Before I write this article, let me just say that like Lil’ Wayne, I am “Sorry 4 the Wait.” I’ve had nearly 20 job interviews in the last week and in the coming week, so I had to, you know, not be a homeless guy and actually start taking a career seriously.

The season is about to kickoff, and everybody is starting to get amped. Hopefully my writing can be a little pre-game for the proverbial trip to Sixth Street that is Big 12 football. So let’s start off with a little recap of the 2018 season by listing what were in my opinion the best games of last year.

5. TEXAS VS. GEORGIA (SUGAR BOWL)

You know I had to sneak this game in here somehow because despite my best efforts, it’s very difficult to be objective. I just love my ‘Horns. It might not have been the most competitive game, but it was noteworthy enough to include in this piece. It may or may not be related to the fact that I put down $100 and made $350 back.

Texas had its best season in 10 years in 2018, capped off with a 28-21 win over the Georgia Bulldogs in New Orleans. A game that seemed like a blowout in the beginning ended up being a closer game towards the end than many had anticipated.

Texas jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first and second quarters, dominating the field on both sides of the ball. Sam Ehlinger had the two touchdowns for Texas, both of which he scored on the ground, “a la Tim Tebow,” as Sean McDonough exclaimed during gameplay. I’m sure the Georgia fans were thrilled to hear Tebow’s name mentioned again.

“Tebow hasn’t been at Florida for 10 years, why are we still talking about him?!?” – UGA fans, probably.

The Bulldogs managed to bounce back into the game, scoring a touchdown to make it 17-7 in the second quarter. Texas answered with a field goal, and took an unexpected 20-7 halftime lead. After another Ehlinger touchdown on the ground, Texas was up 28-7 in the fourth. And that’s when the comeback started.

The score was a 28-21 final because the Longhorns had miserable fourth quarters all season long in 2018, and this contest was no different. Though the ‘Dogs really did not stand a chance to win, they made the game competitive. They simply ran out of time.

This will be the biggest hurdle for Texas this year: closing out games. Though they were able to win here, that may not be the case next season.

4. WEST VIRGINIA @ TEXAS

I remember watching this game off of an iPhone at a wedding I was attending, and during the ceremony, literally peering over to my friend’s screen which was strategically located on his lap just so I could see it. That’s what fraternity brothers are for, really.

In retrospect, maybe I shouldn’t have watched the game in the first place, as no amount of booze and braised beef shoulder could make up for the pain I felt after choking away yet another conference game.

West Virginia had one of the highest-flying offenses in college football in 2018, with huge talent all across the field, including quarterback Will Grier and wide receiver David Sills. I’ve mentioned in other articles that the Mountaineers had a top-10 offense in the country and averaged more than 500 yards per game.

This game did nothing to challenge that notion. I mean, it was 28-27 at the half. These two offenses just absolutely lit it up for 60 full minutes, with a final score of WVU 42, Texas 41. A Will Grier two-point conversion on the ground sealed the game with just a few seconds left. It also sealed the fact that the wedding bartender was about to get slammed with requests so people could forget about another blown lead.

3. OKLAHOMA STATE @ OKLAHOMA

One of the more exciting rivalries in the Big 12 is the Bedlam Game between in-state rivals Oklahoma in Norman and Oklahoma State in Stillwater.

Though Oklahoma has a serious edge in the series all-time, the last 10 or so years have had some pretty talented Oklahoma State teams which have made the game a ton of fun to watch. This is partially because the two head coaches, Lincoln Riley (OU) and Mike Gundy (OSU) are offensive geniuses. And I don’t say that figuratively.

The 2018 matchup fit the narrative perfectly, if not also showing that there is not a whole lot of defense to be played in high-scoring Big 12 games like this 48-47 contest. Oklahoma came out on top, but the Cowboys nearly stole one on the road, which they haven’t done since 2014 (when they had Tyreek Hill, who along with Pooka Williams is a member of the “great football player, awful human being” club).

Though they lost, quarterback Taylor Cornelius and wide receiver Tylan Wallace, who I’ve written about extensively, both showed out. Wallace had 220 receiving yards. Much like every other game in this list, offense was the key to the game.

The game essentially ended with a minute left on a failed two-point conversion in which Cornelius under-threw a wide-open Tylan Wallace, which, had it gone through, would have been a 49-48 lead for the Cowboys with only 1:06 left in the fourth.

This year, the game moves to Stillwater, OK, and while the Cowboys will be starting a fresh quarterback, the Sooners will still have to deal with that fierce wideout Wallace.

2. OKLAHOMA @ WEST VIRGINIA

Talk about high-scoring Big 12 games. The 59-56 Oklahoma victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers will cement itself as one of the highest-scoring games in the history of the Big 12.

It felt like every other play in this game was a touchdown. Grier throwing bombs to Sills, Kyler Murray running wild after reaching the second level of the defense, outrunning corners as a quarterback. There was so much talent on the field in this matchup on the offensive side of the ball. As my dad would say, both teams were running the “PlayStation offense.” It felt like a game of NCAA 14 where the guy playing defense took an Ambien.

Neither team, until the end of the game, seemed like they were in control. Whoever bet the over was rolling in dough. It was 7-0 Mountaineers, then 7-7, then 14-7 Mountaineers, then 14-14. Nobody could exert any kind of dominance over the other team defensively; honestly, it was such an offensive clinic that it was almost embarrassing for the defensive coordinators.

Was it a lack of talent on the defensive side? I’ve written about this before, how the Big 12 as a whole doesn’t recruit well on the defensive side of the ball, yet recruits better than the rest of the country on the offensive side. There’s a reason that four out of the last five Biletnikoff winners were from the Big 12. There’s a reason the Big 12 has had two straight Heisman winners at quarterback. There is an inherent difference in talent levels between offense and defense in this conference.

Murray put up 364 yards passing and 3 touchdowns along with rushing for 114 yards and a rushing score. Grier threw for 539 yards and four touchdowns in the loss. Once the basketball game we witnessed finally ended, the Sooners clinched a berth in the Big 12 Championship game against hated rival Texas, which they won 39-27.

1. TEXAS @ OKLAHOMA

Though the Big 12 Championship game rendered this game meaningless, with Oklahoma winning the conference at the game in Dallas, the most exciting matchup of 2018 in the Big 12 was the Red River Shootout in Dallas, TX between Texas and Oklahoma.

This was another back-and-forth contest. Texas clung to a 24-17 lead going into the half, but then had a dominant third quarter, expanding the lead to 45-21. Oklahoma had a dominant fourth quarter, storming back to tie the game at 45 with just a couple of minutes left.

Then came the biggest moment of Texas freshman kicker Cameron Dicker’s sporting life: a 40-yard attempt to beat Texas’ hated rival.

How did he do? You can watch below.

Not sure what you call that, but I’ll call it “clutch.” 40 yards is not an extra point. Especially for a true freshman kicker. But the kid nailed it.

This is one of the best games in a series full of great ones. Texas/OU is a rivalry that will live on as long as college football is a sport. And while my allegiance is firmly connected to the 40 Acres in Austin, even I can admit the amount of respect I have for the Oklahoma football program.

Thank GOD Oklahoma doesn’t have Kyler Murray anymore.

Or Baker Mayfield. ________________________________________________________________

keenanwomack@gmail.com

Biletnikoff is a hard word to spell. Luckily, since I barely graduated from college, I can spell hard words. Sometimes.

The Fred Biletnikoff Award is given to the best receiver in the country every year, and in the preseason, they release the top 50 candidates, seven of which are Big 12 talents this year.

Oklahoma leads the pack with two players on the watchlist this season with Ceedee Lamb and tight end Grant Calcaterra. The rest of the candidates are Colin Johnson (Texas), McLane Mannix (Texas Tech), Denzel Mims (Baylor), Jalen Reagor (TCU), and Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State).

I’ve discussed a few of these players already, and given some context as to what might make or break each receiver’s chances this year. A lot of wide receiver play depends on who is throwing the ball , but honestly, each player that’s up for this award has at least a decent quarterback on his roster.

CEEDEE LAMB, OKLAHOMA

I’ve already written about CeeDee Lamb a few times, and for those articles check out my all-Big 12 Offense and all-Big 12 awards. Lamb was the second-best receiver on one of the best offenses in the history of the conference last year. And while he doesn’t have Kyler Murray to get him the ball, the way Oklahoma plays, they will keep on scoring no matter what.

Lamb went for 1,200 yards and 11 scores in 2018, and despite all of the losses on offense, looks poised to improve on that mark. Behind Jerry Jeudy from Alabama, Tee Higgins from Clemson, and Tylan Wallace from Oklahoma State, Lamb might be the best receiver in the country.

