2010 College Football Preview: The Future of the Big XII

Much like how the Big Ten is in transition this season, the Big XII is in transition. The Big XII is lucky they even have a conference. Texas flirted with the Pac-10 back in June and it's still speculated as to which how close Texas left the Big XII. Many people think Texas was close to joining the Pac-10 and many people think Texas just used the Pac-10 to finagle a TV deal from the Big XII. Whatever happened Texas stayed in the Big XII, Nebraska and Colorado left, and next year there will be only 10 teams in the Big XII. But what about the future?

Nebraska and Colorado leaving the Big XII leaves a massive gap and erases the competitive balance for teams like Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, and Iowa State. Now teams in the Big XII North will have to compete with Texas and Oklahoma for the conference championship each year. How is that fair? At least with the two division system teams like Kansas, K-State, Missouri, and Iowa State had a puncher's chance at a conference championship.

This leads me to a theory. With Texas receiving their very own network (think Yes Network for the Yankees) they will become an independent school like Notre Dame. What's stopping them? They have a large alumni/booster base, a large recruiting base, and now they'll have there very own network. Once the Texas Network is off the ground and established they won't need the Big XII.

And Once Texas leaves the conference then all hell would break lose. Missouri and Kansas would probably want to join the Big Ten. Texas A&M to the SEC. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the Pac-10. K-State and Iowa State to either the WAC, Mountain West, or Conference USA. Many questions surrounding Texas, the Big XII, and college football in general heading into this season.



What's In Store For this Season?: Talk about a lame duck season for the Big XII. Not only are Colorado and Nebraska leaving after the year, but there will probably only be four teams competing for the Big XII title this season. Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Nebraska will all be in competition for the Big XII title this year. Sure maybe Texas A&M and possibly Iowa State make things interesting, but ultimately this is a four team race for the title. Hard to imagine how weak the Big XII will be this season since it was only two years ago three teams from the conference were competing for the national championship.

Team That'll Surprise, Texas A&M- The Aggies added offensive line help through recruiting. The Aggies also added depth at running back and return a veteran defense lead by the returning sack leader Von Miller. The problem for A&M though will be experience on offense. They return quarterback Jerrod Johnson and running back Christine Michael but have a very inexperienced offensive line.

Team That'll Disappoint, Oklahoma State- Just too many loses on offense and defense. The defense only returns three starters and they have to replace a quarterback and four offensive lineman. The Cowboys catch a break with an easy schedule for the first month and a half of the season, but after that they play Nebraska and Texas at home and have to travel to Norman to face Oklahoma to finish the season.

Player of the Year, Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M- A multi-threat quarterback surrounded by big talent at running back and receiver. Johnson can throw the deep ball with the best of them. Johnson will probably be running for his life most of the year while his inexperienced offensive line learns on the job.

Game of the Year, Texas at Nebraska, Oct. 16- Revenge game. Texas very controversially beat Nebraska in the Big XII title game.  This season Texas has to travel to Lincoln for probably the very last time. The black shirts will be out for revenge while Texas will be piecing together their offense and defense with new starters. Along with the Red River Shootout, this game will determine the winner of the Big XII title.