Kansas

2008 record: 8-5, 4-4

Key returners:

Quarterback Todd Reesing, safety Darrell Stuckey, running back Jake Sharp, wide receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier

Key losses:

Photo Gallery

Kansas Football Open Practice

Photos from the KU Football team's practice Tuesday morning at the Anderson Family Football Complex.

Offensive linemen Ryan Cantrell, Adrian Mayes and Chet Hartley, linebackers Mike Rivera, Joe Mortensen and James Holt

Top newcomers:

Quintin Woods, 6-foot-6, 230-pound defensive end: The book on Woods is that he’s a natural disrupter off the edge on defense. That’s something Kansas desperately needs.

Calvin Rubles, 6-foot-3, 200-pound cornerback: Rubles’ size alone makes him an intriguing option at cornerback. He’s gifted enough that he should be able to make an immediate impact this season.

Overview:

With the Big 12 North wide open this season, Kansas as a team completely capable of capturing the title. The Jayhawks possess playmakers all over the field on offense, including quarterback Todd Reesing and wide receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier.

The defense, though, is a little more of a mystery. Kansas struggled in pass coverage last year but returns every starter from a secondary unit that improved down the stretch.

Senior safety Darrell Stuckey is the leader of the group and was a All-Big 12 first team selection a season ago. And at least one person expects Kansas’ defense to be improved.

“I think our defense will be better than a lot of folks outside the program will think,” coach Mark Mangino said.

If Kansas is able to shore up a lackluster pass rush and fill the gaps at linebacker, a Big 12 North title is a very realistic goal.

Story to watch:

The backup running back situation: There’s no question that Jake Sharp is going to get the majority of the carries for Kansas this season. There’s also no question that because of the grind of the Big 12, the Jayhawks will need at least one capable backup.

With Angus Quigly shifting to linebacker and Jocques Crawford’s departure, the most likely candidates to spell Sharp are true freshmen Deshaun Sands and Toben Opurum. Sophomore Rell Lewis and junior college transfer Daniel Porter could also see playing time.

The battle for second string should be interesting as it plays out heading into the season.

Quotes of the day:

“It is something that I go back and look at often because it was such a learning experience and such a pivotal point in my career. It kind of pushed me forward and made the KU program put in the right way. It’s something that just happened but it seems like ten years ago.”

Kansas wide receiver Kerry Meier on switching from quarterback to wide receiver

“Collectively I think it was a learning experience for all of us. Before you can even get better as a team or as a unit, you have to first go through something. I feel like you learn more when you make mistakes.”

Kansas safety Darrell Stuckey on rebounding from a disappointing defensive season last year

Mizzou

2008 record: 10-4, 5-3

Key returners:

Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, running back Derrick Washington, wide receiver Jared Perry, offensive lineman Kurtis Gregory, defensive lineman Jaron Baston

Key losses:

Quarterback Chase Daniel, wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Tommy Saunders, tight end Chase Coffman, safety William Moore, linebacker Brock Christopher, defensive tackle Ziggy Hood

Top newcomers:

Sheldon Richardson, 6-foot-4, 275 pound tight end/ defensive lineman: Richardson received interest from schools such as Miami and USC and is the highlight of coach Gary Pinkel’s incoming class.

Kendial Lawrence, 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back: Besides returning leading rusher Derrick Washington, the Tigers lack depth at the running back position. Considering the circumstances, Lawrence could make an immediate impact next year.

Overview:

Since the end of last season, much has been made about Missouri’s losses. And why not? Anytime a team loses talents such as Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman, questions are going to surface.

Yet, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel and his players insist that enough talent remains in the system to continue experiencing success.

After playing in the Big 12 championship game last season for the second consecutive year, Missouri returns running back Derrick Washington, who rushed for 1,078 yards a season ago and should earn more carries this year.

“We’re going to do what we do offensively,” Pinkel said. “We’re going to attack and get the ball down field because that’s what we do. But I don’t think there’s any question that we’re going to run the ball more.”

The Tigers will be led by sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert, a highly touted prospect out of high school who players say will flourish in Pinkel’s system.

Defensively, The Tigers return top playmaker Sean Weatherspoon from a unit looking to respond from a tough campaign in 2008. Weatherspoon is as good as any linebacker in the country and will anchor a defense with loads of experience.