With Alabama transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts under center, OU’s offense looks like it may take a step back from the Kyler Murray/Baker Mayfield days, but not enough to where it will hinder the Sooners overall on the season. This is why I think CeeDee Lamb will have a dominant season and has a legit shot at the Biletnikoff.

GRANT CALCATERRA (TIGHT END), OKLAHOMA

I’ve written before about Calcaterra and the way he plays tight end. He’s basically just another wide receiver in an OU offense that throws the ball a lot.

Last season, Calcaterra only had 400 receiving yards and six touchdowns, but he was also sharing the field with a ton of talent, so he was not the priority in his first two years in Norman. But most projections have him as the top talent at tight end in the conference coming into 2019.

The problem standing in the way of Calcaterra’s winning the Biletnikoff is the fact that CeeDee Lamb is on the same offense. Lamb is going to get the lion’s share of opportunities. Calcaterra will likely get some chances in the red zone because of his 6’4″ frame, so there’s a chance he leads the team in receiving touchdowns.

But in yards and receptions? Lamb will be the one to stop.

McLANE MANNIX, TEXAS TECH

Mannix played for the Nevada Wolfpack for his freshman and sophomore seasons, and put up numbers in Jay Norvell’s air-raid offense. In his first two season combined, he had 1,581 receiving yards and 12 scores, both of which put him in the top-20 all-time for Nevada despite his short tenure there. His average per catch, 15.7 yards, ranks him third all-time in the Wolfpack program.

Luckily for Mannix, new Tech coach Matt Wells runs a high-powered passing offense that both the receiver and Red Raider fans are used to. These offenses that Wells has run are blistering in speed, averaging 72 snaps per game. Plus, with the very solid Alan Bowman at quarterback, Mannix is going to get a lot of opportunity out of his position at slot receiver.

Mannix is fast. He runs a 4.49 40-yard dash, and though he is only 5’9″, he has a nose for the ball and is quick and athletic enough to get open, especially against linebackers, defenders that are often put on him in coverage. He should be a tough player to stop in the upcoming season, especially in the offense that he was groomed to play in.

COLLIN JOHNSON, TEXAS

Collin Johnson is a 6’6″ wide receiver who was Texas’ second-best receiver in 2018 behind Lil’Jordan Humphrey. A great end-zone threat, Johnson is going to have lots of opportunities to score points this season with Sam Ehlinger getting him the ball.

Last season he racked up just shy of 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns while splitting pass opportunities with the aforementioned Humphrey. This year, he will be the focal point of the offense, which means that he’ll get more attempts, but face tougher opposing defensive backs. It’s up to him to make those plays happen against this improved competition.

JALEN REAGOR, TCU

Jalen Reagor might be the best receiver in the Big 12; the issue with him is not his abilities, but the abilities of the team around him. TCU hasn’t declared a starting quarterback for the 2019 season yet, as it comes down to Justin Rogers, a redshirt freshman coming off of an injury, or Alex Delton, a grad transfer from Kansas State. It could also be true freshman Max Duggan, a four-star, dual-threat out of Iowa.

Luckily for whoever gets the starting job, Reagor is a playmaker. Last season, where he had three different quarterbacks throwing him the ball, he still managed to put up 1,061 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, leading the Horned Frogs in both statistical categories.

Reagor is a top-10 receiver in the country. In a receiver-stacked Big 12, Reagor stands out as one of the elite players, and will be a playmaker no matter who is under center for TCU. If they get high-level quarterback play, Reagor absolutely stands a chance at the Biletnikoff.

DENZEL MIMS, BAYLOR

The Big 12 is full of great receivers and great quarterbacks, and Mims is not only an explosive talent, but Baylor has Charlie Brewer as signal-caller, meaning he will have every opportunity to shine this season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy9wptWgTy0

Coming off of a season where he had 800 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, Mims seems ready to take over as a senior leader on the Baylor Bears football team. He had a more successful season as a sophomore where he tallied nearly 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, and if he can return to that form, could be a lethal weapon on an already talented Bears offense.

Standing tall at 6’3″, Mims has good height, and along with his stature runs a 4.52 40 time. His physical tools along with the departure of fellow wideout Jalen Hurd should mean he will get lots of chances to show off his abilities this season.

TYLAN WALLACE, OKLAHOMA STATE

Wallace was the best receiver in the Big 12 last season along with Marquise Brown, as he amassed nearly 1,500 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on the year.

He was dominant, and had big games against Oklahoma State’s biggest opponents last year, including 220 yards and two touchdowns against then sixth-ranked Oklahoma and 222 yards and two touchdowns in an upset against then sixth-ranked Texas. He averaged an impressive 17.3 yards per reception in 2018, showing that not only is he a possession receiver , but also an explosive player that can score form anywhere on the field.

Similar to Jalen Reagor’s situation, we don’t exactly know who will be the Oklahoma State starting quarterback, although I’m pretty certain it will be four-star Spencer Sanders, who I actually predicted to win my Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year award. If Sanders is as good as advertised, Wallace may be the best receiver in the Big 12 two years running.

OVERALL

Though there are seven nominees for the Biletnikoff in the Big 12 this season, the only three that I believe stand a legitimate shot of taking it home are CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Reagor and Tylan Wallace.

It’s going to be difficult to outplay either 2018’s Biletnikoff winner, Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy; or Clemon’s Tee Higgins, especially considering both of them have Tua Tagovailoa or Trevor “Sunshine” Lawrence throwing to them, respectively.

But, dependent on quarterback play, we may have another Big 12 Biletnikoff Award winner in 2019, which would make it four out of the last five years that the Big 12 has the best receiver in the nation.

There was crazy turnover this season as far as head coaching changes went.

Texas Tech fired Kliff Kingsbury, Kansas State’s Bill Snyder retired (again), Dana Holgorsen left West Virginia to take the head coaching job at University of Houston, and Kansas hired Les Miles and fired Dave Beaty, who was the holder of a six-win, 42-loss record including going two out of 36 against Big 12 opponents.

This is such a wild conference as far as offenses go that it will be fascinating to see how these new coaches adjust to the constant feeling of being under fire.

KANSAS

Former coach: David Beaty

New coach: Les Miles

Wow was this a weird, weird hire. Les Miles is one of the most eclectic people in all of sports, and while he had success at both Oklahoma State and at LSU, his chances of actually turning a truly poor tradition into a winning company does not seem likely. At all.

His return to the Big 12 is going to be a long and painful one. For one thing, he doesn’t run the flashy, pass-first offenses that other Big 12 teams run. It was even a complaint that he was too conservative with the offense he ran, specifically during his tenure at LSU, where bad quarterback play plagued them for multiple seasons.

What’s good news for Les Miles is that KU has one of the best players they’ve had in years, and he plays running back, the key to the Les Miles offense. Pooka Williams might not be a good person, but he’s a great tailback. And that’s all that matters to Les Miles, evident in that Miles only suspended Williams Jr. for one game despite his arrest for alleged domestic violence.

I’ve written before about the state of the Kansas football program, and the truth is that they just cannot compete in the Big 12 with the talent that they have. They are seriously lacking in this area and have been since basically 2007.

Since that Orange Bowl victory, Kansas’ overall record is 31-102. Conference opponents routinely rout the Jayhawks, and though they have stolen games from TCU and Texas in the last three years, the culture at KU is still that of a losing one. It’s going to take more than Les Miles to fix what’s going on in Lawrence, KS.

KANSAS STATE

Former coach: Bill Snyder

New coach: Chris Klieman

Chris Klieman’s teams were nothing short of dominant during his reign at North Dakota State University, where he managed to win four national championships in five seasons with a record of 69-6 overall.

Though it was FCS and not FBS, the second-level division in college football is highly competitive. Being as successful as he was there is a good sign that he can bring that level of prosperity to his new team, the Kansas State Wildcats.

What K-State does lose is a legend in Bill Snyder, whose tenure at Kansas State is more than hall-of-fame worthy. He went 215-117-1 after coaching from 1989-2005, retiring, then coming out of retirement a la Brett Favre, and coaching again from 2009-2018.

Snyder brought more success to Kansas State then they ever could have imagined, turning them from a doormat sort of program into one that competed for and won Big 12 Championships.

Klieman seems like the best possible hire for Kansas State, as the tough midwestern attitude NDSU had will translate perfectly to the Wildcats team and staff.

A concern is whether or not Klieman’s run-first approach will work in the pass-happy conference. But since Klieman took over at NDSU, the Bison averaged 252 yards per game on the ground. Can they play highly physical, run-based football in the Big 12? I guess we will have to see. But the coach’s pedigree is undeniable.

A true home-run for KSU, expect them to, over the next few years, become more of a contender in the Big 12. Their recruiting will probably stay around the same, but Klieman is the type of guy who can keep the Wildcats in the conversation.

