Once again, we have another mathematically challenged collection of institutions of higher learning with the 10 team Big 12! That old joke aside, the Big 12 should be loaded in 2013, with several teams looking to make upwardly mobile movements on the college football scene. Like any other conference, there are a few clunkers to go with the top tier, but this conference is stacked. Let's see who we should buy, pass on, or sell.
Buy
Oklahoma State: We all know the offense will be there, but will the defense be? I believe that the Cowboys will improve on their 8 wins from last season, and could win as many as 10. The defense may be the key that loses the Big 12 title however. Most publications love OSU to take the conference, but I have reservations on that much. I still will be buying in on OSU, because nobody plays much defense in this conference anyway.
Baylor: The Bears are my dark horse candidate to be playing in a BCS bowl this January. All reports indicate that Bryce Perry is better than Nick Florence, who put up better numbers than RG3 the year before. Lache Seastrunk and Glasco Martin are one hell of a one-two punch at RB, and the receivers are deep and talented. Let's also not forget the defense that the Bears started to play in the last half of last season. This team seems ready to shock the landscape and make an upset run for the Big 12 title.
TCU: I never bet against the Frogs, especially with Casey Pachall back at QB and a defense that may be the best in the Big 12. Gary Patterson is an amazing coach who gets the most out of his program, and the Frogs are ready to make some noise in the Big 12 in year two. They are probably not ready to take the conference title yet, but they may have a say in who does.
Pass
Texas: I will go out on a limb and guarantee that Texas will be the most overrated team in the nation when the season kicks off. By mid-season, most will realize their mistake in thinking that the Horns will improve on their 9 win season of last year. That's not going to happen. David Ashe and Case McCoy are not great QBs, and the Horns will fail to establish a pattern of winning that will be enough to satisfy an angry fan base enough to save Mack Brown's job. As harsh as I am being, I a not ready to sell out, just pass on for now.
Oklahoma: Until we know for sure who will be pulling the trigger at QB, I will choose to pass. I am not overwhelmingly excited about either Blake Bell or Kendal Thompson enough at this juncture to buy in, as I find flaws with either choice. I have a feeling that the Sooners may just disappoint.
Kansas State: There is a battle brewing at QB between Daniel Sams and JC transfer Jake Waters that has not been settled yet. The winner will have a solid duo at receiver to go to in Tyler Lockett and Tramine Thompson. With both QB Klein and LB Arthur Brown gone, it's hard to imagine that kind of leadership being easily replaced. I see the Wildcats slipping a bit this fall, but not far enough to sell just yet.
Texas Tech: Kliff Kingsbury has brought some excitement back to Lubbock that was lacking under Tommy Tuberville. Expect some variation of the Air Raid offense to continue, as Kingsbury was an assistant under Kevin Sumlin at Texas A&M last season. The Red Raiders have some work to do to get the engine cranked over, however, so my advice is to pass with an option to buy in later. This team may be a definite buy in 2014.
Sell
Iowa State: If you like bottom tier bowl games and average .500 seasons, than by all means, go ahead and buy into the Cyclones. If winning and competing for titles is more your speed, than sell on the Cyclones for someone who is crazy enough to pay your price. ISU has to play 5 conference games on the road, and so this could be a letdown year even for the average at best Cyclones.
West Virginia: The Mountaineers tanked in the second half of last season, and now they have lost all of their best players from a team that was far from at their best in 2012. Consider this a rebuilding season, and sell hard.
Kansas: Once again, the Jayhawks bring up the rear in the Big 12. At least fans will have James Sims at RB for one more season. That's something, but it's also all there is. Expect another disaster.
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