2015 Big 12 Predictions
Iowa State Preview: Another Tough Year In Ames
My favorite time of the year, college football season, is near! Today as you plan your personal schedule of seasonal pleasure watching big time college football, in the seat of choice in the stadiums in Lawrence, Lubbock, Norman, or Ames; or if you prefer to take in more than one game a day, sitting in front of the 65′ plasma big screen, the excitement is building. Today’s look is at the Iowa State Cyclones led by their Head Coach Paul Rhoads. As an added bonus with each article a lists of best’s of the League. We will examine the best home field advantages in the league today and you can agree or disagree with my rank of the toughest places to play in the Big 1
Iowa State Cyclones
Head Coach: Paul Rhoads (25-46, 6 years)
2014 Season•Record in 2014
•Overall: 2-10 (0-9)
•vs Top 25: 0-5
As predicted last year at this time, I said that the Cyclone program was going to hit rock bottom. With only one win last season and a loss to the other bottom feeder, the Kansas Jayhawks, they did just that. Not that Paul Rhoades did a terrible job in Ames with the team, he did put a better offense on the field than I thought, but the numbers on defense were so bad (118th in points allowed) that they couldn’t stop little Mikey on a trike. I said get a new coach last year and another year has passed and the program will try to pick itself up and get a win in conference. They should this year, beat Kansas, and throw in a home opener with Northern Iowa and Iowa, and a road contest with Toledo, the Cyclones could open strong with some win. All three plus a following game with the Jayhawks in Ames could make a significant difference this season. Now don’t jump to any conclusions. Winnable games does not make wins on the schedule. Yet, I have never said the Rhoads was the worst coach in the country and with another year at the Offensive Coordinator position for former KU HC Mark Mangino, the ISU offense could score enough to bring in two or three wins if things go right. With the Iowa game, anything goes as the Hawkeyes are not going to field a good team and rival games can push in either direction. Give ISU the benefit of the doubt and I say they head into Lubbock for game four with at lest two wins. If they come out of those first four with out a win, Mark Mangino will be the interim head coach by that Texas Tech trip. My words from last year:Another losing season and Rhodes could be out by Christmas. Most of the Big 12 media thinks the Clones will improve in 2014. I’m not included. In fact, I think the Kansas Jayhawks will pass them in the standings and drop Iowa State to rock bottom in the league. I just don’t see the wins.
What will Iowa State put on the field?
Offense: Sam B. Richardson is not he best quarterback in the Big 12 and might not even be in the top 5 or 6. But he is a hard headed fighter and this writer likes what he sees in his play and leadership. Finally the starter without question, OC Mark Mangino will use Richardson in a good way as the signal caller is an effective passer and runner. 254-451 and 2669 in yardage plus 421 yards (2nd most) on the ground, Sam B. will again put up good numbers. In looking at what he did last year, ISU will score as the Cyclones have Allen Lizard, a 6’5 home run threat at the wide out and D’vario Montgomery, another fine receiver to go to. Add the outstanding Quenton Burndgage to the mix after a injury year, ISU has one of the better pass catching groups in the league. The o-line returns three starters and enough returning letterman to make a very fine pass/run blocking group. A weak and small group of running backs could make ISU one dimensional if they can’t find someone to hit the hole. That could be a problem. Look for Richardson to run more than Mangino would like. Grade: B
Defense: Demond Turner has been brought in to play DT (from the JUCO ranks) and that sums up the Iowa State defense, the lowest statistical eleven in the country last year. Five starters returned to spring ball and four will start. Look for another sieve defense which could be a game breaker for CoachRhoads. Not much to say about his group. Grade: F
Special Teams: Cole Nettern is a good kicker, hitting 11 of 14 in 2014 with the game winner over Iowa. Everything else is mediocre at best. Grade: C-
Schedule: As mentioned, ISU has opportunities to win right out the gate. Will they? Maybe. Texas Tech will be the last game that KU could win. Look for, at best, a four win season. Two wins in conference would be a push as Tech won’t be easy in Lubbock. I’d say, 3 up and 9 down in Rhoads last season in Ames. Points will be scored but without a satisfactory defense, the Cyclones will suffer another tough year.
1. Baylor
2. Oklahoma
3. Kansas State
4. Oklahoma State
5. Texas Tech
6. TCU
7. Texas
8. West Virginia
9. Iowa State
10. Kansas
Get it cranked up in Waco and Baylor will be one tough bean to sprout there. There will be a full house for every game this year and the scoring will be wild and wooly as usual. OU will get that home field advantage back to it’s usual with the excitement of that offense. Very disappointed with the TCU crowd last year, playing for the Big 12 title in a less than full house I their new but dinky stadium…..that was not good.
Iowa State Cyclones
Head Coach: Paul Rhoads (25-46, 6 years)
2014 Season•Record in 2014
•Overall: 2-10 (0-9)
•vs Top 25: 0-5
As predicted last year at this time, I said that the Cyclone program was going to hit rock bottom. With only one win last season and a loss to the other bottom feeder, the Kansas Jayhawks, they did just that. Not that Paul Rhoades did a terrible job in Ames with the team, he did put a better offense on the field than I thought, but the numbers on defense were so bad (118th in points allowed) that they couldn’t stop little Mikey on a trike. I said get a new coach last year and another year has passed and the program will try to pick itself up and get a win in conference. They should this year, beat Kansas, and throw in a home opener with Northern Iowa and Iowa, and a road contest with Toledo, the Cyclones could open strong with some win. All three plus a following game with the Jayhawks in Ames could make a significant difference this season. Now don’t jump to any conclusions. Winnable games does not make wins on the schedule. Yet, I have never said the Rhoads was the worst coach in the country and with another year at the Offensive Coordinator position for former KU HC Mark Mangino, the ISU offense could score enough to bring in two or three wins if things go right. With the Iowa game, anything goes as the Hawkeyes are not going to field a good team and rival games can push in either direction. Give ISU the benefit of the doubt and I say they head into Lubbock for game four with at lest two wins. If they come out of those first four with out a win, Mark Mangino will be the interim head coach by that Texas Tech trip. My words from last year:Another losing season and Rhodes could be out by Christmas. Most of the Big 12 media thinks the Clones will improve in 2014. I’m not included. In fact, I think the Kansas Jayhawks will pass them in the standings and drop Iowa State to rock bottom in the league. I just don’t see the wins.
What will Iowa State put on the field?
Offense: Sam B. Richardson is not he best quarterback in the Big 12 and might not even be in the top 5 or 6. But he is a hard headed fighter and this writer likes what he sees in his play and leadership. Finally the starter without question, OC Mark Mangino will use Richardson in a good way as the signal caller is an effective passer and runner. 254-451 and 2669 in yardage plus 421 yards (2nd most) on the ground, Sam B. will again put up good numbers. In looking at what he did last year, ISU will score as the Cyclones have Allen Lizard, a 6’5 home run threat at the wide out and D’vario Montgomery, another fine receiver to go to. Add the outstanding Quenton Burndgage to the mix after a injury year, ISU has one of the better pass catching groups in the league. The o-line returns three starters and enough returning letterman to make a very fine pass/run blocking group. A weak and small group of running backs could make ISU one dimensional if they can’t find someone to hit the hole. That could be a problem. Look for Richardson to run more than Mangino would like. Grade: B
Defense: Demond Turner has been brought in to play DT (from the JUCO ranks) and that sums up the Iowa State defense, the lowest statistical eleven in the country last year. Five starters returned to spring ball and four will start. Look for another sieve defense which could be a game breaker for CoachRhoads. Not much to say about his group. Grade: F
Special Teams: Cole Nettern is a good kicker, hitting 11 of 14 in 2014 with the game winner over Iowa. Everything else is mediocre at best. Grade: C-
Schedule: As mentioned, ISU has opportunities to win right out the gate. Will they? Maybe. Texas Tech will be the last game that KU could win. Look for, at best, a four win season. Two wins in conference would be a push as Tech won’t be easy in Lubbock. I’d say, 3 up and 9 down in Rhoads last season in Ames. Points will be scored but without a satisfactory defense, the Cyclones will suffer another tough year.
