A Few Thoughts on Big 12 Media Days
By Zach Pugh
The momentum from Media Days should carry us through the remainder of July and most of August. The plus side is Big 12 Media Days left plenty to talk about while we just kill time until the season starts. With a couple of news stories highlighting the darker side of reality, TCU Devonte Fields’ assault investigation and Oklahoma State freshman Devon Thomas’ charges of burglary, robbery and shooting with intent to kill, we can at least say football is closer.
TCU adds fuel to the offense
The Horned Frogs have had a rough couple years on offense since joining the Big 12, ranking 9th in 2013 and 8th in 2012 in the conference in total offense. When you’re only scoring 25 points a game, with an inconsistent passing game, you’ll struggle to win games in the conference.
TCU players and fans are hoping the solution is new co-offensive coordinators Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbine. Meacham spent one season in charge of the offense at Houston, and under his watch the Cougars averaged almost 34 points a game, ranking 35th in the country. And Cumbine has a special place in Fort Worth, as he’s responsible for a 70-35 victory over TCU back in 2004, when he was quarterback for Texas Tech.
Texas Christian Receiver David Porter gave a bit of insight to what the revamped Frog offense will look like in 2014, Tuesday during day two of Big 12 Media Days.
“It’s no-huddle, it’s a faster pace, we get to spread everybody out, we get to utilize our talents,” Porter said. “We have a lot of speed out there on the field and with this type of offense you get to spread the defenses out and just do what we do.”
Bryce Petty for Heisman 2014
During day one of the Big 12 Media Days, Baylor head coach Art Briles took the opportunity to personally endorse his QB for Heisman before the first snap in 2014.
“Honestly, personally and professionally, I’m a little upset about the way it all transpired last year,” Briles said. “I certainly felt like he should have been in New York without question. I mean, your first-year starter, you win 11 football games, win the Big 12 Championship for the first time in school history, throw 4,200 yards, 33 TDs, three picks and you sit at home in December?”
Jan 1, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty (14) throws a pass against the Central Florida Knights during the Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Central Florida defeated Baylor 52-42. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The numbers were phenomenal, but the follow up question should have been, “Do you think Petty had a chance to beat out FSU quarterback Jameis Winston?” That question aside, Petty had a great year; however, he may have been left out of the trip to New York because he didn’t exactly obliterate the tougher defenses on the schedule in 2013. While he threw just three picks, he also had below a 60% completion percentage against Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, TCU and Texas. Even his yards per pass attempt dropped significantly from Nov.7 to the end of the season.
Charlie Strong Arm
Texas head coach Charlie Strong has been slowly adapting to life as coach at Texas since he was hired in January. And while we won’t know exactly how the players have reacted to Strong’s style until kickoff, we can chew on his mission in Austin until then.
“The mission here is very simple. It will never change. We will make sure we graduate our young men. We want to make sure we go compete for championships, but we want to make sure they become a better person than they were when they came into the program.”
Though, the question remains; will coach Strong have the full five years on his contract to get the Longhorns back in the national championship discussion?
There’s no place like home
Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder was like an enlightened teacher on Tuesday. It’s obvious to see one of the ways Snyder has always been able to get his players to perform above their talent level with as simple quote such as this,
“I learned some time ago — probably 30-some-odd years ago — that I needed to do it a little differently. My decision was, simply put, be where you are. And I chose to do that. And that allowed me, I think, to become better at things I was doing and never looked to move on.”
Jul 22, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Day at the Omni Dallas. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Snyder then went on to give Texas head coach Charlie Strong some advice on the ways of Big 12 life.
“I think the important thing is just be who you are. And if you indeed do that, be who you are, care about people; I think things can work out fine for him.”
Here’s some more advice for coach Strong. When Bill Snyder talks, you listen.
The good ol’ days
Dana Holgorsen knows how to win, but in the wrong conference.
“Well, the days of rolling through the Big East and being able to play in a BCS game are long gone.”
It’s interesting a coach would come out so boldly about what many in the media have said for a while. The success the Mountaineers enjoyed in the Big East is worthy of praise, and there’s certainly no reason to try and belittle what Holgorsen accomplished helping to bring WVU to a conference with a future. It hasn’t been a fun transition for West Virginia, but if they can build some depth and begin to compete for the Big 12 Championship, well then, the College Football Playoff will be calling their name. Something not achievable had they remained in Big East