College Football Preview

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2012 College Preview

Aug. 31, 2012

Preview

ALL RANKINGS ASIDE ...

n

Cover story: After eight years away, it is Mike Stoops’ return to his old defensive coordinator role that has OU fans believing the dominant defense that epitomized the program’s run from 2000-2003 — when it won two Big 12 championships, played in two national championship games and won the 2000 national title — will return. n

Pages 16-17

Landry Jones has thrown for more yards than any quarterback in Oklahoma history. He’s four wins shy of matching the Sooners’ mark for wins by a quarterback. So where’s the love? n

Page 5

Wide receiver crew largely untested but trusted

n

Page 9

Blake Bell and the Belldozer still an option

Page 11

n Can OSU stay the title course? n

Page 14

What do West Virginia, TCU add to the mix?

Page 19

On the Cover

REASON TO HOPE

What Sooners lack in experience, they have in untried potential

D

on’t look at Oklahoma’s ranking, No. 4 by the coaches and No. 4 by the writers.

Don’t look at last season’s lopsided bowl victory. The Sooners played Iowa for crying out loud. In Arizona, yes, but not Glendale.

Don’t look at the returning quarterback and figure all is well.

Landry Jones’ desire to play a final year of college football absolutely has put a floor under the Sooners that keeps Sports Editor them in the Big 12 and national hunts, but the guy doesn’t have Ryan Broyles to throw to any more, nor does he even have Jaz Reynolds for the indefinite future.

Unless Trey Metoyer is better as a true freshman than Broyles was as a redshirt freshman, the Sooner receiving corps may be able, though free of superstars.

Also, don’t look at an offensive line that returns everybody, because it doesn’t, not any more. Not with Ben Habern calling it a career because of a very real and debilitating pain in the neck, and not with the torn ACL of Tyler Evans.

Well, feel free to look at all that, just don’t look at any of those things for certainty.

A nation of pundits watched OU beat the Hawkeyes in Tempe, saw the quarterback choose to come back and watched Mike Stoops — dismissed in competitive disgrace at Arizona, return to

Clay Horning

n Cover design: Amanda Hoddy / The Norman Transcript n Photos: Jerry Laizure / The Norman Transcript n Clockwise from upper left: OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops coaching with defensive line coach Jackie Shipp during Stoops’ first tenure with the Sooners from 1999 to 2003; OU coach Bob Stoops; OU’s Sooner Schooner; Pride of Oklahoma flags; and OU quarterback Landry Jones.

run the Sooner defense he last took to the 2004 BCS national championship game — and figured, sure, put ’em in the top five, it’ll sell.

And it will, because this is OU we’re talking about.

But it doesn’t jibe with the reality on the ground, a reality that included injury and transfer and indefinite suspension, positional shakeups and uncertainty at running back, where Roy Finch remains and the jury remains out on just how fast and how far Dominique Whaley can come back from a broken ankle.

Yet here is the good news.

The bad news is not that bad.

The Sooners may be overrated, but they are not under-talented. They may have a long road to get there, but the program has traversed it before, in 2000 when it came out of nowhere to win it all, in 2006 when Paul Thompson went back to quarterback at the 11th hour and led OU to a Big 12 championship and the year after that when nobody knew what to make of a freshman quarterback named Sam Bradford, only to see the program take off again.

It is the promise of possibility and the Sooners haven’t lost any of that, because Bob Stoops is still the coach, because there are still very good and accomplished players lining up on both sides of the ball and because, yes, even if Mike Stoops is no miracle worker, change is often very good in an immediate way.

There’s reason to believe.

Indeed, isn’t this more fun?

Jones has been both overvilified and

overpraised, but here he is, in a position to make his receivers more than they make him, one half of the first couple of OU athletics. No, his marriage to Whitney Hand may not mean anything on third-and-10 from his own 20 at the Cotton Bowl, and still his Sooner story is richer for it. If he comes through with a big season, it will be more fun.

Whaley was so good last season, the novelty of his being a walk-on, while a great story, soon wore off. Still, he’s beaten the odds in the past simply by becoming a go-to tailback. His effectiveness is a question mark, but don’t be surprised if he answers with an exclamation point.

And the younger Stoops may find the magic.

Has the defense become simpler? He says so, and so have some players. But not all the players. Whatever. He seems to know what he’s after. Also, whatever Brent Venables was after last season occasionally materialized in failure.

Change may be very good.

If it is, the Sooners are right back in the thick of everything.

Embrace it.

This is not a team with the weight of the world on its shoulder. That was last season when OU was a preseason No. 1, and the year before when the first round of BCS standings stunningly placed the Sooners at the top of the heap.

This is a wild card.

Misguided preseason aside, a long shot. But long shots come home.

It happens all the time.

Still ahead Mini posters. . . . . . . . . . 4, 9, 20, 23, 25 Big 12 season schedules . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Big 12 team capsules. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Top 5 impact players to watch. . . . . . 12

The Heisman buzz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Top 5 coordinators to watch . . . . . . . 18 Big 12 team previews. . . . . . . . . . 21-28 What’s on the SEC horizon? . . . . . . . 29

Aug. 31, 2012

2012 College Preview

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Aug. 31, 2012

Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

4 2012 College Preview

‘ ’ Expectations set high for Jones Aug. 31, 2012

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Let’s face it, a year ago you took away some weapons. He maybe overall hasn’t had the most stable receiving corps and tight end corps like some of those other guys had. So, I think the guy has done very well. ... He’s Landry Jones and we love him.

— OU coach Bob Stoops

By John Shinn Transcript Sports Writer

Landry Jones has thrown for more yards than any quarterback in Oklahoma history.

Heck, with just an average season he’ll throw for more yards than any Big 12 Conference quarterback.

Those are just statistics. He’s four wins shy of matching the Sooners’ mark for wins by a quarterback and is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender.

So, why was it that all OU fans didn’t rejoice when he spurned a likely spot in the first round in the NFL draft and elected to return for his senior season? They did when Jason White elected to return in 2004 after a Heisman Trophy winning season the year before. There was a state of euphoria when Sam Bradford returned for another year after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2008.

OU coach Bob Stoops doesn’t get where the blasé attitude toward Jones comes from.

“He’s about to be the all-time leading passer in our history and that’s with guys like Jason White and Sam Bradford and Josh Heupel and so on and so on. That pretty much says it all,” he said.

Jones, who is 29-8 as the Sooners’ starting quarterback and has thrown a school record 93 touchdown passes, is a victim of timing. He had to replace Bradford as OU’s starting quarterback. Filling his shoes was never going to be easy. It’s never easy to replace a guy who has a statue outside the stadium.

Doesn’t help that his backup — Blake Bell — was the MVP of the Insight Bowl last season and reinvigorated the Sooners’ rushing attack in the second half of last season. Doesn’t help that OU’s passing attack foundered after All-American wide receiver Ryan Broyles went three-quarters of the way through the season.

“Let’s face it, a year ago you took away some weapons. He maybe overall hasn’t had the • Jones, Page 6

Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

Landry Jones, right, rejected a likely spot in the first round in the NFL draft and elected to return for his senior season.

The fans have been cool toward Jones and OU coach Bob Stoops says he doesn’t get the blasé attitude toward Jones .

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2012 College Preview

Aug. 31, 2012

Jones

Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

Senior quarterback Landry Jones is four wins shy of matching the Sooners’ mark for wins by a quarterback and is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender.

From Page 5

most stable receiving corps and tight end corps like some of those other guys had,” Stoops said. “So, I think the guy has done very well. And the expectations are what they are. He isn’t any of those other guys.

He’s Landry Jones and we love him. I think he’s getting ready to have a great year.”

Jones never says a peep when asked if he feels slighted. His skin thickened soon after he was thrust into the starting job as a redshirt freshman in 2009.

“You just have to realize what you are capable of and what you are out there to do and leave everything else kind of off to the side. You have to focus on what you can control,” he said. “Those other outside deals or what people are saying to you …

You have to control your emotions and how you react to things.”

Jones hardly said a peep when asked about being left off the preseason All-Big 12 team last month.

