Big 12 Preview: Predictions
The Oklahoma-Texas game might very well determine the champion of the Big 12 in 2013. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
There is no clear front runner in the Big 12, but plenty of question marks. Only one quarterback – David Ash at Texas – made at least seven starts in 2012.
What does it all mean? Probably some uneven play that will sometimes border on being the best in the nation and at other times will prove difficult to watch.
Las Vegas sees Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas in about a dead heat. A slight edge goes to the Longhorns based on many of their toughest games being at home or, in the case of the Oklahoma game, on a neutral field.
That’s the prediction from the desert, read below to find that of SaturdayBlitz.com.
Baylor
Projected record: 8-4, 5-4 Big 12
Most important game: vs. Texas Tech, in Arlington, Texas (Nov. 16)
Potential for an upset: vs. Oklahoma (Nov. 7)
Forecast: RB Lache Seastrunk carries the Bears to a slight improvement over last year’s regular season, but the defense can’t plug enough holes to truly contend for the conference title. Baylor will be in the mix late, but finishes at Oklahoma State, at TCU and with a home game against Texas.
Iowa State
Projected record: 4-8, 2-7 Big 12
Most important game: at Texas Tech (Oct. 12)
Potential for an upset: vs. Texas (Oct. 3)
Forecast: Paul Rhoads’ teams never get enough credit and almost always overachieve. It’s simply so difficult to find wins on the Cyclones’ league schedule. Perhaps Iowa State can steal enough wins to sneak into a bowl, but that is not the official prediction.
Kansas
Projected record: 4-8, 1-8 Big 12
Most important game: vs. Texas Tech (Oct. 5)
Potential for an upset: vs. West Virginia (Nov. 16)
Forecast: The Jayhawks take a step forward in talent but have a hard time seeing it translate into the win-column. The one conference win is a bit charitable, but after two winless tours through the Big 12, it seems like time Kansas falls backwards into at least one.
Kansas State
Projected record: 7-5, 5-4 Big 12
Most important game: at Texas (Sept. 21)
Potential for an upset: vs. Oklahoma (Nov. 23)
Forecast: Even Bill Snyder’s ability to reload on defense with junior-college transfers will be put to the test after losing 10 starters from last year’s unit. The Wildcats will be one of the truly mysterious teams – sometimes looking like they can play with anyone while sometimes playing down to lesser teams.
Oklahoma
Projected record: 10-2, 7-2 Big 12
Most important game: vs. Texas, in Dallas (Oct. 12)
Potential to be upset: at Kansas State (Nov. 23)
Forecast: The depth Bob Stoops laments having to play against year-in and year-out ultimately proves too much for the Sooners to run the table. New faces on both sides of the ball will determine which side of the tie-breakers Oklahoma falls at season’s end. A head-to-head win over Texas will give the Sooners the tie-breaker and another Big 12 crown.
Oklahoma State
Projected record: 9-3, 6-3 Big 12
Most important game: at Texas (Nov. 16)
Potential to be upset: at Texas Tech (Nov. 2)
Forecast: The Cowboys will take down a big boy — either Texas or Oklahoma — but will ultimately fall short of the Big 12 championship because it will lose a couple games in which they are favored.
Texas
Projected record: 10-2, 7-2 Big 12
Most important game: vs. Oklahoma, in Dallas (Oct. 12)
Potential for an upset: at TCU (Oct. 26)
Forecast: From a talent perspective, the Longhorns should be heavy favorites to win the league. The reason they aren’t: Recent history suggests Texas will drop a game it should. Ultimately, losing to Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl costs the Longhorns the conference title.
TCU
Projected record: 7-5, 5-4 Big 12
Most important game: vs. Texas (Oct. 26)
Potential to be upset: at Texas Tech (Sept. 12)
Forecast: If not for a brutally difficult league road schedule, this could be among the favorites to win the Big 12. TCU is talented enough to contend, but simply runs into too many buzz saws along the way. The Horned Frogs will spoil the season of Texas, Oklahoma or Oklahoma State, though.
Texas Tech
Projected record: 7-5, 4-5 Big 12
Most important game: vs. TCU (Sept. 12)
Potential for an upset: vs. TCU (Sept. 12)
Forecast: While the Red Raiders face co-favorites Oklahoma and Texas on the road, they benefit from getting Oklahoma State, TCU and Kansas State in Lubbock. An early win over the Horned Frogs on a Thursday night, nationally televised game could propel Texas Tech to a 7-0 start. Neither first-year coach Kliff Kingsbury nor his young team is prepared for that level of success, though.
West Virginia
Projected record: 5-7, 3-6 Big 12
Most important game: vs. Iowa State (Nov. 29)
Potential for an upset: Texas Tech (Oct. 19)
Forecast: Even offensive gurus such as Dana Holgorsen struggle when they lose as much firepower as did the Mountaineers. West Virginia starts hot – with the exception of a Week 2 trip to Norman – but falters during a pivotal seven-game stretch starting with Oklahoma State.