SB Nation - Michael Bennett

SB Nation 2009 Big 12 Preview: Texas A&M

Beergut — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:31:32 -0000

SB Nation Big 12 Preview: In conjunction with The Ralphie Report, all Big 12 blogs are previewing their teams. The conference preview will run over at The Ralphie Report tomorrow, but A&M's preview is running today.

Texas A&M Offense: A&M returns 8 starters on offense, with virtually all of their skill position talent returning. QB Jerrod Johnson will be leading the offense for his second season, and WRs Jeff Fuller, Ryan Tannehill, Terrence McCoy will lead our passing attack. Tight end Jamie McCoy also returns, as does offensive linemen Evan Eike, Kevin Matthews, and Lee Grimes. Top backup RB Cyrus Gray will be the starter in the offensive backfield next to Johnson, although he may share playing time with Christine Michael. The offense averaged 5.3 yds per play last season, and a poor 340.9 yds per game total offense. If A&M is to have a winning season and go to a bowl, those numbers have to improve.

The Running Game: A&M averaged a pathetic 2.9 yds per carry on the season, while averaging 88.5 yds rushing per game, good for last place in the Big 12 in rushing offense. On the season, A&M rushed for a total of 1062 yds; to put that in perspective, Oklahoma had two running backs (Chris Brown and Demarco Murray) who gained more yds rushing than that individually. The return of three starters on the offensive line would seem to be an advantage for our rushing attack in 2009, but when it was some of the same players who manned a poor line last season, you have to question how much of an advantage that returning experience is. Right now, the starting offensive line in Fall Camp is Lucas Patterson and Lee Grimes at tackle, Mike Shumard and Matt Allen at guard, and Kevin Matthews at center. There has been some movement of Patterson from let tackle to right tackle on different days in camp, so it is unknown yet exactly who will start where. With the return of Gray and redshirt sophomore Bradley Stephens, and the addition of true freshman Christine Michael, A&M has the talent at running back to have an effective rushing attack. The question is whether or not we will have the blocking up front to get the job done on the ground.

The Passing Game: A&M returns record-setting starting QB Jerrod Johnson, who currently holds the records for most TD passes in a season (21), and most passing yards in a game for an A&M QB (419 yards vs. Kansas State). A&M also returns two record-setting wide receivers in freshman Jeff Fuller (most TD receptions for an A&M WR, with 9) and Ryan Tannehill (freshman record for receptions in a season, with 55). With John Mackey Award candidate Jamie McCoy returning at TE (43 receptions, 500 yds, 5 TDs), and senior Howard Morrow, freshmen Kenric McNeal, and Uzome "EZ" Nwachukwu providing quality depth at WR, A&M's passing game looks to continue to excel in 2009. The Aggies averaged 252.4 yds passing per game last season, a number that should rise with the return of so much skill position talent, and the implementation of a no-huddle spread attack this season.

Texas A&M Defense: Texas A&M was horrific on defense last season, no other way to put it. If the Aggies can improve to just being an average defensive team this season, i.e. giving up an average of 250 yds per game passing and 150 yds per game rushing, so giving up right at 400 yds per game in total offense, we will win enough games to be in a bowl game. The defense returns only 5 starters, but that may not be a bad thing, considering we gave up an average of 462 yds and 37 points per game last season.

Defensive Line: The Aggies lost both defensive ends as Michael Bennett and Cyril Obiozor used up their eligibility. They will be replaced by junior college transfer Matt Moss on the strongside, and hybrid Jack linebacker Von Miller on the weakside. Walk-on defensive end Spencer Nealy may also see significant time this season. On the interior line, A&M returns two players who saw extenisve action in 2008, with Eddie Brown returning at defensive tackle, where he started two games, and Tony Jerod-Eddie returning at nose tackle, where he started seven games last season. Redshirt freshman Rod Davis will provide key depth inside. As I have noted before, the key to improvement on our defense starts up front.

Linebackers: Von Miller is expected to be the Aggies' biggest playmaker this season, coming from his Jack linebacker position. Former MLB Matt Featherston will back up Miller at the Jack position. The middle of our linebacking corps will be manned by freshman Kyle Mangan, nicknamed "Ice Cream" by his teammates. Garrick Williams and Ricky Cavanaugh are battling for the other outside linebacker position. Linebacker is one area where an infusion of young talent and speed can really help us.