Story to Watch:

The use of the running game: Missouri’s spread offense has been highly effective the last few years, especially through the air.

Sure, the Tigers have had solid seasons from running backs in that time period. But Missouri will lean on the running game – and specifically returning running back Derrick Washington – like never before during Pinkel’s tenure.

With sophomore Blaine Gabbert taking over for Chase Daniel this season, running the ball will be a more crucial aspect of Missouri’s offense.

Quotes of the day:

“When it hit, it hit hard. It made a lot of offensive players into all-stars and it made a lot of good defenses bad.”

Missouri defensive lineman Jaron Baston on the creation of the spread offense

“Blaine Gabbert is not Chase Daniel. He’s younger than Chase, he’s a new quarterback. I talked to Chase about it and he said he didn’t go in and try to be like Brad Smith. Blaine just has to be like ‘I’m not Chase Daniel and I’m never going to be Chase Daniel. It’s my team now.’”

Missouri offensive lineman Kurtis Gregory on the transition to a new quarterback

Texas A&M

2008 Record: 4-8, 2-6 (Big 12)

Key Returners: WR Jeff Fuller, QB Jerrod Johnson, S Jordan Pugh, DE/OLB Von Miller

Key Losses: QB Stephen McGee, S Alton Dixon, TB Mike Goodson

Key Newcomers:

Christine Michael-5’11”, 202 pound running back: A&M has a very young team and needs recruits that can play and perform well this season. Michael is quick, strong, ran for 3,927 yards and 80 touchdowns in his high school career, which could make an impact for A&M this season.

Chris Henderson-6’1”, 249 pound defensive tackle: Henderson is decent sized and was a strong blocker in his high school career. If A&M wants to compete with offenses like Texas and Oklahoma they will have to get some strong players out of their young recruiting class like Henderson.

Quote of the Day:

"We have to be able to run the football a heck of a lot better than we did last year. I'm a firm believer that, in order to throw it, you've got to be able to run."

-Head Coach Mike Sherman

On talking to his 9-year-old daughter Selena after a loss: “She said ‘Daddy, get over it.’ Out of the mouths of babes you get great advice.”

-Head Coach Mike Sherman

Overview: The glory days of Texas A&M football seem to have slipped away as the Aggies struggled last season to hang on in the Big 12 south. Coach Mike Sherman said that the team would need to move on from last season’s failures but was not sure how the challenge would be met by his players. Ranked last in the Big 12 South by the media, the Aggies will have to work their way back up the ladder with a fresh class of recruits which makes up nearly 1/3 of their team Sherman said.

Storyline to watch: Sherman is looking to bring back the “Wrecking Crew” of the early 90’s but it may be tough with such a young team. If he hopes to make a name for A&M in the Big 12 South, Sherman will need young players like Henderson and veterans like Miller to step up and lead the Aggies to some early victories this season.

Baylor

2008 record: 4-8, 2-6 (Big 12)

Key returners: QB Robert Griffin, WR Kendall Wright, LB Joe Pawelek, LT Jason Smith, DL Phil Taylor

Key losses: T Jason Smith. CB Dwain Crawford, T Dan Gay

Key newcomers:

Darius Jones-5’11”, 175 pound athlete/wide receiver: Jones is extremely athletic and will make an impact wherever he plays. While Baylor has a strong quarterback in Robert Griffin, they can still find ways to improve their offense with versatile players like Jones.

Danny Watkins-6’5”, 290 pound tackle: Watkins may be new to the football game but he made a strong impression at Butte Community College the last two seasons. Watkins will fit in nicely to replace left tackle Jason Smith this season.

Quote of the day:

On Baylor’s new athletic facility: “It’s a whole different world on campus now. We feel like a big college football school now.”

-Head coach Art Briles

On last year’s season as a freshman: “Being a freshman they’re going to blitz you a lot because they think you’re going to pee your pants and cry to your mom.”