1. Baylor
2. Oklahoma
3. Kansas State
4. Oklahoma State
5. Texas Tech
6. TCU
7. Texas
8. West Virginia
9. Iowa State
10. Kansas
Get it cranked up in Waco and Baylor will be one tough bean to sprout there. There will be a full house for every game this year and the scoring will be wild and wooly as usual. OU will get that home field advantage back to it’s usual with the excitement of that offense. Very disappointed with the TCU crowd last year, playing for the Big 12 title in a less than full house I their new but dinky stadium…..that was not good.
Big 12 Preview Begins; Kansas Jayhawks; Coaches Ranked
- See more at: http://prosportsextra.com/2015/07/23/big-12-preview-begins-kansas-jayhawks-coaches-ranked/#sthash.mmodc9Mp.dpuf
David Beaty, new Kansas head football coach
My favorite time of the year, college football season, is near! Today as you plan your personal schedule of seasonal pleasure watching big time college football, in the seat of choice in the stadiums in Ames, Lubbock, Stillwater, or Austin; or if you prefer to take in more than one game a day, sitting in front of the 65′ plasma big screen, the excitement is building.Today’s look is at the Kansas Jayhawks and their new head coach Dave Beaty. As an added bonus with each article a lists of best’s of the League. We will examine the coaching ranking today and you can agree or disagree with my rank of the head coaches of the ten teams.
Kansas Jayhawks
Head Coach: Dave Beaty (1st year)
2014 Season
Beaty’s base is Texas High School and as he will try to get players from that high school scene. Having coached with Mark Mangenio during the Jayhawks last glory season Beaty has spent three years as an assistant in Lawrence and knows what it will take to bring a representative team to Kansas. He hired Clint Bowen, who has been at KU for most of his coaching career and was the take-over coach for fired Charlie Weis last year, going 1-7 in the final 8 games. Bowen knows KU and is an outstanding defensive coach that should be a positive for the program. Both HC Beaty and DC Bowen know what it takes to bring a winner to the school. Yet, as both also know, winning football games, especially conference games, won’t be easy. One conference win such as last year produced is not cutting the mustard off the Hawks beak. Beaty could find himself in a no-win situation if improvement and money are not directed toward the program. With a solid fan base of 35,000, Memorial Stadium (50,071), the oldest home stadium/field in the conference. And those facilities won’t draw much enthusiasm from non-hardcore KU recruits. Beaty, again, banks on Texas as “his” fertile” recruiting ground, and it is a must for him to get some quality players out of the Lone Star state.
From Athlon’s, the KU situation is spelled out: Last season, the Jayhawks ranked 63rd in the nation in attendance with 37,884 per game at Memorial Stadium. Also, KU is second on the food chain in a state that doesn’t produce many high-level recruits. Kansas is one of the toughest AQ conference jobs in the nation when you factor in the recruiting base, lukewarm support and the fact that no coach since the 1950s has enjoyed sustained success in Lawrence.
With a basement attitude in football, Kansas is destined to live in the bowels of the cellar of the Big 12 football conference. I am sure that many Jayhawk fans can “like” a winner and do care about the program but being “the” weak link, “the whipping boy” of the conference is not a pleasurable place to be. Fact of the matter, KU is a basketball school more than any place in America. To be an negative Nancy with this program is hard not to do. It is what it is. To be blunt, KU’s football program stinks. Beaty knows this deep down under and his challenge is not one to build a solid resume as a head coach.
What will Kansas put on the field?
Offense: Nothing is good here. Kansas is going to be a disaster moving the ball this season. Lack of players will noticeably show later in the season when injury attrition takes place. Well, that’s being generous. The Jayhawks will put an offensive on the field in game one that will have severe trouble moving the ball on South Dakota State, a game where they might find themselves an underdog at home against a team one division lower. I would actually give you some players to watch but being fair, KU has little to offer. Grade: F
Defense: With two returning starters, KU will suffer quick and numerous touchdowns scored upon them. The best defenders from last year, a so-so defensive group, were drafted into the NFL, three of them, and their best returning player, linebacker Jake Love, has suffered from concussions and might be finished. Not good. A quality coaching staff on that side of the ball is all that KU has going for itself. Bowen is capable to disguise his work for a while, but again, don’t look for any miracles here. Grade: F
Special Teams: Kicking game is atrocious and starters will surly be depended upon to fill-in on kick-offs. Another way to lose your best players through injury. Grade: F
Schedule: Win one will be the call in Lawrence this season. To be truthful, South Dakota State should be their opportunity but the Jackrabbits have better athletes and a winning program/attitude. All other games would be lost causes and for KU to pull out a win, say at Iowa State, it would be one of the surprises of the conference season. KU won’t beat either Memphis and Rutgers in their other two non-conference games.
Record: 0-12, 0-9 in conference.Final Thoughts: The program has hit rock bottom. The problem is that there might not be a ladder to pull it up, at least for the near future. Recruiting is key and good coaching is in place.
Ranking of the Head Coaches in the Big 12 1. Bob Stoops-Sooners 2. Bill Snyder-Wildcats 3. Gary Patterson-Frogs 4. Mike Gundy-Pokes 5. Art Briles-Bears 6. Charlie Strong-Horns 7. Dana Holgorgen-Mountaineers 8. Paul Rhoads-Cyclones 9. Kliff Kingsbury-Red Raiders 10. David Beaty-Jayhawks
Kansas Jayhawks
Head Coach: Dave Beaty (1st year)
2014 Season
- Record in 2014:
- Overall: 3-9 (1-8)
- vs Top 25: 0-5
Beaty’s base is Texas High School and as he will try to get players from that high school scene. Having coached with Mark Mangenio during the Jayhawks last glory season Beaty has spent three years as an assistant in Lawrence and knows what it will take to bring a representative team to Kansas. He hired Clint Bowen, who has been at KU for most of his coaching career and was the take-over coach for fired Charlie Weis last year, going 1-7 in the final 8 games. Bowen knows KU and is an outstanding defensive coach that should be a positive for the program. Both HC Beaty and DC Bowen know what it takes to bring a winner to the school. Yet, as both also know, winning football games, especially conference games, won’t be easy. One conference win such as last year produced is not cutting the mustard off the Hawks beak. Beaty could find himself in a no-win situation if improvement and money are not directed toward the program. With a solid fan base of 35,000, Memorial Stadium (50,071), the oldest home stadium/field in the conference. And those facilities won’t draw much enthusiasm from non-hardcore KU recruits. Beaty, again, banks on Texas as “his” fertile” recruiting ground, and it is a must for him to get some quality players out of the Lone Star state.
From Athlon’s, the KU situation is spelled out: Last season, the Jayhawks ranked 63rd in the nation in attendance with 37,884 per game at Memorial Stadium. Also, KU is second on the food chain in a state that doesn’t produce many high-level recruits. Kansas is one of the toughest AQ conference jobs in the nation when you factor in the recruiting base, lukewarm support and the fact that no coach since the 1950s has enjoyed sustained success in Lawrence.
With a basement attitude in football, Kansas is destined to live in the bowels of the cellar of the Big 12 football conference. I am sure that many Jayhawk fans can “like” a winner and do care about the program but being “the” weak link, “the whipping boy” of the conference is not a pleasurable place to be. Fact of the matter, KU is a basketball school more than any place in America. To be an negative Nancy with this program is hard not to do. It is what it is. To be blunt, KU’s football program stinks. Beaty knows this deep down under and his challenge is not one to build a solid resume as a head coach.
What will Kansas put on the field?
Offense: Nothing is good here. Kansas is going to be a disaster moving the ball this season. Lack of players will noticeably show later in the season when injury attrition takes place. Well, that’s being generous. The Jayhawks will put an offensive on the field in game one that will have severe trouble moving the ball on South Dakota State, a game where they might find themselves an underdog at home against a team one division lower. I would actually give you some players to watch but being fair, KU has little to offer. Grade: F
Defense: With two returning starters, KU will suffer quick and numerous touchdowns scored upon them. The best defenders from last year, a so-so defensive group, were drafted into the NFL, three of them, and their best returning player, linebacker Jake Love, has suffered from concussions and might be finished. Not good. A quality coaching staff on that side of the ball is all that KU has going for itself. Bowen is capable to disguise his work for a while, but again, don’t look for any miracles here. Grade: F
Special Teams: Kicking game is atrocious and starters will surly be depended upon to fill-in on kick-offs. Another way to lose your best players through injury. Grade: F
Schedule: Win one will be the call in Lawrence this season. To be truthful, South Dakota State should be their opportunity but the Jackrabbits have better athletes and a winning program/attitude. All other games would be lost causes and for KU to pull out a win, say at Iowa State, it would be one of the surprises of the conference season. KU won’t beat either Memphis and Rutgers in their other two non-conference games.