TEXAS TECH

Former coach: Kliff Kingsbury

New coach: Matt Wells

Kliff Kingsbury was a great offensive mind, but not a great head coach at Texas Tech, and though he looks like Ryan Gosling, I still don’t think he will succeed as the new HC of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, even with Kyler Murray under center.

I do however like what new hire Matt Wells brings to the table for the Red Raiders. Former Utah State University quarterback, then offensive coordinator, and finally head coach, Wells won two coach-of-the-year awards during his stint in the Mountain West, winning it in 2013 and again in 2018.

He was the OC during the 2012 season, where the Aggies went 11-2, finishing the season ranked at 16 in the AP Poll, and was the HC during the 2018 season in which they also went 11-2 and finished top 25 as well. They also finished third in scoring offense in 2018 behind the arm of Jordan Love, who threw for 3,567 yards, 32 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I53df92QSwY

Considering Tech already has a solid quarterback in Alan Bowman, whatever offense Wells decides to run in Lubbock will be all about quarterback play. If they want to win now, they should probably stick to the offense that Kingsbury was running or some close amalgamation of it considering the entire roster is full of players recruited to run the air raid.

Is it the sexiest name? No, but considering how good the Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt has been with such success in both men’s basketball and baseball, this hire will most likely work out well for the Red Raiders.

WEST VIRGINIA

Former coach: Dana Holgorsen

New coach: Neal Brown

Neal Brown from Troy was one of the hottest names in the coaching search this year, and though he had ties to Texas Tech and its vacancy at HC, he finally wound up with the West Virginia Mountaineers.

The Mountaineers are coming off of a season where they squandered some of the best players they’ve ever had in Will Grier at quarterback and David Sills at wideout. A frustrating season was one of the reasons HC Dana Holgorsen jumped ship and headed to the University of Houston.

Neal Brown was the OC at Texas Tech from 2010-2012, so we can deduce from that the style of offense he likes to run: air raid, perfect for the Big 12 (not that Holgorsen wasn’t also using a pass-first offense).

West Virginia is undergoing a quarterback battle between Oklahoma transfer Austin Kendall and Miami FL transfer Jack Allison; whichever player wins better get ready to be throwing the ball 30+ times a game.

If Neal Brown can get good play out of his quarterback, there is no reason that the level of success Holgorsen offered West Virginia’s football team cannot be replicated by the former Troy HC.

Overall, I believe that Neal Brown will be a successful coach in the Big 12 because he’s already ran an offense in this conference. The three-straight 10-win seasons at Troy are no fluke–Brown knows what he is doing. Though this first year will be a down one, the hopes for the future should be high in Morgantown.

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OTHER ARTICLES

All-Big 12 Offense

All-Big 12 Defense

All-Big 12 Preseason Awards

Five Important Big 12 Games in 2019

Big 12 Football Preview

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Sam Ehlinger, Quarterback, Texas

As hard as I try to write without bias, I can’t help but admit my admiration for Sam Ehlinger. He is down for his boys (NSFW-Language), and rides for Texas no matter what.

Just like Texas is back, Slangin’ Sam is back for his junior year after putting on a truly stellar performance in 2018. If you’ve read my other work you’d probably know his stats at this point: 41 total touchdowns and only five interceptions.

His 16 rushing touchdowns led the conference for all players, not just quarterbacks. Not only is he the starting quarterback on my all-conference offense, he would also be my starter on the all-Spring-Break team; you know my man loves White Claws.

He was pretty spectacular throwing the ball as well last year, completing 65% of his passes for just shy of 3,300 yards, which was good for fourth in the conference, only trailing Will Grier (West Virginia), Taylor Cornelius (Oklahoma State), and Kyler Murray (Oklahoma). Again, his limiting of turnovers was a massive reason why Texas won 10 games last season.

To be honest, if it weren’t for the quarterback situation at TCU, wide receiver Jalen Reagor would have gotten my vote. That being said, I think it will be a tight race between multiple candidates at the end of 2019. And considering how often this award goes to the quarterback, I think my pick of Sam Ehlinger as OPOTY is a safe one.

Runners up:

Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

Ceedee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Caden Sterns, Safety, Texas

Two ‘Horns winning best player on offense and best player on defense? I really did not want to do this and risk looking like a homer. But that’s just how good Caden Sterns was last season. He was a freshman all-American and a consensus all-Big 12 selection in the 2019 preseason.

He’s great in coverage and he can lay the wood against running backs, not just wide receivers. He also had a huge special-teams touchdown against Southern Cal off of a kick he blocked himself. Along with all-Big 12 second team safety Brandon Jones, Texas most likely has the best safety duo in the nation.

I’m enjoying him while I can because the second he has the opportunity, he will go pro. And probably be a top-10 pick, breaking the Texas NFL Draft drought.

Runners up:

James Lynch, defensive tackle, Baylor

Kenneth Murray, linebacker, Oklahoma

Ray Lima, defensive tackle, Iowa State

OFFENSIVE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Spencer Sanders, quarterback, Oklahoma State

Jordan Whittington was going to be my pick actually, but I didn’t want to necessarily give everyone Longhorn fatigue. I do really believe in Spencer Sanders as the new starting quarterback for Oklahoma State, and guys in Gundy’s offense tend to put up big boy numbers.

Look at Taylor Cornelius last year. He threw for just shy of 4,000 yards in the air raid offense that Oklahoma State runs. Their quarterbacks put numbers on the board. And with wide receiver Tylan Wallace returning after a season in which he lead the Big 12 in receiving yards, Sanders is going to have an explosive weapon at wideout.

Runners up:

Justin Rodgers, quarterback, TCU

Jordan Whittington, running back, Texas

Jadon Haselwood, wide receiver, Oklahoma

DEFENSIVE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Dreshun Miller, cornerback, West Virginia

I’m not totally sure on this pick, as I spent a couple of hours researching recruits and what years they are playing, but Miller stood out to me. As the highest rated defensive JUCO player joining the Big 12, Miller will start immediately.

The issue with this pick is the amount of talented wide receivers left in the Big 12. With Ceedee Lamb, Tylan Wallace, Jalen Reagor, Colin Johnson all returning, Miller is going to face the best competition as he will be cornerback one most likely.

That can be a good thing or a bad thing. It’s definitely a trial by fire, but if Miller can come out of it with a few interceptions, or at least a few pass defenses, he has a shot at defensive newcomer of the year.

OFFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Jadon Haselwood, wide receiver, Oklahoma

Jadon Haselwood was a consensus five-star prospect and the best player in Oklahoma’s 2019 recruiting class. He’s just another weapon in this Oklahoma receiving corps alongside Ceedee Lamb and Grant Calcaterra.

Because there are so many options, Haselwood might get a lot more opportunities on weaker defensive backs, since most of opponents’ game plans will be to stop Lamb.

Georgia’s 2018 high school player of the year, Haselwood had a dominant career in high school, where he won the state championship for Cedar Grove (GA) on a last-second touchdown grab. There’s a reason he’s ranked as a top-five recruit regardless of position.

In this offense, Haselwood will be used perfectly. He’s a physical player that, while he doesn’t have blazing speed (4.57-second 40 time), has great hands and is able to get up for jump balls in the end zone.

In addition to his 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns, Haselwood played defense in high school as well at safety and was great there too. He’ll be sticking to the offensive side of the ball for the Sooners, but it’s nice to know he has the football IQ picked up from playing both sides.

DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Had he not been ruled out for 2019 with a spinal stenosis, I might have gone with Texas’ inside linebacker De’Gabriel Floyd, who is the highest rated defensive player going to a Big 12 school this fall.

Another option that might have worked would have been Texas safety commit Tyler Owens, but with the situation in the Texas defensive backfield, Owens will likely get very little time this season and may even redshirt.

On the whole this year, the Big 12 failed to bring in elite defensive talent. They brought in plenty of talent on the offense, especially at wideout. But this is where the criticism from other schools comes from: the Big 12 doesn’t play any defense (tell that to Iowa State or TCU).

So my best guess for Big 12 defensive freshman of the year? I couldn’t tell you honestly. It could be Jeremiah Criddell, an Oklahoma commit, but then, the Sooners bring back 10 of 11 defensive players, so he may not see much of the field anyway.

If you think of some one, be sure to let me know so I don’t look like a complete moron.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Cameron Dicker, placekicker, Texas

Don’t get mad at me, Texas has a bunch of individual talents on their roster. I’m just calling it how I see it. I’m not even picking Texas to win the Big 12 so miss me with that “you’re a homer” BS.

Ok I’m sort of a homer. But Dicker proved he was a lights-out kicker last year when he drilled the last-second field goal against Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout. He has ice in his veins.

