Big 12: Sam Bradford
We're moving on in our series on the Big 12 blog pegging the single player each team in the Big 12 can't afford to lose. He's also the player who will be most responsible for the team's ultimate success.
Next up, the Oklahoma Sooners. Find more indispensable players here.
Most indispensable player: QB Landry Jones
2011 stats: 355-of-562 (63.2 percent) for 4,463 yards, 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Why Oklahoma can't afford to lose him: Knock him if you'd like. Talk about what he's not.
What he is? The most priceless player on Oklahoma's entire roster. That's even more true now with three of the team's top four returning receivers suspended. Are the Sooners anything close to a top-15 team without Jones, who's essentially a fourth-year starter in 2012?
It's debatable.
His 15 interceptions -- three more than his sophomore season in 2010, which featured more attempts -- are alarming, but Jones is still the engine that made this offense go in 2011, even if Oklahoma's short passing game makes his stats look slightly inflated.
Jones has solid arm strength and accuracy that is criminally underrated only because he followed otherworldly Sam Bradford as the man behind center in the Sooners' offense. He's not quite the fiery leader, but over the course of his three seasons, which included a Big 12 title in 2010, he's earned the respect of his teammates and the legitimacy that few ever acquire.
Jones will be a fascinating player to watch in 2012. I've said it several times, and it's true: He probably has the most volatile draft status of any player in the Big 12. He could play himself into the top 10, top 5 or higher with a huge year, but he could also fall to around the third round or worse if he struggles.
How that plays is debatable. What's not debatable is how his role fits into Oklahoma's squad. He's the player it most can't afford to do without.
Next up, the Oklahoma Sooners. Find more indispensable players here.
Most indispensable player: QB Landry Jones
2011 stats: 355-of-562 (63.2 percent) for 4,463 yards, 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Why Oklahoma can't afford to lose him: Knock him if you'd like. Talk about what he's not.
What he is? The most priceless player on Oklahoma's entire roster. That's even more true now with three of the team's top four returning receivers suspended. Are the Sooners anything close to a top-15 team without Jones, who's essentially a fourth-year starter in 2012?
It's debatable.
His 15 interceptions -- three more than his sophomore season in 2010, which featured more attempts -- are alarming, but Jones is still the engine that made this offense go in 2011, even if Oklahoma's short passing game makes his stats look slightly inflated.
Jones has solid arm strength and accuracy that is criminally underrated only because he followed otherworldly Sam Bradford as the man behind center in the Sooners' offense. He's not quite the fiery leader, but over the course of his three seasons, which included a Big 12 title in 2010, he's earned the respect of his teammates and the legitimacy that few ever acquire.
Jones will be a fascinating player to watch in 2012. I've said it several times, and it's true: He probably has the most volatile draft status of any player in the Big 12. He could play himself into the top 10, top 5 or higher with a huge year, but he could also fall to around the third round or worse if he struggles.
How that plays is debatable. What's not debatable is how his role fits into Oklahoma's squad. He's the player it most can't afford to do without.
Good to see a handful of Big 12 names called in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night.
What did I think? Glad you asked.
What did I think? Glad you asked.
- No surprises in the top two picks, which have both been essentially in the can for weeks. A nice touch by Robert Griffin III with the Redskins socks, but the slogan seemed a little cheesy. Cheesy or not, it's true. Griffin and 31 other gifted athletes caught their dreams on Thursday night. Congratulations to all. Reaching this point isn't easy, even for the most physically gifted players.
- Well, it looked like Justin Blackmon would catch passes from one former Big 12 rival quarterback (Sam Bradford, St. Louis), but instead, he may do it for another. Former Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert gets a much-needed target, but he'll have to re-earn his job after an awful rookie season. St. Louis seemed like a better fit for Blackmon, rather than the Jaguars, but Blackmon's a true game-changer in my book. I think he'll have an effect wherever he goes.
- Miami got its man in Ryan Tannehill. For as much talk as his inflated draft stock has gotten in the past few weeks, this looked pretty likely. Now, we'll see him in action. Like most others, I love Tannehill's upside. With some experience, he could be great. But he needs time. He wasn't outstanding in college, and he's obviously inexperienced at the quarterback position. There are zero questions from me about his physical skills, but I like the chances for his decision-making -- which had major, major issues in 2011 -- to improve if he gets lots of practice reps rather than being thrown in the fire immediately.
- Sheesh, WVU. Y'all got on me for saying you wouldn't have a first-rounder in this post, but it was mostly a throwaway phrase, not a prediction. Most places I'd read had Bruce Irvin as a second- or third-rounder. I obviously didn't see him play much, and don't really have any thoughts on his play. But it's not like I was knocking it, either. I don't exactly keep track of the draft stock of players I never really saw play. Sorry about that. When it's things I'm truly covering, I pay attention. Well, most of the time, anyway. Or something. Either way, my mistake on that one.
- What a great spot in Tennessee for Kendall Wright. I'm not sure I could ever see him carrying an NFL offense, but Wright's good enough to work underneath and stretch the field. I don't buy him much as a game-breaker against No. 1 corners all season, but in a supporting role? Huge, huge pickup for the Titans. As he matures, he may just prove himself as a true No. 1 receiver. His size is the biggest question for me, but he's got great hands and great speed. I just might draft Wright as a late-round sleeper in my fantasy draft next fall.
- Huge congrats to Brandon Weeden, too. The guy deserved it. There's no question in my mind he's a first-round talent and a guy who could be a star at the next level. Not many people gave him a chance to be a first-round pick, but I think the more teams saw of him on and off the field, the more they fell in love with him. It's not hard to see why. The age issue probably would have made me wait until the second round to take him, but if he succeeds, nobody will care. Props to Weeden for handling the age issue so well the past two years. Dude's been asked about it no less than 50,000 times, and he always seemed to handle it with grace. Not sure I could do that. I don't know what his career holds, and it's going to be difficult in Cleveland without many offensive weapons around him, but he's a smart, good decision maker with a humongous arm. That's plenty enough to make an impact.
2012 NFL Draft
Rd. 1: April 26, 8 p.m. ET
Rd. 2-3: April 27, 7 p.m. ET
Rd. 4-7: April 28, Noon ET
Radio City Music Hall
New York City
Draft order | Draft home
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Miss Oklahoma's spring game? We've got you covered.
What happened:
What happened:
The offense beat the defense, 22-21, in a game with modified scoring swiped from Boise State coach Chris Petersen.- Reserve QB Blake Bell completed 14-of-19 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. Landry Jones completed 4-of-8 passes for 23 yards in his only series. Drew Allen completed 10-of-18 passes for 72 yards.
- Freshman receiver Trey Metoyer caught six passes for a game-high 72 yards. Receiver Jaz Reynolds hauled in a 60-yard touchdown from Bell.
- Corey Nelson and Julian Wilson tied for a game-high eight tackles. Wilson had two for a loss totaling 13 yards.
- All that hype about Trey Metoyer? For now, consider it validated. He's physically imposing, a presence Oklahoma has needed for some time to muscle up on secondaries. Dejuan Miller had the size but didn't have the production. Metoyer looks every bit the total package. Covering him one-on-one could become impossible very fast with his size and once he learns the small stuff that separates really good receivers from great ones. You kind of have to wonder if he would have been really well served spending a season with Broyles, an undersized guy who got open better than anybody else in the Big 12 last season. Either way, expectations will be sky high for Metoyer, a much-needed addition to the Sooners receiving corps that gets even more help with three of the nation's top 10 receivers arriving on campus before fall camp.
- Blake Bell can throw the ball, y'all. His recruiting tape made that clear, but as the namesake to the Belldozer through the second half of last season, people wanted to pigeonhole him as a runner. He finally got a chance to show what he could do, and the backup QB race should be really intriguing during preseason camp. Remember, in 2009, Jones narrowly beat out Allen for the right to backup Heisman winner Sam Bradford. Next thing you knew, the first chapter of Jones' legacy at OU was being written at Cowboys Stadium. That'll be something to keep an eye on, and fans will remember Saturday when Jones is gone.
- How is Mike Stoops' defense progressing? Well, Javon Harris had earned his starting spot at safety back during the spring, but gave up the 60-yard score to Reynolds that surely renewed the same frustrations for all involved from his struggles late last season that cost him the starting job.
- A couple more drops for Kenny Stills in the game, while Metoyer reportedly didn't drop a single pass in team drills for the entire spring. That's got to be a concern by now for Stills, who struggled with drops late last season. Whatever the issue is, OU needs it to be fixed by fall. He's got to lead the group, and setting the example is a good place to start.
Coach Bob Stoops on Metoyer: "He just has got incredible hands and the ability to make plays. He has a knack for adjusting to the football; just all the things you saw today. He can run. He really relishes the moment. He is a competitor for a young guy. He is a player. He just has a natural feel for it, on spacing and how to make plays and get to the ball."
Offensive coordinator Josh Heupel on Metoyer: "It's what you hoped he would do because he's practiced in that fashion for 14 days. He's continuing to get a better understanding of our offense routes, timing, adjustments that he has to make, mechanics of getting a signal and getting lined up and playing with speed at times. Is it something that was out of the ordinary for him today? No, it wasn't. Was it a nice step to see him do it in front of a lot of people and in a game situation? Yes, it was."
Thanks for all the questions this week. We'll have plenty of coverage from Cowboys Stadium tonight for the Cotton Bowl. Until then, here's our weekly mailbag.
Here is where to go to make next week's.
Jeff in Ames, Iowa asked: What are your thoughts on the conferences 33-4 non-conference record with only one game left to play? Keep in mind this is the best non-conference record by any conference within the BCS era. Also the Big XII had the second highest average number of BCS opponents, at 10.7 per school. Only the PAC 12 had a higher average at 11 per school. Finally the Big XII had eight of the nation's top toughest schedules per the NCAA. Would you rate the Big XII as the strongest conference?