Record: 0-12, 0-9 in conference.Final Thoughts: The program has hit rock bottom. The problem is that there might not be a ladder to pull it up, at least for the near future. Recruiting is key and good coaching is in place.
Ranking of the Head Coaches in the Big 12 1. Bob Stoops-Sooners 2. Bill Snyder-Wildcats 3. Gary Patterson-Frogs 4. Mike Gundy-Pokes 5. Art Briles-Bears 6. Charlie Strong-Horns 7. Dana Holgorgen-Mountaineers 8. Paul Rhoads-Cyclones 9. Kliff Kingsbury-Red Raiders 10. David Beaty-Jayhawks
Spring Game Action in Lawrence
Cleveland and LeBron in the Eastern Conference, Bet On It!
by Fred Pahlke | Posted on Sunday, October 26th, 2014
Kevin Love finds a new home in Cleveland (Getty Images)
LeBron James returns to the Cavs (Getty Images)
With Lebron James back in the fold in Cleveland it is assumed that the Cavaliers will be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference in 2014. I might take that assumption and add that if not Cleveland who? Chicago, which will base its title chances on a bum leg of its best player Derrick Rose? Miami? No, not them. Brooklyn? Are you kidding? Toronto? Another good team and one that will win its share of games. But NBA title worthy? Na. And finally Washington? Again, are you kidding? Well that’s it. Your Eastern Conference prediction: Cleveland in a default. The Eastern Conference representative in the Finals in 2014, the Cleveland Cavs is the team.
The nuts and bolts of the Eastern Conference are how long it will take for LeBron and his new team-mates to mesh. The talent is as good as any in the NBA/Eastern Conference and with James and Kevin Love you have two certified stars, abet one super super star and one just a super star that can be counted in the top twenty players in the world. Coach David Blatt will grow with the job as he works his skills as a leader to get a backcourt of Dion Waiters and Kyrie Irving to give up the ball to the two scoring threats of Love and James. Other than those four, Cleveland is average at best and there will be games where the depth will cost the Cavs wins. Still, as they learn to play together, Cleveland will be a tough out and one must not overlook the team play of James. He’s no Kobe attitude on the floor and in the locker room which makes him one of the best “team” players in the game (along with Kevin Durant). Look for a 60 win season as playing Eastern Conference teams day in and day out is much the better for record building. I like LeBron to reclaim the MVP from an injured Kevin Durant. His biggest competition will be from Blake Griffin of the Clips and Russell Westbrook of the Thunder.
Chicago is a solid choice if Derrick Rose comes back from injury and plays up to what he has done in the past. I just don’t see it this year. His scoring will be off and if the Bulls don’t monitor minutes and games he will be again on the bench looking at his team compete. I think it will take a year, maybe two, with a healthy Rose to win the East. Joakim Noah is the Bulls best player and he’s not a premier scorer. Pau Gasol is now in Chicago and I am not impressed. Chicago’s Jimmy Butler is under-rated and a major player in any Chicago success. The Bulls at best are a fifth seed in the Western Conference and with a healthy Rose might win enough to garner that second spot in the Eastern playoffs. Look for no more than 55 wins in Chi-town.
Interesting enough are the Washington Wizards and the Brooklyn Nets. Washington is very close in becoming a top one or two team in the East as John Wall and Bradley Beal are two beaming stars on the rise. Maybe the best young backcourt in the Association (and that is an understatement), those two are hell to guard and can both fill it up. With the addition of veteran Paul Pierce and steady post play by another under-rated guy, Marcin Gortat, the Wizards are my choice to be the surprise of the League, and quite possibility give Cleveland and Chicago a run for the Eastern Conference title. Yes, I said “are you kidding” with regard to Washington, in my first paragraph. Not really. They are that good. Brooklyn has enough fire power and bench to challenge also. With Lionel Hollins at the helm, coaching will improve and so will the defense. I’ll take these Nets over the Raptors by a nudge (Toronto is also a tough out) and Miami along with a young Charlotte should make the playoffs. Indiana or New York will fill out that final playoff spot. Give the nudge to New York.
The five best in the East are: LeBron James, Kevin Love, Joakim Noah, John Wall and Carmelo Anthony.
The playoff contenders:
1. Cleveland
2. Chicago
3. Washington
4. Brooklyn
5. Toronto
6. Miami
7. Charlotte
8. New York
Eastern Semi-finals: Cleveland over Brooklyn in 6; Washington over Chicago in 7
Eastern Finals: Cleveland over Washington in 7
Eastern MVP: LeBron James
NBA Finals: Los Angeles Clips/Oklahoma City/San Antonio over Cleveland in 6
League MVP: LeBron James
Coach of the Year: Lionel Hollins
6th Man of the Year: Jamal Crawford
Rookie of the Year: Marcus Smart
Comeback Player of the Year: Derrick Rose
Cleveland Head Coach David Blatt (Getty Images)
OKC, Spurs and Clips are the Class of the Western Conference Picks
by Fred Pahlke | Posted on Saturday, October 25th, 2014
|
Let’s cut to the chase. Oklahoma City, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers are the three teams to tout for Western Conference honors in 2014-15. Two of these three have major issues, in my opinion, to bring them to the Finals. Los Angeles is the team that is scary good and the most sound and the most issue free of the three. Each team has qualities of a Championship team and when it is all said and done, the Western Division will again take home the Larry O’Brian Trophy as NBA Champs. Hear that Eastern Conference lovers? Oklahoma City has current injury problems. The team that opens in Portland this week will not be the same as the one that goes into the playoffs in the spring. The Association’s current holder of the MVP, Kevin Durant, is out until sometime in December. The Jones bone fracture that attaches KD’s little toe will heal and from all reports the Thunder will not rush him back to the court. The reason is apparent as OKC must be a complete and healthy team at the end of the regular season. The games in November and December are just not that important. In fact those games can give Coach Scotty Brooks an excellent opportunity to test out his players in crunch time without “the man.” Hear that Perry and Jemery? The likes of Steven Adams give them a “real” and significant scoring punch in the deep paint. His physicality is top shelf as proved by his outstanding pre-season. Adams will mix it up with anyone and often will get his opponent to retaliate in a serious and prohibited way. Just ask Zack Randolph among others that lost playing time for suspensions for such retaliation last season. Adams looks like the real deal. Add Mitch McGary from Michigan and the nucleus of a young and talented front court is set for many seasons. McGary will also miss early games but is expected back in late November to contribute. Again, the Thunder will be around five hundred early but should be no less than a 4th seed in the West come playoff time. San Antonio is another team that has to avoid injuries and with Coach Popovich they have the master in regulation of player’s minutes. He must keep the team injury free at the time of the playoffs but with older stars such as Tim Duncan any major injury that takes one or more of these out will cost them any chance of another Title in 2014. It’s simple with the Spurs as with the Thunder. Get you team ready for the playoffs and don’t worry about the day to day win/loss column of the regular season. It doesn’t matter if you are a #1 seed or a #8 seed if you are healthy. You will make the Western Finals if you are void of injuries. Your series against anyone not called Thunder or Chippers will not go past 6 games. ke) The Los Angeles Chippers are the wild card of the top 3. They have the initial year under Coach Doc Rivers in the books and with a more aggressive Blake Griffin they will be the team that should take the top seed with an outstanding regular season. Blake will abandon the “nice boy I can take it” attitude and let the fists fly if you really want to know. Blake will take someone out before December and don’t be surprised that after his suspension he will have his best year ever. The attitude adjustment of Griffin to go with the best playmaker in the League, Chris Paul, give the Clippers a great chance to overtake an injured Thunder or Spur’s team. Take it to the bank; this could be a Title year for LAC. Dallas, Portland, Houston, Memphis, and Golden State seem to be the next choices for playoff positions. I like what Minnesota and New Orleans are doing and should be improved. Sacramento, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver, Phoenix, and Utah will follow. Top 5 players in the West are: Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and Marc Gasol. Here are my predictions for the Western Conference. The playoff picks are based on full strength teams void of major injuries: Regular Season 1. Los Angeles Clippers 2. Dallas 3. San Antonio 4. Oklahoma City 5. Memphis 6. Golden State 7. Portland 8. Houston Playoffs: Oklahoma City over San Antonio in six for the Western finalist. Thunder Up OKC fans. |
All Photos in this post are Getty Images
OU Ready to Make Run at National Title
by Fred Pahlke | Posted on Wednesday, August 13th, 2014
How did the Oklahoma Sooners fair in their season ending Sugar Bowl with Alabama? Start with redshirt freshman QB Trevor Knight and his precise dissection of the Bama secondary; move over to the Tide offensive line that was beaten like a dog by a young and fast OU defense; end with a snub by Big Game Bob Stoops having his team take a post-game team photo on the Sugar Bowl turf with thousands of fans of the defending National Champs glaring at the proceedings.