In 2019, he went 10 for 12 on kicks under 40 yards. Once you get him within that range, he’s automatic. He’s the best kicker in the conference right now, and therefore he will win this award if he improves this season.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR

Lucas Niang, tackle, TCU

Niang is a 6’7″, 330-lbs. monster at tackle for TCU. He’s going to be massively important for a team that is right on the cusp of competing for a Big 12 title this year.

He’ll need to provide protection for redshirt freshman Justin Rogers, as a freshman quarterback needs a lot more time to make decisions; their pocket presence is still in high-school mode, which won’t fly in the quarterback-run Big 12.

TCU’s offensive game plan is going to go something like this: ask Niang to protect Rogers so that Rogers can get the ball to Jalen Reagor. If TCU’s line can back up Niang’s performance, you’ll be looking at a solid offense, one that can compete in this conference.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR

James Lynch, defensive tackle, Baylor

I’ve written about James Lynch already, and all you need to know is that this man is a powerhouse of a human being. While his numbers may take a hit because everyone in the conference knows about his talents, he will still be a huge problem by forcing double teams or collapsing the pocket.

One of two all-Big 12 players from Baylor this season, Lynch and linebacker Clay Johnston will have to dominate for Baylor to turn their defense around, as it finished worse than 80th in the country in 2019. But honestly if there’s a guy to do it, it would be James Lynch.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Matt Campbell, Iowa State

This is a tough call but I think if my conference projections are accurate, in which I have Iowa State finishing second, then Campbell will take home COTY in the Big 12. He’s completely shifted the culture at Iowa State from a program who used to routinely get played off the field to a completely winning attitude.

Campbell now has Iowa State as a favorite to finish top-3 in the Big 12; I have them exceeding those expectations and finishing second to Oklahoma. If he is able to do what I’ve predicted he will, Campbell will be taking home the COTY trophy.

keenanwomack@gmail.com

For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, here are the two articles.

Luke Winkie: Reasons Why Austin is the Worst Place EVER

http://www.vice.com/read/reasons-why-austin-is-the-worst-place-ever-512

Evan Berkowitz: Why 5-Star Miles Turner Shouldn’t Commit to Texas

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/sports/2014/04/23/why-five-star-recruit-myles-turner-should-not-choose-texas

I’d like to start off by saying that it’s nearly pointless to criticize these articles considering the fact that the respective publishers of these articles have very little respect in the journalism community.

Vice, a condescending circle-jerk of contrarians that get off on being edgy, and the dumpster fire that is The Daily Texan, whose student writers focus on the important issues like antagonizing fraternities and sororities that they’re not members of or dissuading promising athletes from trying to come to our school, don’t exactly demand the respect of CNN, or really even the University of Texas student body.

These articles probably don’t even need to be addressed, but since my Vyvanse hasn’t worn off yet, and since I haven’t accomplished a single task that I set out to do today, I might as well do something of value and valiantly defend this school and city.

Now, I can’t say that I’m the greatest representative for our university; I’m not in the McCombs School of Business, my GPA starts with the number 2, and I’ve been on a Kentucky-Deluxe-fueled study break now that’s lasted me about 6 semesters. My apartment smells like Mogadishu, I spent all of my BevoBucks on beer, and my parents have tapped the breaks on their hopes for my once-brilliant future.

But what I can proudly claim, until I’m thrown out of here for failing a freshman elective, is that I am not a traitor. I’m not a whore who would sell out his own university or city of residence for fame, especially one as amazing as ours.

It’s clearly click bait writing–being inflammatory for the sake of being inflammatory, and despite my tenuous grasp on the human language, I do understand that a pissed-off response from a concerned reader like myself is ironically exactly what their intended reaction was, but I just couldn’t sit still on these. The whiny way that Luke writes makes him tantamount to the guy in The Da Vinci Code who whips himself on the back for penance, and the way Evan talks about Texas basketball games, you’d think he never went drunk (do people go to Texas athletic events sober?)

Luke delves deep into the issues of Austin, making bold claims like “Austin is a place where bad people live,” citing the horrific realities of considering paying $11 for a sandwich “a societal good.” Oh my god, what is this, Syria? Or god forbid I enjoy one of Austin’s quirks like whiskey-infused bacon, what a brick in the wall of society I am! I’m really contributing to the cause of Austin’s self-implosion “under the density of its own facetiousness” (ACTUAL QUOTE).

We get it you diva, you’re familiar with SAT vocabulary. What I can’t seem to grasp is why you are so convinced that our enjoyment of these things is illegitimate: “You don’t actually care about whiskey-infused bacon, you’re pretending to because that’s what keeps the whole city from feeling like a big lie.”

What the hell are you talking about? Are you reading a prophecy? This isn’t The Matrix, there’s not a hidden universe of truth despite the fact you think you’ve found one. People enjoy the weirdness of this place regardless of whether you think that weirdness is legitimate or not.

Evan on the other hand simply writes a mediocre sports article, listing reasons in a Buzzfeed-esque way about how football is a bigger sport here and that Kansas is a better basketball school. Real groundbreaking journalism there William Randolph Hearst, must’ve taken a lot of time to research that. Good to see the Texan employs such dedicated writers.

We’re in the South, of course football’s bigger here. But that doesn’t mean that basketball has no fan base–having a player like Myles Turner, on the back of a team that majorly overachieved last year, is going to draw some sellout crowds. Do you see the ridiculousness of telling him he shouldn’t come here because the fan base isn’t good? By his coming here, the fan base improves, and after last year’s unexpected middle-season surge, Texas basketball has people excited.

My overarching point to you turncoats is if you don’t like it here, there are plenty of people who would jump at the chance to come to this mecca of hot women, sports and drinking. I’ve bled orange since I was a child, and I cried big ol’ bitch tears when I got in I was so happy (mainly shocked, I wasn’t exactly the valedictorian of my high school, either). So if whiskey-infused bacon really boils your blood that much, or if you’d rather hang out at a KU game than at one of ours, good riddance. That’s just one or two more slices of 3-in-the-morning Big Bite pizza for me.

(Very) Sincerely,

Keenan Parker Womack, Class of ’16 (but probably ’17)

keenanwomack@utexas.edu

For the all conference offense, click here.

Although defense is not exactly what the Big 12 is known for, there are a ton of stand-out players in the conference that play on this side of the ball.

Since the conference’s offenses are going to take a step back this year, the overall statistics for Big 12 defenses are going to improve dramatically, which will make the conference look better by comparison to the old numbers.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

James Lynch, junior, Baylor

James Lynch is an absolute force at defensive tackle. One of the best players in the conference regardless of the side of the ball, Lynch is a playmaker in every possible way.

Voted all-conference at the end of last season as a true sophomore, Lynch is the key to making Baylor’s defense better than it was last year, as it finished 85th in the country in yards given up per game at 425.

It’s likely that he will see a lot of double teams this season since he one of two great players on this Baylor defense.

He’s fast for a defensive tackle, partially because he is a bit smaller in stature than some of his counterparts (weighs in at 295 at a height of 6’4″).

His pursuit of WVU’s quarterback Will Grier in the video above shows that he’s good with angles and doesn’t overshoot and miss easy tackles in the backfield. He’s a very strong athlete with good footwork and is good at leveraging offensive linemen and getting past them.

Ray Lima, redshirt junior, Iowa State

Lima was either first or second-team all-Big-12 according to every sports media outlet after last season, and it’s obvious why. He’s the second-best defensive tackle in the conference behind James Lynch, and had a great 2018 campaign in which he recorded 34 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss.

He might be the best run-stopping defensive tackle in the conference, as he’s very athletic and as The Draft Network said, “can bend and play underneath the offensive lineman’s pads.” His game is based on his ability to stop the run by creating collapses on the line and clogging up holes so opponents can’t get needed inside yards.

Lima is just one of several star players on an Iowa State defense that returns eight starters, many of which are on this list. It’s going to be tough to score against Iowa State this season; it will be especially hard to do so on the ground thanks to Lima’s abilities.

DEFENSIVE ENDS

Reggie Walker, senior, Kansas State

Not to be confused with the other Kansas State Reggie Walker who also played football, this Reggie Walker is a great pass rusher, recording seven and a half sacks and four forced fumbles from his position as a weakside defensive end.

Most likely the best player on Kansas State’s roster this season, Walker is going to really have to get after it if he wants he and his Wildcats to have a successful 2019. The ‘Cats defense last year was pretty poor, finishing at 71st in FBS in yards given up per game with just over 400. But with his pass-rushing abilities, and the fact that many Big 12 offenses are going to regress, I predict that Walker will take over for Kansas State this season.