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith had the top spot. It exemplified the first three years of Jones’ career. He’s done the

things All-American quarterbacks do. Getting full credit for it has been the hard part.

Jones doesn’t ask for the praise. He’s really only set one goal for this season.

“For me it’s going after that national championship,” he said. “We’ve had some success around this place. With me at quarterback, we haven’t yet been able to get to that big game. We’ve had some stumbles usually in the regular season that keeps us from that. I think that’s a steppingstone that I want to take and I want to be able to accomplish in my career.”

It’s the one thing Bradford and White weren’t able to attain; it’s the one thing Jones has yet to achieve. Win it and Landry Jones will finally get the respect he’s earned.

If not, the critics will remain.

“That comes from playing quarterback at Oklahoma,” offensive coordinator Josh Heupel said. “If you don’t go out and win them all and win championships, you’re going to take some of that. He (Jones) doesn’t shy away from that.”

Aug. 31, 2012

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Big 12 team schedules University of Oklahoma Date

Time

Opponent

Location

Last Meeting

Series

Sept. 1

9:30 p.m.

at UTEP

El Paso

Sept. 14, 2002 (68-0, OU)

2-0, OU

Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct.13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 24 Dec. 1

6 p.m.

Open TBA Open TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Florida A&M

Norman

First Meeting

0-0

Kansas State

Norman

Oct. 29, 2011 (58-17, OU)

71-17-4, OU

at Texas Tech Texas Kansas Notre Dame at Iowa State Baylor at West Virginia Oklahoma State at TCU

Lubbock Dallas Norman Norman Ames, Iowa Norman Morgantown, W.V. Norman Fort Worth

Oct. 22, 2011 (41-38, Tech) Oct. 8, 2011 (55-17, OU) Oct. 15, 2011 (47-17, OU) Oct. 2, 1999 (34-30, ND) Nov. 26, 2011 (26-6, OU) Nov. 19, 2011 (45-38, BU) Jan. 2, 2007 (48-28, WV) Dec. 3, 2011 (44-10, OSU) Sept. 27, 2008 (35-10, OU)

13-6, OU 59-42-5, UT 69-27-6, OU 8-1, ND 69-5-2, OU 20-1, OU 2-2, Tied 82-17-7, OU 7-4, OU

BAYLOR

IOWA ST.

KANSAS

KANSAS ST.

OKLAHOMA ST.

Sep. 2 SMU5:30 p.m.

Sep. 15 Sam Houston St.TBA Sep. 21 at La.-Monroe7 p.m.

Sep. 29 at West VirginiaTBA Oct. 13 TCUTBA Oct. 20 at TexasTBA Oct. 27 at Iowa St.TBA Nov. 3 KansasTBA Nov. 10 at OklahomaTBA Nov. 17 Kansas St.TBA Nov. 24 Texas TechTBA Dec. 1 Oklahoma St.TBA

Sep. 1 Tulsa, Noon Sep. 8 at Iowa, 3:30 p.m.

Sep. 15 W. Illinois, 8 p.m.

Sep. 29 Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 6 at TCU, TBA Oct. 13 Kansas St., TBA Oct. 20 at Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 27 Baylor, TBA Nov. 3 Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 10 at Texas, TBA Nov. 17 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 23 West Virginia, 3:30 p.m.

Sep. 1 S. Dakota St., 7 p.m.

Sep. 8 Rice, 3:30 p.m.

Sep. 15 TCU, Noon Sep. 22 at N. Illinois, TBA Oct. 6 at Kansas St., TBA Oct. 13 Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 20 at Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 27 Texas, TBA Nov. 3 at Baylor, TBA Nov. 10 at Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 17 Iowa St., TBA Dec. 1 at West Virginia, TBA

Sep. 1 Missouri St., 7 p.m.

Sep. 8 Miami, Noon Sep. 15 North Texas, 7 p.m.

Sep. 22 at Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 6 Kansas, TBA Oct. 13 at Iowa St., TBA Oct. 20 at West Virginia, TBA Oct. 27 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 3 Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 10 at TCU, TBA Nov. 17 at Baylor, TBA Dec. 1 Texas, TBA

Sep. 1 Savannah St., 7 p.m.

Sep. 8 at Arizona, 10:30 p.m.

Sep. 15 Louisiana-Lafayette, Noon Sep. 29 Texas, TBA Oct. 13 at Kansas, TBA Oct. 20 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 27 TCU, TBA Nov. 3 at Kansas St., TBA Nov. 10 West Virginia, TBA Nov. 17 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 24 at Oklahoma, TBA Dec. 1 at Baylor, TBA

TCU

TEXAS

TEXAS TECH

WEST VIRGINIA

Sep. 1 Wyoming, 8 p.m.

Sep. 8 New Mexico, 8 p.m.

Sep. 15 at Mississippi, 9:15 p.m.

Sep. 29 at Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 6 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 13 at Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 20 Baylor, TBA Oct. 27 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 3 at Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 10 Iowa St., TBA Nov. 24 TCU, TBA Dec. 1 at Kansas St., TBA

Sep. 1 Northwestern St., TBA Sep. 8 at Texas St., 7 p.m.

Sep. 15 New Mexico, 7 p.m.

Sep. 29 at Iowa St., TBA Oct. 6 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 13 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 20 at TCU, TBA Oct. 27 at Kansas St., TBA Nov. 3 Texas, TBA Nov. 10 Kansas, TBA Nov. 17 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 24 at Baylor, TBA

Sep. 8 Grambling St., TBA Sep. 15 at Kansas, Noon Sep. 22 Virginia, TBA Sep. 29 at SMU, TBA Oct. 6 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 13 at Baylor, TBA Oct. 20 Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 27 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 3 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 10 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 24 at Texas, TBA Dec. 1 Oklahoma, TBA

Sep. 1 Marshall, Noon Sep. 15 James Madison, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 22 Maryland, TBA Sep. 29 Baylor, TBA Oct. 6 at Texas, TBA Oct. 13 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 20 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 3 TCU, TBA Nov. 10 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 17 Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 23 at Iowa St., 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 1 Kansas, TBA

‘ ’ Receivers untested but trusted 8

2012 College Preview

Aug. 31, 2012

You can see a lot of growth and development in this group, and a lot of talent. But you know what they say about potential. These guys have to do it and they have to prove that they can do it, so that’s what we’re trying to do.

— receivers coach Jay Norvell

By John Shinn

Transcript Sports Writer

A panic set in last season.

Oklahoma’s passing game hit a wall without Ryan Broyles. When news arrived in May that starters Jaz Reynolds and Trey Franks might not play this season, alarm bells and warning lights started going off.

The Sooners were about to enter the 2012 season with only one receiver — junior Kenny Stills — who’d caught a pass in an FBS game. They were going to count on a new crop of freshmen and a couple of transfers to keep the offense running.

If OU’s nervous about how it will workout, it has maintained a poker face that could bluff a seasoned pro.

“You can see a lot of growth and development in this group, and a lot of talent,” receivers coach Jay Norvell said. “But you know what they say about potential. These guys have to do it and they have to prove that they can do it, so that’s what we’re trying to do.

We’re trying to gain that continuity so we can make sure they can do it.”

One concern Norvell didn’t have was freshman Trey Metoyer. He wooed teammates and coaches from his first practice in the spring and picked up where he left off in the preseason.

“I want to be the best.

That’s my job and that’s what I practice for every day,” Metoyer said. “I feel like nobody can stop me but me. I feel like as long as I’m alive and on this team I’m gonna try to be the best.”

The addition of Penn State transfer Justin Brown was like finding a couple of $100 bills in an old pair of jeans. Suddenly, the Sooners had a proven wide receiver with big-game experience.

“He’s added a ton,” OU coach Bob Stoops said.

Brown’s added enough that Metoyer might be the only freshman who starts this season. It doesn’t mean OU won’t heavily rely on first-year receivers.

Metoyer, who was a fivestart recruit in 2011 but had to attend Hargrave Military School in Virginia for a semester to get eligible to enroll in January, is part of a group of four highly touted freshmen the Sooners have brought in.

Sterling Shepard, Durron Neal and Derrick Woods were all four-star recruits who were supposed to replenish the receiver corps. There’s also junior college transfer LcColtan Bester in the mix.

