Cornhuskers best of weak Big 12 North
Bo Pelini has Nebraska poised to take home the Big 12 North title behind a strong defense and a favorable overall conference schedule. Assuming Zac Lee can grab the QB job and run with it, no pun intended, it could be an easy skate into the Big 12 Championship for the Huskers. With Missouri rebuilding, the QB Todd Reesing and the Kansas Jayhawks present the only real challenge to Nebraska for the 2009 season.
The North shall rise again.
But not this year. Either the Texas Longhorns or the Oklahoma Sooners are very likely to go on to the Big 12 Championship game, and then defeat whatever lame-duck representative the conference’s North Division comes up with. The last team from the North to win the conference title was the Kansas State Wildcats in a stunning 35-7 upset of Oklahoma (-15) back in 2003.
The betting odds are just as daunting for the North this year. You have to go way down the list on the BCS championship futures market before you come up with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who last won the Big 12 title in 1999. And it’s a steep drop from the Huskers to the rest of the Northern pack. Here’s our preview of all six teams in order of expected finish, with their BCS title odds included.
1. Nebraska Cornhuskers (50-1)
Beating Clemson (-2.5) in the Gator Bowl points to bigger things for Bo Pelini’s boys in 2009. His defense is strong, and he has plenty of candidates to replace Joe Ganz (25 TDs, 11 INTs in 2008) at quarterback. The Huskers also have the luxury of avoiding both Texas and Oklahoma State this year, even though they have to go on the road to play North rivals like Kansas. That, plus three non-conference games versus Sun Belt opponents, should be enough to get Nebraska to nine wins for the third season in a row.
2. Kansas Jayhawks (100-1)
After winning 12 games in 2007 at a marvelous 11-1 ATS, the Jayhawks dipped a bit last year (8-5 SU, 7-5 ATS) as they revamped their offensive line. But they should once again contend for the North title with senior QB Todd Reesing (32 TDs, 13 INTs) getting improved protection and throwing to the likes of Dezmon Briscoe (92 catches, 15 TDs) and Kerry Meier (97 catches, eight TDs). Kansas has a very easy non-con schedule, although they have to play at Texas and Texas Tech.
3. Missouri Tigers (100-1)
This is a rebuilding year for the Tigers. But the new guys could be even better than the old guys, including QB Blaine Gabbert, who has a cannon for an arm and a pair of outstanding tailbacks to support him in Derrick Washington (5.9 yards per carry, 17 rushing TDs) and De’Vion Moore (5.6 yards per carry). Their non-con sked includes tough gets against Illinois and at Nevada.
4. Colorado Buffaloes (125-1)
Unlike the Huskers, Colorado has to travel to play both the Longhorns and the Cowboys. Ouch. There are far too many question marks to have any faith in the Buffs, who were waylaid by injuries and arrests and finished a very disappointing 5-7 (4-7 ATS) in 2008. It’s entirely possible that second-year RB Darrell Scott (3.9 yards per carry) can elevate the team into bowl position; getting anywhere close to coach Dan Hawkins’ mandate of 10 wins is a pipe dream.
5. Kansas State Wildcats (150-1)
Bill Snyder is back for another tour of duty as coach after four years of mixed results under Ron Prince. Snyder’s options are very much limited with QB Josh Freeman (20 TDs, eight INTs) moving on to the NFL. It’s up to No. 2 pivot Carson Coffman or JUCO transfer Daniel Thomas to salvage a bowl berth for KSU. Their open date falls on the last week of the regular season, so it’s going to be a tough grind by November. The good news: The Wildcats don’t have to play Texas.
6. Iowa State Cyclones (Field, 40-1)
Paul Rhoads brings the shotgun spread to the Cyclones in his first year wearing the headset. They have the talent (especially on defense) and a soft enough schedule to at least double their win total from last year (2-10 SU, 5-6 ATS). Neither the Longhorns nor Sooners are on the docket, and the Cowboys will play ISU in Ames at Jack Trice Stadium. Life could be worse.
Cornhuskers best of weak Big 12 North
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