Ja’Quan Bailey, senior, Iowa State

Bailey is a great player on his own, but when you add in the fact that he’s going to be lining up next to Ray Lima, the front four of the Iowa State Cyclones starts to look all the more terrifying.

The 6’2″, 250-lbs. defensive end recorded 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks, both of which lead the team. And it’s impressive to lead this Iowa State defense in any statistical category because there is so much talent on the defensive side of the ball in Ames.

Bailey is the type of player to get some NFL hype, as he has the perfect frame for it, especially for his position. Though he’s on the lighter side, he’s a very powerful athlete and is able to get by defenders brandishing physicality as opposed to relying on finesse.

LINEBACKERS

Clay Johnston, senior, Baylor

Johnston is the second best player on the Baylor defense behind James Lynch, but Johnston’s role at linebacker may actually be more important considering how often it is that linebackers in the Big 12 drop back and play coverage. Johnston is fast, and has instincts when he ball is in the air.

Finishing all-Big-12 second team last season, Johnston is a productive player with a reputation for his hard-hitting style. His 99 tackles ranked fifth in the Big 12 last season, yet his average tackles per game placed him third in the conference.

Marcel Spears Jr., senior, Iowa State

Add another Cyclone to this mix, and realize how apparent it is becoming that Iowa State is going to have a dominant defense this season. Spears Jr., though he took a bit of a step back in 2018 from a dominant 2017, has 176 tackles over his last two seasons, as well as four interceptions, which is always a nice bonus from a non-defensive back.

Last season he had eight tackles for loss, 2.5 of which were sacks. If he can get those numbers up, and have near 100 tackles again as he did in 2017, Spears will be first-team all-conference. Put him next to freshman standout Mike Rose, and you have one of the best linebacker duos in the Big 12.

Kenneth Murray, senior, Oklahoma

Murray had an astonishing 155 tackles in 2018, leading the Big 12 in that category and being 13 tackles above the next-best player. He was named all-Big-12 second team last year and is looking to finish on the first team this year.

Above is a video of Murray’s 28-tackle game against Army. He’s an absolute hawk to the ball at his inside position and is maybe the best run-stopping linebacker in the Big 12 this season. He will likely be a finalist for the All-American team at the end of 2019.

CORNERS

AJ Green, senior, Oklahoma State

Not to be confused with former Georgia wideout AJ Green, who plays for the Bengals, this AJ Green is a defensive back for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and is all-conference second-team based off of last year’s performance.

He’s a smart kid for what it’s worth, being all-academic Big 12 as well. As your middle-school football coach would say, “the brain is the most important muscle in sports.” I remember having to run laps because I yelled out that “the tongue” is the most important muscle in sports. God I hated youth football.

Green has started every single game since his sophomore season, and has been put to the test every week with the amount of pro-talent at wide receiver that teams in the Big 12 have. Last year alone he went up against Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Marquise Brown, David Sills, Hakeem Butler, Antoine Wesley and Jalen Reagor. He held his own against all of these players.

Adrian Frye, sophomore, Texas Tech

Frye was impressive as a true freshman last year, and was named to the freshman all-America team in 2018. He led the league in total passes defended at 18, and had the most interceptions for a freshman, with five, since all-conference safety Tracy Saul in 1989.

His 1.5 passes defended per game was seventh in the NCAA last year, and he was pretty much the best defensive freshman behind Iowa State’s Mike Rose and Texas safety Caden Sterns in the Big 12. He was one of the few bright spots on a defense that finished 108th in the country in yards given up per game. Hopefully for the Red Raiders’ sake, his play elevates the rest of the defense to be better.

SAFETIES

Caden Sterns, sophomore, Texas

Caden Sterns was an unbelievable talent last season, recording 62 total tackles with four interceptions and a blocked field goal.

He played big in big games last year for the ‘Horns, specifically against USC, with the momentum-turning blocked kick which he returned for a touchdown. He also had big play after big play against Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout (that’s what the game is called anyway, plus I can’t say “Red River Rivalry” properly without sounding like I’ve done nine shots).

Sterns dominated in his first year in Austin, and was named a freshman-all-American. He was a unanimous first-team-All-Big 12, which is quite an achievement as the safety class in the Big 12 is pretty strong with players like Greg Eisworth and teammate Brandon Jones.

Sterns might legitimately be the best safety in the country this year–hell, he was probably top 10 last year. Look for him to win some awards, and after next year, expect him to go pro, because he will be a top-10 pick.

Greg Eisworth, senior, Iowa State

Another Cyclone on this list, Greg Eisworth is a hard-hitting safety that had 87 tackles in 2018, four of which were for loss. He’s the best run-stopping safety in the conference this year save Caden Sterns.

The 2018 defensive newcomer of the year in the Big 12, Eisworth was a leader on a defense full of talented players. He returns this year as a senior to a defense that will almost definitely be the best in conference. If he can play up to speed with the rest of the Cyclone defense, they will have legitimate shot to take the conference from powers Oklahoma and Texas.

email me keenanwomack@utexas.edu

For the all-conference defensive team, click here.

Before you read this, know that almost every single highlight video I’ve posted has aggressive trap music running over it the entire time.

While I personally love to listen to Future and 21 Savage (usually have it blasting loudly so that if anyone tries to break into my room, they’ll think twice), it may not make your boss super happy to hear the multiple n-words and disrespect for women. We don’t want a trip to HR do we?

So either watch it at home or have it on mute at the office. Or don’t and get fired, and flip the bird to your boss, destroying any semblance of a positive relationship you’d had with anybody in the workplace.

Either way, the’s my projected all-Big-12 team for the upcoming 2019 season.

QUARTERBACK

Sam Ehlinger, junior, Texas.

Last season, Sam Ehlinger put on one of the best performances for a quarterback in the history of Texas football. He put the team on his back (NSFW-language). After accounting for 41 touchdowns and throwing just five interceptions, there’s no doubt that he’s the best player under center in the conference.

What will determine how successful he is however is his offensive line play. Since running the ball is such a huge part of Ehlinger’s game, a la Tim Tebow, run blocking is going to be everything for the Longhorns this season, especially after losing star receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey.

Hopefully for his sake, players like tail back Keontaye Ingram have big seasons as well to open up the passing game so Texas can get the ball from Ehlinger to Colin Johnson, a talented wideout who forwent the NFL Draft to return for his senior season–huge news for Longhorn Nation. Having the experience he has (and his 6’6″ frame) will benefit his quarterback greatly, and I think that the Texas gunslinger will replicate the season he had last year. Depending on where Texas lands in the Big 12 standings, Ehlinger may even get some Heisman votes.

RUNNING BACK

Kennedy Brooks, redshirt sophomore, Oklahoma.

Brooks averaged an impressive 8.9 yards per carry in 2018, and was a key component to the record-setting offense that Oklahoma had last year. He rushed for 1,056 yards despite splitting carries with Trey Sermon, who ran for just under 1,000. Since Kyler Murray and Marquise Brown are gone, it’ll be up to Brooks to help out Jalen Hurts and keep the offense humming along.

One foreseeable issue is that OU is going to start nearly a completely different offensive line, losing four out of five players from last year’s College Football Playoff team. The thing about Oklahoma, however, is that they don’t rebuild, they reload. The offense won’t be quite as potent as it was last year, but the Sooners will have no trouble scoring points on the ground with Brooks in the backfield.

Pooka Williams Jr., sophomore, Kansas.

The most important part of the Kansas offense last season as a true freshman, Pooka Williams Jr. rushed for over 1,000 yards in his true freshman season, a feat that has never been accomplished at KU. He finished third in the Big 12 in total rushing yards, behind Iowa-State-Cyclone-turned-Chicago-Bear David Montgomery and Kansas State’s Alex Barnes.

The problem with Pooka is that there is no guarantee that we will even get to see him this season. He was arrested in January on a domestic violence charge, and his future with the team remains uncertain.

“It’s an ongoing process and it’s not one that we’re going to mess with in any way,” said Les Miles about the situation. EDIT: Pooka Williams was cleared to play with a single-game suspension.

Before I get harassed and canceled on Twitter for honoring this guy, let me disclaim that this list is strictly for a player’s on-field performance. If I was doing the all good-guy team, Pooka wouldn’t be near it. But on the field? Kid is a wrecking ball.

WIDE RECEIVER

Ceedee Lamb, junior, Oklahoma.

Lamb last year was part of what was maybe the best receiving core in the country, alongside Heisman-winner Kyler Murray as quarterback as well as wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. Lamb was his own special player despite the fact that he was lining up on the opposite side of one of the best receivers the Big 12 has ever seen. He had nearly 1,200 yards receiving and scored 11 times.

