Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com


Baylor-Art Briles
Briles did a lot of good things in year one at Baylor, and in turn the Bears have become the “sexy” pick for a breakout 2009 season. That said, Briles is putting together stronger recruiting classes in his first two seasons than Guy Morris did and keeping the Bears competitive with Texas recruits. QB Robert Griffin was a great get, and Baylor will continue to improve in Big 12 play.
Stock: Sizzling

Colorado-Dan Hawkins
Hawkins predicted a 10 win season in 2009, and Buffs fans are holding him to it! Hawkins has done some nice things recruiting (see Darrel Scott and Nick Kasa) but has failed to get top-notch production on the field so far. Losing top receiver Josh Smith (transfer) won’t help with the 10 wins, and the quarterback position is a mess. Hawkins will probably be allowed to play out his contract for financial purposes, but if the Buffs are not winning 8 or 9 games consistently, he will likely be back in the ranks of the non-BCS.
Stock: Dropping

Iowa State-Paul Rhoads
The good news for Rhoads is that his predecessor did very little in his time at Iowa State (3-9,2-10). The bad news is there’s a reason for that. ISU has little talent, and will need a major overhaul and major recruiting coup to turn things around. Rhoads has the resume, a solid QB in Austen Arnaud, and probably 4 years to pull it off; only time will tell.
Stock: Neutral

Kansas-Mark Mangino
After 2007’s terrific 12-1 campaign, Mangino bought himself some time and was able to follow up with a solid 8-4 record in 2008. The issue for Mangino and Company is that they failed to amp up the quality of their recruits despite a BCS bowl birth; he's bringing in solid recruits, but not the kind that build a dynasty. Once Todd Reesing and Kerry Meier graduate, we will see exactly what Kansas was able to accumulate during their nice little run. Regardless, never count Mangino down OR out.
Stock: Neutral

Kansas State-Bill Snyder
Taking a page from the Cornhuskers playbook, the Wildcats went back to where their greatest years evolved from; in this case, Bill Snyder. Snyder is a legend in Manhattan, but let’s not forget that his last two years at the helm in 2005-2006 were a disaster. The biggest questions will be can a 69 year-old coach effectively recruit, and can he get any mileage from a team that is a bit short on talent? Stay Tuned!
Stock: Neutral

Missouri-Gary Pinkel
If you look at Pinkel’s coaching record at Missouri, it has been a steady climb to the top of the Big 12 North. 2009 may be a transition year for Mizzou, but Pinkel should keep the Tigers bowl eligible. It’s tough to knock a guy who has 4 losing seasons in 18 years. Pinkel’s recruiting is as strong as most in the north, and that should translate on the field.
Stock: Rising

Nebraska-Bo Pellini
Not a bad start to the Pellini era in Nebraska, but still a ways to go. Nebraska fans are optimistic about the direction of the program, which certainly helps Pellini’s cause. His recruiting is probably the best in the north, but certainly not where it was during the Osbourne years. Could win 10 this year and solidify his already strong progress.
Stock: Rising

Oklahoma-Bob Stoops
Arguably the best coach in college football. Stoops continues to bring in big name recruits (Jamarkus McFarland) and bring back big name players (Sam Bradford). While 2009 may be a “rebuilding” year, Stoops will be loaded again in 2010 and ready to go for national championship #2. Next logical step is a shot at the NFL (perhaps with the Houston Texans?).
Stock: Sizzling

Oklahoma State-Mike Gundy
Gundy’s ability to find players who fly under the radar is among the best in the biz. OSU is rapidly moving towards the elite of the Big 12 South. Keeping momentum is tough, but Gundy appears to be making Oklahoma a two team state again.
Stock: Rising

Texas-Mack Brown
Brown has been terrific at bringing back the aura and tradition that surrounds Texas football and in the process has landed his name among the coaching elite. Brown gained a BCS championship in 2005 and may have a shot at another one in 2009. The Longhorns 2009 recruiting class looks strong from top to bottom. What else would you expect from Mack?
Stock: Sizzling

Texas A&M-Mike Sherman
It may have only been year number one, but a 4-8 season never feels good in Aggie land! Sherman is already hearing some quiet grumblings in College Station about his initial recruiting classes, and losses to teams like Arkansas St! The good news is that the Aggies will improve on last year’s record. Whether it is enough for A&M fans to embrace Sherman is a different story.
Stock: Dropping

Texas Tech-Mike Leach
He may look like the fictional offspring of Vince Gill and Tony Siragusa, but Tech’s Mike Leach is a hot commodity! After fielding several offers, Leach decided to return to Lubbock with a much bigger salary. 2009 will be nothing like ’08, but the Red Raiders are starting to become a Top 25 mainstay. Nine straight winning seasons and nine straight bowl games is pretty impressive!
Stock: Sizzling

Matt Toepfer
pigskinpress.com

A-Austen Arnaud. At 6’3” and 230lbs the JR has all the tools to become a premier QB in the Big 12. Many fans may not have heard of him because he plays at Iowa State, but if he went anywhere else they would know who he was.