“You have to have some depth at the wide receiver position,” Sooner quarterback Landry Jones said.

“There are games we are going to play more than three wide receivers. It’s

Kenny Stills, left, brings some experience to the Sooners’ receiving corps.

The remaining receivers are largely untried.

Freshman Trey Metoyer, below, has impressed teammates and coaches alike with the potential he plans to deliver. “I want to be the best.

That’s my job and that’s what I practice for every day,” Metoyer said.

Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

nice that we’re going to have that fourth and fifth wide receiver to give breaks when they are going to get gassed out there.”

If OU has its way, it will be more like seven or eight.

The coaching staff believes the new receivers are that good.

Reynolds and Franks are practicing with the team, but remain suspended.

Stoops hasn’t said whether either will play this season.

The Sooners seem perfectly content to go with the youth movement. The new receivers give them the option. All they have to do is play up to their potential.

2012 College Preview

Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

Aug. 31, 2012

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2012 College Preview

Aug. 31, 2012

Big 12 team capsules BAYLOR

IOWA STATE

KANSAS

KANSAS STATE

OKLAHOMA

Stadium: Floyd Casey Stadium, 50,000 Coach: Art Briles, 59-53, fifth season at Baylor 2011 record: 10-3, 6-3 Big 12 Key players: QB Nick Florence, OL Ivory Wade, NB Ahmad Dixon, WR Terrence Williams Returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense Preseason ranking: Unranked

Stadium: Jack Trice Stadium, 55,000 Coach: Paul Rhoads, 18-20, fourth season 2011 record: 6-7, 3-6 Big 12 Key Players: LB Jake Knott, LB A.J. Klein, RB James White Returning starters: 7 offense, 5 defense Preseason ranking: Unranked

Stadium: Memorial Stadium, 50,071 Coach: Charlie Weis, 35-27, first season at Kansas 2011 record: 2-10, 0-9 Big 12 Key Players: QB Dayne Crist, LT Tanner Hawkinson, DE Toben Opurum Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense Preseason ranking: Unranked

Stadium: Snyder Family Stadium, 50,000 Coach: Bill Snyder, 159-83-1, 21st season 2011 record: 10-3, 7-2 Big 12 Key players: QB Collin Klein, LB Arthur Brown, LB Tre Walker, DB Ty Zimmerman Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense Preseason ranking: No. 22 Associated Press, No. 21 USA Today

OKLAHOMA STATE

TCU

TEXAS

TEXAS TECH

WEST VIRGINIA

Stadium: Boone Pickens Stadium, 60,218 Coach: Mike Gundy, 59-30, eighth season 2011 record: 12-1, 8-1 Big 12 Key Players: OL Lane Taylor, RB Joseph Randle, DB Brodrick Brown, DE Cooper Bassett Returning starters: 8 offense, 8 defense Preseason ranking: No. 19 Associated Press, No. 19 USA Today

Stadium: Amon Carter Stadium, 50,000 Coach: Gary Patterson, 109-30, 12th season 2011 record: 11-2, 7-1 Mountain West Key Players: QB Casey Pachall, OL Blaize Foltz, DE Stansly Maponga, WR Josh Boyce, LB Kenny Cain, CB Jason Verrett Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense Preseason ranking: No. 20 Associated Press, No. 17 USA Today

Stadium: Royal Memorial Stadium, 100,119 Coach: Mack Brown, 221-108-1, 15th season at Texas 2011 record: 8-5, 4-5 Big 12 Key Players: RB Malcolm Brown, DE Jackson Jeffcoat, DL Alex Okafor, DB Kenny Vaccaro, CB Carrington Byndom, LB Jordan Hicks Returning starters: 9 offense, 7 defense Preseason ranking: No. 15 Associated Press, No. 15 USA Today

Stadium: Jones AT&T Stadium, 60,454 Coach: Tommy Tubberville, 123-72, third season at Texas Tech 2011 record: 5-7, 2-7 Big 12 Key Players: QB Seth Doege, WR Eric Ward, S Terrance Bullitt Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense Preseason ranking: Unranked

Stadium: Mountaineer Field, 60,180 Coach: Dana Holgorsen, 10-3, second season 2011 record: 10-3, 6-1 Big East Key players: QB Geno Smith, WR Tavon Austin, C Joe Madsen, DL Will Clarke Returning starters: 9 offense, 7 defense Preseason ranking: No. 11 Associated Press, No. 11 USA Today

Stadium: Owen Field, 82,112 Coach: Bob Stoops, 139-34, 14th season 2011 record: 10-3, 6-3 Big 12 Key players: QB Landry Jones, DB Demontre Hurst, OL Gabe Ikard, DB Tony Jefferson, RB Dominique Whaley, LB Tom Wort Returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense Preseason ranking: No. 4 Associated Press, No. 4 USA Today

‘OU plans to keep the’Belldozer option Aug. 31, 2012

2012 College Preview

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We’re trying to find a way to put our best players on the field 11 at a time but find unique roles that we can use our players’ skill set and find a way to help us score points and win ballgames. That’s why we came up with the Belldozer package ...

— offensive coordinator Josh Heupel

By John Shinn

Transcript Sports Writer

Oklahoma is coming off a tough season. Injuries and inconsistency paved the way for some tough losses. But one thing was found in that difficult season.

The Belldozer package was introduced midway through the season. The Sooners won’t wait long to break it out in 2012. It just works too well. The results were so overwhelming.

The Sooners scored 23 touchdowns in their first 40 red zone opportunities in 2011. Blake Bell and the short-yardage package he quarterbacks made his debut in the eighth game against Kansas State.

OU scored touchdowns on 16 of the last 19 red zone chances. They settled for one field goal. Bell threw an interception and starting quarterback Landry Jones threw a pick against Iowa State in the Insight Bowl against Iowa.

The beauty is in the simplicity. Bell is 6-foot-6, 260 pounds and a good athlete.

He knows how to find holes.

OU typically runs it with fullback Trey Millard and Aaron Ripkowski in the backfield with him.

It’s smash-mouth football at its most basic. Ten big guys blocking. One big guy running the ball. No team had an answer for it.

“You get the extra hat,”

OU coach Bob Stoops said.

“You get the extra blocker on somebody, and you got a guy 260 pounds that’s 6-6 falling forward, it’s usually positive.”

Will there be any chances this season? Perhaps. It largely depends on Bell.

The Sooners have never been keen on the Belldozer package becoming anything more than a shortyardage fix. They also believe Bell is too talented to be viewed as simply a bruising runner.

“He’s a throwing quarterback that happens to be big enough that we’ll use him in that package,” offensive coordinator Josh Heupel said. “We recruited him that way and he’s continued to progress that way, and if you ask anyone in our program, they feel pretty comfortable with him throwing the football.”

Just don’t expect those skills to be utilized much when OU’s facing first-andgoal from the 5-yard line.

Until OU runs into a team that can stop it, the Belldozer is going to remain the same.

“We’re trying to find a way to put our best players on the field 11 at a time but find unique roles that we can use our players’ skill set and find a way to help us score points and win ballgames,” Heupel said. “That’s why we came up with the Belldozer package a year ago.”

Blake Bell and the short-yardage package he quarterbacks debuted last year. The Sooners want to keep the Belldozer package as a short-yardage fix. Still, they also believe Bell is too talented to be viewed as Simply a bruising runner.

Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

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2012 College Preview

Aug. 31, 2012

Top 5 impact players 1. Trey Metoyer, WR, Oklahoma

2. Wes Lunt, QB, Oklahoma State

3. Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor

4. Brandon Moore, DT, Texas

5. Dayne Crist, QB, Kansas

Rationale: The freshman wide receiver stunned coaches and teammates with his blend of size (6-foot-1, 200 pounds), speed and maturity last spring.

OU’s never had a freshman move so quickly into a starting role.

Even Adrian Peterson had to ease into it in 2004. Metoyer seems like a seasoned veteran and he still hasn’t played a college game.

Rationale: The Cowboys are coming off a Big 12 championship season and they’re handing the reins to a true freshman quarterback. Lunt has enormous shoes to fill in replacing Brandon Weeden. He likely won’t put up the gaudy numbers Weeden did, but if he can keep OSU on a winning track he could be the league’s next star quarterback.

