A Look Back At The Big 12, 2016
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Yes, the Big 12, my FAVORITE conference in college football (if you read my posts about the conference over the past 6 months, you know it is ultimate sarcasm). Now I have no love loss for the conference. The style of play from the likes of Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Baylor, etc. among others, I just don't think that is a winning formula in college football. If you're scoring 50+ points and LOSING, then something is wrong with the style of play. People can argue the conference just has great skilled players on offense that just gives defenses fits, but when the out-of-conference games happen early on, the Big 12 struggles against the likes of the other powers. Case in point: we saw Oklahoma lose to Ohio State-at home where the Buckeyes dominated the Sooners in that game. We saw Arizona State put up 70 against Texas Tech. We saw Stanford handle Kansas State. We saw Arkansas beat out TCU in Ft. Worth, Whatever it is, it isn't working. Whether it is the quick strike offenses that don't take enough time off the clock to get their defenses rested, or it is just filling the holes that the defenses actually have, the Big 12 has to answer some questions as a whole to see if they are actually a legit conference.
I am going back to see what I predicted in my 2016 Big 12 predictions back in August. It should be an interesting bit.
In the midst of their scandals, Baylor slipped badly and back into the middle of the pack of the Big 12.
Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
WHAT I GOT RIGHT? I somewhat figured West Virginia and Oklahoma State would be a threat to the conference down the stretch and thought Kansas State would be better than some projected. That said, Baylor at 6-6 was my nailed it because I did see them winning their first six only to lose their final six.
Instead of finding themselves in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, the Horned Frogs got a trip-and a loss at the Liberty Bowl.
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
WHAT I GOT WRONG? I thought if you didn't mess with Texas you would have been okay. But 3 of the 4 Texas teams somewhat failed me. TCU was my pick for the conference championship and crashed. Badly. Kenny Hill is NOT the answer in Ft. Worth. I thought Texas would have made the strides to keep Charlie Strong there for at least a 4th year, but instead lost to Kansas near the end, thus solidifying his exit in Austin. And given the Red Raiders having an easier schedule than normal, they failed miserably and once again had the worst defense in all of college football the second straight year.
So, what are some questions the Big 12 will have going into next season?
1. Can Tom Herman get the Longhorns back on track? Well, if he does, he has to win over recruits, which he DIDN'T do this offseason as Texas wasn't ranked in the top 25 in that category. The offense will be rolling, but questions will be abound on defense. Herman does inherit a lot of good players from Strong, but he just needs to make sure the team gels. A good start for Herman and Texas would be 8-4, but anything less, and he will be incredibly scrutinized.
2. Is anybody ready to de-throne the Sooners? At this point, probably not. West Virginia, if they show that 2016 is not a fluke, could give Oklahoma a run for the money. Outside of that, maybe Oklahoma State and an outside shot may be Kansas. TCU has questions to answer as well and Baylor is in mega trouble.
3. Can Kliff Kingsbury make the needed changes to get Texas Tech out of the "one-trick" pony category? He CAN if he wants. If anybody remembered the Texas Tech/TCU game where Kingsbury played a conservative game where he probably ran the ball more in that game than in his whole time at Lubbock combined, the Red Raiders won. Now I think if you use the quick strike offenses to keep teams off-balance, use it here and there. Texas Tech uses it religiously, and it pretty much gasses his own defense in the process. If anybody saw the National Championship game, if you have a defense out there too long, if it is Alabama or TCU, that defense will be worn out. But Kingsbury's job is riding on the line this season. If the Red Raiders finish 6-6 and are 120th in total defense, he's long gone. But it depends if he wants to make those changes.
4. Will Baylor finally know their punishment with all the scandals sometime over the summer? Anytime I wonder when, new evidence is put out on the Bears. Needless to say, it isn't looking good for Baylor for 2017 and having them play any bowl game. But regardless, it might be 15 years ago all over again for the Bears as they might reside in the bottom of the Big 12.
5. Will the Big 12 Championship game help the argument for the Big 12's legitimacy as a Power 5 conference? Not really. Had they added two, the conference would have been split back into 2 divisions, which would make perfect sense in doing it. Could you imagine had Oklahoma won bedlam, thinking they would go to a playoff, only the week later have Oklahoma State beat them in the championship? That isn't going to work and may be on the outside looking in.
That's it for this time. Sorry for the delay. I will have more the next few days.
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