OU is loaded for Bear, for Pokes, for Tennessee hound dog this year. Defense wins championships and the Sooners will have one of the best in the country. Mike Stoops, Bob’s little brother has his system in place and with a strong returning group from a 10-2 season, no worry on this side of the ball. A stout defensive front seven led by Charles Tapper, Geno Grissom and Eric Stricker will wreck most offensives they see. A question at linebacker with the possible suspension of leading tackler Frank Shannon (Title 9 suspension for one year is in play) will make the Sooners younger at that position but not any weaker with Soph. Jordan Evans filling starting. Experienced and fast, this front brings it with violence. Adding Jordon Phillips at DT (6’6 335) from injury in 2013, give OU their best run stopper since Gerald McCoy. The secondary will be effective with Quentin Hayes, Zach Sanchez, and Julian Wilson. Depth in numbers and young, don’t worry about the pass defense. In summary, the Sooners are fast, hard hitting, deep and well-coached. Don’t expect many teams to be successful against them. Defensive Coordinator Mike Stoops is as good as they come. His staff is the best in the conference.
Some question marks on offense revolve around Dorial Green-Beckham, a top receiver in the country, who has transferred from Missouri. His problems in Columbia are behind him and OU believes he will be given permission to play this season. As of today, that decision by the NCAA has not been made. Another potential game changer, Joe Mixon, has not been cleared to play and his issue with punching a female student a few weeks ago is still being investigated. Both DGB and Mixon will put OU over the top if eligible to play. They are that good. QB Trevor Knight will get his chance to be consistent over a complete season. His ability to run and pass gives OU a superior signal caller. Running backs, though young, are extremely talented with Keith Ford and Alan Ross a touch ahead to some great freshman backups. If Mixon is cleared, expect him to be on the field in the backfield or in the slot. The o-line is deep, talented, and experienced. Suffice to say, what they did to Alabama’s d-line was no fluke. With Sterling Shepard OU has a #1 receiver and will develop depth with some quality under-classmen to go along with Sr. Durron Neal. Add DGB and this group becomes one of the best in the country. OU has moved for QB Blake Bell to the tight end position and his progress has been what Offensive Co-coordinators Josh Heupel and Jay Norvell expected. He gives the Sooners an over the middle threat with a big body. Cody Thomas (redshirt freshman) will fill in as the backup for Knight at QB. Bell will not (play qb) at this time.
OU has signed the best high school kicker in America in this past recruiting season but he won’t see the field as Michael Hunnycutt returns for his senior season as the top placement in the country. OU’s punting game with Jed Barnett is very good. The Sooners will use Sterling Shepard as the punt returner.
This is the year for OU to challenge for a National Title. Everything is for the taking. Bob Stoops and the Sooner Nation will be disappointed with a one loss regular season. Texas Tech is not the best team OU plays this year but the game in Lubbock might be their hardest to win. The Sooners favored in every game until the post-season, can and should run the table. They are that good.
Oklahoma Sooners
Prediction: 12-0 (9-0 conference, 1st)
Possible losses: Texas Tech in Lubbock
Offensive Strengths: No weaknesses
Defensive Strengths: Front 7
Best Player: Doriel Green-Beckham if he plays
Coaching: A Bob Stoops made some staff changes in 2013 and they are turning out to be what the staff needed. No weakness here. The best staff in the Big 12.
National Prediction: OU will make the 4 team playoff. Look for an OU/Alabama rematch.
These Bears Are Going to Light It Up by Fred Pahlke | Posted on Monday, August 11th, 2014
The two game let down at the end of their Big 12 Title season did leave some distaste in the Baylor faithful but with a contingent of outstanding players returning to Waco for the 2014 season that negative memory will soon be forgotten. Baylor Head Coach Art Briles has the Bear program in top form and with a new stadium opening on the Brazos River we are witnessing the greatest times in the history of this Baptist school.
Baylor’s chances for National honors will depend upon improvement in the defense. Plus, a game in Norman with the Sooners will be no picnic in the park as Baylor hasn’t won there, ever. In the short of it, Baylor can and should win every game until that encounter with OU on Nov. 8th. What Coach Briles must do is get the Bears into a mindset that they can take their program to the next level. Baylor will give up plenty of points and given an opportunity to win twelve regular season games the Bears have to be on each and every week. Last year they couldn’t and Okla. State routed them in Stillwater. Then they couldn’t stop UCF and the two losses ruined their season.
Only four starters return on defense with the d-line the best bet to be good. Bryce Hager should be healed from last season’s world of injuries and is a fine linebacker. He is not enough. Penn State transfer Shawn Oakman will try to shore up the end position. He sat out last season. The secondary is adequate at best. The score board will tally up like a pin ball game when Baylor plays.
Baylor will score as they have one of the best quarterbacks in the country leading the attack. Bryce Petty is the class of the Big 12 and is equally dangerous running as passing. With Antwan Goodley sidelined for a month or so with an injury, Baylor will still rout their first opponents with ease. The line needs to shore up its pass blocking but will still open gaping holes against inferior competition.
Art Briles knows offense but until he gets his defense in a better place Baylor might have to wait for any playoff seeds. A terrible non-conference schedule won’t do him any favors. Look for a solid ten win season and to win eleven or twelve will be a stretch. OU won’t be easy and upsets always find teams that are not the best on defense.
Baylor Bears
Preseason Prediction: 10-2 (7-2, 2nd)
Offensive Strengths: Quarterback, running back, recievers,
Defensive Strengths: D-line
Possible Wins: All games
Best Player: Bryce Petty
Best Defensive Player: Bryce Harper
Coaching: A Art Briles is one of the best in the country; Phil Bennett is adequate as the Def. Coordinator
K-State Will Be Very Good
by Fred Pahlke | Posted on Friday, August 8th, 2014
Sept. 18, Manhattan, Kansas: K-State against Auburn. Can they, beat the War Eagle? You bet, and don’t be surprised that they don’t. A win and the Wildcats are looking at a great season and a possible run at the Big 12 title in 2014. A loss and nothing is really lost, as the schedule allows Coach Bill Snyder to continue to work his way with his fine football team.
This time around Kansas State will have an experienced Q-back to lead the offense. Jake Waters is the starter with a season under his belt in the system. He’s a playmaker on a team of playmakers. The best offensive player this side of Oklahoma is receiver Tyler Locket. He will put up great numbers as he did last year. The best player in the league, he is a first team All-American. Backup but valuable signal caller Daniel Sams will see action as he is too good an athlete to sit. He will see time as another pass catcher when not playing QB. Add Andre Davis (JC Transfer) to the mix and Waters will just smile. The o-line is young but good. Kansas State with Dana Dimel and Del Miller as co-offensive coordinators, the Wildcats will be well coached.
On the defensive side Kansas State will be very good. Tough in the trenches and with Big 12 Defensive lineman of the year in Ryan Mueller, the Cats can and will stuff many opponents. They have the stoppers to play with OU and Baylor and that gives them a chance to win each Saturday. Safety Dante Barnett is an all-league player and will be listed on many honors teams at the end of the season.
Waters has improved enough that K-State won six of its final seven games including a sparkling bowl win over out-matched and out-coached Michigan 31-14. Only a stout OU team dealt the Cats a loss in that string of games and having to go to Norman and Waco say a third place finish is about right. Don’t count them out against Auburn, OU and Baylor. All three are winnable so a nine win season would be nice but a 10 or 11 wins season not out of the question. Bill Snyder won’t be out coached by anyone and the Little Apple will rock this season.