David Ubben: I've said it all year, but the Big 12 is deeper than the SEC. At the top, yeah, nobody in this league is as good as LSU or Alabama. Ultimately, that's how leagues are judged. We've never seen anything like this from any league at the top. And obviously, that attracts lots of attention.
Beyond that, though? The Big 12 is a stronger league. It's proven it this year outside of the league. What else do you have to do to decide? I'd love for the two leagues to play a lot more often than two or three times a year, but this is what we're left with to see between these two leagues.
Oklahoma was a national title contender until it lost a game and suffered a ton of huge injuries. Oklahoma State had one hiccup. This year could have looked very different, but the Big 12 failed to make the national championship game. In the world we live in, more than anything, that hurts the league's perception. But look a little deeper, as you did, Jeff, and it's easy to see why people who are paying attention see the gap between these two leagues this year isn't very wide.
It's easy to look at LSU and Alabama and say, oh yeah, definitely, the SEC is the best league. This year, though, that hasn't been the case. Believe it or not, conferences are not made up of one or two teams. Even though the Big Ten and Big 12 have made it confusing for some to know for sure how many teams those conferences are made of, I assure you, it is a number larger than two.
SoonerSonics in Seattle asked: Hey David, With Landry Jones coming back we are probably gonna hear a collective groan form the OU faithful. However, I am curious. Is it all or even mostly Landry's fault? Is he getting a fair shake. I saw A LOT of dropped passes in the games since Broyles left. Stills REALLY dropped off and no one else stepped up at all. I know he can get better but is it fair of us to hang him out to dry? I want to see BB too but won't we be better with LJ rather than w/out him next year? On another note, I think maybe his biggest deficiency is in his leadership skills due to his laid back personality. Can he lead this team? Agree or disagree? Oh, and by the way, what is wrong with Stills anyway? Why did he fall apart?
David Ubben: Yeah, I've never understood Oklahoma fans' frustration with Landry Jones. He was arguably the best quarterback in the Big 12 last season, and the third-best this season. In a league like the Big 12, that's not bad. I get that he's made some high-profile mistakes in big spots for the Sooners, but that shouldn't dimish the other 12,000-something yards he's thrown for.
He had the disadvantage of trying to follow Sam Bradford, who set an impossible standard. Jones is better than all but a handful of quarterbacks in all of college football, though. Sometimes it's too easy for fans to want to compare him to Sam and only Sam. That's insanity.
And you're definitely onto something with the receivers. Guys weren't running free as often as Broyles would have liked, and it was obvious they came down with a nasty case of the dropsies after Broyles went out. That was kind of inexplicable. So was Stills' production drop-off when Broyles got hurt. Oklahoma needed him to be better.
As for Landry's leadership skills, it's hard to say definitively. Teammates aren't going to hang him out to dry, and I'm not in the locker room or fully integrated into the dynamics of that team. He's a guy that his teammates respect and listen to, but I could see a scenario that, when problems arise, his voice perhaps gets drowned out by some of the other guys on the team. Maybe that's the case. Maybe not. But Oklahoma wasn't exactly the most functional place in the world at the end of the season.
Adam in Topeka, Kan. asked: Where is the love for KSU? Cotton Bowl is this weekend and yet your blogging about who's coming back for 2012. Come on man.
DU: We've had plenty of coverage, I assure you. Here's the link to all our Cotton Bowl posts to prep for tonight's game.
Anthony Johnson in Oklahoma asked: I have no clue why you say the Stanford band was entertaining. The disrespect it showed towards Oklahoma was uncalled for and anyone that felt that was funny should be ashamed. I also know that some Stanford fans had some OSU fans removed from the lower bowl because the OSU fans were standing and security escorted about 5 OSU fans out of the section. I have no idea what happened to those fans but it was a downer for me. I felt if I stood up I would be escorted out since I had on the wrong color yet I was right next to the OSU tunnel. I am an NFL fan and support OU and OSU but not a huge fan of college and this event left a bad taste in my mouth for the disregard of the fans that came from Oklahoma. You in the media are supporting this bad behavior and seem to want more of it. It was a great game but spoiled by actions of spoiled Stanford students and alums yet nobody wants to make anyone from Stanford mad by telling them they did wrong.
DU: Well, I'm not going to address the fan issue. I don't know anything about that.
But the folks who are bent out of shape about the Stanford band need to lighten up. I was amazed at how personal OSU fans took it. At the airport coming back home on Tuesday, I had 4-5 Oklahoma State fans come up to me to complain about it. I was amazed.
The band is awesome. Probably my favorite thing about Stanford, except for perhaps the tree. OSU fans, as I understand it, were most angry about them playing during the alma mater and the trophy presentation after the game. I get that. But folks, Stanford's band's whole schtick is irreverence. That, in itself, is a tradition. They'll rub some people the wrong way, but I can't stay mad at a band whose drum major dresses as Hello Kitty. I just can't.
And that was before they started playing frisbee on the field with an actual frisbee and their hats before playing their traditional scatter halftime show. So, I get the "Disrespect!" card and the anger (which is legitimate) over not being able to hear the trophy presentation, but that's no reason to hate these guys forever.
If that's the worst thing they've done to you, I suggest a refresher course in their most classic antics. It could be worse.
And get angry if you must, but at the end of the day, we're talking about college students blowing air into pieces of molded metal and banging drums. Lighten up.
Mark in Bainbridge Island, Wash. asked: What? Maybe the KSU-OSU game *should* have had a different ending. You didn't like the results of that game? Why? You have something against Oklahoma State? That was a really stupid thing to write. Why does it sometimes seem you feel like you are covering an inferior conference? Think you are better than this? Not yet young man. Grow up. Watch the game for 50 years like I have and then maybe I would give you more respect.
DU: OK, OK. Give me a second while I climb up on my ladder to reach your level. I promise I'll leave in a second and not waste your time with too many of my banal thoughts.
Anybody who watched that game knows there was now way Oklahoma State was getting a defensive stop on the final drive. Kansas State ran out of time and timeouts, and had to settle for two Collin Klein throws in the final seconds. If they had either a timeout or 15-20 more seconds, the Wildcats would have scored, and would have gone for two, which their offense is built to convert. Oklahoma State won that game, but it was very, very close to losing it.
Anyway, allow me to apologize for the existence of this blog. I promise we'll shut it down soon.
You know what they say: Condescension is a virtue!
Travis in Austin, Texas asked: Ubbs, could K-State have beaten Michigan?
DU: Yeah, I'm not a believer in Michigan at all. They were a pretty good team who got lucky in a few games and ended up in the BCS because they're Michigan. I thought Virginia Tech was a top 10 fraud all season with no real good wins, and Clemson exposed them twice. Badly. And we saw what happened in the Orange Bowl.
Then Michigan needs a couple mini miracles to win that game?
Give me Kansas State by double digits in that one. I'm not buying the idea that Denard Robinson would complete some of those insane floaty passes on David Garrett and Nigel Malone.
Here is where to go to make next week's.
Jeff in Ames, Iowa asked: What are your thoughts on the conferences 33-4 non-conference record with only one game left to play? Keep in mind this is the best non-conference record by any conference within the BCS era. Also the Big XII had the second highest average number of BCS opponents, at 10.7 per school. Only the PAC 12 had a higher average at 11 per school. Finally the Big XII had eight of the nation's top toughest schedules per the NCAA. Would you rate the Big XII as the strongest conference?
David Ubben: I've said it all year, but the Big 12 is deeper than the SEC. At the top, yeah, nobody in this league is as good as LSU or Alabama. Ultimately, that's how leagues are judged. We've never seen anything like this from any league at the top. And obviously, that attracts lots of attention.
Beyond that, though? The Big 12 is a stronger league. It's proven it this year outside of the league. What else do you have to do to decide? I'd love for the two leagues to play a lot more often than two or three times a year, but this is what we're left with to see between these two leagues.
Oklahoma was a national title contender until it lost a game and suffered a ton of huge injuries. Oklahoma State had one hiccup. This year could have looked very different, but the Big 12 failed to make the national championship game. In the world we live in, more than anything, that hurts the league's perception. But look a little deeper, as you did, Jeff, and it's easy to see why people who are paying attention see the gap between these two leagues this year isn't very wide.
It's easy to look at LSU and Alabama and say, oh yeah, definitely, the SEC is the best league. This year, though, that hasn't been the case. Believe it or not, conferences are not made up of one or two teams. Even though the Big Ten and Big 12 have made it confusing for some to know for sure how many teams those conferences are made of, I assure you, it is a number larger than two.
SoonerSonics in Seattle asked: Hey David, With Landry Jones coming back we are probably gonna hear a collective groan form the OU faithful. However, I am curious. Is it all or even mostly Landry's fault? Is he getting a fair shake. I saw A LOT of dropped passes in the games since Broyles left. Stills REALLY dropped off and no one else stepped up at all. I know he can get better but is it fair of us to hang him out to dry? I want to see BB too but won't we be better with LJ rather than w/out him next year? On another note, I think maybe his biggest deficiency is in his leadership skills due to his laid back personality. Can he lead this team? Agree or disagree? Oh, and by the way, what is wrong with Stills anyway? Why did he fall apart?
David Ubben: Yeah, I've never understood Oklahoma fans' frustration with Landry Jones. He was arguably the best quarterback in the Big 12 last season, and the third-best this season. In a league like the Big 12, that's not bad. I get that he's made some high-profile mistakes in big spots for the Sooners, but that shouldn't dimish the other 12,000-something yards he's thrown for.
He had the disadvantage of trying to follow Sam Bradford, who set an impossible standard. Jones is better than all but a handful of quarterbacks in all of college football, though. Sometimes it's too easy for fans to want to compare him to Sam and only Sam. That's insanity.
And you're definitely onto something with the receivers. Guys weren't running free as often as Broyles would have liked, and it was obvious they came down with a nasty case of the dropsies after Broyles went out. That was kind of inexplicable. So was Stills' production drop-off when Broyles got hurt. Oklahoma needed him to be better.
