The Big 12 will look quite a bit different this season.
Nebraska and Colorado have said their goodbyes, and with that, came worry. Nebraska's departure meant the league was down a national brand and without an elite counterpart to the two powerhouses in the southern half of the league.
Texas and Oklahoma have dominated the league, winning 10 of 15 Big 12 titles and representing the Big 12 South in all but two of the championship games in conference history.
Without Nebraska, could the league be reduced to one nationally relevant game a season? What would be left after Texas and Oklahoma clashed at the State Fair of Texas?
Texas could have made it worse with its historically bad 5-7 season in 2010, its first losing season since 1997.
But the Longhorns' fall came in contrast to a rise of other teams in the league, which produced five team ranked in the final top 25 in 2010.
The Longhorns might take a while to get back, but even with one of the best programs in the league down, the Big 12 could be as good as ever in 2011.
Oklahoma is likely to open the season atop the polls as one of the favorites to win the national title. Oklahoma State and Texas A&M should be in the top 15 and return two of the best offenses in the country.
But even if Texas struggles again, the Big 12's depth should be outstanding.
Missouri could start the season with a cute little number beside its name, while Baylor brings back the core and quarterback of the team that broke the program's 16-year bowl drought this past December.
Texas Tech has the Big 12's longest bowl streak and longest streak of winning seasons. That doesn't figure to change in 2011, and the Red Raiders could see big things soon after coach Tommy Tuberville signed the best recruiting class in school history.
This season, Bedlam has replaced the Big 12 championship as the league's season finale, and it is likely to have serious league title implications and possible relevance in the national title race, perhaps for both Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.
Even when it didn't think it had to, the Big 12 proved in 2010 it could be a balanced, deep league without Texas at the top. With Texas trying to get back on top, that could be the case once again in 2011, regardless of where the Longhorns finish.
Nebraska and Colorado have said their goodbyes, and with that, came worry. Nebraska's departure meant the league was down a national brand and without an elite counterpart to the two powerhouses in the southern half of the league.
Texas and Oklahoma have dominated the league, winning 10 of 15 Big 12 titles and representing the Big 12 South in all but two of the championship games in conference history.
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John Korduner/Icon SMIBrandon Weeden and Oklahoma State could be poised for their first ever BCS bid in 2011.
John Korduner/Icon SMIBrandon Weeden and Oklahoma State could be poised for their first ever BCS bid in 2011.Texas could have made it worse with its historically bad 5-7 season in 2010, its first losing season since 1997.
But the Longhorns' fall came in contrast to a rise of other teams in the league, which produced five team ranked in the final top 25 in 2010.
The Longhorns might take a while to get back, but even with one of the best programs in the league down, the Big 12 could be as good as ever in 2011.
Oklahoma is likely to open the season atop the polls as one of the favorites to win the national title. Oklahoma State and Texas A&M should be in the top 15 and return two of the best offenses in the country.
But even if Texas struggles again, the Big 12's depth should be outstanding.
Missouri could start the season with a cute little number beside its name, while Baylor brings back the core and quarterback of the team that broke the program's 16-year bowl drought this past December.
Texas Tech has the Big 12's longest bowl streak and longest streak of winning seasons. That doesn't figure to change in 2011, and the Red Raiders could see big things soon after coach Tommy Tuberville signed the best recruiting class in school history.
This season, Bedlam has replaced the Big 12 championship as the league's season finale, and it is likely to have serious league title implications and possible relevance in the national title race, perhaps for both Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.
Even when it didn't think it had to, the Big 12 proved in 2010 it could be a balanced, deep league without Texas at the top. With Texas trying to get back on top, that could be the case once again in 2011, regardless of where the Longhorns finish.
David Ubben | email
College Football- ESPN.com Big 12 blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2010
- Wrote for The Oklahoman
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