B-Baylor. The Bears could benefit from the Big 12 having so many ties to bowl games this year. With 16 returning starters, including linebacker Joe Pawalek, they just might not be home for the Holidays.The only glitch? Their glorified high school coach Art Briles.

C-Colorado. At the end of 2008, head coach Dan Hawkins ended his banquet speech with four words- "Ten-Wins No-Excuses." The schedule is as favorable as a CU schedule has ever been to attain 10 wins. I’m skeptical, stay tuned.

D-Defense. Defensive play in the Big 12 has been scrutinized lately. I’m not buying it; think about some of the potent offenses this conference has put out. Still not convinced? What conference has been represented the most the last couple years when Heisman finalists are invited to New York...

E-Earl Thomas. The Texas SS led the Big 12 in passes broken up last year as a freshman. He’ll win a Thorpe award before he makes millions in the NFL.

F-Friday, September 11. The Colorado Buffaloes travel to Toledo after opening the season on Sunday September 6. The short turn around could throw a wrench in Dan Hawkins 10-Wins 0-Excuses statement. The Buffs didn’t win a road game in all of 2008. Upset alert, you heard it here first.

G-Gerald McCoy. The JR DT from Oklahoma had 6.5 sacks last year. That number could double this season.

H-Heisman. Expect the Big 12 to be well represented at the Downtown Athletic Club again this year. The conference boasts the defending winner in Sam Bradford. Colt McCoy is almost a shoe in to make a serious run at the hardware this year, but don’t count out Zac Robinson or OSU teammate Dez Bryant. Colorado’s Darrel Scott was hyped as a candidate during his recruitment, and Chris Brown from Oklahoma has the ability to impress voters.

I-Iowa State. The Cyclones are breaking in new coach Paul Rhoads after going 2-10 last year.

J-Jordan Shipley. Seems like every time I saw UT last year Shipley was making a big catch. He’ll be relied on heavily again as he’s the WR with the most experience returning in 2009.

K-Kansas State. After his handpicked successor was fired last season, Bill Snyder, at 69 years old, will return to the Wildcat sidelines.

L-Lee Grimes. The A&M SR tackle is flipping huge- 6’6” 339lbs!

M-Missouri. The Tigers bring back a paltry 9 starters from last year's North Division Champs. 5 on offense and 4 on defense.

N-Nick Kasa. The true freshman DE from Colorado is my freshman of the year pick.

O-Oklahoma State. The Cowboys surprised many last year when they started the season 7-0 before losing to Texas. They finished the year 9-4 and were in a 3 way tie for the South Division title. They return 7 starters on offense and 6 on defense. Mike Gundy is a man and he’s 42.

P-Perish Cox. The OSU CB had 8 pass break-ups and 2 INTs last year.

Q-Quarterbacks. The Big 12 can still boast about having the best Qbs in the country. Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Zac Robinson, Robert Griffin, and Todd Reesing are among the best in the nation.

R-Red Raiders. Texas Tech finished 2008 at 11-2 and had been ranked as high as #2 in the polls. With only 4 returning starters on offense it will be tough to follow up last year's success.

S-Sam Bradford. Bradford has the opportunity to win back-to-back Heisman trophies. Many thought Tim Tebow would be the next to do it after Archie Griffin, no one would be surprised if Bradford wins another. Final note on Bradford, he’s only a junior.

T-Trent Hunter. As a true freshman last year the A&M SS intercepted 3 passes and was 2nd team Freshman All-American.

U-Ugo Chinasa. The OSU DE had 2 sacks and 1 INT in 2008.

V-Von Miller. The LB from A&M had 3.5 sacks last year, coaches expect a breakout season from Miller this year.

W-Wyoming. The Cowboys have two Big 12 teams on their schedule, Colorado and Texas. New coach Dave Christensen was offensive coordinator at Missouri last year. Will Texas lose to Wyoming? No. Will Colorado lose to Wyoming? I doubt it, but you never know.

X-Xtra-Credit. 4 Big 12 coaches have 100 or more career wins, Mack Brown, Bob Stoops, and Bill Snyder are obvious. Can you name the 4th?…..Missouri’s Gary Pinkel has 132 wins.

Y-Ya’Mo Be There. At Oklahoma State on week one the Cowboys host Georgia.

Z-Zac Lee. The JR QB from Nebraska has completed 1 pass for 5 yards so far in his career at NU. Expectations are high in Lincoln this year despite their Qbs lack of experience.