College Football Futures: The Baylor Bears were an offensive juggernaut last year as they won the Big 12 Conference Championship and dominated the Oklahoma Sooners in a stunning 41-12 win that had many fans and handicappers questioning OU’s relevance as a national power. But when Oklahoma took apart Alabama in the Sugar Bowl 45-31 they immediately became the favorite to win the Big 12 Conference in 2014 with Baylor considered the top challenger to the Sooners. Meanwhile the Oklahoma State Cowboys blew a shot at the title when they let the Sooners off the hook on their home field on the last day of the season and now must rebuild. TCU is looking to rebound from their first losing season since 2004 and Kansas State is under the radar and dangerous as always.
Bear Market?
Senior QB Bryce Petty returns with six other offensive starters and as a leading Heisman Trophy candidate. The Bears averaged 52 points per game last year. Baylor showed marked improvement on defense in 2013 as they shaved 14 points per game off their 2012 total but only four starters return.
There should be concerns about Oklahoma getting too much love after beating an Alabama team that was less than focused following their stunning loss to Auburn which cost them the SEC West Division title. The Sooners do return 48 lettermen but sophomore QB Trevor Knight must prove he can be consistent.
Lurking in the Hunt
Kansas State has the ultimate asset in head coach Bill Snyder, who has never been better than this, his second stint as leader of a Wildcats program that may be outmanned but never outworked.
TCU returns 16 starters and 47 lettermen for the look of a team that has a chip in its shoulder after two mediocre years as new members of the Big 12 and with a pedestrian offense.
Strong Changes
Charlie Strong has taken over as head coach of Texas and is wielding an iron fist of much needed discipline. Strong should put a good defense on the field but offense remains a problem in Austin.
Oklahoma State and Texas Tech could have enough to pull of the occasional upset but not enough to sustain a serious challenge for the title while West Virginia, Kansas, and Iowa State should bring up the rear.
Our Prognosis
Oklahoma gets our call to win the Big 12!
