Firebird
12-19-2005, 11:52 PM
I know, I know, this season isn't already finished, but still. It is never to early to start talking about every fan's (whose team didn't win the national championship) favorite topic: Next Year. Specifically, next year in the Big 12 South. How is it going to shake up? Here is my breakdown. I want to read yours.
1. Texas. Look for Texas to be the clear favorite in a much improved Big 12 South next year. However, their clear favorite status rests soley on the shoulders of one youn man, Vince Young. If, as expected, he returns, he will enter the season with one hand already on the Heisman, and the 'Horns will be no lower than 3 or 4 in any preseason poll. RB is in the good hands of Jamaal Charles, who almost DID make UT fans forget about Adrian Peterson. They graduate talent on D, at revciever, and on the line, but look for them to simply reload with fresh legs from their always stellar recruiting classes. One HUGE loss-- tight end David Thomas. If VY returns, if he is healthy, UT is a clear No.1 and a national title contender. If he goes pro or goes down with an injury, things get cloudier, especially with a notable lack of star power at QB behind him.
Key to the season: Returning, healthy Vince Young
Key Loss: David Thomas, TE
Already looking forward to: Who else? Oklahoma.
2. Oklahoma. Look for Oklahoma to be almost back to form next year. This year's young team looked fantastic at times late in the year. Rhett Bomar has shown flashes of what made him such a hot commodity at QB out of HS, and Adrian Peterson is still one of the top 3 backs in the country. Bob Stoops needs to restrain from running him into the ground, however. Dusty Dvoracek will be tough to replace, but honestly he was at times more trouble than he was worth. A few breaks and OU could challenge for the national title. However, if AP goes down, and Bomar doesn't continue to develop, they are no better than 3rd in the Big 12 South.
Key to the season: Healthy Adrian Peterson
Key Loss: Dusty Dvoracek, DL
Already looking forward to: Two games where they will be out for revenge: Texas and Texas Tech.
3. Texas Tech. The good news? Tech will have a more talented team next year. The bad? So will the rest of the division. At QB, Tech will finally have a genuine blue chip recruit running the show with Graham Harrell. With him return all conference receivers Joel Filani and Robert Johnson, and a good chunk of the OL. On defense, the secondary is hit hard with the loss of FS Slay and CB Meeks, but the transfer of Florida State DB and former La Marque all star Clarence Ward should help fill the gaps. The defensive front has some good new talent on hand, and recruiting classes have been better than average at Tech. The bottom line-- they will still need LOTS of luck to beat UT in Lubbock, and quite a bit of it to win in Norman. They will be a legit contender for 2nd in the division.
Key to the season: Continued improvement on defense, consistency at QB.
Key Loss: Taurean Henderson, RB.
Already looking forward to: Oklahoma at Norman.
up next... the bottom three.
1. Texas. Look for Texas to be the clear favorite in a much improved Big 12 South next year. However, their clear favorite status rests soley on the shoulders of one youn man, Vince Young. If, as expected, he returns, he will enter the season with one hand already on the Heisman, and the 'Horns will be no lower than 3 or 4 in any preseason poll. RB is in the good hands of Jamaal Charles, who almost DID make UT fans forget about Adrian Peterson. They graduate talent on D, at revciever, and on the line, but look for them to simply reload with fresh legs from their always stellar recruiting classes. One HUGE loss-- tight end David Thomas. If VY returns, if he is healthy, UT is a clear No.1 and a national title contender. If he goes pro or goes down with an injury, things get cloudier, especially with a notable lack of star power at QB behind him.
Key to the season: Returning, healthy Vince Young
Key Loss: David Thomas, TE
Already looking forward to: Who else? Oklahoma.
2. Oklahoma. Look for Oklahoma to be almost back to form next year. This year's young team looked fantastic at times late in the year. Rhett Bomar has shown flashes of what made him such a hot commodity at QB out of HS, and Adrian Peterson is still one of the top 3 backs in the country. Bob Stoops needs to restrain from running him into the ground, however. Dusty Dvoracek will be tough to replace, but honestly he was at times more trouble than he was worth. A few breaks and OU could challenge for the national title. However, if AP goes down, and Bomar doesn't continue to develop, they are no better than 3rd in the Big 12 South.
Key to the season: Healthy Adrian Peterson
Key Loss: Dusty Dvoracek, DL
Already looking forward to: Two games where they will be out for revenge: Texas and Texas Tech.
3. Texas Tech. The good news? Tech will have a more talented team next year. The bad? So will the rest of the division. At QB, Tech will finally have a genuine blue chip recruit running the show with Graham Harrell. With him return all conference receivers Joel Filani and Robert Johnson, and a good chunk of the OL. On defense, the secondary is hit hard with the loss of FS Slay and CB Meeks, but the transfer of Florida State DB and former La Marque all star Clarence Ward should help fill the gaps. The defensive front has some good new talent on hand, and recruiting classes have been better than average at Tech. The bottom line-- they will still need LOTS of luck to beat UT in Lubbock, and quite a bit of it to win in Norman. They will be a legit contender for 2nd in the division.
Key to the season: Continued improvement on defense, consistency at QB.
Key Loss: Taurean Henderson, RB.
Already looking forward to: Oklahoma at Norman.
up next... the bottom three.