ESPN College Football

We're taking a look at what each program in the Big 12 needs to deal with during the offseason, whether it be in the spring, summer or fall preseason camp. Maybe all three! Who knows?

Next up: The Missouri Tigers.

1. Figure out what/if the offense has to change. The Tigers, like Texas A&M, are headed for the SEC, and there are plenty of questions about how well Mizzou's wide-open, fast-paced attack will work in their new league, which is known for having the biggest, strongest and fastest defenses in all of college football. This season especially, those defenses were responsible for the league winning its sixth consecutive national title.

2. Solidify the defensive line. Mizzou's defensive line was the most talented in the Big 12, but was somewhat underwhelming in 2011. It was good, far above average for the Big 12, but nowhere near dominant. Well, defensive lines in the SEC are like quarterbacks in the Big 12: The grade is much stricter. The Tigers lose Jacquies Smith and Terrell Resonno, as well as one of the Big 12's most productive tackles, Dominique Hamilton. Brad Madison is back after a 2011 that had him slowed by injury, but this unit will face much different offenses in 2012, and needs to be better.

3. Develop chemistry on the offensive line. Left tackle Elvis Fisher's status for an additional year from the NCAA after a preseason knee injury is still in flux, but if he's gone, Mizzou's big hole gets even bigger. Guards Jayson Palmgren and Austin Wuebbels are gone, as is right tackle Dan Hoch, one of the team's top talents. The line of scrimmage is where games are won, and though Mizzou's been really solid on the offensive line the past few years, that will have to continue against tougher defensive lines in the SEC.

Here's the All-Bowl team from the Big 12, recognizing the best single-game performances from this year's bowls.

QB: Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State: Weeden threw for 399 yards and three touchdowns (it could have been four if a game-winning TD pass to Colton Chelf hadn't been overturned) on 29-of-42 passing. His first pass was intercepted, but he had an otherwise solid night and ran for his first career touchdown in the 41-38 win against Stanford.

RB: Terrance Ganaway, Baylor: The Big 12 rushing champion ran for 200 yards and five touchdowns in the Bears' 67-56 win against Washington in the Alamo Bowl.

RB: Ben Malena, Texas A&M: Malena stepped in for the injured Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael and had a solid game in the Aggies' 33-22 win against Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. He finished with 77 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, showcasing his physical running style. He also caught six passes for 36 yards.

FB: Trey Millard, Oklahoma: Millard carried the ball four times for 21 yards but also helped pave the way for three Blake Bell touchdowns from the Belldozer formation.

WR: Ryan Swope, Texas A&M: Jeff Fuller had better numbers in the bowl, but it was aided by big catches late. Swope kept the Aggies offense humming for most of the game, with eight catches for 105 yards in the win against Northwestern.

WR: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State: Blackmon was the best offensive player in the Big 12 bowls, spearheading Oklahoma State's offense in the Fiesta Bowl win with eight catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns.

WR: Colton Chelf, Oklahoma State: Chelf made two huge catches over the middle early and a third nearly won the game, but his touchdown was overturned. Still, OSU doesn't win its first BCS bowl without Chelf's 97 yards on five catches.

TE: Michael Egnew, Missouri: By Egnew's standards, it was a quiet game, but he played well with a 25-yard grab and three catches for 39 yards in Mizzou's win.

OL: Grant Garner, Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State's offensive line is keyed by Garner, who helped the Cowboys handle Stanford's blitzes well and give Weeden plenty of time in the Fiesta Bowl win.

OL: Philip Blake, Baylor: Baylor ran for 482 yards and scored 67 points in its win against Washington in the Alamo Bowl. Blake's the man who keyed it all.

OL: Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State: Adcock's the best overall talent on OSU's line, and he showed it in the win against Stanford.

OL: Dan Hoch, Missouri: Missouri rolled over one of the nation's best rush defenses, North Carolina, for 337 yards on the ground.

OL: Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M: The Aggies' offense was potent for most of its win against Northwestern, and Joeckel was solid in run and pass blocking for the balanced attack.