As for Landry's leadership skills, it's hard to say definitively. Teammates aren't going to hang him out to dry, and I'm not in the locker room or fully integrated into the dynamics of that team. He's a guy that his teammates respect and listen to, but I could see a scenario that, when problems arise, his voice perhaps gets drowned out by some of the other guys on the team. Maybe that's the case. Maybe not. But Oklahoma wasn't exactly the most functional place in the world at the end of the season.
Adam in Topeka, Kan. asked: Where is the love for KSU? Cotton Bowl is this weekend and yet your blogging about who's coming back for 2012. Come on man.
DU: We've had plenty of coverage, I assure you. Here's the link to all our Cotton Bowl posts to prep for tonight's game.
Anthony Johnson in Oklahoma asked: I have no clue why you say the Stanford band was entertaining. The disrespect it showed towards Oklahoma was uncalled for and anyone that felt that was funny should be ashamed. I also know that some Stanford fans had some OSU fans removed from the lower bowl because the OSU fans were standing and security escorted about 5 OSU fans out of the section. I have no idea what happened to those fans but it was a downer for me. I felt if I stood up I would be escorted out since I had on the wrong color yet I was right next to the OSU tunnel. I am an NFL fan and support OU and OSU but not a huge fan of college and this event left a bad taste in my mouth for the disregard of the fans that came from Oklahoma. You in the media are supporting this bad behavior and seem to want more of it. It was a great game but spoiled by actions of spoiled Stanford students and alums yet nobody wants to make anyone from Stanford mad by telling them they did wrong.
DU: Well, I'm not going to address the fan issue. I don't know anything about that.
But the folks who are bent out of shape about the Stanford band need to lighten up. I was amazed at how personal OSU fans took it. At the airport coming back home on Tuesday, I had 4-5 Oklahoma State fans come up to me to complain about it. I was amazed.
The band is awesome. Probably my favorite thing about Stanford, except for perhaps the tree. OSU fans, as I understand it, were most angry about them playing during the alma mater and the trophy presentation after the game. I get that. But folks, Stanford's band's whole schtick is irreverence. That, in itself, is a tradition. They'll rub some people the wrong way, but I can't stay mad at a band whose drum major dresses as Hello Kitty. I just can't.
And that was before they started playing frisbee on the field with an actual frisbee and their hats before playing their traditional scatter halftime show. So, I get the "Disrespect!" card and the anger (which is legitimate) over not being able to hear the trophy presentation, but that's no reason to hate these guys forever.
If that's the worst thing they've done to you, I suggest a refresher course in their most classic antics. It could be worse.
And get angry if you must, but at the end of the day, we're talking about college students blowing air into pieces of molded metal and banging drums. Lighten up.
Mark in Bainbridge Island, Wash. asked: What? Maybe the KSU-OSU game *should* have had a different ending. You didn't like the results of that game? Why? You have something against Oklahoma State? That was a really stupid thing to write. Why does it sometimes seem you feel like you are covering an inferior conference? Think you are better than this? Not yet young man. Grow up. Watch the game for 50 years like I have and then maybe I would give you more respect.
DU: OK, OK. Give me a second while I climb up on my ladder to reach your level. I promise I'll leave in a second and not waste your time with too many of my banal thoughts.
Anybody who watched that game knows there was now way Oklahoma State was getting a defensive stop on the final drive. Kansas State ran out of time and timeouts, and had to settle for two Collin Klein throws in the final seconds. If they had either a timeout or 15-20 more seconds, the Wildcats would have scored, and would have gone for two, which their offense is built to convert. Oklahoma State won that game, but it was very, very close to losing it.
Anyway, allow me to apologize for the existence of this blog. I promise we'll shut it down soon.
You know what they say: Condescension is a virtue!
Travis in Austin, Texas asked: Ubbs, could K-State have beaten Michigan?
DU: Yeah, I'm not a believer in Michigan at all. They were a pretty good team who got lucky in a few games and ended up in the BCS because they're Michigan. I thought Virginia Tech was a top 10 fraud all season with no real good wins, and Clemson exposed them twice. Badly. And we saw what happened in the Orange Bowl.
Then Michigan needs a couple mini miracles to win that game?
Give me Kansas State by double digits in that one. I'm not buying the idea that Denard Robinson would complete some of those insane floaty passes on David Garrett and Nigel Malone.
Mailbag: Texas RBs, Landry, Mike Stoops
December, 16, 2011
12/16/11
4:00
PM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Thanks for all the questions this week. The last two have been a little odd without a Saturday of games to look forward to. Here's where you can try with a better question if you didn't make it in this week's Mailbag.
Phillip Shoultz in Bartlesville, Okla., asked: With Landry Jones struggles through much of this season, do you expect him to return next year? I'd have to think he wants another year to show his value to scouts?
David Ubben: Well, let's back it up a bit. Jones wasn't as good in 2011 as he was in 2010, but I don't know if I'd go as far to say he "struggled." He didn't play well in Bedlam; this is clear. He still threw for more than 4,300 yards and 28 touchdowns, though he also had 14 picks. That last number is too high, but only one Big 12 quarterback threw for more yards, and Brandon Weeden and Robert Griffin III were the only Big 12 passers to throw more touchdown passes, despite Jones not having a single TD pass in his final three games. Jones played really well against Baylor and, considering the wind, Iowa State. Coach Bob Stoops lauded his play in that game, and generally I'd agree. His receivers hurt him with drops.
I think he'll end up coming back, and as I wrote earlier this week, he should.
Jones has all the measurables. He's a big guy who has added mass since he was a freshman, and he's got a big arm. His mechanics are solid. He's a smart guy, even if he's not necessarily a fiery leader. That stock would rise once he got to the scouting combine.
But Jones regressed this season, for whatever reason. And he continues to falter in some pretty big moments. The thing that hurts him the most is following Sam Bradford. At another school, Jones would be so, so much more appreciated. But because Bradford is sort of the standard Jones is graded against, it's almost unfair. Weeden and RG3 are the only guys who have been better the past two years, and Jones outperformed RG3 last year.
Johnny in Oklahoma City asked: What about Mike Stoops for DC at TAMU?
DU: Stoops will (and does) have a lot of options, but I wouldn't make that hire if I were Kevin Sumlin. The Aggies need a defensive coordinator with a lot of SEC knowledge. Not a lot of guys on Sumlin's staff at Houston -- or Stoops -- have that. They need a guy that knows how to defend SEC offenses, which are obviously a lot different than what you'd see in the Big 12. They need a guy who knows what pieces are needed on defense to win in the SEC. They need a guy who knows how to scout that talent, and to teach his position coaches and other recruiters how to mine that talent.
Stoops is great, but he's not the right fit for Texas A&M.
D. Bergman in Shawnee, Kan., asked: Ubbs, after seeing some new nick names pop up for Collin Klein I decided to take on a step further and envision it. So here you go, King Kleinonidas.
DU: K-State fans are bringing it hard in the Mailbag the past two weeks. Optimus Klein asked me a question last week, and now this. I'm pretty impressed.
Daniel in Raleigh, N.C., asked: Hey David, I was just accepted to TCU and Baylor, which school will be better to go to for watching football over the next 4 years? I would definitely guess TCU, but if RG3 comes back then Baylor could be pretty fun next year. Also how do these two schools compare to my non Big 12 options over the next four years (University of South Carolina, Florida State, NC State, and SMU) Help me choose my college based on football!
DU: Some tough love here, Daniel: I don't know what's worse — choosing your school based on football, or asking me to help you choose your school based on football.
I've heard Ball So Hard University has a great work-study program, though.
Blake W. in Austin, Texas, asked: Hey David! Great blog and thanks for tweeting too. With all the running back talent expected to be at Texas next year, what are the odds Harsin/Applewhite bring out an option attack in the spring? A little wishbone redux perhaps?
DU: Co-offensive coordinators Bryan Harsin and Major Applewhite need to have some creativity. The fact is this: They're going to have a lot of great tailbacks, and not a proven quarterback. This isn't complex. Texas' offensive line was a lot better this season, but the Longhorns need to find a way to get Malcolm Brown, Joe Bergeron and incoming freshman Johnathan Gray all on the field at the same time, and not ask Case McCoy and/or David Ash/incoming freshman Connor Brewer to throw the ball 40-50 times per game. The Longhorns aren't built to win like that.
Maybe it's the wishbone or maybe it's the option. I like Harsin's ability to find a way to make it happen and get those guys on the field. Texas, though, will be a lot better the less it throws the ball. That's just the way its personnel is set up right now, barring a big transfer or someone showing a ton of progress in spring.
Phillip Shoultz in Bartlesville, Okla., asked: With Landry Jones struggles through much of this season, do you expect him to return next year? I'd have to think he wants another year to show his value to scouts?
David Ubben: Well, let's back it up a bit. Jones wasn't as good in 2011 as he was in 2010, but I don't know if I'd go as far to say he "struggled." He didn't play well in Bedlam; this is clear. He still threw for more than 4,300 yards and 28 touchdowns, though he also had 14 picks. That last number is too high, but only one Big 12 quarterback threw for more yards, and Brandon Weeden and Robert Griffin III were the only Big 12 passers to throw more touchdown passes, despite Jones not having a single TD pass in his final three games. Jones played really well against Baylor and, considering the wind, Iowa State. Coach Bob Stoops lauded his play in that game, and generally I'd agree. His receivers hurt him with drops.
I think he'll end up coming back, and as I wrote earlier this week, he should.
Jones has all the measurables. He's a big guy who has added mass since he was a freshman, and he's got a big arm. His mechanics are solid. He's a smart guy, even if he's not necessarily a fiery leader. That stock would rise once he got to the scouting combine.
But Jones regressed this season, for whatever reason. And he continues to falter in some pretty big moments. The thing that hurts him the most is following Sam Bradford. At another school, Jones would be so, so much more appreciated. But because Bradford is sort of the standard Jones is graded against, it's almost unfair. Weeden and RG3 are the only guys who have been better the past two years, and Jones outperformed RG3 last year.
