Pre-Season Report: Sooners, Pokes prepare for final Big 12 season

To say that the Big 12 had a hectic off-season would be a huge understatement; the storm began in early June when the Nebraska Cornhuskers, one of the Big 12’s main representatives, announced they would defect the Big 12 and join the Big Ten Conference next season.  Then just a mere three days later, the Colorado Buffaloes formally announced their intention to leave the Big 12 and join the Pacific 10 Conference.

With Colorado and Nebraska leaving the conference, reports began swirling that the Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma Sooners, Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Texas Tech Red Raiders were close to joining the Pac 10, all but putting the nail in the coffin of the Big 12 Conference.  In a shocking upset (to say the least) Big 12 Commissioner Don Beebe was able to work out a more lucrative television contract with the remaining ten Big 12 teams (specifically, Texas Longhorns) and the conference would remain intact.   With Texas signing on and staying in the conference, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech followed their rival Texas school and remained in the Big 12.

Making a long story much shorter than it really is, that’s how the Big 12 got to where it’s at today.

This is the final Big 12 season before the Nebraska and Colorado leave and the remaining 10 schools stay.  Nebraska is favored to win the North Division with ease, while the South Division is, as always, a toss up between Oklahoma and Texas. Oklahoma State has been projected to finish anywhere from 4th to last place in the South Division, although many predict a winning record for the school.  This justifies the strength of the South Division and the Big 12 Conference overall.

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A Closer Look: Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners are rebounding from an injury-plagued 8-5 season. They have to replace three All-Americans (including Heisman winner Sam Bradford) that were in the Top 5 in last April’s NFL Draft. Quarterback Landry Jones, however, gained valuable experience in replacing Bradford and should be ready for a productive season.

“I really believe, going through all of that a year ago, losing the number of seniors that we did, that we gained experience that you didn’t want at the time,” Sooners Head Coach Bob Stoops said. “That will definitely make us a better and stronger team coming into this year. More experienced team maybe than we would have been.”

Sooners also have playmaking, All-Big 12 players returning in running back DeMarco Murray, wide receiver Ryan Broyles, defensive end Jeremy Beal and lineback Travis Lewis. Barring another injury-riddled season, the Sooners should bounce back and compete for the Big 12 Championship. Their schedule isn’t going to be easy, with visits from Florida State and traveling to Cincinnati to go along with the rugged Conference games against Texas at Missouri, at Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech.

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A Closer Look: Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are coming off one of their finest seasons in their program’s history with a 9-4 record.  But they too, will also have the task of replacing some key players.  The Cowboys will have five starters returning on both sides of the ball, but they will have to replace their three best players from a year ago:  quarterback Zac Robinson, wide receiver Dez Bryant, and offensive tackle Russell Okung. All three were drafted in April’s NFL draft.

The Cowboys do have an all-Big 12 running back Kendall Hunter, as well as a budding star in wide receiver Hubert Anyiam.  The new quarterback will be 26-year old and former Major League Baseball prospect Brandon Weeden, who started in one game for the Cowboys last season against Colorado.

The Pokes’ defense has improved each year under their solid defensive coordinator Bill Young. Linebacker Orie Lemon returns after missing all of last season with a knee injury, and will look to provide quality leadership for the unit. Safety Markelle Martin and defensive end Ugo Chinasa have the potential to be all-conference players. Defensive end Jamie Blatnick and safety Victor Johnson were both expected to contribute for the defense, but due to legal problems off the field, their eligibility may be in jeopardy.

Cowboys Head Coach Mike Gundy, however, remains optimistic.

“Were gonna make the decisions we need to make, then we’re going to get onto football,” he said. “Football is what we’re here to do.”

(Images via Flicker, 1/2)