Rationale: Seastrunk was a star recruit in 2010. He originally chose Oregon, but then transferred to Baylor after his freshman season. He rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown in Baylor’s spring game and could become a workhorse as the Bears adjust to life without Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Rationale: Texas doesn’t sign many junior college transfers, but the 6-foot-6, 330-pound defensive tackle is expected to add serious punch to the Longhorns’ defense.

His pocket-collapsing ability could alter Texas’ defense from very good to dominant.

Rationale: Kansas coach Charlie Weis was lucky when he landed a quarterback he recruited to Notre Dame in 2008 and has made 17 career starts. Crist didn’t exactly light it up with the Fighting Irish (15 touchdowns, 7 interceptions), but he gives the Jayhawks a major upgrade from last season.

Aug. 31, 2012

2012 College Preview

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Big 12 Heisman hopefuls

Landry Jones, QB Oklahoma

Geno Smith, QB West Virginia

Collin Klein, QB Kansas State

Joseph Randle, RB Oklahoma State

Malcom Brown, RB Texas

OU’s quarterback will always be a potential Heisman Trophy winner.

November losses prevented Jones from making the trip to New York last year.

He’ll have the passing numbers to be in the hunt this year. As long as the Sooners are in the national title race, Jones will be a Heisman contender.

He put up video game numbers with 31 touchdown passes and 4,385 yards.

Playing in the Big 12 is going to give the Mountaineers the kind of attention required for Heisman consideration. If he can put up the same numbers in the Big 12, Smith will be hard to ignore.

Klein will never put up big passing numbers. He only threw 13 touchdown passes last season. But he’s a touchdown scoring machine with 27 last season. He is the Big 12’s version of Tim Tebow. As long as the Wildcats stay in contention for the conference title, Klein should stay in the spotlight.

Randle stayed under the radar last season while quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon received the spotlight. They’re gone and Randle is in prime position to take center stage. OSU will start the season with a true freshman quarterback. That should give Randle, who rushed for over 1,200 yards last season, plenty of carries and the opportunity to put up big numbers.

Brown rushed for 723 yards as a freshman and was the Longhorns’ best offensive player. Since Texas still hasn’t settled on a quarterback (David Ash and Case McCoy are still splitting reps), Brown could become the workhorse. If Texas can score points despite the quarterback issues, Brown is going to get the credit.

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2012 College Preview

Aug. 31, 2012

‘

’

Joseph (Randle) has done very well for us. And he’s been durable. Not only a good runner inside but outside. He’s been a good receiver. ... Joseph has kind of established himself as a dominant back in this league.”

OSU looks to build on success

By Jason Elmquist CNHI News Service

STILLWATER — After years of trying to become the best, the Oklahoma State football team now takes on a different challenge: Defending the title of being the best.

With the Cowboys heading into the 2012 season as the reigning Big 12 Conference champions, the pressure is on to stay the course and attempt to repeat.

That’s easier said than done when you lose two first round draft picks on offense and for possibly the first time in history a conference opens the season with three conference champions.

OSU won the Big 12; West Virginia won the Big East and TCU won the Mountain West.

“The mindset hasn’t changed at all. We want to take a step further, even,” OSU offensive lineman Parker Graham said. “A lot of people don’t think we are going to do

— OSU coach Mike Gundy much. But you can ask any of our guys and we want to get back to being the Big 12 champions again and also going further than the Fiesta Bowl — and go to a National Championship game. That’s all we’re striving for.”

With last year’s Cowboy squad known for it’s high-scoring offense, the defense was regularly shot down despite leading the nation in takeaways. This year, Gundy expects the defense to be the catalyst for his Cowboys.

“I enjoyed watching our defense with their athleticism and speed. And we were able to put players in there that are young,” Gundy said. “And we didn’t have as much drop-off as we would have had three, four years ago. And we have recruited toward some depth on defense and speed.

“We’re hoping that it’s going to work out well for us. But we feel better now, or I feel better now, than I have about our defense since I’ve been the head coach.”

Defense in good hands

And with leaders such as cornerbacks Brodrick Brown and Justin Gilbert; linebackers Alex Elkins, Shaun Lewis and Caleb Lavey; and defensive end Cooper Bassett, the defense is in good hands heading into the season.

“Us upperclassmen know how to win. We won last year, we’ve won the last couple of years,” Bassett said. “So we have to translate our knowledge of what it takes to all these young guys, who are going to need to step up and be playmakers for us this year.”

With the departure of starting quarterback Brandon Weeden and two-time Fred Biletnikoff Award winner Justin Blackmon, the Cowboys must rely on somebody else on the offensive side to be their top skill player. Enter running back Joseph Randle.

“Joseph has done very well for us. And • OSU, Page 15

Aug. 31, 2012

OSU

From Page 14

he’s been durable,” Gundy said. “Not only a good runner inside but outside. He’s been a good receiver.

“He pass blocks well. Between him and Jeremy (Smith), you know, 1,800 to 1,900 yards and over 30 touchdowns. But Joseph has kind of established himself as a dominant back in this league.”

Dominant for sure Randle was named to this year’s preseason All-Big 12 team after rushing for 1,216 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2011 — finishing in the top five of both categories among Big 12 running backs. Randle was responsible for 12 points per game last season, second in the league to only Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein.

“It’s a quarterback-friendly league and football is changing to a quarterback game.

The quarterback is the man and you just try to be helpful to the quarterback,” Randle said, “by being able to block, being able to be a good check-down ... and also being able to run the ball.”

While Randle will help the pressure put on true freshman quarterback Wes Lunt, another way the rookie QB could be helped in his maturation process is if OSU can produce another wide receiver to follow in the steps of Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon.

“I’m not sure that I’m ready to commit to one of these guys being a first-round pick.

They’re so few and far between,” Gundy said of his receiving corps. “The comparison I would make is years ago we talked about losing Kendall Hunter, and I felt that Jeremy Smith and Joseph Randle as a pair needed to combine and give us what Kendall did. And those guys have been able to do that.

“We want three or four of our receivers this year to give us what a Justin Blackmon gave us this last year. And so that will be our goal is for Wes to be able to develop and delegate the ball to the guys that can make the plays. But it is very difficult to replace a Justin Blackmon.”

Jason Elmquist is sports editor for The Stillwater NewsPress.

Conference championship is a tough act to follow The confidence from winning a Big 12 Conference championship doesn’t, historically, provide a boost.

In fact, it’s more like having that trophy tied on around your neck and going out for a swim.

Oklahoma is the only team to win consecutive conference championships, claiming three straight from 2006-2008. The 2008 team also bucked an incredible trend: it’s the only team in Big 12 history to defend the title and improve its record the following year. The Sooners went 11-3 and 6-2 in the league in 2007. The 2008 squad went 122 and 7-1.

History says Oklahoma State is going to take a dip this season. How significant depends on luck and other circumstances.

Texas owns the record for the biggest plummet. It went from 13-1 and 8-0 in the league in 2009 to 5-7 and 2-6 in 2010.

Over the league’s 16-year history, the

average fall is 3.06 games off the previous year’s win total. Remove OU, which has won seven of the 16 league titles, from the equation and it’s an average dive of 3.875 games.

Of course, the league has gone through changes. Nebraska, which won the 1997 and 1999 league titles, now plays in the Big Ten. Texas A&M, which won its only conference crown in 1998 is now in the SEC. Colorado picked up a conference title in 2001, but is now trying to win them in the Pac-12.

Outside of OU and Texas (winner of the 1996, 2005 and 2009 crowns), OSU joins Kansas State as the only other schools to win conference titles.

The Cowboys don’t want to follow the Wildcats’ path. After winning the 2003 Big 12 title game, Kansas State had losing seasons four of the next five years.

— John Shinn

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‘ ’ Stoops ready to move forward

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I’m encouraged in the way Mike continues to work with our staff, the direction he gives our players on the field. I believe that will make a difference.