Johnny in Oklahoma City asked: What about Mike Stoops for DC at TAMU?
DU: Stoops will (and does) have a lot of options, but I wouldn't make that hire if I were Kevin Sumlin. The Aggies need a defensive coordinator with a lot of SEC knowledge. Not a lot of guys on Sumlin's staff at Houston -- or Stoops -- have that. They need a guy that knows how to defend SEC offenses, which are obviously a lot different than what you'd see in the Big 12. They need a guy who knows what pieces are needed on defense to win in the SEC. They need a guy who knows how to scout that talent, and to teach his position coaches and other recruiters how to mine that talent.
Stoops is great, but he's not the right fit for Texas A&M.
D. Bergman in Shawnee, Kan., asked: Ubbs, after seeing some new nick names pop up for Collin Klein I decided to take on a step further and envision it. So here you go, King Kleinonidas.
DU: K-State fans are bringing it hard in the Mailbag the past two weeks. Optimus Klein asked me a question last week, and now this. I'm pretty impressed.
Daniel in Raleigh, N.C., asked: Hey David, I was just accepted to TCU and Baylor, which school will be better to go to for watching football over the next 4 years? I would definitely guess TCU, but if RG3 comes back then Baylor could be pretty fun next year. Also how do these two schools compare to my non Big 12 options over the next four years (University of South Carolina, Florida State, NC State, and SMU) Help me choose my college based on football!
DU: Some tough love here, Daniel: I don't know what's worse — choosing your school based on football, or asking me to help you choose your school based on football.
I've heard Ball So Hard University has a great work-study program, though.
Blake W. in Austin, Texas, asked: Hey David! Great blog and thanks for tweeting too. With all the running back talent expected to be at Texas next year, what are the odds Harsin/Applewhite bring out an option attack in the spring? A little wishbone redux perhaps?
DU: Co-offensive coordinators Bryan Harsin and Major Applewhite need to have some creativity. The fact is this: They're going to have a lot of great tailbacks, and not a proven quarterback. This isn't complex. Texas' offensive line was a lot better this season, but the Longhorns need to find a way to get Malcolm Brown, Joe Bergeron and incoming freshman Johnathan Gray all on the field at the same time, and not ask Case McCoy and/or David Ash/incoming freshman Connor Brewer to throw the ball 40-50 times per game. The Longhorns aren't built to win like that.
Maybe it's the wishbone or maybe it's the option. I like Harsin's ability to find a way to make it happen and get those guys on the field. Texas, though, will be a lot better the less it throws the ball. That's just the way its personnel is set up right now, barring a big transfer or someone showing a ton of progress in spring.
OSU honors Blackmon with team's seniors
December, 3, 2011
12/03/11
8:04
PM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
STILLWATER, Okla. -- Justin Blackmon's not a senior, but OSU coach Mike Gundy knows he's a special player. He might be the best to ever wear a Cowboys uniform.
Oklahoma State is showing its thanks, too. OSU players took the field and joined their families with flowers and a commemorative ball.
On a night specifically reserved to honor seniors, the Cowboys allowed Blackmon to go through Senior Night festivities, all but announcing his intentions to leave for the NFL draft after the season.
I'm not a huge fan of the move -- Oklahoma didn't honor even Heisman winner Sam Bradford in 2009 -- but Blackmon's been a huge part of Oklahoma State's rise. He might be the biggest reason.
If any Cowboy deserves the honor, it's him.
Blackmon and quarterback Brandon Weeden, as you might expect, got the biggest ovation from the OSU fans. Flash bulbs lit up the stadium, and Blackmon was honored as the final Cowboy.
Oklahoma State is showing its thanks, too. OSU players took the field and joined their families with flowers and a commemorative ball.
On a night specifically reserved to honor seniors, the Cowboys allowed Blackmon to go through Senior Night festivities, all but announcing his intentions to leave for the NFL draft after the season.
I'm not a huge fan of the move -- Oklahoma didn't honor even Heisman winner Sam Bradford in 2009 -- but Blackmon's been a huge part of Oklahoma State's rise. He might be the biggest reason.
If any Cowboy deserves the honor, it's him.
Blackmon and quarterback Brandon Weeden, as you might expect, got the biggest ovation from the OSU fans. Flash bulbs lit up the stadium, and Blackmon was honored as the final Cowboy.
RG3 climbing higher on NFL draft boards
December, 1, 2011
12/01/11
2:25
PM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III debuted on Mel Kiper and Todd McShay's respective draft boards only a few weeks ago, but he's continued to climb since grabbing a spot.
He jumped a full nine spots from No. 30 to No. 21 this week on McShay's board.
"Griffin continues to rise, thanks to impressive production and clutch play," McShay writes. "Great mobility, a quick release and good arm strength don't hurt, either."
He's up to No. 21 on Kiper's board, too, after sitting at No. 24 last week.
"Has elite athleticism and has altered and improved his delivery, resulting in better accuracy on downfield throws," Kiper writes. "Smart kid who will shine during interviews. No ill effects from 2009 knee injury. Remarkable numbers."
Griffin's acknowledged this season he'll have a decision to make at season's end.
My humble opinion: Griffin's chances of returning to Baylor will be exponentially higher if the Bears lose a bowl game. Perhaps a morbid view, but it's the truth. If he wins the Heisman, that might change matters. He's driven to earn more and more for the Bears, but winning a bowl game is a big step. Last year, Illinois dominated them in the Texas Bowl, and left a pretty nasty taste in their mouths.
If the Bears beat Texas on Saturday and win a bowl game, that's a bowl win, a second 10-win season in school history and perhaps a Heisman.
Trying to duplicate that in 2012 would be pretty difficult, particularly without his top receiver, Kendall Wright, who's been as good as just about anybody in the country this year, and will graduate after the season.
Griffin's got a pair of good examples of quarterbacks who would have been selected even higher than he's projected to go (Andrew Luck, Sam Bradford) but who decided to chase bigger things for their schools. It worked out for both at the next level. Luck will be next year's No. 1 NFL pick. Bradford suffered a serious, surgery-requiring injury to his throwing shoulder and still was selected No. 1 overall and won Rookie of the Year honors.
We'll have to see how the rest of the season plays out before we get a better idea of what RG3 will do, but we know he's impressing scouts.
He jumped a full nine spots from No. 30 to No. 21 this week on McShay's board.
"Griffin continues to rise, thanks to impressive production and clutch play," McShay writes. "Great mobility, a quick release and good arm strength don't hurt, either."
He's up to No. 21 on Kiper's board, too, after sitting at No. 24 last week.
"Has elite athleticism and has altered and improved his delivery, resulting in better accuracy on downfield throws," Kiper writes. "Smart kid who will shine during interviews. No ill effects from 2009 knee injury. Remarkable numbers."
Griffin's acknowledged this season he'll have a decision to make at season's end.
My humble opinion: Griffin's chances of returning to Baylor will be exponentially higher if the Bears lose a bowl game. Perhaps a morbid view, but it's the truth. If he wins the Heisman, that might change matters. He's driven to earn more and more for the Bears, but winning a bowl game is a big step. Last year, Illinois dominated them in the Texas Bowl, and left a pretty nasty taste in their mouths.
If the Bears beat Texas on Saturday and win a bowl game, that's a bowl win, a second 10-win season in school history and perhaps a Heisman.
Trying to duplicate that in 2012 would be pretty difficult, particularly without his top receiver, Kendall Wright, who's been as good as just about anybody in the country this year, and will graduate after the season.
Griffin's got a pair of good examples of quarterbacks who would have been selected even higher than he's projected to go (Andrew Luck, Sam Bradford) but who decided to chase bigger things for their schools. It worked out for both at the next level. Luck will be next year's No. 1 NFL pick. Bradford suffered a serious, surgery-requiring injury to his throwing shoulder and still was selected No. 1 overall and won Rookie of the Year honors.
We'll have to see how the rest of the season plays out before we get a better idea of what RG3 will do, but we know he's impressing scouts.
See Bedlam for what it is, not what it isn't
December, 1, 2011
12/01/11
11:00
AM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
It's easy to see Saturday's Bedlam as 60 minutes that could have meant so, so much more.
For Oklahoma State, 60 minutes in Ames, Iowa, all but assured it wouldn't. LSU and Georgia will play an essentially meaningless SEC title game Saturday night. Win or lose, the currently undefeated Tigers will almost certainly play a one-loss team for the national championship.
Perhaps it will be Oklahoma State. It's much more likely to be Alabama, which is idle this weekend.
For the Oklahoma State-inclined, it's easy to look at Saturday's game against Oklahoma and see what it isn't. The dream of a national semifinal in which the Cowboys' BCS title opportunity comes explicitly at the cost of the Sooners is likely gone. Neither team will likely meet LSU to play for all the crawdads down on the bayou.
Oklahoma State should see Saturday's game for what it is: a chance to make some very meaningful history.
Six teams have won a Big 12 title. Oklahoma State can win its first Saturday, denying the Sooners a share in the process.
Doing so would mean beating rival Oklahoma for the first time since 2002. So, maybe coach Mike Gundy refuses to politick for his team this week, but that only means he grasps what this week means, rather than what it doesn't.
"We're in a situation that we have a chance to win a football game and win a conference championship for the first time in the history of the school," Gundy said, "and I just feel like that's more important than politicking for a spot in second place or wherever it would be in the BCS."
A win also would give Oklahoma State its 11th of the season with a chance for a school-record 12th in a BCS bowl, one more place Oklahoma State has never been.
For all of Oklahoma State's recent success, this season is an example of how things work in college football. Only one team has ever won the national title without first playing in a BCS game. Never mind that Oklahoma is the only team to do it.