DEFENSE

DL: Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas: Jeffcoat made five tackles, two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in the Longhorns' 21-10 win against Cal. The Texas defense dominated, and the defensive line's play was the catalyst. He did it all with a torn pectoral muscle, too. He'll miss the spring after having it surgically repaired this week.

DL: Adam Davis, Kansas State: Davis sacked Arkansas' Tyler Wilson twice and had three tackles for loss with a forced fumble in the loss to the Razorbacks.

DL: R.J. Washington, Oklahoma: With Ronnell Lewis ineligible, Washington showed up big in the win against Iowa. He had two sacks and made three tackles.

DL: Tony Jerod-Eddie, Texas A&M: Jerod-Eddie made eight tackles and had a sack in the win against Northwestern.

LB: Damontre Moore, Texas A&M: Moore was a monster in the season finale for the Aggies, making nine tackles and forcing a fumble on his lone sack.

LB: A.J. Klein, Iowa State: Klein flew around for the Cyclones, making 15 tackles in a physical game against Rutgers, though the Cyclones lost.

LB: Jordan Hicks, Texas: Could this be a big piece of momentum heading into 2012? Hicks starred with seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup in the win against Cal.

CB: Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma: Fleming was the Big 12's best defensive player of the bowls and the best player on the field in the Insight Bowl, making seven tackles, intercepting a pass and returning it 21 yards. He also broke up three passes.

CB: David Garrett, Kansas State: Garrett made 10 tackles and had two tackles for loss in the loss to Arkansas.

S: Kenny Vaccaro, Texas: He hates the nickname Machete, but Vaccaro was hacking away at Cal. He made three tackles, including two for loss and a sack.

S: Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State: Even if it was illegal (it was), Martin had the hit of the bowl season with a huge blast on Stanford's Ty Montgomery that took Montgomery's helmet off on the opening drive. He finished with nine tackles and a tackle for loss, with a fumble recovery.

SPECIALISTS

P: Tress Way, Oklahoma: Way averaged 50 yards on his six punts, including a 67-yarder.

PK: Randy Bullock, Texas A&M: Bullock made all four of his field goal attempts, including two from beyond 40 yards.

PR: Dustin Harris, Texas A&M: Harris looked the part of the Big 12's best, returning a punt 35 yards and finishing with 54 yards on his four returns.

KR: Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State: Gilbert had a 50-yard return and returned his four kicks for a total of 136 yards.

The Big 12's seven list members are tied with the ACC for fourth most among the conferences. The Big Ten had the most, with 13. The award, which began in 1946, is the third-oldest in college football.

Missouri's headed to the Insight Bowl, the program's sixth consecutive postseason trip under coach Gary Pinkel.

Iowa carries a three-game losing streak into its matchup with the Tigers, but the Hawkeyes will be a different kind of challenge than Missouri has seen all season. So, who needs to play well for the Tigers to get the win?

The offensive line. Suspensions and transfers have Iowa playing without its leading receiver and its two best running backs, but the Hawkeyes have a defense capable of shutting down Missouri's offense. Specifically, it can do it on the defensive line.

Although Iowa finished the season at 2-3, it was giving up just over 17 points a game during that stretch. Adrian Clayborn headlines the defensive line, but fellow linemen Karl Klug and Mike Daniels both had more tackles for loss. The trio combined for 29 TFLs and Iowa ranks sixth nationally in rush defense, giving up just over 100 yards a game.

Missouri's offense can look pretty smooth when it gets its running game rolling, but a one-dimensional Tigers offense with Blaine Gabbert throwing the ball 40-plus times isn't nearly as effective.

The Hawkeyes ranked just 55th nationally against the pass, but the Tigers cannot live on the pass alone. All-Big 12 center Tim Barnes leads a very experienced unit flanked with a pair of experienced tackles in Dan Hoch and Elvis Fisher and guards Jayson Palmgren and Austin Wuebbels. They'll need to pave the way or Missouri's undersized set of backs, De'Vion Moore, Kendial Lawrence, Henry Josey and Marcus Murphy.

