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Posted: Wednesday August 04, 1999 12:58 PM

Major Applewhite and the Longhorns will try to survive without Ricky Williams, but with the Aggies lurking in the same division, it won't be easy. Stephen Dunn/Allsport

Over the last few weeks, CNN/SI asked users to forecast their favorite conference. Coming off the most competitive season in its young history, Big 12 fans think their conference will be even more exciting in '99 thanks to the perception that Nebraska is no longer invincible.

Texas A&M will have a blowout season. One of the most consistent winning teams of the '90s has finally learned how to win the big games. Look for a championship run thanks to a relatively easy schedule, with late-season wins over highly ranked Texas and Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship game. Then back to familiar territory in the Sugar Bowl, where this time the Aggies come out on top over Penn State.
-- Nathan Albaugh, Austin, Texas

The Big 12 Conference should experience its most competitive season to date. Nebraska should still be the cream of the crop if it can dodge the injury bug, but don't count out major contenders Colorado, K-State, Texas A&M and Texas. Mizzou, Kansas, Oklahoma, Okla. State and Texas Tech will all struggle this season, but look for four of these teams to earn a bowl-eligible record. This conference is loaded with talent. Watch out for sleepers like Oklahoma State RB Nathan Simmons to have breakout seasons and give their teams a chance to qualify for the bowl season.
-- John Anderson, Sidney, Neb.

K-State will finish third in Big 12 North, behind Nebraska and surprise winner Colorado. Mizzou will be way down this year. Colorado loses in the Big 12 title game to Texas A&M, which loses to Texas Tech in Lubbock (what else is new?) but wins the Big 12 South ahead of Tech and third place UT anyway. Life ain't so easy for Mack Brown in Austin without Ricky Williams!
-- Jayme Blaschke, Temple, Texas

The Big 12 is my favorite conference. I think in the North, you would still have to look at K-State as the front runner. Its defense is almost all back. Bill Snyder is a great motivator, as well. I think that Nebraska is not as dominant as it used to be. People have them figured out now. Colorado is the wild card. Gary Barnett is an excellent offensive coach, and with a little bit of discipline in that program the Buffs could ride off with the title. In the South, Texas A&M is loaded. The sleeper in the South is Oklahoma. The Sooners ranked in the top 10 in the nation last year in total defense. If they can stop the run and with the offense that coordinator Mike Leach has brought with him from Kentucky, they could shock a lot of people.
-- Andy Guyon, Newington, Conn.

Texas A&M will win the Big 12 conference championship and will be one of the top five teams in the country. Big wins over Nebraska and Kansas State last year will give the Aggies added confidence this season. Talent has never been a problem for A&M, but it had trouble playing well in big games in the past. That has changed, and I expect the Aggies to be one of the best teams in college football for years to come.
-- Bob Boeker, Sherman, Texas

Contenders: Nebraska and Texas A&M. What else is new? Both have talent, both have depth, both play great defense.

Pretenders: Texas and Missouri. This is new. Texas will learn how important four of five senior offensive Lineman really were to the greatest running back in history. Missouri has no one to step into the shoes of Corby Jones and Devin West.

Surprises: Oklahoma. Last year the Sooners were the worst team ever with a top 10 defense. Then they hire a defensive genius as head coach in Bob Stoops. Then they hire his brother, who made Kansas State a perennial top 5 defense. All will lead to victories.
-- Chris Braaten, Victoria, Texas

My pick for Big 12 champs is K-STATE. Yes, they lost a wonderful QB and some good linebackers, but watch out for new QB Jonathan Beasley. He knows the system and has been there for awhile. I also think their defense will be very good this year, even with the loss of two great linebackers. The Cats will be stacked at running back, and if they move Frank Murphy to wide receiver with Aaron Lockett on the other side, look out for the passing attack. Don't forget about super punt returner David Allen!
-- Dusty Graves, Hardtner, Kansas

In the Big 12 Conference this fall,
Expect the Aggies to win it all,
Despite loosing Dat Nguyen to NFL football,
K-State with the football will only stall,
Will coach Solich for the Huskers answer the rough call?
As for the Iowa State Cyclones,
Let's just say they're like the Montreal Expos from baseball.
-- Jeremy Hampton, Bridgewater, N.J.

NU will beat out KSU in a tight North Division. Solich will return the Red Machine to form, while Snyder reloads for a solid season. Colorado will take the third spot. Barnett has legitimate talent to work with. MU is on the way down, while KU gains some strength. ISU competes, but won't win. A&M will win the South again with defense, and surprisingly OSU will be right behind them. Simmons will convert the close loses of '98 into wins this season. UT will be somewhat of a letdown, but still hold the third spot. Tech is losing its grip on contention as sanctions start to hit. OU will step back before stepping up, but will improve over the season under Stoops. Baylor holds its position at the bottom. NU beats A&M for the championship.
-- Matthew S. Brown, Kansas City, Kansas

 

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