Kansas State
Preseason prediction: 9-3 (6-3 in conference)
Possible wins: every game (Right now, KSU 34, Auburn 31 is my prediction)
Strengths: Q-back, receiver, both lines, Tyler Locker’s return game
Weaknesses: none
Best Player: Tyler Lockett
Coaching: A+ KSU has one of the all-time greats in Snyder.
Be Patient With the Pokes
by Fred Pahlke | Posted on Wednesday, August 6th, 2014
The talent level should allow Oklahoma State to prepare the program for a big 2015 when the schedule favors the Cowboys. Too many tough games on the road this season and a team loaded with many under-classmen might not be kind to Mike Gundy’s Pokes; but with a bright future things need to be put in perspective in Stillwater. Gundy will play at least nine true freshmen that are currently on their two deep. An 8 or 9 win season is not out of the question as not too many teams will out talent them. Florida State for an opener and OU and Baylor at the bottom doesn’t help; any upset win of those three will be tough as the final two are on the road and Fla. State is the defending National Champ.
Gundy seems to have the talent at QB but with only J.W Walsh with real game time snaps, the offense will suffer in the downfield passing game with him in the game. As already promised for Game 1 against the Seminoles, redshirt Daxx Garman will play 10 to 12 plays. Garman hasn’t been in a competitive game for 5 years but has a strong arm which bodes well. South Carolina recruit Mason Rudolph is the future in the position and he may or may not red-shirt. I tend to believe he will be a significant player by years end. Rudolph has the arm and the legs to be a dynamite player in time. It is a given that OSU will move the ball. The leader has not been chosen and the race is tight.
The o-line will not be as good as past years, partly because of experience and partly because former line coach Joe Wickline is now at Texas. Don’t underestimate Wickline’s departure. It is a loss. OSU’s offensive lines have been outstanding in the past years and a significant reason for the success they have had. Running back Desmond Roland and his backups give the Pokes the ball carriers for major yardage. If the Qb’s can get the ball to them, OSU is just fine with some great talented pass catchers. Add Tyreek Hill to the mix and the big play can be a plus for this team. Hill could be the next of the great ones at Stillwater. Blackmon, Dez, the Woods brothers, Hill is in this class of talent. The Cowboys get A+ recruits these days and that is why a major drop off is not going to happen. OSU will score at will on some people. They are capable of matching Big 12 favorites OU and Baylor and don’t look for Fla. State to shut them down.
New defensive starters are promising. Seven starters are officially gone but with game time situations giving many players some valuable experience in 2013, that might not be as significant as one might think. With an influx of some good freshmen and Michigan transfer Josh Furman (17 starts in Ann Arbor) the drop off might not be noticed. They will be a good group and a nationally ranking in 2015 is expected. The D-line should be stout with James Castleman and Jimmy Bean pushing all-conference honors. The linebackers and secondary will take time to get it right but the players are there. This should be one of the better defensive teams in the league by bowl season.
The kicking game must improve and if Ben Grogan misses early expect a change. Look for a great punt and kick-off returner and Tyreek Hill (sprinter speed) might be the ticket.
A seven and five season would be about right for OSU in 2014. First game loss to the best in the nation, followed by pushovers in weeks two and three make the Texas Tech home game the big one in the early season. Win that and the Pokes are on their way to a good season. As with young teams, a bad loss could be followed up by a major upset. Talent says OSU wins out at home and goes into the road contests with more than hope. Hope doesn’t win though.
Oklahoma State
Preseason Prediction: 7-5 (5-4 in conference)
Possible wins: besides the obvious, everyone but at OU and the Semioles. The Pokes don’t win in Norman and Jerry’s World. Look for the Fla. State game’s final score to be respectable at the end.
Strengths: Running back, receiver, d-line, winning attitude, overall talent level
Weaknesses: O-line, linebacker
Best Offensive Player: Tyreek Hill
Best Defensive Player: James Castleman
Coaching grade: B+ Gundy lost his best assistant and that won’t help. Glenn Spencer is a top d-coordinator and Mike Yurcich in his second year as the o-coordinator will be better. Gundy does have his stamp on this team and look for him to be gone in 2016 if they don’t made a strong run at the National Title in 2015. He is wanted by a lot of higher echelon programs that will be open. His relationship with the AD and the university powers to be is on a downward slide. Will T-Boone Pickens save the day for him and a major change of power in the athletic department happened.
Gundy seems to have the talent at QB but with only J.W Walsh with real game time snaps, the offense will suffer in the downfield passing game with him in the game. As already promised for Game 1 against the Seminoles, redshirt Daxx Garman will play 10 to 12 plays. Garman hasn’t been in a competitive game for 5 years but has a strong arm which bodes well. South Carolina recruit Mason Rudolph is the future in the position and he may or may not red-shirt. I tend to believe he will be a significant player by years end. Rudolph has the arm and the legs to be a dynamite player in time. It is a given that OSU will move the ball. The leader has not been chosen and the race is tight.
The o-line will not be as good as past years, partly because of experience and partly because former line coach Joe Wickline is now at Texas. Don’t underestimate Wickline’s departure. It is a loss. OSU’s offensive lines have been outstanding in the past years and a significant reason for the success they have had. Running back Desmond Roland and his backups give the Pokes the ball carriers for major yardage. If the Qb’s can get the ball to them, OSU is just fine with some great talented pass catchers. Add Tyreek Hill to the mix and the big play can be a plus for this team. Hill could be the next of the great ones at Stillwater. Blackmon, Dez, the Woods brothers, Hill is in this class of talent. The Cowboys get A+ recruits these days and that is why a major drop off is not going to happen. OSU will score at will on some people. They are capable of matching Big 12 favorites OU and Baylor and don’t look for Fla. State to shut them down.
New defensive starters are promising. Seven starters are officially gone but with game time situations giving many players some valuable experience in 2013, that might not be as significant as one might think. With an influx of some good freshmen and Michigan transfer Josh Furman (17 starts in Ann Arbor) the drop off might not be noticed. They will be a good group and a nationally ranking in 2015 is expected. The D-line should be stout with James Castleman and Jimmy Bean pushing all-conference honors. The linebackers and secondary will take time to get it right but the players are there. This should be one of the better defensive teams in the league by bowl season.
The kicking game must improve and if Ben Grogan misses early expect a change. Look for a great punt and kick-off returner and Tyreek Hill (sprinter speed) might be the ticket.
A seven and five season would be about right for OSU in 2014. First game loss to the best in the nation, followed by pushovers in weeks two and three make the Texas Tech home game the big one in the early season. Win that and the Pokes are on their way to a good season. As with young teams, a bad loss could be followed up by a major upset. Talent says OSU wins out at home and goes into the road contests with more than hope. Hope doesn’t win though.
Oklahoma State
Preseason Prediction: 7-5 (5-4 in conference)
Possible wins: besides the obvious, everyone but at OU and the Semioles. The Pokes don’t win in Norman and Jerry’s World. Look for the Fla. State game’s final score to be respectable at the end.
Strengths: Running back, receiver, d-line, winning attitude, overall talent level
Weaknesses: O-line, linebacker
Best Offensive Player: Tyreek Hill
Best Defensive Player: James Castleman
Coaching grade: B+ Gundy lost his best assistant and that won’t help. Glenn Spencer is a top d-coordinator and Mike Yurcich in his second year as the o-coordinator will be better. Gundy does have his stamp on this team and look for him to be gone in 2016 if they don’t made a strong run at the National Title in 2015. He is wanted by a lot of higher echelon programs that will be open. His relationship with the AD and the university powers to be is on a downward slide. Will T-Boone Pickens save the day for him and a major change of power in the athletic department happened.
TCU Looks to Improve Win Total
by Fred Pahlke | Posted on Monday, August 4th, 2014
TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson (120-44) can teach winning football and his defenses have been outstanding throughout his career. This Frog squad will again be stout enough on that side of the ball to give opponent offenses worries. Former Oklahoma State Head Coach Pat Jones said that TCU is currently “as mess”. I tend to argue with that word “mess” and I am in Patterson’s boat, knowing that the Frog offense will show more this season with improvement in Treavon Boykin who has started 15 games. Patterson will open up the playbook, allowing Boykin get in the open field. “We’re going to a style of offense I thought evened the playing field. To be honest, I have no problems winning 45-31.” Doug Meachem (Okla.St) and Sonnie Cumbe (Texas Tech) take over as co-offensive coordinators and bring a wealth of knowledge to Ft. Worth. Look for TCU to look like a cross between the Cowboys balanced attach to go along with the Red Raider Leach passing schemes allowing Boykin to be more successful. A junior filled O-line will get better as the year progresses.
