By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Big 12 media days are set for July 13-14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. There should be much to discuss with a new commissioner in Brett Yormack and plenty of speculation and reports surrounding realignment and what the Big 12 is trying to do to remain a major player in it.
But first, the annual all-media preseason poll is scheduled to be released on Thursday. Big 12 media had to submit their ballots by June 28. Here is how your publisher saw the league.
Preseason Poll
1. Baylor
2. Oklahoma State
3. Texas
4. Oklahoma
5. Kansas State
6. Iowa State
7. TCU
8. West Virginia
9. Texas Tech
10. Kansas
The Rationale: The media poll should show a tight race between Baylor and Oklahoma State. In fact, it may show the Cowboys as the preseason favorite. You can see the argument. Key players are returning for Mike Gundy’s program including quarterback Spencer Sanders. Baylor just sees Sanders differently than other programs do.
But I went with Baylor for a few reasons:
>When you have the integrity of the offensive and defensive lines returning, that’s pretty important. The Bears return four starting offensive linemen. They also have their NT returning in Apu Ika along with significant contributors in internet legend Gabe Hall and Chidi Ogbonnaya.
>Then this is about what a really good defensive coach Dave Aranda is. I’ve state numerous times that at times I think he’s one step ahead of opposing offensive coordinators. Look no further how Oklahoma and Texas were shut down last year. Sure, those were in Waco. But the Bears do know how to put a vice grip on people. Even if Matt Corral was healthy, I still believe Baylor would have beaten Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. If you play consistent defense, you’re always in every game.
>What media types may hold against Baylor is its unknowns at the skill positions. That’s totally fair. You kind of have to see it before you know what you have. There are some intriguing players including Hal Presley and Taye McWilliams. Of course, we saw starting QB Blake Shapen for 2½ games to see what he can do. It was enough of a sample size that carried him toward being the starting and Gerry Bohanon moving on to South Florida. This season does kind of hinge on Shapen’s health. If he’s fine, Baylor’s postseason aspirations could be as big as it wants. If he’s lost for any period of time, the complexion of the season changes.
>It also doesn’t hurt that Oklahoma is projected to have a down year and Texas is…well…Texas. The Longhorns are never short of talent. They’re just short of putting everything together and playing consistently. Of course, Baylor travels to Norman (Nov. 5) and Austin (Nov. 26) this year. By the time the Bears get to those games, we’ll know exactly where the season is heading.
>I think the last time I picked Baylor to win the Big 12 was 2013. And we know how that went.
Summer football is just a way to build a bridge to the season. It’s getting closer by the day.
Publisher
Big 12 media days are set for July 13-14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. There should be much to discuss with a new commissioner in Brett Yormack and plenty of speculation and reports surrounding realignment and what the Big 12 is trying to do to remain a major player in it.
But first, the annual all-media preseason poll is scheduled to be released on Thursday. Big 12 media had to submit their ballots by June 28. Here is how your publisher saw the league.
Preseason Poll
1. Baylor
2. Oklahoma State
3. Texas
4. Oklahoma
5. Kansas State
6. Iowa State
7. TCU
8. West Virginia
9. Texas Tech
10. Kansas
The Rationale: The media poll should show a tight race between Baylor and Oklahoma State. In fact, it may show the Cowboys as the preseason favorite. You can see the argument. Key players are returning for Mike Gundy’s program including quarterback Spencer Sanders. Baylor just sees Sanders differently than other programs do.
But I went with Baylor for a few reasons:
>When you have the integrity of the offensive and defensive lines returning, that’s pretty important. The Bears return four starting offensive linemen. They also have their NT returning in Apu Ika along with significant contributors in internet legend Gabe Hall and Chidi Ogbonnaya.
>Then this is about what a really good defensive coach Dave Aranda is. I’ve state numerous times that at times I think he’s one step ahead of opposing offensive coordinators. Look no further how Oklahoma and Texas were shut down last year. Sure, those were in Waco. But the Bears do know how to put a vice grip on people. Even if Matt Corral was healthy, I still believe Baylor would have beaten Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. If you play consistent defense, you’re always in every game.
>What media types may hold against Baylor is its unknowns at the skill positions. That’s totally fair. You kind of have to see it before you know what you have. There are some intriguing players including Hal Presley and Taye McWilliams. Of course, we saw starting QB Blake Shapen for 2½ games to see what he can do. It was enough of a sample size that carried him toward being the starting and Gerry Bohanon moving on to South Florida. This season does kind of hinge on Shapen’s health. If he’s fine, Baylor’s postseason aspirations could be as big as it wants. If he’s lost for any period of time, the complexion of the season changes.
>It also doesn’t hurt that Oklahoma is projected to have a down year and Texas is…well…Texas. The Longhorns are never short of talent. They’re just short of putting everything together and playing consistently. Of course, Baylor travels to Norman (Nov. 5) and Austin (Nov. 26) this year. By the time the Bears get to those games, we’ll know exactly where the season is heading.
>I think the last time I picked Baylor to win the Big 12 was 2013. And we know how that went.
Summer football is just a way to build a bridge to the season. It’s getting closer by the day.