What hurt OSU fans most about the gut-punch at Iowa State? This felt like "The Year" for every Pistol Pete disciple. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon will be cashing NFL checks this time next year, an event sure enough that Blackmon, a junior, will take part in senior day festivities Saturday.
And maybe it is The Year. But there's plenty of reason to believe it's "A Year That Didn't Quite Work Out." Oklahoma has had plenty of those.
Weeden was a walk-on who spent a handful of years playing baseball. Blackmon was a three-star recruit. Both are special. But Oklahoma State is recruiting better than ever.
"We’ve got a lot of great guys in this program that are really young. We haven’t ever had kids like this around here," Gundy told me after a dramatic win over Kansas State this year. "I see a lot of things changing. It’s just different than it ever has been."
Why couldn't Oklahoma State recruit another Weeden and Blackmon? Oklahoma does it every season. Lose Sam Bradford? Enter Landry Jones. Ryan Broyles shatters records. Kenny Stills breaks Broyles' freshman records.
Oklahoma State lost a first-round pick at receiver and a record-breaking receiver after the nine-win 2009 season, along with four offensive linemen. Nobody gave the Cowboys a chance. They won 11 games. Gundy credits his culture within the program. Underclassmen know what's expected of them when it's their time.
The Cowboys are closer to Oklahoma than ever before. This season and the last, the Cowboys have been the better team entering the game, although Oklahoma knocked off the Cowboys to win the Big 12 South last season.
Oklahoma State might not hang with Oklahoma's near-perennial top-10 classes, but the Cowboys have consistently reeled in top-25 classes in recent years.
A win Saturday would continue a streak that only the coaching elite can claim: Oklahoma State will have won as many or more games as the previous season during all seven of Gundy's seasons.
In 2010, the big step was winning a share of the Big 12 South. This year, it could be winning the Big 12.
So maybe this isn't the year Oklahoma State wins the national title.
But it might be the next step.
For Oklahoma State, 60 minutes in Ames, Iowa, all but assured it wouldn't. LSU and Georgia will play an essentially meaningless SEC title game Saturday night. Win or lose, the currently undefeated Tigers will almost certainly play a one-loss team for the national championship.
Perhaps it will be Oklahoma State. It's much more likely to be Alabama, which is idle this weekend.
For the Oklahoma State-inclined, it's easy to look at Saturday's game against Oklahoma and see what it isn't. The dream of a national semifinal in which the Cowboys' BCS title opportunity comes explicitly at the cost of the Sooners is likely gone. Neither team will likely meet LSU to play for all the crawdads down on the bayou.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Sue OgrockiIt may not lead to the BCS title game, but Justin Blackmon and Oklahoma State can reach unprecedented ground with a win over Oklahoma.
AP Photo/Sue OgrockiIt may not lead to the BCS title game, but Justin Blackmon and Oklahoma State can reach unprecedented ground with a win over Oklahoma.Six teams have won a Big 12 title. Oklahoma State can win its first Saturday, denying the Sooners a share in the process.
Doing so would mean beating rival Oklahoma for the first time since 2002. So, maybe coach Mike Gundy refuses to politick for his team this week, but that only means he grasps what this week means, rather than what it doesn't.
"We're in a situation that we have a chance to win a football game and win a conference championship for the first time in the history of the school," Gundy said, "and I just feel like that's more important than politicking for a spot in second place or wherever it would be in the BCS."
A win also would give Oklahoma State its 11th of the season with a chance for a school-record 12th in a BCS bowl, one more place Oklahoma State has never been.
For all of Oklahoma State's recent success, this season is an example of how things work in college football. Only one team has ever won the national title without first playing in a BCS game. Never mind that Oklahoma is the only team to do it.
What hurt OSU fans most about the gut-punch at Iowa State? This felt like "The Year" for every Pistol Pete disciple. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon will be cashing NFL checks this time next year, an event sure enough that Blackmon, a junior, will take part in senior day festivities Saturday.
And maybe it is The Year. But there's plenty of reason to believe it's "A Year That Didn't Quite Work Out." Oklahoma has had plenty of those.
Weeden was a walk-on who spent a handful of years playing baseball. Blackmon was a three-star recruit. Both are special. But Oklahoma State is recruiting better than ever.
"We’ve got a lot of great guys in this program that are really young. We haven’t ever had kids like this around here," Gundy told me after a dramatic win over Kansas State this year. "I see a lot of things changing. It’s just different than it ever has been."
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Oklahoma State lost a first-round pick at receiver and a record-breaking receiver after the nine-win 2009 season, along with four offensive linemen. Nobody gave the Cowboys a chance. They won 11 games. Gundy credits his culture within the program. Underclassmen know what's expected of them when it's their time.
The Cowboys are closer to Oklahoma than ever before. This season and the last, the Cowboys have been the better team entering the game, although Oklahoma knocked off the Cowboys to win the Big 12 South last season.
Oklahoma State might not hang with Oklahoma's near-perennial top-10 classes, but the Cowboys have consistently reeled in top-25 classes in recent years.
A win Saturday would continue a streak that only the coaching elite can claim: Oklahoma State will have won as many or more games as the previous season during all seven of Gundy's seasons.
In 2010, the big step was winning a share of the Big 12 South. This year, it could be winning the Big 12.
So maybe this isn't the year Oklahoma State wins the national title.
But it might be the next step.
So what if Halloween was last week?
Tell that to the ghosts roaming around Texas Tech's Jones AT&T Stadium these days.
Back in 2007, there was a woozy Sam Bradford of Oklahoma sidelined with a concussion on the game's opening drive. National title hopes? Gone.
A year later? An easy interception inexplicably slid through the hands of Texas' Blake Gideon. A play later, an ill-advised, unnecessary throw by Graham Harrell somehow became one of the most famous plays in college football history.
Beware the winds of West Texas, Oklahoma State.
The Cowboys travel there on Saturday, to the place where two Big 12 national title runs have been buried. The Cowboys will go there with the intention of preventing a third.
Gundy's players watch the weekly BCS rankings get unveiled, and this week, they saw themselves at No. 2, higher than any team in Oklahoma State history and firmly in control of their postseason destination.
"They’re being told that they’re having a great year and everywhere you go, it’s ‘Make sure you keep it going’ and this and that," said coach Mike Gundy.
The odds say Oklahoma State will. The Cowboys enter as 17-point favorites over this particular band of Red Raiders that haven't wrecked much in recent weeks.
"There’s examples every Saturday, and just speaking for our staff, we’re able to use examples of teams that, on paper or people thought may have had a better team, but for whatever reason, they didn’t play as well that Saturday and didn’t win," Gundy said. "Because of that, you have to stay focused and understand the importance of preparation going into each game."
The Cowboys won't have to look far for inspiration. Texas Tech is just 1-4 in its past five games, and its past two losses have come by 32 and 34 points.
Its one win?
Tech made it count. The Red Raiders raced to a 31-7 lead and beat Oklahoma, who entered the game as 28-point favorites. Oh, and they hadn't lost at home since 2005 or in a home conference game since 2001, concurrent streaks of 39 and 32 games.
Oklahoma State should -- should -- win on Saturday. Last year's win in Lubbock was Oklahoma State's first since 1944.
Whether it does or doesn't do it again is likely up to the superior team.
"We just have to stay focused, absorb information in meetings and have good practices on Wednesday and Thursday," Gundy said.
So how does that happen?
"There’s not really anything other than trying to keep them in the moment and in the right frame of mind so they can stay focused on what’s important here and not get caught up in all the hype outside the program," Gundy said.
We'll find out on Saturday if the Cowboys did it. Iowa State awaits a week later, and win that one?
Bedlam.
Tell that to the ghosts roaming around Texas Tech's Jones AT&T Stadium these days.
Back in 2007, there was a woozy Sam Bradford of Oklahoma sidelined with a concussion on the game's opening drive. National title hopes? Gone.
A year later? An easy interception inexplicably slid through the hands of Texas' Blake Gideon. A play later, an ill-advised, unnecessary throw by Graham Harrell somehow became one of the most famous plays in college football history.
[+] Enlarge
Kevin Jairaj/US PresswireMike Gundy is keeping his team's focus squarely on upset-minded Texas Tech.
Kevin Jairaj/US PresswireMike Gundy is keeping his team's focus squarely on upset-minded Texas Tech.The Cowboys travel there on Saturday, to the place where two Big 12 national title runs have been buried. The Cowboys will go there with the intention of preventing a third.
Gundy's players watch the weekly BCS rankings get unveiled, and this week, they saw themselves at No. 2, higher than any team in Oklahoma State history and firmly in control of their postseason destination.
"They’re being told that they’re having a great year and everywhere you go, it’s ‘Make sure you keep it going’ and this and that," said coach Mike Gundy.
The odds say Oklahoma State will. The Cowboys enter as 17-point favorites over this particular band of Red Raiders that haven't wrecked much in recent weeks.
"There’s examples every Saturday, and just speaking for our staff, we’re able to use examples of teams that, on paper or people thought may have had a better team, but for whatever reason, they didn’t play as well that Saturday and didn’t win," Gundy said. "Because of that, you have to stay focused and understand the importance of preparation going into each game."
The Cowboys won't have to look far for inspiration. Texas Tech is just 1-4 in its past five games, and its past two losses have come by 32 and 34 points.
Its one win?
Tech made it count. The Red Raiders raced to a 31-7 lead and beat Oklahoma, who entered the game as 28-point favorites. Oh, and they hadn't lost at home since 2005 or in a home conference game since 2001, concurrent streaks of 39 and 32 games.
Oklahoma State should -- should -- win on Saturday. Last year's win in Lubbock was Oklahoma State's first since 1944.
Whether it does or doesn't do it again is likely up to the superior team.
"We just have to stay focused, absorb information in meetings and have good practices on Wednesday and Thursday," Gundy said.
So how does that happen?
"There’s not really anything other than trying to keep them in the moment and in the right frame of mind so they can stay focused on what’s important here and not get caught up in all the hype outside the program," Gundy said.