This year, Lamb will be the star wideout. Dude was averaging 18 yards per reception, a lot of which was due to his downfield speed. The man just gets open. Unfortunately for Lamb, he doesn’t have a cool moniker like Hollywood Brown. So I’ll call him, “CeeDeez Nuts.”

Jalen Reagor, junior, TCU.

Last season, Reagor finished fifth in the Big 12 in receiving yards. He’s one of the most talented athletes in the conference, and his numbers as a true sophomore reflect that conjecture. He averaged 14.7 yards per catch and crossed the goal line nine times. He even rushed for 170 yards on the season, averaging 13 yards per carry and scoring twice.

What separates Reagor from the rest of the pack? Speed, speed, speed. Kid was a track and field star in high school as a Waxahachie Indian (don’t get mad at me, I didn’t name the team), as well as winning gold in the state championships for the long jump. Despite having three different quarterbacks in 2018, he still managed to have the season he did.

Despite this, a lot of TCU’s success on offense will come down to redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Rodgers (if Rodgers starts, that is). Reagor is able to get open easily and torches defensive backs downfield, so he will be of great help to the new TCU quarterback, whoever he is.

Tylan Wallace, junior, Oklahoma State.

Wallace lead the Big 12 in receiving yards this past season at nearly 1,500 as well accounting for 12 touchdowns. He averaged over 17 yards per reception on 86 receptions, and was a major reason why the Cowboys were able to upset the sixth-ranked Texas Longhorns at home.

Another player who will have to rely on a new quarterback this season with the departure of senior quarterback Taylor Cornelius, Wallace will be a safety net for any new player starting under center. He’s a freak athlete who runs faster than my heart beats when I watch Marriage Rescue on the Paramount Network. If he is able to recreate his season from last year, or even improve on it, Wallace will be getting some looks for All-American teams.

TIGHT END

Grant Calcaterra, senior, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is loaded at almost every skill position, and tight end is no different. Though Grant Calcaterra had fewer than 500 receiving yards, there were so many weapons on the Oklahoma offense that the tight end position may have been underutilized.

Although he is essentially a wide receiver, Oklahoma runs Calcaterra as a flex tight end in the same way they ran Mark Andrews a couple of years back. While there’s not a lot of blocking in his skill set, he has an innate ability to get open. This will be huge in conjunction with other star receiver Ceedee Lamb; he’s going to get a ton of opportunities this year.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Zack Shackelford, senior, Texas.

A three-star turned big star, Zack Shackelford is the anchor on the Texas offensive line, one that over-performed last year and was a major reason that Ehlinger had such a dominant season. He dominated from his position at center.

Coming in around 6’3, 300 lbs., Shackelford was great inside blocking, especially on Sam Ehlinger’s runs. Ehlinger ran up the middle quite a bit last season, considering he rushed for 16 touch downs over the course of the year. Even against highly touted defenses, like Georgia’s, he was able to get loose into the second level of the defense, partially because of Shackelford’s abilities.

Lucas Niang, senior, TCU

At 6’7″, 330 lbs., Lucas Niang is a massive prospect who opted to return for his senior season despite the great season he had at tackle for TCU last year. This is huge because most of the TCU offensive line is coming back, which will be key for the development of freshman quarterback Justin Rodgers, should Rodgers start.

A legit NFL prospect, Niang has a ton of ability and athleticism despite his frame. According to The Draft Network, Niang is a “necessary anchor against the bull rush, while also having the power to regain control of block and begin to drive. Forces edge rushers around the hoop with distance to the quarterback.”

Samuel Cosmi, redshirt sophomore, Texas.

Cosmi is a 6’6″ tackle for Texas. Built like an NBA power forward, Cosmi is very good with his leverage in spite of his height. He switched positions this year from right tackle to left, so we will see if he can make the necessary adjustments.

He made the all-Big-12 freshman team, and is coming back for his redshirt sophomore year.

Along with Georgia Tech transfer Parker Braun and the previously mentioned Zack Shackelford, I expect Cosmi to lead this line to be pretty dominant this year, and hopefully for their sake they will be able to matchup the amount of rushing touchdowns by the offense to the amount of rushing yards, as last year the ‘Horns scored on the ground 24 times yet only averaged around 150 rush yards per game.

Josh Sills, junior, West Virginia

An all-Big-12 lineman last season, Josh Sills is a tough country dude who loves camo as much as he loves pancaking people. Part of an offense that averaged 512 yards per game, good for second in the Big 12 and eighth nationally, Sills was a dominant force from the guard spot, and performed well all season despite the tricked-up nature of Dana Holgorsen’s complex offense.

Gone is Holgorsen, as well as quarterback Will Grier and wide receiver David Sills, so we will have to see what new WVU coach Neal Brown can do with Josh Sills’ abilities.

Jack Anderson, junior, Texas Tech

Anderson is the best offensive lineman at Tech this season, and the team has some work cut out for them as Tech loses its top two receivers in Antoine Wesley and Ja’Deion High. It is going to be massively important to give good protection to quarterback Alan Bowman, who tore it up in his freshman season. If the Red Raider signal-caller wants to continue this trend, players like Anderson have to step it up.

The offensive guard, coming in at 6’5″ and 320 lbs., was excellent in his sophomore season, being part of a line that gave up only two sacks per game despite ranking sixth nationally in pass attempts per game. If they can continue this dominance, then Tech’s offense should keep on rolling.

keenanwomack@gmail.com

KeenanParkerWomack

The Big 12, despite its problems, has always had teams in the mix for the national title, even though really it comes down to Texas and Oklahoma (and for the last decade, it’s really just been Oklahoma).

But this season, Iowa State as well as TCU look to return very strong defenses to the conference, and the two traditional powers listed before look to be in strong shape as well. This year, the battle for the Big 12 will be an interesting one. There’s a very good chance that nobody comes out of the conference undefeated, and the conference may very well miss an opportunity to represent itself in the College Football Playoff.

Either way, it will be a fascinating race to be sure. The consensus conference favorite, Oklahoma, loses a ton on offense with the loss of Kyler Murray, Marquise Brown and four offensive linemen, but returns most of its defense and talented wideout Ceedee Lamb, as well as reloading with grad transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts (via Alabama).

Texas brings back Sam Ehlinger, their clear-cut team leader and best player on the offense. It’s nice to watch a great quarterback again, let me tell you. I was tired of quarterbacks that, you know, had trouble passing the ball. Generally that’s an important skill when you’re under center, but the ‘Horns had so many recruiting debacles when going after passers that it’s a wonder they even ended up with Ehlinger in the first place.

SEPTEMBER 7: LSU @ TEXAS

I went to an LSU game, in which they played hated rival Alabama, when I was a freshman in college. Loud as hell in that stadium.

After the game (they lost), I watched some Tigers fans jump an Alabama fan, to which I responded by doing what any Good Samaritan would do: yelling “WorldStar!” as loud as I could while filming it.

Though it’s an out-of-conference game, Texas’ September 7th matchup against the LSU Tigers can’t be ignored. LSU comes into Austin ready to prove that Texas’ win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl was a fluke, and that the SEC is truly the superior conference to the Big 12.

Joe Burrow vs. Sam Ehlinger will be the matchup to watch. Ehlinger had a spectacular sophomore season in which he scored 41 TDs on nearly 65% completion and only five interceptions. Burrow accounted for 23 TDs and only five interceptions as well.

As of right now, LSU is an eight-point favorite, which is probably fair, considering the amount of players that LSU brings back and the amount of defensive players that Texas loses. This may be true, but that doesn’t mean that Texas will lose this game at home. Tom Herman’s teams thrive in games in which they’re underdogs, as he has proven both at Texas as well as at Houston.

Predicted score: Texas 31, LSU 24

OCTOBER 5: TCU @ IOWA STATE

This is a matchup that will be a defensive struggle for the most part. The second-place finishers in the Big 12 in total defense last season, Iowa State returns eight starters, including multiple players who have the potential be all-conference talents, such as defensive linemen JaQuan Bailey and Ray Lima, linebackers Marcel Spears and Mike Rose, and safety Greg Eisworth. Have no doubts, this is going to be a tough team to score points against.

TCU, whose defense finished first in conference last season, returns six starters. The problem with TCU is we don’t exactly know who will be starting as signal-caller for them in October. It could be dual-threat redshirt freshman Justin Rodgers, or it could be Kansas State transfer Alex Delton.

I predict that whoever is playing quarterback for the Horned Frogs is going to have a tough day against this Iowa State defense, which, if it hadn’t been playing in the pass-happy Big 12, would probably have been rated much higher nationally than it was (they finished 34th in total yards given up per game). Touchdowns against Iowa State are harder to come by than writing jobs that pay a living wage.

I think Iowa State takes this one home, but I think the score is close.

