my conference favorite.
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[tag]Texas Tech[/tag]
I struggled deciding between Tech and Missouri, but I ended up placing the Red Raiders third thanks to a slightly better defense and a love for pirates and Michael Crabtree.
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[tag]Missouri[/tag]
I don’t trust Gary Pinkel, I think he lucked into last year’s success and was tempted to put the Tigers much lower. Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin could be poised for a huge season, but their defense leaves a lot to be desired.
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[tag]Nebraska[/tag]
I think the Cornhusker players will play with a new enthusiasm after being rescued from Bill Callahan’s regime. Marlon Lucky is a very talented running back and coach Bo Pelini’s return should immediately improve the defense.
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[tag]Colorado[/tag]
This is a team I’m really not sure about. They could go either way, either compete for the Big 12 North or completely suck. They lost a couple of good linebackers but if QB Cody Hawkins makes plays and Darrell Scott is as advertised they could compete.
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Texas A&M
I think this is a transition year for the Aggies and new head coach Mike Sherman. I think he’s a step up from Fran but I’m not sure he’s the longterm solution. The defense should be improved under new coordinator Joe Kines, but losing Yemi Babalola off the offensive line hurts bad.
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[tag]Kansas State[/tag]
I like quarterback Josh Freeman a lot but the two other guys that killed the Horns the last two years (particularly Jordy Nelson) are gone. Ian Campbell is a beast on defense.
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[tag]Kansas[/tag]
Welcome back to reality Kansas fans, though I still think the Fightin’ Manginos are headed in the right direction. They don’t have the same season they did in 2007 but they’re going to be a contender in the Big 12 North again soon if Mangino stays.
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[tag]Iowa State[/tag]
Other than a win over rival Iowa last season the Cyclones and former Texas coach Gene Chizik had a rough 2007. Chizik reportedly has things headed in the right direction and two conference wins late last year might be an indication of that.
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[tag]Oklahoma State[/tag]
The only coach in the Big 12 I think less of than Mizzou’s Pinkel is the Cowboys’ Mike Gundy. They’ve had more talent in previous years and not done much with it, this is a down year and they’ll finish near the bottom and Gundy won’t be back in 2009.
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[tag]Baylor[/tag]
I think bringing in Art Briles was a genius move by Baylor. It is going to take a couple years for him implement his scheme and bring in his type of players, but he’s got a chance to turn the Bears into a Texas Tech caliber team. They’ll suck this year.
Update: Preseason Big 12 Power Rankings are released! (8/27/2008)
reply to #1
Hook'Em Horns
March 2nd, 2008 at 11:25 pm
This is cool thanks for putting that up there. Oh by the way, my 1A private school basketball team just won the state title again, we won it last year and this year. And one of my friends, Joshua Banks, is a stud when it comes to basketball. I am trying to get him looked at by UT cause he is already getting looked at by Nebraska and Baylor. He is a sophomore and has already won 2 state titles, is first team all state, first team all state tournament, first team all district and area. HE IS THE BEST!, around this area. He can easily start for and public school in Texas. So if any of ya’ll have connections with Rick Barnes tell him to check this kid out. He attends Living Faith Academy, Dickinson Texas. Hook’em
reply to #2
kevin devoto
March 4th, 2008 at 2:04 am
kevin devoto – OU… seriously… please. kevin devoto
reply to #3
kevin devoto
March 4th, 2008 at 2:05 am
kevin devoto cant agree here….Too many question marks to be ranked any higher this early, but early practice reports from this spring are encouraging. If the Horns’ secondary and linebackers improve and flourish under coach Will Muschamp they’ll be my conference favorite. Kevin devoto
reply to #4
jl
March 6th, 2008 at 2:43 am
you’re a dip ****!
reply to #5
Brian
March 6th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Wow JL what a useful comment! Care to actually discuss what you disagree with and then back it up?
reply to #6
Hook'Em Horns
March 6th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Ok, of the subject of this topic, but my teammate josh Banks was announced 1st team all state in Texas for 1A-3A private schools. He was the first selected out of every player in Texas. He had 5, fourty point games and I think 10 thirty point games or more. He averaged a double double. Hook’em
reply to #7
Not an ignorant Bevo
March 17th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Kansas at 9?!?!
They return 36 of 44 players in their two-deep. The defense is veteran-heavy, with only two new starters this year. Todd Reesing is all you need to know about the offense. Added the 2007 NJCAA Player of the Year at RB. Added more talent at every position the past two years.
Can I buy pot from you? Nebraska at 5???
reply to #8
Brian
March 18th, 2008 at 6:16 am
I know they get a lot of guys back I just think Mangino got those guys to overachieve last season and they’ll fall back this year. It won’t be long though before he has KU as perennial Big 12 North contenders.
reply to #9
Jfrippo
March 18th, 2008 at 10:32 am
KU at # 9? This pick shows an Incredible lack of research and a incredible amount of ingorance. Tell your precious Longhorns to be on guard when they play KU. They may not have the benefit of a phantom pass interference call this year.
reply to #10
Reid
March 18th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
So Texas Tech gets your nod over Missouri because you trust the Red Raiders’ defense more?
Did you miss Missouri’s defense finishing in the top four of every statistical defensive category during Big 12 play last season?
reply to #11
Andres
March 19th, 2008 at 1:13 am
I can’t argue with OU at #1…
however…
Mizzou at 4 and Kansas at NINE?????? Good grief, that is about as laughable as could be!
Mizzou is returning 10 defensive starters and will be much improved defensively this year, and their offense will be, at worst, as good as last year, maybe a tad better…NO WAY they are lower than #2…
KU (as much as it pains me to say this) should be no lower than 4 or 5 with it being a toss up between them and TTech…Its amazing how many people don’t realize just HOW good KU is and they are returning a ton of starters, and they early outs they had Talib and Collins, are being replaced by talented young guys…wow…ever heard of research?
reply to #12
Not an ignorant Bevo
March 19th, 2008 at 11:01 am
I’m impressed he doesn’t have his Longhorns at #1.
KU and MU won’t be at the top of the standings in 2009 when they lose a ton of players, but this year they’ll be two of the teams to beat for the Big 12 title. Anyone who thinks otherwise doesn’t pay much attention to teams other than their own.
reply to #13
Rack
July 18th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Go ahead and trash Oklahoma State, but they will be 5-0 after beating A&M. Look at the schedule they play, they are set up well and return ton’s of O-line talent and a nice injection of defensive talent. You are sadly mistaken about them being the 11th best team in the league. You are right that Gundy will be gone in 2009 IF your prediction holds true, but it won’t , you are way off.