We'll find out on Saturday if the Cowboys did it. Iowa State awaits a week later, and win that one?
Bedlam.
Here's our awards for the day's best performances. Couldn't narrow it down to very many individuals Saturday. I'll need a new shipment of helmet stickers after this week.
James Franklin, QB, Missouri: Franklin isn't a mean guy much, if ever, in real life. Texas A&M's defense might find that hard to believe. Franklin was being downright disagreeable and delivering some punishment to the artists formerly known as the Wrecking Crew in Saturday's win. He threw 198 yards and two scores and ran for 97 yards and two more touchdowns, highlighted by a 20-yard run littered with broken tackles. The Tigers got by the Aggies in overtime, 38-31, thanks to Franklin's second touchdown pass, and the sophomore got a nice midweek pep talk from former Tigers quarterback Chase Daniel.
Oklahoma State's defense: So what if it gave up more than 600 yards? These guys got it done. Believe it. OSU beat Baylor 59-24 and led 49-3 after three quarters, thanks to forcing five turnovers in Oklahoma State's territory. They picked off Robert Griffin III twice after the Bears quarterback had only thrown two picks in his previous six games. Believe what you read in the stat sheet at your own risk. Garbage time lies.
Iowa State's running game: Can't narrow this one down to one player, either. A week after Oklahoma struggled to run against Texas Tech (just 124 yards), the Cyclones rolled over Texas Tech for 368 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-7 win over Texas Tech. Just unbelievable. Jared Barnett's reinvigorated the team, and after this development, both teams are a bit of a scary matchup. James White and Duran Hollis both topped 100 yards.
Texas' defense: The Longhorns shut down the Jayhawks all night in this one, a dominant 43-0 shutout. With 7:30 remaining, the Jayhawks had just 18 yards of offense on 29 plays. The team finished with just 46 yards on 36 plays, and gained just three first downs compared to Texas' 34. Texas outrushed the Jayhawks 441 to -2. To borrow a phrase: U-G-L-Y, you ain't got no alibi.
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: Jones enjoyed a record-breaking day in the Sooners huge 58-17 win over Kansas State. He completed 35 of 47 passes for 505 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions as the Sooners' outscored the Wildcats 35-0 in the second half. The 505 yards was a school record, breaking the record of 468 yards he shared with Sam Bradford. He also became Oklahoma's career leader with 90 touchdown passes. No offense had scored that many points on K-State since Colorado in 1989.
James Franklin, QB, Missouri: Franklin isn't a mean guy much, if ever, in real life. Texas A&M's defense might find that hard to believe. Franklin was being downright disagreeable and delivering some punishment to the artists formerly known as the Wrecking Crew in Saturday's win. He threw 198 yards and two scores and ran for 97 yards and two more touchdowns, highlighted by a 20-yard run littered with broken tackles. The Tigers got by the Aggies in overtime, 38-31, thanks to Franklin's second touchdown pass, and the sophomore got a nice midweek pep talk from former Tigers quarterback Chase Daniel.
Oklahoma State's defense: So what if it gave up more than 600 yards? These guys got it done. Believe it. OSU beat Baylor 59-24 and led 49-3 after three quarters, thanks to forcing five turnovers in Oklahoma State's territory. They picked off Robert Griffin III twice after the Bears quarterback had only thrown two picks in his previous six games. Believe what you read in the stat sheet at your own risk. Garbage time lies.
Iowa State's running game: Can't narrow this one down to one player, either. A week after Oklahoma struggled to run against Texas Tech (just 124 yards), the Cyclones rolled over Texas Tech for 368 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-7 win over Texas Tech. Just unbelievable. Jared Barnett's reinvigorated the team, and after this development, both teams are a bit of a scary matchup. James White and Duran Hollis both topped 100 yards.
Texas' defense: The Longhorns shut down the Jayhawks all night in this one, a dominant 43-0 shutout. With 7:30 remaining, the Jayhawks had just 18 yards of offense on 29 plays. The team finished with just 46 yards on 36 plays, and gained just three first downs compared to Texas' 34. Texas outrushed the Jayhawks 441 to -2. To borrow a phrase: U-G-L-Y, you ain't got no alibi.
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: Jones enjoyed a record-breaking day in the Sooners huge 58-17 win over Kansas State. He completed 35 of 47 passes for 505 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions as the Sooners' outscored the Wildcats 35-0 in the second half. The 505 yards was a school record, breaking the record of 468 yards he shared with Sam Bradford. He also became Oklahoma's career leader with 90 touchdown passes. No offense had scored that many points on K-State since Colorado in 1989.
Red River QB paths diverged after classic
October, 5, 2011
10/05/11
9:00
AM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Three years ago, two of the best quarterbacks in the history of the Red River Rivalry stepped on the field of the Cotton Bowl in Dallas and played one of the greatest games in the rivalry's history.
Texas won that day 45-35, and on Saturday, the two will meet as undefeateds for the first time since.
These days, Colt McCoy has gone from the burnt orange of Texas to the Browns of Cleveland. Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, is busy trying to revive the St. Louis Rams.
Two seasons after McCoy exhausted his eligibility and Bradford left early for the NFL, the programs they left behind find themselves in very different positions.
Oklahoma, winners of seven Big 12 titles with six quarterbacks, has another star quarterback. Landry Jones is a bona fide Heisman contender racking up yards by the bunches.
Texas? Garrett Gilbert threw 17 interceptions in 2010's 5-7 campaign before injuring his shoulder and undergoing season-ending surgery after being benched.
Left behind are Case McCoy and David Ash, who have a combined 57 career pass attempts. Jones has attempted 82 passes in his two Red River Rivalry games alone.
"[Jones] is a great advantage for them going into this game because he’s been in the game and won the game and he’s completing 72 percent of his passes," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "He’s a tremendous player, and in my estimation, he should be the leader for the Heisman."
The handoff from Colt McCoy and Bradford went the same way. An injury forced each out of duty. The results, though, were vastly different.
Gilbert nearly rallied his team to a win in the national title game against Alabama in 2009, despite turning the ball over five times.
Jones was charged with starting 10 games and replacing an injured Bradford in two others as the Sooners stumbled to an 8-5 season.
"It’s understandable that a guy that’s not expected to play for another year gets thrown in and is going to have a couple rough spots," said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops.
Jones struggled against Texas in the Red River Rivalry and threw five interceptions in a road loss to Nebraska.
The common bond between Gilbert and Jones' early struggles? The supporting cast.
"So many guys around him were hurt and not able to play, either," Stoops said. "I think a little bit’s been made too much of him and the whole team struggled with the multitude of injuries we had."
Gilbert didn't deal with injuries, but he dealt with a Texas team that looked nothing like the group that had helped McCoy succeed.
"Last year was just such an enigma to everybody and to me," Brown said. "I think I just did a poor job last year. We were trying to get back to running the ball more and we didn’t do it consistently well last year."
That's changed this year, with a new offensive coordinator in Bryan Harsin and freshman offensive weapons in running back Malcolm Brown and receiver Jaxon Shipley, both aided by an offensive line that has made major strides since 2010.
Gilbert's gone, and the Longhorns are left to rely on inexperience at quarterback. Can Ash or Case McCoy see the kind of growth Jones did? It won't be easy in the first year.
"People had told me how difficult it was and how fast the game moved, but I guess I just really didn’t take it to heart," Jones said. "If I actually listened and really understood what they were trying to tell me, how fast it was and how much your emotions really get into the game and trying to slow things down and play within yourself, I really think I would have understood before I went in there."
Jones has logged plenty of snaps since, and went from flawed youngster to one of the nation's best. How did he do it? Well, by struggling.
"Getting thrown into college football and kind of being a little bit unprepared for it, I think," Jones said. "Being thrown into the fire was really good for me."
Jones had the luxury in his first season of practicing alongside the injured Bradford and having him on the sidelines during games. Bradford would calm him down and offer thoughts on what he saw.
He also helped the naturally quiet Jones grow into a compelling leader, as did the success that came with experience.
"That first year when Sam was here it was kind of his team and I was kind of in the background helping him out," Jones said. "Then I got thrust into there and [it was difficult] kind of figuring out how to lead and how to motivate people."
The same task is ahead of Texas' young quarterbacks, who are far behind Jones' schedule.
Still, no quarterback suiting up for Saturday's game can forget what Jones and Gilbert both learned, and what McCoy and Ash learned during Gilbert's struggles.
"You never know when you’re going to get your shot," Jones said.
Texas won that day 45-35, and on Saturday, the two will meet as undefeateds for the first time since.
These days, Colt McCoy has gone from the burnt orange of Texas to the Browns of Cleveland. Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, is busy trying to revive the St. Louis Rams.
Two seasons after McCoy exhausted his eligibility and Bradford left early for the NFL, the programs they left behind find themselves in very different positions.
Oklahoma, winners of seven Big 12 titles with six quarterbacks, has another star quarterback. Landry Jones is a bona fide Heisman contender racking up yards by the bunches.
Texas? Garrett Gilbert threw 17 interceptions in 2010's 5-7 campaign before injuring his shoulder and undergoing season-ending surgery after being benched.
[+] Enlarge
J.P. Wilson/Icon SMI Landry Jones struggled in his first game against Texas back in 2009, but is now a Heisman contender with gaudy passing numbers.
J.P. Wilson/Icon SMI Landry Jones struggled in his first game against Texas back in 2009, but is now a Heisman contender with gaudy passing numbers."[Jones] is a great advantage for them going into this game because he’s been in the game and won the game and he’s completing 72 percent of his passes," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "He’s a tremendous player, and in my estimation, he should be the leader for the Heisman."
The handoff from Colt McCoy and Bradford went the same way. An injury forced each out of duty. The results, though, were vastly different.
Gilbert nearly rallied his team to a win in the national title game against Alabama in 2009, despite turning the ball over five times.
Jones was charged with starting 10 games and replacing an injured Bradford in two others as the Sooners stumbled to an 8-5 season.