Iowa isn't likely to make many big plays offensively, but if Gabbert takes a free shot to his blind side for a costly fumble or is hasseled into mistakes, the Tigers could give up that big play to the defensive line.

Keep them at bay with a steady diet of screen passes and jet sweeps, and Missouri could win its third bowl game in four years.

Eleven players from the Big 12 were among 56 FBS nominees for the AFCA Good Works Team, an honor given to players based on the positive influence they have on their communities.

Fifty-six more nominees from FCS and lower division schools joined the players from the Big 12. Later this year, 11 players from FBS schools and 11 from lower division schools will be selected to the team.

Last year, Kansas safety Darrell Stuckey, who later won the Big 12 Sportsman of the Year award for his off-the-field efforts, was the Big 12's sole representation on the 22-member team.

Here's who made the cut from the conference this season:

• Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
• Alex Alvarez, OG, Iowa State
• Alex Hrebec, LB, Kansas State
• Andrew McGee, CB, Oklahoma State
• Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M
• Baron Batch, RB, Texas Tech
• Brad Thorson, OL, Kansas
• Dan Hoch, OL, Missouri
• Alex Henery, P/K, Nebraska
• Quinton Carter, S, Oklahoma
• Sam Acho, DE, Texas

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Eight days and counting until the season starts.

Can't you feel it?

Until then, gnaw on these links to get ready.

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self tells the Topeka Capital-Journal's Kevin Haskin the Jayhawks will win 10 football games this season.
Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World reports on Day 7 of the Mike Gundy news blackout at Oklahoma State.
The San Antonio Express-News' Brent Zwerneman writes about the selflessness of Texas A&M defensive tackle Lucas Patterson, who switched back to defense this week from a starting position at offensive tackle.
The Waco Tribune Herald's John Werner writes about Baylor's backfield variety with Jay Finley, Terrance Ganaway and Jarred Salubi all contributing.
Lawrence Journal-World sports editor/columnist Tom Keegan writes why Kansas must start 6-0 to gather maximum national exposure for the program.
Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins tells the Boulder Camera's Kyle Ringo about his growth and development in the Buffaloes' offense.
Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson tells the Lincoln Journal-Star's Brian Christopherson that freshman Cody Green has pushed past Latravis Washington for the backup position behind starter Zac Lee.
Iowa State coaches are hoping that undersized defensive tackle Austin Alburtis can overcome injuries to emerge as a key contributor, the Ames Tribune's Bobby La Gesse reports.
Injured starting Missouri tackle Dan Hoch could return to practice by the weekend, the Kansas City Star's Mike DeArmond reports.
Several Oklahoma teammates tell the Oklahoman's Jake Trotter that Sam Bradford is noticeably improved from last season. The Oklahoman also speculate about several NCAA passing records that Bradford could break before leaving college.
Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp says that sophomore safety Earl Thomas is inspiring increased confidence in the Longhorns' secondary by his steady play, Austin American-Statesman beat writer Suzanne Halliburton reports.
Texas Tech's switch of Mickey Okafor from tackle to guard will boost the athleticism of the Red Raiders' offensive line, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal's Don Williams reports.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Here are some weekend scrimmage links from around the conference from schools that had scrimmages or major practices:

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin completed 16 of 20 passes for 157 yards and engineered four scoring drives in the Bears' Saturday scrimmage. Eighteen different receivers grabbed passes in the scrimmage.
Kansas State could be starting three junior-college transfers in the secondary this season, the Topeka Capital-Journal's Austin Meek reports.
Dave Matter of the Columbia Daily Tribune reveals that Missouri wide receivers Danario Alexander and Wes Kemp had their best practices of preseason camp Saturday and the Tigers' struggles along the offensive front after Dan Hoch's injury appear to have been fixed.
The primary focus at Nebraska's practice shifts to freshman I-back Rex Burkhead, who inherits Quentin Castille's No. 2 slot at I-back, the Lincoln Journal-Star's Brian Christopherson reports.
Heralded freshman quarterback Garrett Gilbert appears to have taken a firm grasp of the No. 2 position behind Colt McCoy, Alex Trubow of the Austin American-Statesman writes.
New Texas Tech starting safety Franklin Mitchem returned an interception for a touchdown in the Red Raiders' Saturday workout as punter Donnie Carona continued to struggle with his approach, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal's Don Williams reports.
After a sputtering start, Texas A&M's passing offense finally got going at the end of the Aggies' 90-minute scrimmage on Saturday. Jerrod Johnson completed 15 of 20 passes for 207 yards. Ryan Tannehill chipped in with 180 yards on 10 of 13 passing, according to the Bryan Eagle's Robert Cessna.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Missouri's second scrimmage didn't provide much encouragement for Coach Gary Pinkel as the Tigers continue preseason practice.

In fact, the Tigers might have taken a big step backwards as the Tigers prepare for their Sept. 5 opener in St. Louis against Illinois.

"I thought it was kind of sloppy," Pinkel told reporters after Thursday's practice. "The (first-string) one offense was lethargic out there, made a lot of mistakes. And when you have penalties, you have sacks.

"It just dissolves execution. I'm disappointed in that."

Pinkel was also angry that his defense was singed for three touchdowns in two-minute and short-field situations.

"The one defense played pretty good," Pinkel said, "but certainly giving up a couple of big plays at the end is certainly not what you want to be about."

The Tigers line struggled without starting tackle Dan Hoch. His replacement, All-Big 12 guard Kurtis Gregory, was beaten several times at his new position by backup defensive end Brad Madison.  

The defense won the scrimmage, 34-20, as points were given for three-and-outs, sacks, turnovers and other big plays.

Projected QB starter Blaine Gabbert was 14-of-21 for 121 yards and a 11-yard touchdown to Danario Alexander. Jimmy Costello was 18-of-25 for 137 yards with an interception and a 29-yard TD strike to Rolandis Woodland. Blaine Dalton was 12-of-22 for 72 yards and a 3-yard TD pass to Michael Egnew.

Gilbert Moye was the leading rusher with 40 yards on three carries.  Jerrell Jackson, the recent addition to Missouri's No. 1 offensive unit, produced team-best totals of six receptions and 60 receiving yards.

Linebacker Will Ebner and defensive Aldon Smith each produced a sack and two tackles for losses. And freshman linebacker Andrew Wilson and redshirt freshman cornerback Robert Steeples accounted for interceptions. 

But the Tigers' struggles left Pinkel knowing that more immediate improvement will be needed soon with the start of the season looming barely two weeks away.

"I just think we should be further ahead than we are right now," Pinkel said.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel told reporters Monday that he expects eight freshmen to see action this season.

Pinkel said his tentative plans are to play at least eight freshmen this season for the No. 6 Tigers. His previous high for freshmen in a season has been five.

"It's not by all means over," Pinkel told the Columbia Daily Tribune. "It's not etched in granite. There's a lot of good players doing a lot of good things. We've just got to let it sort itself out a little bit."

Among the players that Pinkel has targeted for early play include tight ends Andrew Jones and Michael Egnew, offensive tackle Dan Hoch, defensive end Jacquies Smith, wide receivers Jerrell Jackson and Gahn McGaffie, linebacker Will Ebner and long snapper Beau Brinkley, who also is a walk-on player. And wide receiver Wes Kemp could also play, Pinkel said.

"What we do, from a players' standpoint, is 'Who are the best players to help us win this year?'" Pinkel told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "That's kind of where we're at with that. It's never changed. We've always had that philosophy.

"I think there's a lot of things (that determine how many freshmen play): the depth at a position ... turnover would lend itself to more players playing at a spot. There's maturity factors. William Moore, who will probably play 10 years in the NFL and he redshirted. T. Rucker (former Missouri TE Martin Rucker) redshirted. I can go through a bunch of players that are high-level players that were redshirts."

The Tigers open the season Aug. 30 against Illinois in St. Louis.