Unfortunately, my first post looks to be a depressing one. Why? I'll tell you why. The 2010 St. Louis Cardinals are collapsing, and it just keeps getting worse day by day. This years Redbirds have now officially displaced (barring some miracle the last month of the season) the 2004 Mizzou Tigers football team as the MOST disappointing team of my lifetime (that is, of the teams I'm a fan of). That's saying something. The '04 Tigers lost to Troy. TROY! It was on the road, but still. But, the Cards get beat around like little red-headed step children by the likes of the Pirates, Nationals, Cubs, Brewers, Astros and other teams of that caliber. Not good. The only thing good thing about this week is: college football begins again, and the Tigers are taking the field in St. Louis this weekend to play Illinois in what is (for now) the final installment of the "Arch Rivalry" such as it is. In fact, I can't think of a time in recent memory when I've been more excited for this game. Granted, the horrific off the field issues have put a bit of a damper on the season opener, but even those things (DWI's, "digital penetration", etc) coupled with my general disdain for Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel aren't doing much to bring down my enthusiasm as the 2010 college football season begins.
So, I will take this time to unveil my 2010-2011 Big XII conference picks. This is, of course, the last year of the league as we know it, and I would love nothing more then for Mizzou to win it. That being said, as you'll soon see, I don't think will happen. So without further adieu, I give to you my (former Seth and Seth sports co-host Seth Maberry's) Big XII conference predictions.
NORTH
1. Nebraska
I would love to send the 'Huskers off to the Big 10 with them losing in Lincoln to Mizzou and failing to win the North, but that won't happen. Even with questions surrounding QB Zac Lee, the defense should be again dominant, and the offense should be good enough to win a North that won't provide a lot of competition.
2. Missouri
The Tigers are the chief competition to the Huskers in the North. QB Blaine Gabbert is in his second year and should be getting better and better, and once again the Tigers have a very good (even if un-hearlded) group of receivers for him to throw to. Senior RB Derrick Washington is facing felony sexual assault chargers that could keep him from ever seeing the field, but backups Kendial Lawerence and De'Vion Moore are good enough. The defense will be what keeps this team from the North title (and coaching gaffes which are a signature of Pinkel).
3. Kansas State
Never count out old man Bill Snyder. Senior QB Carson Coffman and senior RB Daniel Thomas lead the Wildcats offense. Picking K-state 3rd here doesn't mean I think they're overly good, it just means I think they're better then the bottom 3 in the north, which isn't saying much. Being honest, I don't know much about K-state's defense but most of their toughest games are at home, so it should be good enough to go bowling. Oh, and this year they only scheduled one FCS school, so they don't have to win 7 to go bowling.
4. Iowa State
Paul "I'm so proud to be you're football coach" Rhoads has done a great job in Ames so far. It's a tough place to coach, and to win. They've been on a conference title drought that dates back to the same year the Titanic sank (1912). That's a long time. Dual threat QB Austen Arnaud is back from a team that was in the insight bowl last year, and they have a good shot at going bowling again this season. (Don't tell my fellow Mizzou fans in Columbia, but I think they'll beat the Tigers in Ames this year, Pinkel's signature "let down" game).
5. Colorado
The last go around for Dan Hawkins (if CU is smart). He once guaranteed 10 wins. He won't get it this year. They have an outside shot at a bowl game, but they're not good enough for me to do research enough to effectively break down their roster, schedule and thus their chances.
6. Kansas
Turner Gill will have a tough job in his first year in beakerville. I picked them last because, well, I hate them. And, well, because they won't be good either. Should be a good year to be a kU hater!
SOUTH
1. Oklahoma
As always, Oklahoma's shot at getting to the conference title game hinges on the red river rivalry game with Texas. Led by QB Landry Jones who looked very good at times last year filling in for Sam Bradford, I think the Sooners beat Texas and land in the league title game at the end of the season.
2. Texas
I like Mack Brown, a lot. However, his QB Garret Gilbert is unproven. Though he played well in spurts in last year's BCS Title game against Alabama, I think he'll struggle at times, especially in the games against Oklahoma and at Nebraska. Those are the big games on the Longhorns schedule, and look for them to lose both.
3. Texas Tech
Tommy Tuberville takes over for every ones favorite pirate, Mike Leach. Leach leaves a bevy of talent on the offensive side of the ball led by QB Taylor Potts. Of course, should Potts go down or suck, there's no shortage of QB's to plug in. The offense should be very good again this year in Lubbock, however during the Tuberville era, look for the defense to begin to improve.
4. Texas A&M
QB Jarrod Johnson is getting Heisman hype. He's good, really good. Only, he doesn't have much of a team around him. Coach Mike Sherman has consistently been mediocre or worse in his short time in College Station, and there's no signs showing that this year should be any different. They'll be blessed by a somewhat weaker Big XII south, so they should do enough to get to that 8 win range and get a decent bowl bid.
5. Oklahoma State
Another guy who underachieves a lot, and frequently fails to live up to expectations is 'Pokes coach Mike Gundy. He didn't turn many heads with QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant, and there's not much in Stillwater to make me think he'll turn any heads without them. Personally, I think they are worse then Baylor, but until the Bears prove it, I put the Cowboys here.
6. Baylor
Art Briles has started the long process of breaking the seeming endless bowl drought that has plagued the Bears. Last year looked to be there year before talented QB Robert Griffin III went down with a season ending injury. If he comes back and performs at the level he's capable of, I look for Baylor to jump up a spot, and win 6 games to break that bowl drought.
Title Game
Oklahoma over Nebraska
I think Oklahoma can match the Huskers on defense but are better on offense. Enough said. Oh, and I want to at least send the Huskers to the big 10 with a loss, even if it comes at the hands of a team I hardly like anymore then the nubs, OU.
So there they are. My analysis got less and less in depth as I went, I know, but I'm tired and this is my first post. Most of the picks are gut feelings anyway. I don't claim to be a football expert or some great prognosticator of any sort, but I just wanted to put it out there, so that way if it goes down like this, I will have proof that I predicted it.