Predicted outcome: Iowa state 24, TCU 17

OCTOBER 12: TEXAS @ OKLAHOMA

This is my favorite rivalry in sports. I still (kind of) remember going to this game with a date my first year of college, who probably would have liked to have been literally anywhere else. Because some amount of alcohol may have been consumed, I tried to bribe my way into the game, to which they replied, “We’re calling the police.”

Once I finally got into the game, I, drunk in the way that only a 19-year-old can get, realized that I had dropped $200 on tickets for a game in which we were down five touchdowns (in the first half). But you bet your ass I stayed till the end of the game to sing The Eyes of Texas, because that’s what my dad taught me to do.

Never talked to my date ever again. Probably for the best.

Anyway, this classic matchup that nearly always determines the outcome of the Big 12 was made a sort of worthless game last year in that the result was erased by the Big 12 Championship battle, in which Oklahoma topped Texas 39-27. The earlier matchup favored Texas 48-45, as Kyler Murray took his first loss since middle school, and really acted like a mature adult about it. I guess pissing him off was a fun result of that game. Other than that, it didn’t really matter. 

But we don’t know yet who will play for the Big 12 title, so this game is extremely important in determining who will lead the conference. This game means much more if Texas has topped LSU in their game earlier in the season. True Big 12 fans will root for this game to feature two undefeated squads, as the result would mean that much more.

The OU defense, though it was atrocious last year, still returns 10 starters. It all depends on if new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch can steal Christmas from Sam Ehlinger and Colin Johnson.

Predicted score: Oklahoma 31, Texas 24

NOVEMBER 9: IOWA STATE @ OKLAHOMA

As referenced earlier, Iowa State (and their confusing mascot) brings back most of a great defense, one that is good enough to launch the Cyclones into a Big 12 championship.

Combine this with the excellent coaching of Matt Campbell and you have a team that could shock some people in conference games. This game is no different. Though it’s on the road, and though it’s notoriously hard to win in Norman for any Big 12 team, Iowa State was able to do it two seasons ago with a much less talented squad.

While they do stand a chance, OU is still a more talented team offensively, especially with the departures of David Montgomery and Hakeem Butler from Iowa State. Despite this fact, if Brock Purdy can replicate his freshman season, or improve on it, Iowa State has a chance to steal this game on the road.

I don’t think they will, however. As I mentioned in the Texas/OU section, Oklahoma has a new defensive coordinator, whose presence I believe will be made immediately apparent. The talent is there, and so is the experience. I think he puts it together and stops the Iowa State offense, in spite of Purdy’s best efforts.

Predicted score: Oklahoma 31, Iowa State 20

NOVEMBER 16: IOWA STATE @ TEXAS

I don’t have any stories of debauchery involving Iowa State unfortunately, so I have to actually do my job and analyze this game. It’s amazing how distasteful stories fill up the text box.

This game used to be a completely one-sided series; Texas has a 14-2 lead all time, but everything changed when Iowa State shut out Texas on the road in Darrell K Royal, winning by a score of 24-0 in 2015.

It was pretty humbling, although getting our asses beat was a regular occurrence in the Charlie Strong era, so it wasn’t exactly surprising. Some nice, homemade Humble Pie. It was so embarrassing that I’m not going to embed the video. Instead, here’s Young Thug.

But this year, a loss to Iowa State would not be embarrassing at all–I project their finishing second in the conference this season. That defense that I’ve harped on so much is as talented as any defense in the country, save maybe Alabama, Clemson, and Michigan.

Predicted score: Iowa State 28, Texas 24

by KeenanParkerWomack

The Big XII this upcoming season looks to be a bit weaker than it was last season, where it had three teams finish in the top 10 in total offense and no teams fall within the top 25 in total defense. That should indicate what kind of conference you’re looking at. It’s full of air raids and West-Coast-style offenses, full of teams looking to pick you apart through the air.

The situation in the conference as far as whether it will stay afloat brings up many questions. Where will Texas and OU go if the conference goes belly up? What about the smaller teams in conference? Will they join mid-major conferences, or other Power-5 conferences? Who will take them in? Why does my dad stand in my doorway all night?

Last year, Oklahoma managed to make it to the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive year, after winning the Big XII for the fourth consecutive year. Will they repeat as champions of the conference? That’s for you to find out.

The following are my predictions, in order, of how the conference will play out.

10. KANSAS

Kansas stumbled blindly through a rough 2018 football season, their lone conference victory coming when they stole a road game from the already struggling TCU Horned Frogs; at that point, it’s not as much robbery as it is shoplifting.

On the season, KU performed like me after a date event: staggering back to campus from Sixth Street with an empty wallet and a girl’s fake phone number in my pocket.

Their lone guiding light, running back Pooka Williams Jr, was arrested for domestic battery in the offseason, and his future with the team remains uncertain. By extinguishing this solitary flame, it looks to be another dark night for the Jayhawks.

Despite the arrival of new head coach Les Miles, who won two national championships at LSU, there is simply an undeniable talent deficiency. With a bottom-20 class, it doesn’t seem that Les Miles has yet made a difference in the recruiting game either.

Add that to the fact that they only return 10 total starters, and you have a recipe of inexperience and lack of aptitude, a set of attributes that my girlfriend often tells me I have.

His offense doesn’t necessarily seem like a natural fit in the Big XII either. He likes to run a ball-control offense, utilizing more plays on the ground than through the air.

Contrasting this with the uptempo offenses in the Big XII run by schools like Texas Tech and Oklahoma leads to a singular conclusion: Kansas will have trouble keeping up.

Though the conference won’t be as tough as it was in 2018, with teams like West Virginia and Oklahoma State losing massive amounts of talent, Kansas still looks to be the team at the bottom of the barrel in 2019.

Floor: 1-11

Ceiling: 3-9

9. KANSAS STATE

Another team with a brand-new head coach in 2019 is the Kansas State Wildcats, who finished eighth in the Big XII in 173-year-old Bill Snyder’s last season. Snyder has been coaching since leather helmets, swords, and white-only sports teams, which must have been very boring to watch.

The new head coach at K-State, Chris Klieman, was the HC at North Dakota State, who won four titles in five years there, sporting a 69-6 overall record.

In a similar situation to Les Miles, going from a powerhouse to a middle-of-the-road football program, Klieman in my opinion has a much better chance to succeed, if nothing else because the base level of talent at KSU is much better than it is at KU.

Their recruiting class is ranked higher, and though they lose two of their best players in Dalton Risner and Alex Barnes, they still return seven offensive starters including their starting quarterback.

Though the defense returns eight starters, it was a unit that gave more than 400 yards of offense a game. Opponents averaged nearly 6 yards per play. If you can do math, you can figure out why that’s not good.

While down the road my spell success for the Wildcats, this year they look to be one of the struggling teams near the cellar.

Floor: 4-8

Ceiling: 7-6

8. TEXAS TECH

(Cue Old Town Road for this segment).

New head coach Matt Wells, who was two-time coach of the year in conference at Utah State, takes the reigns from former coach Kliff Kingsbury, who fell upwards into the Arizona Cardinals job in the most confusing hire since Baby A’s brought me on as a waiter.

Texas Tech had incredibly successful seasons in basketball and baseball this year, and it seems like athletic director Kirby Hocutt has done it again.

The Red Raiders bring back quarterback Alan Bowman, but lose their top two receivers in Antoine Wesley and Ja’Deion High, who combined for over 2,200 yards last season. There is however a glimmer of hope with wide receiver T.J. Vasher, who caught this ridiculous pass last season against Ole Miss:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDW83c8ZgmY

Odell Beckham Jr., Jr. I guess. I’ll workshop the nickname.

Defense is the real question mark for Texas Tech this season, as it has been for the last several years. With players like Patrick Mahomes tearing it up on offense in the past, it’s a shame that Tech has had so much trouble playing on the other side of the ball.

Giving up nearly 450 yards/game last year, good for 108th in the country, is not going to get it done, especially in the run ‘n’ gun conference that they play in. Because of this, I believe the Red Raiders will struggle this season.

Floor: 4-8

Ceiling: 7-6

7. WEST VIRGINIA

WVU had a successful season last year, though not as successful as some might have hoped after bringing back all-American wideout David Sills and all-conference quarterback Will Grier.

Not only do they lose their two offensive stars, but they also part ways with head coach Dana Holgersen, who probably drove drunk across the country to his new job as head coach at the University of Houston.

Though he wrote his plays out in cocaine on the glass bar of a strip club, Holgersen was and is a genius when it comes to running an offense, and this was evident last season as West Virginia tore people apart with their Grier-to-Sills connections, finishing second in conference and eighth in the nation in total offense.