"It’s understandable that a guy that’s not expected to play for another year gets thrown in and is going to have a couple rough spots," said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops.
Jones struggled against Texas in the Red River Rivalry and threw five interceptions in a road loss to Nebraska.
The common bond between Gilbert and Jones' early struggles? The supporting cast.
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Gilbert didn't deal with injuries, but he dealt with a Texas team that looked nothing like the group that had helped McCoy succeed.
"Last year was just such an enigma to everybody and to me," Brown said. "I think I just did a poor job last year. We were trying to get back to running the ball more and we didn’t do it consistently well last year."
That's changed this year, with a new offensive coordinator in Bryan Harsin and freshman offensive weapons in running back Malcolm Brown and receiver Jaxon Shipley, both aided by an offensive line that has made major strides since 2010.
Gilbert's gone, and the Longhorns are left to rely on inexperience at quarterback. Can Ash or Case McCoy see the kind of growth Jones did? It won't be easy in the first year.
"People had told me how difficult it was and how fast the game moved, but I guess I just really didn’t take it to heart," Jones said. "If I actually listened and really understood what they were trying to tell me, how fast it was and how much your emotions really get into the game and trying to slow things down and play within yourself, I really think I would have understood before I went in there."
Jones has logged plenty of snaps since, and went from flawed youngster to one of the nation's best. How did he do it? Well, by struggling.
"Getting thrown into college football and kind of being a little bit unprepared for it, I think," Jones said. "Being thrown into the fire was really good for me."
Jones had the luxury in his first season of practicing alongside the injured Bradford and having him on the sidelines during games. Bradford would calm him down and offer thoughts on what he saw.
He also helped the naturally quiet Jones grow into a compelling leader, as did the success that came with experience.
"That first year when Sam was here it was kind of his team and I was kind of in the background helping him out," Jones said. "Then I got thrust into there and [it was difficult] kind of figuring out how to lead and how to motivate people."
The same task is ahead of Texas' young quarterbacks, who are far behind Jones' schedule.
Still, no quarterback suiting up for Saturday's game can forget what Jones and Gilbert both learned, and what McCoy and Ash learned during Gilbert's struggles.
"You never know when you’re going to get your shot," Jones said.
Sooners make plans for Bradford statue
August, 30, 2011
8/30/11
9:30
AM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Oklahoma is ready to install the next piece of Heisman Park outside the east stands of Owen Field.
Sam Bradford's statue, which was unveiled on May 14, will be erected on Wednesday with no formal ceremony, because Bradford is busy gearing up for his second season with the St. Louis Rams.
"Recognizing the statue of Heisman winner Sam Bradford was unveiled this past spring, we are excited for it to be placed alongside our other four winners," said Oklahoma athletics director Joe Castiglione said in a release. "Unfortunately, our home schedule didn't coincide with Sam's, so we're moving ahead with plans to have it installed with the blessing of the Bradford family knowing that we'll hold a formal ceremony later."
Bradford became Oklahoma's fifth Heisman winner in 2008, when he threw for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns on 328-of-483 passing, leading the Sooners to the national title game.
Sam Bradford's statue, which was unveiled on May 14, will be erected on Wednesday with no formal ceremony, because Bradford is busy gearing up for his second season with the St. Louis Rams.
"Recognizing the statue of Heisman winner Sam Bradford was unveiled this past spring, we are excited for it to be placed alongside our other four winners," said Oklahoma athletics director Joe Castiglione said in a release. "Unfortunately, our home schedule didn't coincide with Sam's, so we're moving ahead with plans to have it installed with the blessing of the Bradford family knowing that we'll hold a formal ceremony later."
Bradford became Oklahoma's fifth Heisman winner in 2008, when he threw for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns on 328-of-483 passing, leading the Sooners to the national title game.
Eerie shades of '09 nightmare emerge at OU
August, 9, 2011
8/09/11
12:32
PM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
The comparisons to the upcoming 2011 season and what Oklahoma experienced in 2009 have been unmistakable.
Now, after the latest news emerging from fall camp in Norman, the similarities have become a bit eerie.
The Sooners opened 2009 as a top-five team with a Heisman-winning quarterback leading a loaded offense with a defense good enough to win a national title a year after coming up short against Florida.
This year, the Sooners opened the coaches' preseason poll as the nation's No. 1 team with a Heisman favorite leading a loaded offense and a defense likely better than the 2009 team. Additionally, the Sooners are coming off a 12-win season that culminated in a BCS bowl win against Connecticut.
But before the 2009 season, just days before the opener against BYU, news leaked that senior tight end Jermaine Gresham, named an All-American after his junior season, had suffered a knee injury. The severity was unknown, but it seemed likely he could return at some point.
Gresham never played again for OU after tests revealed torn cartilage in the knee, and the Sooners suffered a season-opening loss to BYU in Cowboys Stadium. In that loss, Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford played with a shoulder injury that he never fully recovered from. He had midseason surgery and ceded control of the team to Landry Jones.
Which brings us to today. Jones is still healthy. So is the rest of the team.
But linebacker Travis Lewis' toe injury can't help but conjure up scary images of a chase for a title gone awry before it even had a chance to begin.
Unlike the loss of Gresham, the Sooners have a fit replacement for Lewis with tons of promise.
Tight end essentially became irrelevant in Oklahoma's offense, which scored more points than any team in college football history during the run to the national title game in 2008.
Lewis, the preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, leaves a void at weakside linebacker, but he's backed up by touted blue-chip recruit Corey Nelson. The only thing keeping Nelson off the field was Lewis, who chose to turn down NFL money and chase a title, just like Gresham, Bradford, Gerald McCoy and Trent Williams did in 2009.
Now is Nelson's opportunity. Fans will get a chance to see him work at his natural position instead of the nickel back spot he'd been working at during fall camp.
This isn't 2009 yet, though it certainly smells similar.
Oklahoma finished 8-5 that season, hurt further by a rash of injuries on the offensive line that at one point forced defensive tackle Stacy McGee (a backup on this year's team) to move to offensive line.
The Sooners can still rise above Lewis' injury. They're good enough everywhere else to beat ranked teams Florida State and Missouri, who have September dates with the Sooners. Lewis could return in October, and until then, weakside linebacker could still remain a strength.
There's no replacing Lewis' experience, or his on-field energy, where he's one of the most talkative players in the league and the defense's unquestioned leader. Nelson can hold things together with his talent, though.
Barring further injury, Nelson and the Sooners have a chance to rewrite the forgettable history of 2009. In September, we'll find out if they can do it.
[+] Enlarge
Matthew Emmons/US PresswireThe Sooners will open the season without defensive leader Travis Lewis.
Matthew Emmons/US PresswireThe Sooners will open the season without defensive leader Travis Lewis.The Sooners opened 2009 as a top-five team with a Heisman-winning quarterback leading a loaded offense with a defense good enough to win a national title a year after coming up short against Florida.
This year, the Sooners opened the coaches' preseason poll as the nation's No. 1 team with a Heisman favorite leading a loaded offense and a defense likely better than the 2009 team. Additionally, the Sooners are coming off a 12-win season that culminated in a BCS bowl win against Connecticut.
But before the 2009 season, just days before the opener against BYU, news leaked that senior tight end Jermaine Gresham, named an All-American after his junior season, had suffered a knee injury. The severity was unknown, but it seemed likely he could return at some point.
Gresham never played again for OU after tests revealed torn cartilage in the knee, and the Sooners suffered a season-opening loss to BYU in Cowboys Stadium. In that loss, Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford played with a shoulder injury that he never fully recovered from. He had midseason surgery and ceded control of the team to Landry Jones.
Which brings us to today. Jones is still healthy. So is the rest of the team.
But linebacker Travis Lewis' toe injury can't help but conjure up scary images of a chase for a title gone awry before it even had a chance to begin.
Unlike the loss of Gresham, the Sooners have a fit replacement for Lewis with tons of promise.
Tight end essentially became irrelevant in Oklahoma's offense, which scored more points than any team in college football history during the run to the national title game in 2008.
Lewis, the preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, leaves a void at weakside linebacker, but he's backed up by touted blue-chip recruit Corey Nelson. The only thing keeping Nelson off the field was Lewis, who chose to turn down NFL money and chase a title, just like Gresham, Bradford, Gerald McCoy and Trent Williams did in 2009.
Now is Nelson's opportunity. Fans will get a chance to see him work at his natural position instead of the nickel back spot he'd been working at during fall camp.
This isn't 2009 yet, though it certainly smells similar.
Oklahoma finished 8-5 that season, hurt further by a rash of injuries on the offensive line that at one point forced defensive tackle Stacy McGee (a backup on this year's team) to move to offensive line.
The Sooners can still rise above Lewis' injury. They're good enough everywhere else to beat ranked teams Florida State and Missouri, who have September dates with the Sooners. Lewis could return in October, and until then, weakside linebacker could still remain a strength.
There's no replacing Lewis' experience, or his on-field energy, where he's one of the most talkative players in the league and the defense's unquestioned leader. Nelson can hold things together with his talent, though.
Barring further injury, Nelson and the Sooners have a chance to rewrite the forgettable history of 2009. In September, we'll find out if they can do it.
We'll kick off our look today at the position rankings for each team in the Big 12 before looping back around to rank the top 10 at every position in the Big 12.
We'll start at the most obvious position: Quarterback, a position that I'd argue is more important in the Big 12 than in any other conference.
Depth will be a huge factor in these rankings, though at quarterback, it's the toughest to gauge, considering how little we see of backup quarterbacks.
Here's how each Big 12 team ranks at the quarterback position:
1. Oklahoma
Oklahoma learned the hard way in 2009 about the importance of the backup quarterback, but even in his limited experience, Drew Allen has impressed Bob Stoops after narrowly losing out on the backup job behind Sam Bradford in 2009. Landry Jones is a great one, and with his opportunities, has become a Heisman Trophy favorite. Could Allen have done the same if he had beaten out Jones in 2009? Blake Bell, the nation's No. 3 quarterback in the 2010 class, will likely be Oklahoma's No. 3 in 2011.
