Posted: Monday August 17, 2009 9:41AM; Updated: Monday August 17, 2009 11:00AM
| SI Conference Report: Big 12 |
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| How They'll Finish |
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Kansas WR Brandon Banks :: WD/Icon SMI |
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| Players To Watch From Unranked Teams |
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Brandon Banks
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WR, Sr. :: Kansas State
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The short story on the speedy Banks: He's only 5-foot-7, 142 pounds, but he puts up big numbers: 1,049 receiving yards and 11 TDs in 2008.
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Brandon Carter
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T, Sr. :: Texas Tech
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Known for his multiple piercings and face paint, the 6-7, 354-pounder is a skilled pass blocker and a steamroller on running plays.
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Joe Pawelek
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MLB, Sr. :: Baylor
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In addition to being the brains of the Bears' defense, he was among the nation's top 10 in tackles (128) and interceptions (six) last season.
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Todd Reesing
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QB, Sr. :: Kansas
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Owner of most of KU's passing records, he's ideal for the spread because of his ability to make quick decisions and to throw accurately on the run.
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Ndamukong Suh
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DT, Sr. :: Nebraska
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The agile lineman led the Huskers in tackles, returned two interceptions for TDs and caught a scoring pass as a goal line fullback.
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| | Big 12 Notables |
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Best Offensive Player
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Sam Bradford :: QB :: Oklahoma
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The Heisman winner was prolific (50 TD passes), accurate (67.9 percent) and committed few mistakes (eight interceptions) in '08.
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Best Defensive Player
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Gerald McCoy :: DT :: Oklahoma
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A run stuffer who can also generate a pass rush, McCoy greatly improved the Sooners' defensive outlook when he bypassed the NFL draft.
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True Freshman to Watch
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Nick Kasa :: DE :: Colorado
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After committing to Florida, the 6-7 Thornton, Colo., native decided instead to stay in state; he could contribute immediately as a pass rusher.
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Coach on the Rise
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Bo Pelini :: Nebraska
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Last fall, in his first season, he won admirers not only for leading the Huskers to a 9-4 season but also for embracing the program's history and tradition.
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Coach on the Hot Seat
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Dan Hawkins :: Colorado
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After three years in Boulder he has a 13-24 record; a fourth consecutive sub-.500 season would be hazardous to his job security.
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| Extra Points |
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Trying to replicate the success that teams such as Kansas, Missouri and Texas Tech have had with the spread offense, Iowa State is making the switch. New coach Paul Rhoads hired offensive coordinator Tom Herman, who installed the high-scoring attack at Rice ... No team in the conference lost more talent than Missouri. Sophomore Blaine Gabbert steps in at QB for the departed Chase Daniel; on defense, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon is a solid anchor, but the line has only one returning starter, Jaron Baston ... Look for Texas A&M to use some trickery with Ryan Tannehill, a would-be QB who moved to receiver as a freshman and caught 55 passes for 844 yards. Tannehill may take some snaps, but he'll be equally dangerous as a wideout who might throw option passes ... It's not often that a blue-chip recruit chooses Baylor over Texas, but four-star safety Ahmad Dixon of Midway High in Waco backed out of his verbal commitment to the Longhorns in May. Keep in mind that Baylor coach Art Briles also voted Texas fifth in the final coaches' poll last season, helping to kill the Longhorns' chances of playing in the BCS title game, and the Bears have been getting under the Horns' skin lately. -- Phil Taylor
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