They took down Texas on the road as well as nearly topping the supercharged Oklahoma Sooners team in a 59-56 thriller that looked more like a PlayStation matchup than an actual college game. That’s the Big 12 for you–the XBOX conference.

There are so many questions for West Virginia that it’s hard to even know where to begin. Though new head coach Neal Brown had great success at Troy, it’s difficult to project how his game will translate to the new league. Just because he’s the highest paid new coach in the Big 12 doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be the most successful.

Floor: 4-8

Ceiling: 7-6

6. OKLAHOMA STATE

The Cowboys were the most perplexing team in 2018, being a hair away from knocking off Oklahoma, while also taking out sixth-ranked Texas, West Virginia and Missouri. Much like Texas Tech, Oklahoma State paired a weak defense with an extremely high-powered offense, one that finished 10th in the nation in total offense at just over 500 yards per game.

Gone, however, is their star offensive player in running back Justice Hill. Also gone is quarterback Taylor Cornelius, meaning Oklahoma State will be starting either redshirt freshman Spencer Sanders or Hawai’i transfer Dru Brown.

Pair this with a defense that, while it returns eight starters, gave up nearly 450 yards a game last season (good for 97th in FBS), and you have a recipe for trouble. That’s why I’m picking Oklahoma State to finish sixth in the Big 12 this season.

While Mike Gundy’s mullet is good for a couple of wins every year, I think the loss of talent on the offensive side of the ball is going to take OSU from one of the best offenses in the nation to one that is good, but not stellar. Unfortunately, in the Big 12, stellar is necessary for success.

Floor: 4-8

Ceiling: 7-6

5. TCU

TCU is another question mark, not because of a coaching change, but because of their quarterback situation: they will most likely start redshirt freshman Justin Rodgers, but Alex Delton, a transfer from Kansas State, will also be in the mix. The rest of the offense is loaded, as they return top receiver Jalen Reagor, two leading rushers, and four out of their five starting offensive linemen.

While they lose six starters on defense, Gary Patterson is a defensive mastermind, with an IQ in football that’s higher than he wears his pants on his torso. They finished last season 27th in the country in yards given up per game, good for best in the Big 12. Considering the amount of high-powered offenses in the conference last year, being able to finish near top-25 in the country is a pretty impressive feat.

Mostly though, it comes down to quarterback play. If dual-threat Justin Rodgers is as good as advertised (the highest-rated recruit in TCU history), then they have a legitimate shot to compete for the conference title. This is why I’ve picked the Horned Frogs as my “dark horse” in the Big 12. If Rodgers can play above his expectations, then TCU will be a tough team to handle.

However, I think that Rodgers will struggle in his freshman season, because, well, most quarterbacks struggle in their freshman season. He may even be replaced by Delton at some point.

Had Shawn Robinson decided he was going to stay, I’d probably have the Horned Frogs ranked a bit higher. But with a rookie at the helm, I think TCU will remain in the middle of the pack in 2019.

Floor: 6-7

Ceiling: 9-4

4. BAYLOR

After a horrific scandal involving a disturbing amount of cases of rape and sexual assault, Baylor seemed to be in complete shambles before the tenure of Matt Rhule started. It’s a shock that he was able to recover as quickly as he did, as it looked to many, including myself, to be a program on the verge of total collapse.

Baylor is actually looking pretty good coming into the season. Quarterback Charlie Brewer had an impressive 2018 campaign, in which he threw for 3,000+ yards and 19 TDs, and though they lose some talent at wide receiver, they bring back a good amount of starters on both sides of the ball (15 returning).

The problem with Baylor, like every team in the Big 12 seemingly, is on defense. They ranked near the bottom of the country last season at 91st in total defense, surrendering 425 yards per game. If they’re going to exceed expectations this year, they need to tighten it up defensively. The good news for the Bears is that eight starters return from last season on this side of the ball.

Floor: 6-6

Ceiling: 8-5

3. TEXAS

After winning the Sugar Bowl last season, Tom Herman’s Texas Longhorns might finally be back. The key is returning junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who accounted for 41 total TDs in 2018 with only five interceptions while completing 64.7 percent of his passes.

The ‘Horns lose eight starters on defense, and lose a lot specifically on the defensive line. Not going to sit here and front, losing eight defensive players is a big deal.

But in a way there is some addition by subtraction here: Breckyn Hager, who was a good energy guy but not by any means a smart or efficient football player, is no longer on the team. And while I will miss his flowing locks and general ride-or-die attitude, I will not miss his lack of gap discipline.

Losing defensive linemen of the year in the Big 12 Chris Omenihu is a huge blow, as he was a solid and impressive player all season long for Texas, but sophomore Keondre Coburn has all the makings of a powerful DT to replace him.

The Longhorns also lose leading rusher Tre Watson as well as wideout Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who avenged the 2008 Michael Crabtree Texas-Tech-over-Texas catch with this catch to win the game on the road against the very same Red Raiders:

However, Texas does bring back wideout Colin Johnson, who is 6’6 and has hops like a basketball player. His nose for the ball in the endzone on jump passes will be an extremely useful skill come this season when the ‘Horns are within the 10 yard line.

The biggest position of concern for Texas is linebacker: losing blazing fast Gary Johnson is a major problem, as his speed helped him to stay behind slot receivers in the crazy array of Big 12 offenses. Luckily for them, they have possibly the best safety duo in the nation between Caden Sterns and Brandon Jones, two extremely physical players who not only can play deep but can come up and hit runners as well.

Though I think Texas has a shot this year, I think that next season, if Ehlinger stays, will be their year. Losing as much as they do off of a defense that finished 67th in the nation in 2018 is not a great recipe for success. Despite the abilities at safety, I think the ‘Horns will be in a lot of shootouts this year, meaning they will probably drop a couple of them.

Floor: 9-4

Ceiling: 12-1

2. IOWA STATE

Iowa State is a program that’s undergone a massive paradigm shift, from a team that used to regularly struggle with bowl eligibility to a team that can legitimately compete for a Big 12 championship. And while I still can’t figure out whether their mascot is a bird or a cyclone, which I ponder late at night sometimes while sweating profusely, it looks as if they’re poised for a successful season.

Coming off of an 8-5 season which featured an Alamo Bowl win over a then top-10-ranked Washington State team, the Cyclones return their entire offensive line and eight of their 11 defensive starters on a defense that finished 2nd in the Big 12 last year.

What they do lose, however, is an all-American-caliber running back in David Montgomery, as well as a talented wideout in receiver Hakeem Butler.

While these are both tough players to replace, there is no doubt that Iowa State’s offensive line can keep the offense moving along. Whenever teams return that kind of talent on the line, the running game is nearly always effective.

Matt Campbell is the man, man. He’s been at Iowa State since 2016; he struggled his first couple of years but since then has had Iowa State in the Big 12 champions conversation, specifically in the last two seasons, in which they tied for fourth and then tied for third, respectively.

It seems that this year, Iowa State has their best chance ever at a conference title. They will have the best defense in the conference, with studs like defensive linemen JaQuan Bailey and Ray Lima, linebackers Marcel Spears and Mike Rose, and safety Greg Eisworth.

These are all guys who are all-Big-12 talents. If they can play up to expectations, then Iowa State will be there at the end of the season.

Floor: 8-5

Ceiling: 11-2

1. OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma had the best offense in the country last season behind one of the best quarterbacks to ever play college football, Kyler Murray.

Pair that with a first-round talent at wide receiver in Marquise “Hollywood” Brown as well as all purpose wideout Ceedee Lamb and it’s no wonder that the Sooners washed defenses left and right. Last year their offense averaged a blistering 570 yards/game, averaging 8.6 yards/play.

But Kyler Murray isn’t around any more to smirk or throw touchdowns. Neither is Baker Mayfield to play tag with the Fayetteville Police Department. They do have Alabama transfer Jalen Hurts under center, and while this will be a step back for Oklahoma’s offense, they should still have no issue moving the ball with Hurts, running back Kennedy Brooks and receiver Ceedee Lamb.

Third-year head coach Lincoln Riley has been every bit as good so far as his predecessor, Bob Stoops. He has two trips to the College Football Playoff under his belt, sporting a record of 24-4 with only two losses in conference in his career. And this season looks to be not much different as far as wins and losses goes.

Despite the losses on offense, and despite the unimpressive performance on defense, finishing 101st in total yards, I think that the replacement defensive coordinator Alex Grinch will do a much better job than his predecessor. The Sooners also return 10 out of 11 starters, so inexperience will no longer be an issue.

Oklahoma will return much closer to the median this season, as their defense will improve and their offense will regress. But because of overall talent level, I think that Oklahoma will take a fifth consecutive Big 12 Title home.

Floor: 10-3

Ceiling: 12-1