2. Oklahoma State
Brandon Weeden's profile spiked when he led the Cowboys to a comeback win over Colorado on a Thursday night game in 2009. He took over as the starter shortly after, but going into that game Weeden was a third-stringer. Alex Cate transferred after it became evident that Weeden would be the starter in 2010, and behind Weeden is Clint Chelf and two solid recruits: Johnny Deaton and J.W. Walsh, who was the nation's No. 10 QB (just outside the ESPNU 150) in 2011 and enrolled early.
3. Texas A&M
Ryan Tannehill is entrenched at the starting spot, with a lot of youth behind him. Matt Joeckel and Jameill Showers will try to hold off incoming freshman Johnny Manziel for the No. 2 spot this fall. Manziel was impressive during the spring, and will contend for the starting job in 2012, but he'll likely redshirt unless he wins the backup job.
4. Texas Tech
Seth Doege looks ready to grab the reins for two seasons, barring injury. Jacob Karam is probably ready to start in the Big 12 right now, he's just not as good as Doege. Behind them are two promising prospects with upside and development to do: Scotty Young and Michael Brewer. The Red Raiders are the last of the Big 12 teams who have truly solid depth at quarterback.
5. Baylor
Robert Griffin III will probably hold every school record for quarterbacks by the time he leaves Waco, but the Bears need to find a true replacement behind him. Nick Florence filled in well in 2009 when Griffin missed the final nine games with a knee injury, but he's a junior like Griffin and their eligibility will expire simultaneously. Redshirt freshman Bryce Petty and 2012 commit Jared Johnson could battle for the spot in 2013.
6. Missouri
The Tigers depth took a hit after Tyler Gabbert's transfer following spring practice, but expectations are high for sophomore James Franklin, who got a bit of experience in 2010 behind Blaine Gabbert. Senior Jimmy Costello quit the team after last season to focus on an impending fall enlistment in the Army, but rejoined after the Gabbert brothers' departures from Columbia. He's likely to be the backup, with Ashton Glaser and walk-on Ryan Howerton filling out the rest of the quarterback spots. Corbin Berkstresser, a 6-foot-3, 218-pound quarterback from Kansas City that ESPN ranked No. 43 at his position, will arrive in the fall, too.
7. Texas
How long until we see a quarterback make the kind of plays Garrett Gilbert made against Alabama in the national championship? Those kinds of long scores were rare last year, but the Longhorns will have a competition this fall that sounds like it's pretty open heading into camp. If Gilbert wins, he'll likely have a much shorter leash in 2011 than he did in 2010, before Case McCoy or Connor Wood gets a crack, and dark horse true freshman David Ash could make things interesting, too.
8. Kansas State
Collin Klein made a nice move toward winning the job with a strong spring game performance. But coach Bill Snyder says he still didn't see a ton of separation between Klein and his backups, Sammuel Lamur and Boston College transfer Justin Tuggle, who spent last year replacing Cam Newton at Blinn College in Texas.
9. Iowa State
James Capello transferred after the spring, but Iowa State's race has likely boiled down to two men: Jerome Tiller and Steele Jantz. Jantz, a juco transfer, is the wild card and Tiller will need to show that his struggles in spot duty last season were temporary. He didn't show the progress you'd expect from a maturing player when he played for an injured Austen Arnaud in a few games early and late in 2010. Jared Barnett is still battling in Ames, but him winning the job would be a huge upset.
10. Kansas
The Jayhawks could use a couple more years of Todd Reesing. The Jayhawks saw a huge drop off at the quarterback position in 2010, as Jordan Webb, Quinn Mecham and Kale Pick all got time under center. Kansas will likely run its offense through a strong group of running backs, but unless newcomer Brock Berglund shows potential and proves he's the best of the group, expect Kansas to remain near the bottom of the Big 12 by the end of 2011.
We'll start at the most obvious position: Quarterback, a position that I'd argue is more important in the Big 12 than in any other conference.
Depth will be a huge factor in these rankings, though at quarterback, it's the toughest to gauge, considering how little we see of backup quarterbacks.
Here's how each Big 12 team ranks at the quarterback position:
[+] Enlarge
Mark J. Rebilas/US PresswireLandry Jones leads the Big 12's deepest and best group of quarterbacks.
Mark J. Rebilas/US PresswireLandry Jones leads the Big 12's deepest and best group of quarterbacks.Oklahoma learned the hard way in 2009 about the importance of the backup quarterback, but even in his limited experience, Drew Allen has impressed Bob Stoops after narrowly losing out on the backup job behind Sam Bradford in 2009. Landry Jones is a great one, and with his opportunities, has become a Heisman Trophy favorite. Could Allen have done the same if he had beaten out Jones in 2009? Blake Bell, the nation's No. 3 quarterback in the 2010 class, will likely be Oklahoma's No. 3 in 2011.
2. Oklahoma State
Brandon Weeden's profile spiked when he led the Cowboys to a comeback win over Colorado on a Thursday night game in 2009. He took over as the starter shortly after, but going into that game Weeden was a third-stringer. Alex Cate transferred after it became evident that Weeden would be the starter in 2010, and behind Weeden is Clint Chelf and two solid recruits: Johnny Deaton and J.W. Walsh, who was the nation's No. 10 QB (just outside the ESPNU 150) in 2011 and enrolled early.
3. Texas A&M
Ryan Tannehill is entrenched at the starting spot, with a lot of youth behind him. Matt Joeckel and Jameill Showers will try to hold off incoming freshman Johnny Manziel for the No. 2 spot this fall. Manziel was impressive during the spring, and will contend for the starting job in 2012, but he'll likely redshirt unless he wins the backup job.
4. Texas Tech
Seth Doege looks ready to grab the reins for two seasons, barring injury. Jacob Karam is probably ready to start in the Big 12 right now, he's just not as good as Doege. Behind them are two promising prospects with upside and development to do: Scotty Young and Michael Brewer. The Red Raiders are the last of the Big 12 teams who have truly solid depth at quarterback.
5. Baylor
Robert Griffin III will probably hold every school record for quarterbacks by the time he leaves Waco, but the Bears need to find a true replacement behind him. Nick Florence filled in well in 2009 when Griffin missed the final nine games with a knee injury, but he's a junior like Griffin and their eligibility will expire simultaneously. Redshirt freshman Bryce Petty and 2012 commit Jared Johnson could battle for the spot in 2013.
6. Missouri
The Tigers depth took a hit after Tyler Gabbert's transfer following spring practice, but expectations are high for sophomore James Franklin, who got a bit of experience in 2010 behind Blaine Gabbert. Senior Jimmy Costello quit the team after last season to focus on an impending fall enlistment in the Army, but rejoined after the Gabbert brothers' departures from Columbia. He's likely to be the backup, with Ashton Glaser and walk-on Ryan Howerton filling out the rest of the quarterback spots. Corbin Berkstresser, a 6-foot-3, 218-pound quarterback from Kansas City that ESPN ranked No. 43 at his position, will arrive in the fall, too.
7. Texas
How long until we see a quarterback make the kind of plays Garrett Gilbert made against Alabama in the national championship? Those kinds of long scores were rare last year, but the Longhorns will have a competition this fall that sounds like it's pretty open heading into camp. If Gilbert wins, he'll likely have a much shorter leash in 2011 than he did in 2010, before Case McCoy or Connor Wood gets a crack, and dark horse true freshman David Ash could make things interesting, too.
8. Kansas State
Collin Klein made a nice move toward winning the job with a strong spring game performance. But coach Bill Snyder says he still didn't see a ton of separation between Klein and his backups, Sammuel Lamur and Boston College transfer Justin Tuggle, who spent last year replacing Cam Newton at Blinn College in Texas.
9. Iowa State
James Capello transferred after the spring, but Iowa State's race has likely boiled down to two men: Jerome Tiller and Steele Jantz. Jantz, a juco transfer, is the wild card and Tiller will need to show that his struggles in spot duty last season were temporary. He didn't show the progress you'd expect from a maturing player when he played for an injured Austen Arnaud in a few games early and late in 2010. Jared Barnett is still battling in Ames, but him winning the job would be a huge upset.
10. Kansas
The Jayhawks could use a couple more years of Todd Reesing. The Jayhawks saw a huge drop off at the quarterback position in 2010, as Jordan Webb, Quinn Mecham and Kale Pick all got time under center. Kansas will likely run its offense through a strong group of running backs, but unless newcomer Brock Berglund shows potential and proves he's the best of the group, expect Kansas to remain near the bottom of the Big 12 by the end of 2011.
Never, ever go up by 15 midway through the fourth quarter against the Mavs. Classic mistake.
- This is what happens when Oklahoma baseball lets me stalk them for a day.
- Kansas unveiled the newest episode of its reality show, "The Gridiron," covering spring practice.
- Missouri AD Mike Alden commented on the Gary Pinkel-Ohio State speculation, and Texas AD DeLoss Dodds commented on the idea that Mack Brown is on the hot seat, reports Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star.
- Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops spoke publicly about the recent deaths of Austin Box and Brandon Everage for the first time with Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman.
- Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III and Oklahoma's schedule make CBSSports.com's list of the 100 most influential things heading into next season.
- The Department of Justice and BCS director Bill Hancock will meet this summer to discuss the BCS.
- Hold the phone on those accusations about former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen.
- Texas is amping up its out-of-state recruiting efforts, writes Randy Riggs of the Austin American-Statesman.
- Could Kansas be tinkering with moving more players from offense to defense? It's tempting, writes Tom Keegan of the Lawrence Journal-World.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
David Ubben
Ubben joined ESPN.com in March 2010 after covering Big 12 football for two seasons at the Columbia Missourian and The Oklahoman. Ubben, a native of Springdale, Ark., lives in Dallas.
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