Oklahoma's still the team to beat in the Big 12
Paul Myerberg, USA TODAYPublished 10:41 a.m. ET July 9, 2018
Next up is the Big 12 Conference. Some things never seem to change: Oklahoma is the preseason favorite in the Big 12, continuing an annual tradition that dates to the start of the century. But the Sooners will be tested by TCU, West Virginia, Kansas State and others.
1. Oklahoma
This isn’t with a bullet, if for no other reason than Oklahoma lost a legend in Baker Mayfield and will struggle to match last year’s offensive production. Kyler Murray has the talent to be an absolute star, however, and Lincoln Riley has more than earned all the praise heaped his way since the second half of last season. These questions need to be answered: How different will the offense be under Murray? Can OU thrive without a dynamic downfield passing game? And can the defense improve to offset any decline, whether big or small, on the offensive side of the ball? OU is still the favorite in the Big 12 despite these potential concerns.
2. TCU
TCU is a legitimate threat to Oklahoma should the offensive line be better than the personnel might indicate — the Horned Frogs have bodies up front but very little experience as the line turns over to a new cast of starters. But if the line is solid? Then TCU should make another run at double-digit wins. Not that the schedule makes things easy. Beyond the normal league slate, which includes road trips to Texas and West Virginia, the Horned Frogs draw Ohio State in September. On the other hand, TCU gets Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Kansas State at home.
3. West Virginia
West Virginia is right there with TCU as biggest threat to Oklahoma's run of Big 12 dominance. The Mountaineers have perhaps the nation’s best quarterback in senior Will Grier, who should be at or near the top of every preseason Heisman Trophy list. WVU also has confidence in the play of its defense, which improved during the second half of last season. Look for Dana Holgorsen and the Mountaineers to live up to expectations and find a home in the Top 25.
(More at the link below.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...09/2018-big-12-prediction-oklahoma/767535002/
Paul Myerberg, USA TODAYPublished 10:41 a.m. ET July 9, 2018
Next up is the Big 12 Conference. Some things never seem to change: Oklahoma is the preseason favorite in the Big 12, continuing an annual tradition that dates to the start of the century. But the Sooners will be tested by TCU, West Virginia, Kansas State and others.
1. Oklahoma
This isn’t with a bullet, if for no other reason than Oklahoma lost a legend in Baker Mayfield and will struggle to match last year’s offensive production. Kyler Murray has the talent to be an absolute star, however, and Lincoln Riley has more than earned all the praise heaped his way since the second half of last season. These questions need to be answered: How different will the offense be under Murray? Can OU thrive without a dynamic downfield passing game? And can the defense improve to offset any decline, whether big or small, on the offensive side of the ball? OU is still the favorite in the Big 12 despite these potential concerns.
2. TCU
TCU is a legitimate threat to Oklahoma should the offensive line be better than the personnel might indicate — the Horned Frogs have bodies up front but very little experience as the line turns over to a new cast of starters. But if the line is solid? Then TCU should make another run at double-digit wins. Not that the schedule makes things easy. Beyond the normal league slate, which includes road trips to Texas and West Virginia, the Horned Frogs draw Ohio State in September. On the other hand, TCU gets Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Kansas State at home.
3. West Virginia
West Virginia is right there with TCU as biggest threat to Oklahoma's run of Big 12 dominance. The Mountaineers have perhaps the nation’s best quarterback in senior Will Grier, who should be at or near the top of every preseason Heisman Trophy list. WVU also has confidence in the play of its defense, which improved during the second half of last season. Look for Dana Holgorsen and the Mountaineers to live up to expectations and find a home in the Top 25.
(More at the link below.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...09/2018-big-12-prediction-oklahoma/767535002/