-quarterback Robert Griffin

Overview: Led by Griffin, the Baylor football team heads into the season anxious to prove themselves Briles said. Briles said the team may not have made the turnaround that they’re looking for just yet but with players like Griffin, Taylor and Wright they were headed in the right direction. The team needs to pick up some wins early in the season and the opening game against Wake Forest will be critical to see if the Bears are ready to face their opponents in the Big 12 South. Briles said a productive season would give Baylor some good memories to lean on in the future during the hard times that are sure to come against their conference opponents.

Storyline to watch: Griffin is a star on the gridiron and the track as it turns out. Briles said that Griffin picked up the track team on his own and that he wants to run in the 2012 Olympics. Although football is his primary focus now, Briles said Griffin’s priorities may change when he hits 23 or 24-years old. Griffin’s speed is what makes him such a good quarterback for Baylor and a tough player to defend for their opponents.

Oklahoma

2008 record: 12-1, 7-1 (Big 12)

Key returners: QB Sam Bradford, TE Jermaine Gresham, DT Gerald McCoy

Key losses: WR Juaquin Iglesias, G Duke Robinson, S Nic Harris, G Duke Robinson

Key newcomers:

Jamarkus McFarland-6’3”, 285 pound defensive tackle: McFarland is a strong tackler and can be a good pass rusher if he gets his speed up. His presence will add to the already impressive Oklahoma defense.

Quote of the day:

On the ranking system: The coaches’ poll has got to be part of it. We have the most invested in the rankings, they affect our teams.”

-Head coach Bob Stoops

On the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry: “Could it get any bigger? I don’t know, you tell me. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that it had a special feel to it.”

-Head coach Bob Stoops

Overview: With three high ranking NFL draft picks returning this season the Big 12 South will have an experienced opponent to face in Oklahoma. Despite the tie-breaking controversy surrounding last year’s Big 12 Championship, Stoops said that the game itself should not be discounted over a bowl game experience. Heisman trophy winner Bradford returned to Oklahoma and will lead the team’s impressive offense to hopefully “a game or two better performance than last year,” Stoops said. Stoops said the defense also had the chance to be better than a year ago. If he’s right, Oklahoma can look forward to another year as conference champs.

Storyline to watch: With a Heisman already under his belt, it’s hard to see how Bradford could do better than last season. Stoops said that it would be hard to improve on his stats and is looking for consistency from the star quarterback.

Colorado

2008 record: 5-7, 2-6

Key returners:

Running backs Rodney Stewart and Darrell Scott, linebackers Jeff Smart and Marcus Burton, wide receiver Scott McKnight, quarterback Cody Hawkins

Key losses:

Defensive tackle George Hypolite, safety Ryan Walters, linebacker Brad Jones

Top newcomers:

Nick Kasa, 6-foot-7, 250-pound defensive lineman: Kasa is a local product with a tremendous amount of upside: He originally verbally committed to Florida. With Colorado’s defensive line lacking depth, Kasa should make an immediate impact.

Edward Nuckols, 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive lineman: Again a lack of depth at defensive line could earn Nuckols early playing time in Boulder.

Overview:

The book on Colorado is pretty simple: respectable defense, shaky offense.

The Buffaloes were solid defensively a season ago but the offense ranked in the bottom of the Big 12. And the problem is the situation could repeat this season.

Colorado appears set with gifted running backs – prompting a change to a more power oriented offense – but the quarterback battle between junior Cody Hawkins and sophomore Tyler Hansen is still unresolved.

“We’ll see how it plays out,” coach Dan Hawkins said. “It will play out when it plays out. It might be early, it might be late. We’ll see.”

As always seems to be the case with Colorado, the linebacking unit is the strength of this team. If the inexperienced defensive line develops quickly, the defense could be solid this season.

Hawkins made the switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme in order to play to his team’s strengths.

The Buffaloes have plenty of questions, but they also possess plenty of capable producers to make a bowl game this season.

Story line to watch:

Offensive scheme: Colorado attempted a no-huddle spread last season – and finished last in the Big 12 offense. So this season, coach Dan Hawkins has installed an offensive scheme focused around the power running game.

While the spread is taking hold of nearly every school in college football, Hawkins believes the new scheme will play up the depth Colorado has at running back.

Plus, when still deciding on a quarterback, relying on talented running backs certainly sounds like a solid option.

Quotes of the day:

“You’re not going to get there if you don’t have that expectation. That’s really what that whole crux was about.”