— OU coach Bob Stoops

By John Shinn

Transcript Sports Writer

O

ne day before Oklahoma started preseason practice three coaches spoke to a crowd of nearly 1,000 at Journey Church in Norman. The collection of Sooner fans gave a standing ovation to head coach Bob Stoops and offensive coordinator Josh Heupel.

However, the cheers went up several decibels when defensive coordinator Mike Stoops was introduced.

After eight years away, it is Mike Stoops’ return to his old defensive coordinator role that has OU fans believing the dominant defense that epitomized the program’s run from 2000 to 2003 — when it won two Big 12 championships, played in two national championship games and won the 2000 national title — will return.

“I love that they’re happy I’m back. I don’t look at it as a big deal,” Mike Stoops said.

“I’m tired of hearing it. It’s nice to hear and I appreciate it, but I’m ready to move past that. I want it to feel like it was eight years ago. I’m here to do a job and I’m excited about it.”

The nostalgia fans feel is for a dominant brand of football the Sooners played during Stoops’ first run as defensive coordinator.

From 2000 to 2003, OU was never worse than 10th, nationally, in total defense, produced nine consensus All-American defenders in a four-year span and routinely won big games with big-time defense.

It was the main reason Mike Stoops

landed the head coaching job at Arizona after the 2003 regular season. It was the reason his return is so embraced by the current Sooners.

“We know about the great players he coached here,” cornerback Demontre Hurst said. “We’ve embraced everything he’s brought here.”

The Sooners had a lot of great players during Mike Stoops’ initial run as defensive coordinator and specifically as defensive backs coach. Roy Williams won the Thorpe Award, given to college football’s best defensive back, in 2001. Two years later Derrick Strait picked up the prize. The Sooners have had one All-American defensive back — Quinton Carter in 2010 — since Stoops went to Arizona.

Perhaps, that will change.

But a lot already has changed with the Sooners and the Big 12 Conference since 2003.

Winning hasn’t been a problem. OU’s added five Big 12 titles and played in two national • Stoops, Page 17

OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops coaches from the sideslines during the glory days of his tenure from 1999 to 2003.

Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

‘

Ultimately it’s about winning. ... It comes down to making stops on third down and getting your butt off the field; that will stop it in a hurry.

— OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops

Stoops

From Page 16

championship games while Stoops was at Arizona.

Dominant defensive numbers have been harder to come by. The Sooners have ranked 53rd or worse in total defense three of the last four years. The lone exception was 2009, when it ranked eighth nationally at 272.00 yards per game. Last season, OU finished 55th in the country, allowing 376.15 yards per game. It also allowed 41 or more points in losses to Texas Tech, Baylor and Oklahoma State.

That slide happened to coincide with OU’s switch to the up-tempo, no-huddle offense. No one can argue with the point totals the offense has put up, but its premium on running plays quickly has forced the defense to spend more time on the field.

More and more Big 12 teams have adopted the Sooners’ style.

Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Texas Tech and Baylor all try to play at a similar pace.

“Ultimately it’s about winning.

Statistics go out the window. We play twice as many plays as everyone else, too,” Mike Stoops said. “The common sense is people are gonna have more yards or more plays. It comes down to making stops on third down and getting your butt off the field; that will stop it in a hurry.”

If the Sooners can do that this

’

Aug. 31, 2012

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season, the standing ovation Mike Stoops picked up from that crowd will be well-earned. Fans want him to succeed. Of all the assistant coaches OU has had over the years, it’s hard to believe any of them have been more popular than Mike Stoops.

OU head coach Bob Stoops knows this. He’s not expecting his younger brother to work miracles. After all, coaches don’t make tackles.

“All that I have said is Mike hasn’t made a play in a long time. He’s way too old to be out there making plays,” Bob Stoops said. “Ultimately the players still have to be the ones that put themselves in position to make plays.

“But I’m encouraged in the way Mike continues to work with our staff, the direction he gives our players on the field. I believe that will make a difference,” the head coach said. “I believe they’ll improve, and they should, being a year older. And having some pride in that we broke down a year ago that they ought to take that to heart and hopefully get back the defensive reputation we’re used to having.

“But again, it’s always tempered by the players; they ultimately have to do it,” Bob Stoops said.

What happens over the next three months will decide whether the glory days have returned. When OU starts forcing three-and-outs and turnovers on a regular basis, it once again will be able to call itself a dominant defense.

Mike Stoops’ units routinely did these things during his first stint. Now comes the encore.

From 2000 to 2003 with Mike Stoops coordinating the defense, OU won two Big 12 championships, played in two national championship games and won the 2000 national title.

Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

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Top 5 coordinators to watch Mike Stoops, Oklahoma defensive coordinator

Joe Deforest, West Virginia co-defensive coordinator

Art Kaufman, Texas Tech defensive coordinator

Dave Campo, Kansas defensive coordinator

Charlie Weis, Kansas head coach / offensive coordinator

Bob Stoops bringing his younger brother back to the staff was one of the biggest coordinator hires in college football. During his first five seasons in Norman, Stoops’ defenses were among the best in the country giving up an average of just 15.6 points per game during his initial run as defensive coordinator from 1999-2003. The Big 12 offenses have transformed in the eight years since he’s been away. The fans are excited. If Stoops is able to solidify a shaky secondary, they’ll become exhilarated.

Deforest was safeties and special teams coordinator at Oklahoma State before reuniting with Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia. The Mountaineers’ defense needs some help and Deforest has experience going against Big 12 offenses. If West Virginia can boost that side of the ball, it will contend for the Big 12 title in its first season.

Kaufman is the third defensive coordinator in three years. Head coach Tommy Tuberville needs something to change as his seat gets hotter and hotter. What Kaufman has is experience. He came to Texas Tech from North Carolina and was Tuberville’s defensive coordinator at Ole Miss.

The former Dallas Cowboys head coach has 23 years of NFL experience. The question is: can he handle the up-tempo offenses the Jayhawks will regularly face in the Big 12?

What Campo has going for him is lowered expectations. The Jayhawks couldn’t stop anybody last season.

Holding teams under 45 points will be an improvement.

Weis is one of the few Big 12 head coaches that will call plays. His stint at Notre Dame left questions about his ability as a head coach, but those three Super Bowl rings he won as the New England Patriots offensive coordinator showed he can command a pro-style offense.

‘

Aug. 31, 2012

We understand how to win. How does that equivocate and how does it go forward? We don’t know. We’ll have to go prove it just like we have to go prove it every year.

— TCU coach Gary Patterson

NEW KIDS ON THE BIG 12 BLOCK: TCU, WEST VIRGINIA

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Teams bring winning traditions

By John Shinn Transcript Sports Writer

One school is a perfect geographic fit, while the other isn’t even in the same time zone. The only commonality between TCU and West Virginia is both bring strong winning traditions to the Big 12 Conference.

The Horned Frogs have gone 47-4 over the last four seasons and reached the Fiesta Bowl in 2009 and capped an undefeated season with a Rose Bowl victory in 2010.

The Mountaineers have played in three BCS bowl games since 2005, winning all three. The latest was a 70-33 rout over Clemson in the Orange Bowl last season.

It’s fair to say what they’ve done during the last five years means the conference will get tougher with them coming in and Missouri and Texas A&M leaving.

‘

“The two teams that left weren’t ranked and the two teams coming were. What does that tell you? Facts are facts,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. “I’m not casting stones — truth is truth. These guys are great teams. They’re used to winning championships over and over. TCU is two years from winning the Rose Bowl. They’re great teams. It’s gonna be challenging and that’s a fact. Anyone that discounts it — you’re not paying attention. They’re very good programs and they’re gonna make it tougher.”

They will make it sturdier, but West Virginia and TCU win in different ways.

Horned Frogs Tammy Shriver / Times West Virginian

Stedman Bailey, of WVU, scores a touchdown last year against LSU.

was their worst showing since 2004.

What will be interesting is how that style fits in the high-scoring Big 12. Baylor, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma all averaged more than 500 yards of total offense last season. The up-tempo offenses they employ have become the norm, along with winning offensive shootouts.

“We understand how to win,” Patterson said. “How does that equivocate and how does it go forward? We don’t know. We’ll have to go prove it just like we have to go prove it every year.”

