By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Recently, your publisher submitted his Big 12 Media Preseason Poll and All-Big 12 Conference team to the league in advance of the July 14-15 media days that will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Here is how the overall league voters cast their ballots.
The conference also named Oklahoma quarter Spencer Rattler Offensive Player of the Year, Iowa State linebacker Mike Rose defensive player of the year and Oklahoma running back Eric Gray - a transfer from Tennessee - Newcomer of the year.
As you saw below, here is how the league voted in the poll.
Now, here is how your publisher voted
Offensive Player of the Year: Rattler
Defensive Player of the Year: Rose
Newcomer of the Year: Apu Ika, Baylor
Why Ika: If I had not seen Ika for myself twice in the spring, I probably would have gone Gray as well. That's an easy choice. Gray was pretty solid for the Volunteers. Hard not to look that way. Ika played during LSU's national championship run in 2019. But I think I'm sold on the presence he brings to the nose tackle position and what that will mean for Baylor's defense, which was pretty decent in the chaotic 2019 season. I could be accused of making this pick with Green & Gold colored glasses. But many of you know my history of voting.
Baylor All-Big 12 Selections
I won't get into my entire team. But for the defense, I voted for Jalen Pitre and Terrel Bernard. It's hard not to look that way given how Pitre became a leader for the back end of the defense. Had Bernard not injured his shoulder at Iowa State last November, I think he could have rivaled Rose for defensive player of the year honors. Probably not. But he is the heart and soul of this defense. He must stay on the field this year.
For the offense and special teams, I voted for left tackle Connor Galvin and I voted for Trestan Ebner as the return specialist. For obvious reasons, I did not consider any skill players. Galvin has been steady. Has he been dominant on an offensive line that has its issues over the years? No. But I looked at his whole body of work and believed he was worthy of a vote.
Ebner as the return specialist was due to what he did between the two KOR TDs vs Kansas and several other returns - one against TCU - that changed field position. Perhaps him leaving the program briefly and then returning after the Texas game stuck in most voter's minds. Plus, Kansas State always has a reputation for having great special teams productivity. Kansas State's Brooks was the first-team All-Big 12 return honors as voted on by the coaches.
Big 12 Poll
1. Oklahoma
2. Iowa State
3. Texas
4. Oklahoma State
5. TCU
6. West Virginia
7. Baylor
8. Kansas State
9. Texas Tech
10. Kansas
The explanation: Ok so as many as you have read over the years, I look at these polls with the eye that spots 4-7 are pretty much a jumbled mess. Those positions are typically separated by one game maybe two. But if you're anywhere in the Top 7, that usually means that you're bowl worthy.
Baylor is in a position where it can be a bowl worthy type of team. This is a program that is capable of getting to the postseason (I won't disclose my season prediction until late August). The parts are there defensively for it to keep it in a lot of games. Offensively, I'm just not there yet. Before you get into the positions, just keep in mind that implementing any new offense is going to take some time. Jeff Grimes Wide Zone offense at BYU looked really good. Why? Well, he had the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft running that.
Repetition is key. I think this look is going to be fine in the few games against Texas State, Texas Southern and Kansas. But then you get your real answers with back-to-back against Iowa State and Oklahoma State as to where it is and where it could go. Now, I think by November it will look better.
But that depends on how the positions respond. The quarterback position is such an unknown. Jacob Zeno, who I believe will be the starter despite a lousy spring game, has to get this going to prove he can be the guy. That said, I still believe we're going to see Baylor rotate QBs. The offensive line discussion has been detailed to the point of exhaustion. Simply, it must be far better. It's been awful since 2016. Will transfers like Jacob Gall and Grant Miller help? We'll see. If Baylor wants to be a physical offensive line, that just doesn't happen automatically.
As for the skill positions, the common denominator between running back and wide receiver is looking for a No. 1 and then a No. 2. Baylor doesn't have those yet. There are candidates like R.J. Sneed and Taye McWilliams. But there's not a guy you can look at with either group and instantly suggest that he's the one this offense turns to when it needs it the most. Now, that could play out during the course of the season and people emerge. Typically, that happens. Maybe this offense creates that.
It's July. We need to see it during the season to answer probably the most important question: Can this offense deliver a drive when it needs it the most?
Fun to debate.
****
Now, I'll take your questions on any of my selections or anything else related. Oh, and as far as women's basketball is concerned, I have nothing for you. I checked this week and there's just the hope that transfers, staff etc. will be finalized during the course of the summer before the fall semester begins in mid-August.