Colorado coach Dan Hawkins on his ’10 win, no excuses’ statement

“I think when you figure that out, you’ll be a rich man.”

Colorado linebacker Marcus Burton on attempting to stop the spread offenses in the Big 12

Nebraska

2008 Record: 9-4, 5-3 (Big 12)

Key Returners: DT Ndamukong Suh (Preseason All Big 12 Football Team), IB Roy Helu

Key Losses: QB Joe Ganz, WR Nate Swift, DT Ty Steinkuhler

Top Newcomers:

Freshman Cody Green-6’4”, 220 pound quarterback: Green may not have the starting position yet but he will be the future of Nebraska’s offense and is the best overall recruit for Nebraska.

Freshman Antonio Bell-6’2”, 180 pound wide receiver: with Nebraska losing its best two wide receivers last year, Bell has the opportunity to make some receptions for the Cornhuskers.

Quote of the Day:

“We’re not in the same galaxy as where we want to be defensively but we’re heading in the right direction.”

-Head Coach Bo Pelini

Overview: With a new attitude for the Nebraska football team, head coach Bo Pelini has high expectations for his second season as head coach for Nebraska. Pelini said he expects improvements from the defense led by defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Nebraska comes into the season favored to win the Big12 North but will face tough competition from Kansas and Missouri on the road to the conference championship. Nebraska has yet to say who will lead the offense after losing quarterback Joe Ganz and the position is being pursued by junior Zac Lee and freshmen Cody Green and Kody Spano.

Storyline to watch: Nebraska will look to its running game in a primarily passing league to get back into the hunt for a conference championship. Pelini said that running the ball would allow you to hurt a team in a bunch of different ways, something that Nebraska is going to have to do to be a contender. Pelini said it was part of his philosophy was to have a balance between passing offenses, like the ones you see in the Big 12, but also having a good running game.

ISU

2008 Record: 2-10, 0-8 (Big 12)

Key Returners: DL Austin Arnaud, OL Reggie Stephens, WR Darius Darks

Key Losses: WR R.J. Sumrall, DE Kurtis Taylor, LT Doug Dedrick

Key Newcomers:

Quote of the Day:

On other Big 12 Coaches: “We exchanged pleasantries but no one was offering me any insights on how to win my first game.”

OR

“To coach at Iowa State you have to be in love with the bricks and mortar and I am.”

-Head Coach Paul Rhoads

Overview: This is a new era of Iowa State Football head coach Paul Rhoads said. With no wins in the Big 12 last season, the Cyclones are looking for improvement in every aspect of their game. Rhoads will look to returning players like quarterback Austin Arnaud and defensive lineman Nate Frere to lead the new class of freshman and show them the culture that he is creating for Iowa State football. Frere has confidence in their new coach’s abilities to build the team up and said the team will not “choke away” any of its close games, a key factor in Iowa State’s losses.

Storyline to watch: Rhoads is bringing a no-huddle offense to Iowa State in hopes of giving his players a better shot at success this season. Rhoads said the spread offense is just about wearing a defense down. Rhoads said that Iowa State had to approach things uniquely and that one of the ways they would do that is schematically with their offense.

OSU

2008 Record: 9-4, 5-3 (Big 12)

Key Returners: QB Zac Robinson, WR Dez Bryant, LT Russell Okung, TB Kendall Hunter

Key Losses: TE Brandon Pettigrew

Key Newcomers:

Dexter Pratt-6’1”, 225 pound running back: After almost committing wit LSU, Pratt is one of the best high-school recruits for the Cowboys this season. He will fall in with returner Hunter to round out the offensive line for Oklahoma State.

Quote of the Day:

Oklahoma State linebacker Andre Sexton talking about new defensive coordinator – and former Kansas assistant – Bill Young : “The buzz coming in was that he coached at Kansas that year they had that great defense and then at Miami. The two common links between those are: they played good on defense, they flew around the ball and they got turnovers.”

-Andre Sexton

Overview: After a heated tie breaker decision to end last season the Oklahoma State Cowboys are back and ready to challenge for that Big 12 championship spot this year. Coach Mike Gundy said he plans to stay the course with the OSU football program and continue focusing on getting the team to a consistent, competitive level. The Cowboys can also look forward to a new defensive coordinator, Bill Young, who carries himself well among the players Gundy said.

