Big 12 Thoughts
There's some interesting Big 12 talk in the Star-Telegram.
On Oklahoma State:
Was Oklahoma State's 2002 season a fluke, and what should we expect from the Cowboys in 2003?It's not a fluke, but without better defense, I don't see them taking the next step. But who knows -- a win at Nebraska could springboard them.Barnhouse: No, 2002 wasn't a fluke. I think Les Miles is Bob Stoops Lite. He's done a great job installing a winning, prideful culture in Stillwater. But considering how tough the South is, the Cowboys could be a better team with a worse won-loss record.
Burch: I wouldn't call it a fluke, but I wouldn't count on a lot of staying power, either. As soon as Rashaun Woods and his magic hands head to the NFL, you can forget about projecting OSU as even a darkhorse title contender. But this year, he's still in Stillwater, and Cowboys' fans can dream big because Woods is that good. There's no bigger difference-maker in the Big 12.
Caplan: No, it wasn't a fluke. You don't beat Oklahoma two seasons in a row and have it be a fluke. Les Miles has that program on the rise. They've got talented offensive players and an attitude that they can compete at the highest level. The Cowboys are still only the third-best team in the Big 12 South, at best, but they'll get to another bowl game.
Jones: No. And more. The Cowboys have gone from thinking they can win to knowing what it takes and expecting to. And they have what it takes, especially on offense.
On Nebraska:
Will Nebraska do well enough to save Frank Solich's job?It's not clear to me why Solich was retained this year. That OSU-Nebraska opener is just huge. For both teams. I can't imagine Solich turning around the season and surviving as coach if he loses at home.Barnhouse: Yes and no. The Huskers won't do that well; they could finish third in the Big 12 North. But even if there's some improvement, I don't think new athletic director Steve Pederson will pull the plug on Solich and his new staff. 2004 might be a different story, though.
Burch: Solich is toast. Because of marginal recruiting classes, Nebraska's talent level has dropped significantly over the past four years. The Big Red is about to be passed by Missouri, relegating the Cornhuskers to fourth in the North Division in 2003. Solich cannot post a second-tier finish in his own division and keep his job.
Caplan: It will be tough only because Cornhuskers fans' expectations are too high. These aren't the good old days anymore. The fact is, it's almost impossible to remain on top consistently. Look at Penn State, Florida State and Notre Dame. Programs can't hand out scholarships like they used to, and there are more good athletes to go around.
Jones: No. The Cornhuskers' season and Solich's future could hinge on the first game of the season at home on national TV against Oklahoma State, and the educated guess is that this is not the way to open a new package.
But it strikes me that it's stupid for the Big 12 to begin a season this way, and I wish the conference wouldn't approve such moves. Conference games ought to come later in the season, when the teams are playing good football and it means something. Both of these teams should be in bowl contention, and either one could have a little luck and be in division contention late in the season. So why are they playing each other in August? Let me repeat: STUPID.
And finally, on Baylor:
Ha ha ha ha!What would you do to cure Baylor's football ills?
Barnhouse: Join the Sun Belt Conference.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 08/27/03 23:00 | Big 12 Football | Technorati
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Comments
I'm still feeling an eight-win season from the Pokes. Sure, Rashaun is the man and will be the primary reason we might live up to lofty expectations this year. But, I think there is plenty of groundwork being laid for future success post-Rashaun. I'm still geeked as hell for the Nebraska game this weekend.
Posted by Dave @ 09:00 on 08/28/03
You're right about the post-Rashaun groundwork. It's too easy for some of these national guys to miss what's going on in recruiting. I'm impressed with what OSU is bringing in. They seems to be stocking themselves across the board, rather than hoping for one or two homeruns. Sure, a Rashaun Woods or a Barry Sanders is nice, but so are five or six players (or more) just a notch or two below in talent. I've always thought that OSU has had trouble recruiting solid numbers of those kinds of players. That seems to be changing.
I'd be much more worried about losing Les Miles than Rashaun Woods!
And don't get me wrong -- I'm geeked as hell that there's some real Big 12 football to watch this weekend. Beats watching OSU destroy, say, Southwest Missouri State. :) But if I were Big 12 Commissioner, I think I would have discouraged the move.
Posted by Kevin @ 09:07 on 08/28/03
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