Mountaineers In terms of style, the Mountaineers fit like a glove. They were one of the highest scoring teams in college football last season.

Dana Holgorsen, who is entering his second season at West Virginia, brought the no-huddle, spread offense to Oklahoma State in 2010 and was an assistant under Mike Leach at Texas Tech for eight seasons.

“I think we’re at a point now where you understand what the culture is from a throwing-the-ball standpoint, understand what’s expected, understand what it takes to be good. So it took some time to get to that point, but I do think we’re better at that now,” Holgorsen said. “Defensively we’re catching up just because of the guys we’ve got in place understand what the ball’s like, and they’re going to coach it that way.”

’

The Horned Frogs have built their recent winning tradition, under head coach Gary Patterson, on defense. From 2008-2010, they led the nation in total defense every season.

Last year, the Horned Frogs slipped to 32. It

I think we’re at a point now where you understand what the culture is from a throwing-the-ball standpoint, understand what’s expected, understand what it takes to be good.

— West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen

2012 College Preview

Aug. 31, 2012

AP Photo

New Sooner: JUSTIN BROWN

OSU: JOSEPH RANDLE

Chase Rheam / The Stillwater NewsPress

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W.Va: TAVON AUSTIN

NMDR SN V@SBG

AP Photo

Tammy Shriver / Times West Virginian

K.State: COLLIN KLEIN

Aug. 31, 2012

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Big 12 preview: Baylor

By Jason Elmquist ˙CNHI News Service

DALLAS — How does one replace a Heisman Trophy quarterback?

That’s what Baylor football coach Art Briles must figure out this year with the departure of Robert Griffin III, who was drafted second overall in the NFL Draft.

“How do you adjust to not having the best player football in the United States of America last year at the collegiate level? That’s inspiration, okay?

That’s the thing that inspires us,” Briles said. “That’s the thing that makes our guys come together and fight for each other and work to prove themselves, because we’re in the proving business.”

While Briles must figure out how to replace that type of talent, it will be the duty of Griffin’s predecessor, Nick Flo-

rence, to fill the spot left by Griffin.

“I think for me, it’s been an honor and a privilege to be under him. I’ve learned a lot,” Florence said. “But ultimately, all we want as football players is a chance to play. So I get my opportunity now — it just happens to be behind the Heisman Trophy winner.

I’m getting a chance to play college football and that’s what I’m excited about.”

It has to help a player in that type of situation have the full support of his coaching staff.

“I have a tremendous amount of confidence in the passion, the energy, the drive, the fearlessness that he’s going to bring to the table for us, because I know him from inside out and I know how he feels. I know how he thinks, and I think I know how he performs,” Briles said.

“The thing he’s gotta do is stay within himself and not get caught up in listening to anybody else or anything else and staying focused in the moment,

Sooner spirit

Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

Fans thrill to the sight of the Sooner Schooner racing onto the field after each Oklahoma touchdown.

focused in the situation.”

Unfortunately, Florence won’t have the pleasure of having the same talented targets had in his Heisman-winning campaign.

Baylor’s top wide receiver, Kendall Wright joined Griffin as a first-round draft pick back in the spring. Wright led the rest of the receiving corps by 700 yards with 108 catches for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“We had five guys drafted off the offensive side of the ball last year, which is the most out of any university over the last 30 years,” Briles said. “So we’ve got some holes to fill. We understand that.”

The Bears do return, however, the second and third options at receiver— Terrance Williams and Tevin Reese.

Williams had 59 catches for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Reese hauled in 51 for 877 and seven touchdowns.

“We’re very deep at receiver, as is everybody in the Big 12. Everybody in

this league has guys that can make plays at the receiver position,” Briles said. “But we fortunately have stockpiled a little bit to where we have four, five guys that we have a lot of confidence in.”

However, Baylor also will be without top running back Terrance Ganaway, another first-round draft pick who rushed for 1,547 yards on 250 carries with 21 touchdowns. The top returning rusher from last year will be Jarred Salubi, who carried the ball 58 times for 331 yards and three touchdowns. “(Ganaway) wasn’t a guy that was returning that had a lot of yards. He had about 400 total yards at Baylor University prior to last year,” Briles said. “So that’s the great thing, is we’ve got some guys on campus that we feel very confident in to carry that role on.

“That’s going to be a little different because Terrance was a different guy.

He’s 246 pounds and could run and was very hungry and had a great vision and a great faith and passion last year.”

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Big 12 preview: Iowa State

By Jason Elmquist CNHI New Service

One thing the Big 12 Conference isn’t short of this season is quarterbacks. Be it talented quarterbacks, or quarterback controversies.

For Iowa State, it’s the latter of the two.

The Cyclones head into the 2012 campaign never better off than the end of the 2011 year, when Jared Barnett and Steele Jantz couldn’t truly claim the right to be QB1.

“We most definitely need better play from the quarterback position if we’re going to become a better football team, and namely in the area of accuracy,” Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said. “Our quarterbacks completed, I think, 51 percent of their passes is all last year. We threw too many to the wrong-colored jersey. If we’re going to be a better offensive football

team, which is very linebacker on the important in this preseason list. league to be a better “They’re protofootball team, it’s types. They’re 6going to take better foot-2, 6-3, 245 quarterback play.” pounds,” Rhoads Heading into the said. “They can run season, Jantz will and they’re intelliget the nod as the gent and they are starter — for now. tough, and the While the quarexpectations are terback position high for good reacould turn into a son.” three-ring circus, It’s that type of talAP Photo the linebacker posi- Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads: ent in the middle of tion for the defense “We most definitely need better the defense that will is anything but. play from the quarterback be needed to help Iowa State returns position ...” stabilize the team if two of the best linethe questions conbackers in the continue to swirl around ference with A.J. Klein, a Big 12 co- the quarterback position. defensive player of the year last season, “It’s huge. Me and Jake have been and Jake Knott. Both linebackers here together a long time,” Klein said. earned a spot on the preseason All-Big “... As far as the linebacker position, 12 team — leaving Kansas State’s that’s the quarterback of the defense.

Arthur Brown as the only non-Cyclone We have to be the ones to be the vocal

leaders and push everybody else around us.”

As for carrying over the success of last season, the Cyclones already have seen that in the form of recruiting.

When one team is hurt by a loss, the other will see positives. And that’s been the case for Iowa State since topping Oklahoma State — which hurt the Cowboys’ chances at a shot in the BCS title game.

“I think the most significant component of that victory for our football program has been national attention. You play that game on a Friday night at a point late in the season that affected the BCS race, and you got the whole nation talking about it all weekend long,” Rhoads said.

“Now, that spills over, most importantly for us, into recruiting. And you go into living rooms and you go into schools and on the practice fields this spring and the Iowa State brand is recognized on a national level probably more so than it’s ever been.”

SGD OQHCD NE NJK@GNL@

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Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

Aug. 31, 2012

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Big 12 preview: Kansas

By Jason Elmquist CNHI New Service

Three coaches in four years, a revolving door at quarterback and the butt of many jokes around the Big 12 Conference football water cooler.

Welcome to the University of Kansas, Charlie Weis.

He may not have the pressure of coordinating in the NFL or recruiting for traditional power Notre Dame, but he has plenty of eyes on him wondering if it was an act of desperation — by both coach and college.

“I’m saying the two schools that are in the closest proximity (Kansas State and Missouri) are both doing fairly well. So then my job was, once I took the job, is let’s figure out why they’re doing fairly well and see if we can’t close the gap on them quicker than they would like us to,” Weis said.

“And you look at what both those

programs are doing, solid, winthe line.” ning programs, I think that So how does Weis intend that’s one of the reasons that to turn a program that has gave me reason for optimism, had only three winning seabecause there’s no reason why sons since the inception of you can’t have a third one into the Big 12 Conference in the mix and become more com1996? petitive.”

“I think that the first thing While he may not be at the you better do is get your team helm of a program as prestito be more competitive on a gious as Notre Dame, Weis said weekly basis,” Weis said. he believes the pressures are “Because once you get your just the same at Kansas. team more competitive on a “Really you might say the Charlie Weis: weekly basis, more wins will expectations are different, but This is his first naturally follow.” everyone wants the same year to helm He’s hoping one way to get thing,” Weis said. “It’s just the Kansas. there is by bringing in some one thing about Notre Dame, as former players from his time we all know, it’s a national school with coaching at Notre Dame — including a national presence. So anytime you quarterback Dayne Crist. said something, it was national news.