Another strong defense will take the field this season for TCU. The d-line will be good run stoppers and even with a loss of NFL talent in the secondary, don’t fret, the Toads will be very good against the pass. Donvonte Fields is an all-league pass rusher as a sophomore.
TCU should have their opportunities to win some big ball games in 2014. The first three games should put them upset minded with a home game against OU in game 4. Patterson is aware that what worked last year is not enough and as the Big 12 is a not a league where you can count on wins and losses, the Frogs have a chance to return to winning.
Texas Christian University
Preseason Prediction: 7-5 (4-5 in conference-4th tie )
Possible Wins: They could be in every game
Best Player: Devonte Fields, Defensive End
Strengths: Defensive line; Defensive Secondary
Weaknesses: Receiver; running back
Coaching Grade: A Gary Patterson is one of the better coaches in the country and his new offensive coordinators will change up the look of the team. A solid group and they won’t often be out-coached.
Another strong defense will take the field this season for TCU. The d-line will be good run stoppers and even with a loss of NFL talent in the secondary, don’t fret, the Toads will be very good against the pass. Donvonte Fields is an all-league pass rusher as a sophomore.
TCU should have their opportunities to win some big ball games in 2014. The first three games should put them upset minded with a home game against OU in game 4. Patterson is aware that what worked last year is not enough and as the Big 12 is a not a league where you can count on wins and losses, the Frogs have a chance to return to winning.
Texas Christian University
Preseason Prediction: 7-5 (4-5 in conference-4th tie )
Possible Wins: They could be in every game
Best Player: Devonte Fields, Defensive End
Strengths: Defensive line; Defensive Secondary
Weaknesses: Receiver; running back
Coaching Grade: A Gary Patterson is one of the better coaches in the country and his new offensive coordinators will change up the look of the team. A solid group and they won’t often be out-coached.
Texas: Nothing Will Come Easy in 2014
by Fred Pahlke | Posted on Friday, August 1st, 2014
Texas could possibly lose it’s first four homes games in Charlie Strong’s first season at Austin. That is not a stretch. And if it happens, the Longhorns look at a long season and the positive rewards of Coach Strong’s regime will need to wait for a year or so. Many are up on the Horns for 2014 with a pre-season Top 25 in the recent Coaches Poll. Strong’s peers believe that he can make a difference this year. No doubt he can coach and in time Texas will be back at the Top in the Big 12. It might happen but not this year with this current group of Mac Brown’s players (or what is remaining of them after a long summer). Dismissals have taken a team with good depth to a team that will have to rely on some very young faces to play significant time. With a returning QB in David Ash, you get a signal caller that has one last chance to lead the offense. Another concussion will end his time at Austin, a career that was called over last season with three such blows to the head. He is adequate at best and one of the reasons that I am not as high on Texas in 2014 as others.
Down trends are telling for this program. Mac Brown continued to have outstanding recruiting classes while Coach Strong was just able to pull a 20th best class (Rivals). Texas classes were always close to, if not, at top. The talent level will be down for a while. The lack of a big time quarterback hasn’t helped as already mentioned and relief is not in the steer barn right now. Texas will not win football games on talent alone, something that the previous coach could do. Texas in the short horn of it, has problems.
On offense Texas will struggle against the better teams. Oklahoma won’t be giving Texas thirty-six points this year. Kansas State 31, TCU 30, and Texas Tech 41. Scoring will be a problem. Malcolm Brown is a tough runner and behind a solid o-line the Horns will need to go to a grind it out game, eat the clock, and dominate the trenches. Receivers are good to excellent and if Ash can get them the ball they can make plays. I don’t expect that to happen often enough. I don’t expect Ash to get past the Oklahoma game if you want to know. That head will take another blow. Texas on offense looks better on paper than what you will see on the field.
Defensive improvement is needed and Charlie Strong is going to have that unit ready to play, especially in 2015. Again the line will be good, but can they play with physicality? They were pushed around last year but a lot the problems was the way former Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz had them lined up. Diaz is gone and that is a good thing. He was terrible. Vance Bedford, the new man in town to coach the defense, will have them lined up properly and they will be taught fundamentals and not just arm tackling. That BYU game was hilarious.
I don’t want to be hard on Texas for 2014 but with the Big 12 evenly matched, it often makes a big difference where you play. Texas, in my opinion, has some trap games. Even starting out with North Texas in Darrell K Royal won’t be a delicious piece of cake. As in all first games of a season and with the start of a new program, the Mean Green will give UT all they want an upset is not out of the question. After tough games against BYU and UCLA, a win over Kansas brings them to Baylor and Oklahoma. It is not inconceivable that Texas is 2-4 when they host Iowa State. Four of the final games are losable, with trips to the Little Apple, Lubbock and Stillwater on the schedule. Texas had its work cut out for 2014.
Texas has added Joe Wickline to work with the offense as Coordinator and the top o-line coach in the country will improve that unit in time. Teaching technique on the o-line in the college game is so important and you can mark it down that Texas will have a dominate run and pass blocking group in time. Strong has bought in a top staff that starts with Wickline.
Texas
Preseason Prediction: 5-7 (4-5 in conference-4th tie)
Possible Wins: They won’t beat OU, Baylor or UCLA. They will beat Iowa State and Kansas. Everyone else are Saturday to Saturday, toss-ups.
Best Player: Quandre Diggs, defensive back
Strengths: Running back; receiver;
Weaknesses: quarterback
Coaching Grade: A- (in time Texas will be Texas . Strong will continue to find his type of players. Wickline is the best o-line coach in college football. Texas won’t be out coached as in the recent past.
/
Down trends are telling for this program. Mac Brown continued to have outstanding recruiting classes while Coach Strong was just able to pull a 20th best class (Rivals). Texas classes were always close to, if not, at top. The talent level will be down for a while. The lack of a big time quarterback hasn’t helped as already mentioned and relief is not in the steer barn right now. Texas will not win football games on talent alone, something that the previous coach could do. Texas in the short horn of it, has problems.
On offense Texas will struggle against the better teams. Oklahoma won’t be giving Texas thirty-six points this year. Kansas State 31, TCU 30, and Texas Tech 41. Scoring will be a problem. Malcolm Brown is a tough runner and behind a solid o-line the Horns will need to go to a grind it out game, eat the clock, and dominate the trenches. Receivers are good to excellent and if Ash can get them the ball they can make plays. I don’t expect that to happen often enough. I don’t expect Ash to get past the Oklahoma game if you want to know. That head will take another blow. Texas on offense looks better on paper than what you will see on the field.
Defensive improvement is needed and Charlie Strong is going to have that unit ready to play, especially in 2015. Again the line will be good, but can they play with physicality? They were pushed around last year but a lot the problems was the way former Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz had them lined up. Diaz is gone and that is a good thing. He was terrible. Vance Bedford, the new man in town to coach the defense, will have them lined up properly and they will be taught fundamentals and not just arm tackling. That BYU game was hilarious.
I don’t want to be hard on Texas for 2014 but with the Big 12 evenly matched, it often makes a big difference where you play. Texas, in my opinion, has some trap games. Even starting out with North Texas in Darrell K Royal won’t be a delicious piece of cake. As in all first games of a season and with the start of a new program, the Mean Green will give UT all they want an upset is not out of the question. After tough games against BYU and UCLA, a win over Kansas brings them to Baylor and Oklahoma. It is not inconceivable that Texas is 2-4 when they host Iowa State. Four of the final games are losable, with trips to the Little Apple, Lubbock and Stillwater on the schedule. Texas had its work cut out for 2014.
Texas has added Joe Wickline to work with the offense as Coordinator and the top o-line coach in the country will improve that unit in time. Teaching technique on the o-line in the college game is so important and you can mark it down that Texas will have a dominate run and pass blocking group in time. Strong has bought in a top staff that starts with Wickline.
Texas
Preseason Prediction: 5-7 (4-5 in conference-4th tie)
Possible Wins: They won’t beat OU, Baylor or UCLA. They will beat Iowa State and Kansas. Everyone else are Saturday to Saturday, toss-ups.