Publisher
Recently, your publisher submitted his Big 12 Media Preseason Poll and All-Big 12 Conference team to the league in advance of the July 14-15 media days that will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Here is how the overall league voters cast their ballots.
The conference also named Oklahoma quarter Spencer Rattler Offensive Player of the Year, Iowa State linebacker Mike Rose defensive player of the year and Oklahoma running back Eric Gray - a transfer from Tennessee - Newcomer of the year.
As you saw below, here is how the league voted in the poll.
Now, here is how your publisher voted
Offensive Player of the Year: Rattler
Defensive Player of the Year: Rose
Newcomer of the Year: Apu Ika, Baylor
Why Ika: If I had not seen Ika for myself twice in the spring, I probably would have gone Gray as well. That's an easy choice. Gray was pretty solid for the Volunteers. Hard not to look that way. Ika played during LSU's national championship run in 2019. But I think I'm sold on the presence he brings to the nose tackle position and what that will mean for Baylor's defense, which was pretty decent in the chaotic 2019 season. I could be accused of making this pick with Green & Gold colored glasses. But many of you know my history of voting.
Baylor All-Big 12 Selections
I won't get into my entire team. But for the defense, I voted for Jalen Pitre and Terrel Bernard. It's hard not to look that way given how Pitre became a leader for the back end of the defense. Had Bernard not injured his shoulder at Iowa State last November, I think he could have rivaled Rose for defensive player of the year honors. Probably not. But he is the heart and soul of this defense. He must stay on the field this year.
For the offense and special teams, I voted for left tackle Connor Galvin and I voted for Trestan Ebner as the return specialist. For obvious reasons, I did not consider any skill players. Galvin has been steady. Has he been dominant on an offensive line that has its issues over the years? No. But I looked at his whole body of work and believed he was worthy of a vote.
Ebner as the return specialist was due to what he did between the two KOR TDs vs Kansas and several other returns - one against TCU - that changed field position. Perhaps him leaving the program briefly and then returning after the Texas game stuck in most voter's minds. Plus, Kansas State always has a reputation for having great special teams productivity. Kansas State's Brooks was the first-team All-Big 12 return honors as voted on by the coaches.
Big 12 Poll
1. Oklahoma
2. Iowa State
3. Texas
4. Oklahoma State
5. TCU
6. West Virginia
7. Baylor
8. Kansas State
9. Texas Tech
10. Kansas
The explanation: Ok so as many as you have read over the years, I look at these polls with the eye that spots 4-7 are pretty much a jumbled mess. Those positions are typically separated by one game maybe two. But if you're anywhere in the Top 7, that usually means that you're bowl worthy.
Baylor is in a position where it can be a bowl worthy type of team. This is a program that is capable of getting to the postseason (I won't disclose my season prediction until late August). The parts are there defensively for it to keep it in a lot of games. Offensively, I'm just not there yet. Before you get into the positions, just keep in mind that implementing any new offense is going to take some time. Jeff Grimes Wide Zone offense at BYU looked really good. Why? Well, he had the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft running that.
Repetition is key. I think this look is going to be fine in the few games against Texas State, Texas Southern and Kansas. But then you get your real answers with back-to-back against Iowa State and Oklahoma State as to where it is and where it could go. Now, I think by November it will look better.
But that depends on how the positions respond. The quarterback position is such an unknown. Jacob Zeno, who I believe will be the starter despite a lousy spring game, has to get this going to prove he can be the guy. That said, I still believe we're going to see Baylor rotate QBs. The offensive line discussion has been detailed to the point of exhaustion. Simply, it must be far better. It's been awful since 2016. Will transfers like Jacob Gall and Grant Miller help? We'll see. If Baylor wants to be a physical offensive line, that just doesn't happen automatically.
As for the skill positions, the common denominator between running back and wide receiver is looking for a No. 1 and then a No. 2. Baylor doesn't have those yet. There are candidates like R.J. Sneed and Taye McWilliams. But there's not a guy you can look at with either group and instantly suggest that he's the one this offense turns to when it needs it the most. Now, that could play out during the course of the season and people emerge. Typically, that happens. Maybe this offense creates that.
It's July. We need to see it during the season to answer probably the most important question: Can this offense deliver a drive when it needs it the most?
Fun to debate.
****
Now, I'll take your questions on any of my selections or anything else related. Oh, and as far as women's basketball is concerned, I have nothing for you. I checked this week and there's just the hope that transfers, staff etc. will be finalized during the course of the summer before the fall semester begins in mid-August.