“I think that when he came here, it “... (KU fans) also want their team really wasn’t about me selling him on to go out there and play competitive me. Our relationship is wonderful. football and win. And just the fact that “It was whether or not he thought the expectations are not exactly the that he could come in here and be comsame as far as on a yearly basis, that’s petitive or not,” the first-year KU coach the only place where you could draw said.

Hopefully bringing in a former quarterback from Notre Dame will help Weis convey his style of offense to the new program.

“My experience within this system, the overall familiarity and comfort level will really help me bring other guys along and allow them to do less thinking,” Crist said. “And I will be able to do a lot more of the thinking for guys on offense and help put us in the right place.”

Fortunately for Crist, the KU players have taken a quick liking to him, too.

The players voted the incoming quarterback as a team captain.

“I was also happy when the team voted for captains that it was a close vote between him and Tanner (Hawkinson), because I thought that if there was no one on the existing team that the players thought highly of,” Weis said, “that would have sent an awfully bad message to me that no one — none of the previous teammates — were respected or revered, and I think I was very happy the way that all turned out.”

ITAHK@SHNM

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Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

Aug. 31, 2012

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Big 12 preview: Kansas State

By Jason Elmquist CNHI New Service

DALLAS — Going into last season, the Kansas State football team was picked to finish eighth in the Big 12 Conference, making their second-place finish in the league standings all the more impressive.

But the leap wasn’t enough to have any similar expectations this year as the Wildcats were picked to finish sixth.

“I think you look back at last season and we moved up maybe six slots. I just hope that we can do something similar to that,” K-State coach Bill Snyder said. “... Do we perform better as, quote/unquote, underdogs? That I don’t know. I haven’t seen any statistics in that regard. Last year obviously we played reasonably well in those circumstances.”

One thing going for the Wildcats is

the return of split time with starting quarCase McCoy terback Collin — with just Klein.

The 147.5 yards bruising 6-footper game. His 5, 226-pound 13 passing quarterback touchdowns rushed for were only bet1,141 yards ter than the (most of any two Texas Big 12 quarterquarterbacks, back, including while he also Heisman Trothrew six phy winner interceptions.

Robert Griffin “Believe it III) and 27 or not, it’s not AP Photo my touchdowns — modus Kansas State coach Bill Snyder: “I think which led the operandi to conference — you look back at last season and we place expectamoved up maybe six slots. I just hope last season. tions on His passing, that we can do something similar to young guys in however, was- that.” regards to n’t as imprestheir perforsive. Klein completed 57.3 percent of mance level,” Snyder said. “Collin is a his passes — second-worst in the con- wonderful young person. He has made ference behind Texas’ Davis Ash, who tremendous improvement during his

time in the program. And it’s happened because of the quality of person that Collin is.”

It’s their defense, however, that will need some shoring up. K-State gave up 27.9 points per game with the number jumping to 33.7 in Big 12 Conference contests.

Going in Kansas State’s favor is the return of special teams returner Tyler Lockett, who has been nursing a hamstring injury. The Booker T. Washington product was named to the preseason All-Big 12 team for punt returning.

Lockett was the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and a consensus AllAmerican return specialist last year.

“Tyler participated in the first 14 days of practice, didn’t participate in the spring game because of a hamstring, not seriously injured, but we didn’t want to take any chances in that ballgame,” Snyder said. “So the answer, I guess, is that he’s recovered fully, and I think is having a productive summer as well and should be well prepared to play.”

Aug. 31, 2012

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The Sooners try to stop Texas’ Malcolm Brown during their meeting last year. Now a sophomore, Brown returns after a freshman campaign in which he rushed for 742 yards and five touchdowns.

Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

Big 12 preview: Texas

By Jason Elmquist CNHI New Service

DALLAS — With many of the teams around the Big 12 Conference bringing back a solid starting quarterback, Texas is a team that brings back a pair of QBs — along with the headache of a quarterback controversy.

“Last year at this time I sat here and we had four. And there was a lot of concern about trying to get four guys prepared for a new offense,” Texas coach Mack Brown joked at the Big 12 Football Media Days in Dallas. “So at the same time Garrett Gilbert gets hurt in the second ballgame, David Ash steps up as a true freshman, Case McCoy jumps in, and Connor Wood transfers, so it was all over the place.

“What we have done now, we have

two older guys that have been Brown’s squad. The Texas through a year with Bryan coach is concerned about a Harsin and Major Applewhite lack of leadership on the team. offense. They both won signif“We don’t have that senior icant games — Case against leadership. We only have two A&M in College Station at the seniors that would start today end of the year, David Ash in on defense, and we probably the bowl game against Cal. So have two seniors that will start we’re coming in at a much beton offense,” Brown said. “So it ter place this year than we were will still be a really young footlast year.” ball team so the leadership is The uncertainty behind the Texas coach going to have to come from line is taking it’s toll on the big Mack Brown within with some of the men in the trenches. younger guys.”

“It has its challenges, but at the same Fortunately for whomever may be at time, I see how hard those guys work the quarterback position, he will have day in and day out and I really, really a solid threat in the backfield with him. want to see one pull away from the oth- Sophomore Malcolm Brown returns er,” junior offensive lineman Mason after a freshman campaign in which he Walters said. “I don’t want it to be a flip- rushed for 742 yards and five touchof -the-coin decision, I want something downs. to happen where it is separate and “I think what we’ll do is we’ll try to be somebody comes out on top.” balanced. We’ll play to our confidence.

Uncertainty at the quarterback posi- We’ll play to the guys that are performing tion isn’t the only concern surrounding the best and making the plays ...” Brown

said. “We feel like to win our league, which is what we want to do, we’ve got to be balanced and we’ve got to be able to throw it as well as run it.

“So we do not want to be a running football team. We’d like to be a team that can do both. And we feel like we’ve made so much progress in the running game that we can line up and run the ball just about every week.”

However, Brown has been working on recovering from a foot injury suffered in the middle of last season — which knocked him out of two games.

“Overcoming injuries have been big, and just the maturity process of ‘hey, I’m not going to be 100 percent week in and week out.’ This is a game that is very physical and you are going to get banged up and going to have to play through some things,” Walters said of Brown. “... He’s understanding that it’s more important that I train so my body can handle those injuries.”

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Aug. 31, 2012

Big 12 preview: Texas Tech

By Jason Elmquist CNHI New Service

AP Photo

Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege said he’s ready to show fans the Red Raiders are back. Texas Tech opens its season at home Saturday against Northwestern State.

Texas Tech went from the highest of highs to lowest of lows in the span of one week last season. And the memory still lingers.

After upsetting Oklahoma in Norman to set themselves up with a 5-2 record, the Red Raiders went winless down the stretch to finish 5-7 — with only one game, a 31-27 loss at Missouri, finishing within three touchdowns of their opponents.

“This is a fun sport. Sometimes you make it tougher than what it is. A lot of times some of the other teams have something to say about how good you are,” Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said.

Tuberville attributed the injury bug as a large reason for the struggling season. The Red Raiders lost their starting running back Eric Stephens in the fifth game of the season in a 4540 loss to Texas A&M. “He’s much better. I’d say he’s probably 80 percent. Eric is our running back last year that he was off and having a great season,” Tuberville said. “We were hoping to have a thousand-yard season out of him. And he was looking very good.

... It wasn’t just a knee injury, it was a leg injury.

Total replacement. It was one of those that you hate to even think about.”

In the third-to-last game of the season, Texas Tech then lost their leading receiver Alex Torres for the remainder of the year in the loss to Missouri.

“Had two big catches and touchdowns versus Oklahoma, and then had a couple more good games. And then at the Missouri game on the turf they had up there, which was not conducive really to being safe, we lost him and two other guys to knee injuries,” Tuberville said. But he’s recuperated. He still has a little limp in his run. I noticed that the other day.”