Best Player: Quandre Diggs, defensive back
Strengths: Running back; receiver;
Weaknesses: quarterback
Coaching Grade: A- (in time Texas will be Texas . Strong will continue to find his type of players. Wickline is the best o-line coach in college football. Texas won’t be out coached as in the recent past.
/
Texas Tech Will Be Dangerous
by Fred Pahlke | Posted on Saturday, August 2nd, 2014
Having a hot shot quarterback is an equalizer and with Davis Webb’s outstanding late season performances (including a 4 TD passing game against Arizona State in the bowl game) Texas Tech will be a load, especially when they play on the South Plains at Jones Stadium in Lubbock. Head Coach Kliff Kinsgbury can always count on a strong, loud, and boisterous throng yelling obscenities and such at their opponents. (I’ve been there and the crowd at Lubbock is one of the best…..mean spirited and nasty-the way it should be). The home field advantage is significant and Tech is never an easy out at home. Kingsbury and the Red Raiders will have their success in 2014 mostly at home, and that is a good thing.
Texas Tech will score often this season. Kingsbury knows how to coach quarterbacks and his schemes to go along with some of the best talent in the Big 12 makes Tech a dangerous team on every play. Webb has a bevy of outstanding wide outs to go to, with Jakeem Grant a deep threat with tremendous speed. His two bowl game scores and seven for the season will improve and look for him to be on the all-conference team at the season’s end. Kenny Williams, a two year starter at the running back position, is above average and gives the Red Raiders a better than average back to pick up tough yards on the ground. Always good on the o-line, Tech will be a little smaller up front but should have success protecting Webb. Again, Kingsbury will put the best players in positions where they will be most successful. Le’Raven Clark at 6’5 and 320 will be in the NFL two years as the junior should make most all-conference teams this and next season. He is outstanding in both the run game and pass blocking. As good as Tech is this year, with nine underclassmen starting, this offense will be just that much better in 2015. Offensive coordinator Eric Morris has the players to make things happen.
Shoring up a leaking defense will be of concern and after a disappointing 2013. Tech should be better in 2014. Running back Kenny Williams, after some politicking, has convinced the coaching staff that he can help on defense as an outside linebacker. A two way starter tells how good a football player he is. JUCO transfers will be utilized by Tech as they are in the rebuilding mode under co-coordinators Matt Wallestedt and Mike Smith. Improvement needs to be made or these two will be looking for new jobs next year. The kicking game is good with veterans returning.
With a win against Arkansas in Lubbock in game 3 the Red Raiders will be off to a nice three win start. Not as long as last years seven game start, the early wins will give them momentum going into Stillwater and Manhattan in following weeks. Upsetting either the Pokes or Wildcats is not out of question. Wins over West Virginia and Kansas at home should give Tech no worse than a 5-2 start going into Ft. Worth, another place that could spell a win. Home games with Texas and Oklahoma follow and don’t count them out on either. Texas could be playing with a freshman q-back by that time and the Sooners hate playing in Jones Stadium and that game could be at night, another bad omen for OU. A win at Iowa State and a final home contest against Baylor rounds out the schedule. With Baylor, Tech has another opportunity to win, in a scoring fest, at home. It will be exciting and a winning season for Coach Kingsbury and the Red Raiders. Tommy T is gone and it is a good time to be pistols firing in Lubbock.
Texas Tech
Preseason Prediction: 7-5 (4-5 in conference-4th tie )
Possible Wins: Every game
Best Player: Davis Webb, quarterback
Strengths: Quarterback, Receiver, o-line
Weaknesses: Defense
Coaching Grade: B With that first year out of the way, Kingsbury experienced a nice seven game winning streak and then a five game losing streak. Kingsbury knows the passing game thank you very much Coach Mike Leach. Tech has enough on offense to play with anyone. They also have a defense that can get whipped and that is not a good thing. Look for Tech to win more than they lose. They are a dangerous team for the heavy weights of the league. Beware Oklahoma and Baylor.
Texas Tech will score often this season. Kingsbury knows how to coach quarterbacks and his schemes to go along with some of the best talent in the Big 12 makes Tech a dangerous team on every play. Webb has a bevy of outstanding wide outs to go to, with Jakeem Grant a deep threat with tremendous speed. His two bowl game scores and seven for the season will improve and look for him to be on the all-conference team at the season’s end. Kenny Williams, a two year starter at the running back position, is above average and gives the Red Raiders a better than average back to pick up tough yards on the ground. Always good on the o-line, Tech will be a little smaller up front but should have success protecting Webb. Again, Kingsbury will put the best players in positions where they will be most successful. Le’Raven Clark at 6’5 and 320 will be in the NFL two years as the junior should make most all-conference teams this and next season. He is outstanding in both the run game and pass blocking. As good as Tech is this year, with nine underclassmen starting, this offense will be just that much better in 2015. Offensive coordinator Eric Morris has the players to make things happen.
Shoring up a leaking defense will be of concern and after a disappointing 2013. Tech should be better in 2014. Running back Kenny Williams, after some politicking, has convinced the coaching staff that he can help on defense as an outside linebacker. A two way starter tells how good a football player he is. JUCO transfers will be utilized by Tech as they are in the rebuilding mode under co-coordinators Matt Wallestedt and Mike Smith. Improvement needs to be made or these two will be looking for new jobs next year. The kicking game is good with veterans returning.
With a win against Arkansas in Lubbock in game 3 the Red Raiders will be off to a nice three win start. Not as long as last years seven game start, the early wins will give them momentum going into Stillwater and Manhattan in following weeks. Upsetting either the Pokes or Wildcats is not out of question. Wins over West Virginia and Kansas at home should give Tech no worse than a 5-2 start going into Ft. Worth, another place that could spell a win. Home games with Texas and Oklahoma follow and don’t count them out on either. Texas could be playing with a freshman q-back by that time and the Sooners hate playing in Jones Stadium and that game could be at night, another bad omen for OU. A win at Iowa State and a final home contest against Baylor rounds out the schedule. With Baylor, Tech has another opportunity to win, in a scoring fest, at home. It will be exciting and a winning season for Coach Kingsbury and the Red Raiders. Tommy T is gone and it is a good time to be pistols firing in Lubbock.
Texas Tech
Preseason Prediction: 7-5 (4-5 in conference-4th tie )
Possible Wins: Every game
Best Player: Davis Webb, quarterback
Strengths: Quarterback, Receiver, o-line
Weaknesses: Defense
Coaching Grade: B With that first year out of the way, Kingsbury experienced a nice seven game winning streak and then a five game losing streak. Kingsbury knows the passing game thank you very much Coach Mike Leach. Tech has enough on offense to play with anyone. They also have a defense that can get whipped and that is not a good thing. Look for Tech to win more than they lose. They are a dangerous team for the heavy weights of the league. Beware Oklahoma and Baylor.
By Fred Pahlke On Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
Iowa State To Hit Rock Bottom
Paul Rhoads is an Iowa State guy, a fine football coach, and has the football program in Ames in the black with record crowds (55,361 average in a 56,800 venue) attending games at Jack Trice. Excitement for Cyclone football has never been higher. It can also be noted that other Big 12 schools are eating Coach Rhoads alive. With only Kansas as a better doormat for Big 12 teams, Rhoads need to get his program back on track (which means winning enough games to get to a bowl game) or his days are numbered. Losing to lesser in-state rivals such as Northern Iowa perpetuate the need for success, and the love from the Iowa State faithful will only go so far. As with any school in a BCS conference, the win/loss ratio is now the overriding factor in the longevity of a coach, and this competent head coach is now losing more than the acceptable amount of games. Another losing season and Rhodes could be out by Christmas. Most of the Big 12 media thinks the Clones will improve in 2014. I’m not included. In fact, I think the Kansas Jayhawks will pass them in the standings and drop Iowa State to rock bottom in the league. I just don’t see the wins.
The offensive line will be the strength of the team in 2014. Five starters return on a unit that couldn’t move the ball on good teams last year. The backfield is nothing special and the return of Mark Mangino (former Kansas head coach) will prove to be a disaster for interpersonal reasons. Mangino gets personal and that is not what Iowa State needs. His kind is something not a kin to what has been going on in the program. Expect turmoil once the losing starts, which begins early with blowout losses to Kansas State, Baylor and Oklahoma State in the first part of the season. Mangino’s stay at Ames will be a short one. Playmaker Quinton Bundrage (9 TD receptions) is the best player on offense, and is also dangerous on kick/punt returns. Iowa State won’t be a scoring machine though.