Storyline to watch: Bill Young could be instrumental in vamping up the Cowboys’ defense this year. If Oklahoma State wants to take the Big 12 Championship they will have to maintain their defense through the whole game against some tough offensive lines from Texas and Oklahoma. Young was instrumental in helping Kansas for several seasons and could be just what Oklahoma State needs to push them over the edge and into the championship spot.

Texas Tech

2008 record: 11-2, 7-1 (Big 12)

Key returners: OL Brandon Carter, NT Colby Whitlock, WR Detron Lewis, RB Baron Batch, QB Taylor Potts

Key losses: QB Graham Harrell, WR Michael Crabtree, OL Louis Vasquez

Key newcomers:

Harrison Jeffers-5’10”, 210 pound running back: Texas Tech coaches have talked up Jeffers quite a bit and with his speed-one of the fastest on the team-he can make an impact for the Tech offense.

Cody Davis-6’2”, 205 pound strong safety: Davis had an impressive performance at the spring game and Tech needs a strong safety player right now to beef up their defense going into the beginning of another tough non-conference schedule.

Quote of the day:

On Brandon Carter’s body art: “He asked me one time if I would want to get a tattoo. I told him it wasn’t my cup of tea but if I got one it would probably be a piercing so I could take it out when I got sick of it.”

-Head coach Mike Leach

On a using a playoff system: “Everyone thought I went into a cave and carved this out but everyone else is doing it this way.”

-Head coach Mike Leach

Overview: Texas Tech will face off against some impressive teams in the Big 12 South and will have to have some amazing performances like last year’s win over Texas if it wants to duke it out for a spot in the top three of the conference this year. Tech will start with a new quarterback and the loss of their star receiver Crabtree but Leach said he was confident in the team’s ability to transition quickly to the new leadership on the field. Even though some people thing Tech has been overlooked in the Big 12 South, no one will be able to miss Carter’s intense look and playing for Tech’s offense.

Storyline to watch: Will Mike Leach see his playoff dreams become a reality? After all of his preaching to a playoff system, he has drawn quite a crowd of followers and nay-sayers. After last year’s controversial tie-breaker ruling for the conference championship, many are wondering whether a playoff might not be such a bad idea.

Texas

2008 record: 12-1, 7-1 (Big 12)

Key returners: QB Colt McCoy, WR Jordan Shipley, DT Lamarr Houston, S Earl Thomas

Key losses: DT Roy Miller, DE Brian Orakpo, WR Quan Cosby

Key newcomers:

Garret Gilbert-6’4”, 207 pound quarterback: Although the Longhorns will be led by McCoy for his final season, a new quarterback has to be prepped as an heir to his position. Gilbert will be a key asset for the future of Texas’ program and will see some playing time this season, Brown said.

Gregory Timmons-6’3”, 196 pound wide receiver: Timmons is one of Texas top overall recruits and will add to the impressive wide receiver corps that Texas has to choose from for this season. With the loss of Cosby, Texas can always use another fast and consistent receiver.

Quote of the day:

“This year’s team is in a position in the preseason to be like the 2005 team. It’s a dangerous position to be in.”

-Head coach Mack Brown

On his trip to Iraq: “Football and the military is so similar. The difference is, the general told me, is that ours can get killed.”

-Head coach Mack Brown

Overview: Texas’ Brown has set some high standards for his team by comparing them to the 2005 National Championship team. But he has every right to expect great things from this team. With the most accurate quarterback in the country-McCoy-returning, all but one of the key receivers returning and a strong defensive line, Texas could take the conference championship and more. Brown said that he wasn’t worried about McCoy putting too much pressure on him self or feeling it from the team and said that he was expecting another stellar season for the quarterback. With defensive coordinator Will Muschamp returning for a second season, something that has not happened at Texas for the last five years, the defense would have a good swagger about them under Muschamp, Brown said.

Storyline to watch: With two of the nation’s best quarterbacks playing in the same league it will be a long season for the Heisman Trophy decision. McCoy stands a chance to impress spectators even more than last season if Brown is right in his predictions but with returning Heisman winner Bradford back at Oklahoma it will be a stiff competition again this year.