A healthy Torres would be beneficial for senior quarterback Seth Doege, who finished with 4,004 yards passing and 28 touchdowns a year ago.

“It was an embarrassing time for us — breaking the postseason streak, not getting to play in a bowl game and having to sit and watch them from home,” Doege said. “There’s definitely a chip on our shoulder and an urgency to get back.”

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Alabama, LSU, SEC trying to remain on top The Associated Press The Southeastern Conference has lined up a few contenders for Lucky No. 7.

Defending national champion Alabama and last season’s 13-game juggernaut LSU remain the headliners of a league that has won the last six BCS titles. And that’s despite the Crimson Tide and the Tigers losing a combined six first-round NFL draft picks.

Other SEC — and national — powers are trying to catch up.

Arkansas, which ended last season ranked fifth, and Georgia return star quarterbacks. Steve Spurrier fields another formidable-looking South Carolina team. Plus, the Razorbacks and Gamecocks get star running backs back from injuries.

Even those suffering from SEC fatigue might not want to miss that prime-time Nov. 3 three-match in Baton Rouge. The Tide and the Tigers split last season with ‘Bama grabbing Round 2, 21-0 in the BCS title game in New Orleans.

The rivalry carried over onto Twitter with sniping between Tide quarterback AJ McCarron and LSU Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu — in June.

“I can tell you that no game is won in a Twitter page,” LSU coach Les Miles noted.

What’s new this year is Big 12 Conference defectors Texas A&M and Missouri step into the SEC. They’ll both try to show they belong.

“Only way you’re going to get respect is winning games, OK?” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. “That’s the only way it’s going to happen. I got no problem with that. You’ve got to prove yourself.”

Here is an overall look at the conference.

EAST • GEORGIA — Key players: QB Aaron Murray, WR Tavarres King, DB Bacarri Rambo, LB Jarvis Jones. Returning starters: 6 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: RB Isaiah Crowell is gone.

Cornerback Sanders Commings and

Tammy Shriver / Times West Virginian

Tavon Austin gets upfield for a gain against LSU. WVU lost to LSU 47-21 last season in front of 62,056 fans in Morgantown, W.Va. cornerback Branden Smith — and perhaps Rambo — face suspensions. ...

Malcolm Mitchell, last season’s No. 2 receiver, opens at cornerback and will likely play both positions. ... Lightweight nonconference schedule includes Buffalo, Florida Atlantic and Georgia Southern.

• SOUTH CAROLINA — Key players: QB Connor Shaw, RB Marcus Lattimore, DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Devin Taylor. Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: A second straight Top 10 finish seems possible. ... If Lattimore returns to pre-knee injury form, it could more than make up for the loss of WR Alshon Jeffery. ... Pass rush remains formidable

even minus NFL first-round pick DE Melvin Ingram.

• FLORIDA — Key players: RB Mike Gillislee, WR Andre Debose, LB Jon Bostic, DL Sharrif Floyd. Returning starters: 7 offense, 10 defense.

Notes: Gators try to rebound from mediocre season. ... Brent Pease replaces offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, and has the personnel to mount a more physical running attack. ... Defensive linemen Ronald Powell and Dominique Easley are trying to return from knee injuries.

• MISSOURI — Key players: QB James Franklin, LT Elvis Fisher, WR

Dorial Green-Beckham, CB E.J. Gaines.

Returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: The SEC’s third group of Tigers enters the league hoping to prove skeptics wrong. ...

Franklin is expected to be fully recovered from spring shoulder surgery after flirting with 3,000-yard passing, 1,000-yard rushing season. ... It’s unclear if RB Henry Josey (knee) will play.

• SEC, Page 30

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2012 College Preview

SEC

Aug. 31, 2012

From Page 29

• TENNESSEE — Key players: QB Tyler Bray, WR Da’Rick Rogers, LB A.J. Johnson, LB Herman Lathers. Returning starters: 10 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Derek Dooley’s rebuilding project continues after one SEC win last season. ... Volunteers have dangerous receivers but must replace RB Tauren Poole. ... Tennessee reloaded with several JUCO transfers, including onetime Alabama defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore and WR Cordarrelle Patterson.

• VANDERBILT — Key players: QB Jordan Rodgers, RB Zac Stacy, DT Rob Lohr, DB Trey Wilson. Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: The Commodores have adopted coach James Franklin’s feisty attitude, but face uphill climb from 2-6 SEC mark that still marked solid progress. ... Rodgers, Aaron’s younger brother, seems to have regained Franklin’s confidence after bowl game benching.

• KENTUCKY — Key players: QB Morgan Newton, OL Larry Warford, WR La’Rod King, S Martavius Neloms.

Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Coach Joker Phillips might be on the hot seat after 4-12 SEC mark in first two seasons. ... QB Morgan Newton was held out of contact in spring after having surgery on his right shoulder. ...

Defense must replace SEC’s two leaders in tackles per game, LB Danny Trevathan and S/LB Winston Guy.

WEST • LSU — Key players: QB Zach Mettenberger, DE Sam Montgomery, DT Bennie Logan. Returning starters: 7 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Mettenberger, a former Georgia player, has drawn strong reviews from coach Les Miles and teammates and might represent a sizable upgrade at QB. ... Offense has runners galore, led by Spencer Ware and Michael Ford, and offensive line has five players who have logged 102 collective starts. ... Secondary loses Morris Claiborne, but returns star Eric Reid. ... Ends Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo combined for 17 sacks. ... Tigers spent 11 weeks at No. 1 last season.

• ALABAMA — Key players: QB AJ McCarron, C Barrett Jones, LB Nico Johnson, S Robert Lester. Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: Quest for third national title in four years faces daunting scheduling, including opener with Michigan in Arlington, Texas, and visits to LSU and Arkansas. ... New offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is unlikely to change pound-before-pass philosophy. ... Defense that topped all four major categories nationally must replace seven starters with 188 combined starts.

game.

• ARKANSAS — Key players: QB Tyler Wilson, RB Knile Davis, WR Cobi Hamilton, LB Alonzo Highsmith. Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: Coach John L. Smith trying to keep Bobby Petrino’s offseason ouster from slowing program’s momentum. ...

All-SEC RB Knile Davis returns after ankle injury sidelined him in 2011. ...

Razorbacks hosting LSU in Fayetteville for the first time since 1992. ... Six members of Smith’s staff in new roles.

• MISSISSIPPI — Key players: WR Donte Moncrief, RB Jeff Scott, DB Charles Sawyer, LB Mike Marry.

Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

NOTES: Randall Mackey has moved from QB to WR with emergence of Barry Brunetti, JUCO transfer Bo Wallace. ...

WR Nickolas Brassell has left the team because of academics, and four others had to work this summer to assure eligibility.

• AUBURN — Key players: QB Kiehl Frazier, WR Emory Blake, DE Corey Lemonier, LB Daren Bates. Returning starters: 7 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: Frazier is the odds-on favorite to claim starting job over Clint Moseley. ...

Tigers have new coordinators in Scot Loeffler (offense) and Brian VanGorder (defense). ... Two-time 1,000-yard rusher Mike Dyer is gone, and so is Gus Malzahn’s no-huddle offense.

• TEXAS A&M — Key players: LT Luke Joeckel, RB Christine Michael, WR Ryan Swope, LB Sean Porter. Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense.

QB Jameill Showers is apparent leader in race to replace Ryan Tannehill, the No. 8 NFL draft pick. ...Coach Kevin Sumlin, whose Houston offenses twice led the nation in total, passing and scoring, brings a fast-paced attack to College Station. ... Top pass rushers Sean Porter and Damontre Moore return from team that led nation in sacks per

• MISSISSIPPI ST — Key players: QB Tyler Russell, LG Gabe Jackson, CB Johnthan Banks, LB Cameron Lawrence.

Returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Bulldogs have won back-to-back bowl games for first time since 1999-2000 — not to mention three straight Egg Bowls with rival Mississippi. ... Coach Dan Mullen predicts “a huge year” from Russell. ... Mississippi State 0-12 under Mullen against SEC West teams other than Ole Miss.

AP Photo

Alabama coach Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide enters the season as the defending national champions.

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Jerry Laizure / The Transcript

ANNLDQ RNNMDQ!