Defensively speaking they won’t stop many teams this year. The group that gave up 71, 41, 58, 48,42, and 44 points in six of nine conference tests will not be better on this trip through the league. The team’s best player at any position, Luke Knott, is still injured and probably won’t see the field at linebacker this year. The rest is a mess and the coaching of Wally Burnham as the defensive coordinator is suspect at best. Look for teams to run, pass, and score at will in many contests. The kicking game is also below average, which is not typical of an Iowa State team. An early win in their opening game with North Dakota State is a must. Yet, money is on the defending D1 FCS champions, and it’s never good to lose to a program that is in a lower division. It is what it is and Iowa State will be lucky to win two games this year and should be a dog in every game they play except for Kansas. Toledo at home and Kansas on the road are also best chances for the Cyclones to break though. Yes, they could pull an upset or two, but I wouldn’t put my money on it.
Iowa State
Preseason Prediction: 1-11 (0-9 in conference-10th )
Possible Wins: Toledo at home; Kansas on the road; North Dakota State at home
Best Player: Luke Knott, Linebacker
Strengths: O-line
Weaknesses: too many to mention
Coaching Grade: C (Rhoads is a capable head man but his staff is lacking and will suffer internally)
Kansas -Big 12 Preview
http://prosportsextra.com/2014/07/30/kansas-big-12-preview/
by Fred Pahlke | Posted on Wednesday, July 30th, 2014Big 12 Preview
Kansas Jayhawks
Can anyone give names on who might be the next Kansas football coach? Charlie Weis is on a fast track to “over the rainbow” as one conference win in two years and a possible third would be, for many, an upset for this new season. Not that Weis is a bad coach, but how does the powers to be at Kansas think they are going to get better when they hire a coach that doesn’t know the college scene. Good Time Charlie needs to get back to the NFL, offensive coordinator to be specific. He is good in that position.
Hard to be positive about KU, but a stadium redo will boost the program for future years. Plus, have you been to a game at the oldest stadium playing football east of the Ole Miss River? What a view, what a campus, what a basketball team. Now if the Jayhawks could just get a few top recruits to play football in Lawrence. Quantrill won’t be back to burn the city. It’s close to Kansas City, good Bar-B-Q you know. The coeds are not chopped liver. Now for the outlook on a terrible D1 football program that will suffer another losing fall.
Running backs and wide receivers are adequate, and maybe a little better than adequate. Even with the loss of James Sims (1100 yards), the depth with Brandon Bourbon, Taylor Cox and Darrian Miller give the J-hawks three options running the football. Throw in Traevovhn Wrech and KU will have some success moving the ball on the ground with a satisfactory O-line (three seniors). Transfer Nick Harwell (Miami, Ohio) gives KU qb Montell Cozart a nice target if he can get the ball to him. As the norm with this program, Kansas can look good a times and play with some good team but quarterback play in many instances fail them and the good effort goes down the drain. UCLA transfer T.J. Millweard and Jake Heaps will contend for the starting job at but Cozart had the better spring and should get the nod in the home opener against Southwest Missouri State.
On the defensive side, Kansas is not that bad. Can they line up and go toe to toe with the best of the Big 12 offenses? Yes, but they cannot be on the field all day. Linebacker Ben Heeney is All-Big 12 caliber and can come up with the big play. He has a knack for the ball with 3 interceptions and 11 tackles for loss in his 88 tackles in 2013. With returning all -league performers Isaiah Johnson and Dexter McDonald returning to the secondary, Kansas is not void of quality defensive stoppers. The kicking game has to be better. JaCorey Shepard is a threat to take back punts.
Two wins a strong possibility, but not more than one in Big 12 play says KU will be in coach search mode by end of the season. The men in Lawrence will be favored once this season, and with toss up games against Iowa State (home) and Central Michigan (home), a fourth win would be gravy. Fifteen wins in the past five years tells me three wins in 2014.
Can Charlie Weis get it turned around this season? My money says no. What the Coach has going for the program is that his players play hard, he has a few pieces that will cause concern for opponents, and Kansas fans don’t expect much. Basketball season is always just around the corner.
Kansas
Preseason Prediction: 3-9 (1-8 in conference-9th )
Possible Wins: Southwest Missouri State (home); Central Michigan (home); Iowa State (home)
Best Player: Ben Heeney, Linebacker
Strengths: Running Back, O-line, D-secondary
Weaknesses: Quarterback, placement, depth
Coaching Grade: B (Weis is a better coach than his record but he is not the fit in Lawrence. Dave Campo is a quality defensive coordinator and John Reagan is in his first year as the offensive coordinator)
|
West Virginia – Big 12 Preview
|
Big 12 Preview
West Virginia
I am not high on West Virginia. They can win as many as six games this fall but I think they will come up short. Defensive problems that almost put them at the bottom of Big 12 stats last year should continue and with too many games against like opponents on the road give cause for concern for a successful season. Head Coach Dana Holgorsen’s Mountaineers went 4 up and 8 down in his third season and the outlook in 2014 won’t be an improvement. Look for no more than three wins and only two in conference. Starting off with Alabama in a home opener doesn’t help. Look for a rout in that one. Payback on the wrong side for WV. The only good thing about West Virginia could be that Holgorsen does know offense and you never can tell when everything clicks and the team puts up half a hundred. I do think this will be the bottom out season and WV will be back in the hunt in future years with Dana in the fold. (by the way, Holgorsen’s hair cutter needs to do an Andre Agassi and cut his mop. We all can tell he has hair issues, or lack of, hair that is.)
One cannot forget that the program in Morgantown is not a bottom feeder, historically speaking. They know football in this region of the country and a wealth of talent is just a drive down the country road. Talent will always find its way to this old but rustic town of Morgantown. Clint Trickett is my guess to get the nod at QB and he has talent. The Fla. State transfer from a year ago will benefit from a year under Holgorsen’s tutalegde. Expect a productive year for the senior barring injury. Paul Millard is pushing Trickett and has experience as a signal caller under the Head Coach. He should see playing time. Three experienced and talented running backs compliment the offense with speed and cutting ability, including Dreamius Smith. He is exciting to watch. The middle of the o-line is good with the three starters back from last season. Daikeil Shorts is a good threat at the receiving position and he has some buddies that can also contribute. In the Holgorsen system you don’t worry about the passing game. It will be productive. Out pointing the opponents in highly scoring exciting games will be a common goal for this team and points will not be at issue if you are not playing Oklahoma or Alabama.
Defensive issues will be abundant for WV. A lack of quality players doesn’t say good things about what is going to happen on most Saturdays. The returning starters and reserves with experience have been taken to the shed too many times and they await their 2014 beatings. First year D-Coordinator Tony Gibson (8th year in the program) has his work cut out. He is not the answer. Experience, either in the coaching booth or on the field doesn’t make you good on defense, just experienced.
With 55 returning players Coach Holgorsen will tell you that West Virginia is on its way back to winning and last season was more of an aberration and not a trend. Points will come but so will opponents touchdowns. A mediocre team by West Virginia standards, the Big 12 is not the Big East and after a year in the better conference, the week to week grind has taken a toll and will continue. A payback win at Maryland and a win in Lubbock will do the program good. Lose those games and it’s going to be a long season. With Holgorsen, the West Virginia nation will accept no less than a winning football team. String together some losing seasons and he’ll be back at some other D1 school running a productive offense. That is my take.
West Virginia
Preseason Prediction: 3-9 (2-7 in conference-8th )
Possible Wins: Towson (home); Maryland (road); Kansas (home); Texas Tech (road); TCU (home); Iowa State (road)
Best Player: Dreamius Smith, Running Back
Strengths: Running back; O-line
Weaknesses: Defense line; TE; Kicking game
Coaching Grade: C West Virginia is another school with a Head Coach that is suited better for a coordinator job. Holgorsen is still learning the job of head man and I personally think he will be ok. He better or he’s gone in two years. He’s also a hoot to watch on the sidelines. New rules in the Big 12 will cost him yardage for blowing up at officials.