Secondary: A&M returns safety Trent Hunter and cornerback Jordan Pugh in the secondary, although Pugh has now been moved to safety. Backup Justin McQueen is currently running first team at one cornerback, and Jordan Peterson has moved from free safety, where he started last season, to compete for the spot with McQueen. True sophomore Terrence Frederick is the starter at the other CB spot and has had a very strong camp. I would argue that we were actually okay in the secondary last season, because Trent Hunter is a difference-maker at safety. Considering the fact that our cornerbacks and safeties had to stop the run AND cover the opposing receivers all the time, they didn't do too badly last year. With the improvement in the front seven of our defense this season, there is reason for hope for a solid season from our secondary. I don't look for us to be world-beaters, but we should be okay, and Trent Hunter should receive serious consideration for some post-season awards.

Overall prediction for A&M: I think we'll finish 4th or 5th in the Big 12 South, going 6-6 or 7-5. Is that overly optimistic? Maybe. I am a fan, after all. I think wins over Iowa State, Colorado, Kansas State, and Baylor can be expected in conference. Swing games that will define our season are aganst Arkansas in Arlington, Texas Tech in Lubbock, and texas in College Station.

Jean-Jacques Taylor Needs To Lighten Up

Beergut — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:20:40 -0000

Dallas Morning News writer Jean-Jacques Taylor is upset at former A&M football star/current Dallas Cowboy TE Martellus Bennett. Taylor is upset because Tellus uploaded a video of the "Black Olympics" between himself and his brother, Seattle Deahawk DE Michael Bennett to the Internet. Tellus and Michael competed in such events as eating fried chicken, eating watermelon, and drinking Kool-Aid. Worse yet, in Taylor's opinion, Tellus broadcast this event on his Youtube channel, MartyB TV. Taylor thinks Martellus Bennett lacks respect for all of the civil rights leaders who came before him who ended segregation, and all of the anonymous people who participated in the civil rights movement.

But Bennett should have more respect for the sacrifices that tens of thousands of African-Americans have made so that he can do and say whatever foolish things he wants on MartyB TV.

Not just the sacrifices by people we hear about all of the time, such as Rosa Parks, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Chaney, but the anonymous folks who held sit-ins and organized marches and protests so that my kids can splash around freely at Cedar Hill's Uptown Village on a muggy Sunday afternoon with a kaleidoscope of races.

I look at a video like this, and knowing Tellus' penchant for making jokes, see it as Tellus making fun of stereotypes of Black people. I've watched several of Tellus' videos on his Youtube channel, and haven't seen one yet that didn't make me start laughing at some point. I wonder if Taylor took the time to watch "Buy U A Drink". I couldn't make it through thirty seconds of the video, I was laughing so hard. This is why Tellus makes these videos; because he likes attention, and he likes making people laugh. Martellus just happens to be an incredibly talented athlete who is also blessed with a superior wit, and he uses it to make people laugh.

Taylor says he's sensitive about the civil rights movement because his parents told him about the struggle:

I'm sensitive to the issue because my parents grew up in Nashville, Tenn., during the height of the civil rights movement. I heard stories about water fountains marked "white" and "colored." I heard stories about movie theaters with segregated sections.

To me, the civil rights movement is real not something that happened 100 years ago, seen today only on black-and-white images inside a dusty picture frame on a fireplace mantle. To me, the civil rights movement is more than a PBS special or an HBO documentary.

To me, it's about real people.

Well, Jean-Jacques, my mother marched with Rev. Martin Luther King. She was in Memphis, TN the day he was assassinated. She wasn't just a spectator in the movement, she was an active participant. If I want to know about the civil rights movement, I don't need to go watch a documentary on HBO or a PBS special, I just need to ask my mother to tell me another story. If your parents' stories give you the right to criticize Martellus Bennett and call him disrespectful, I will say my mother's past gives me the right to say this to you: Lighten up. This isn't worth getting upset about, because this isn't a racial issue. This is two grown men fooling around on a video camera, and having fun.

If you want to find an issue to write about, continue championing Michael Vick's right to return to the NFL, because MartyB TV isn't for you. You lack the sense of humor needed to view it, and you take yourself too seriously. Worse yet, you are increasing the viewership of this video you find so offensive, because your column has caused more people to go looking for it.

Go find some other issue to be mock-outraged about, because MartyB TV is too low-brow for your pretentious sensibilities.

2009 NFL Draft - Second Day Live Thread

Beergut — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:00:14 -0000

We enter the third round today with McGee, Goodson, Lane, and Bennett still available, as expected.

This is your NFL Draft Day 2 live thread.

2009 NFL Draft Live Thread

Beergut — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:00:13 -0000

Who will take Stephen McGee? Where will Mike Goodson end up? Will Jorvorskie Lane or Michael Bennett be drafted?

Hopefully, we'll get the answers to some of these questions over the next two days. This is your 2009 NFL Draft live thread.

DE, Michael Bennett, Texas A&M

Jeremy Bolander — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:48:11 -0000

DE, Michael Bennett, Texas A&M

At A Glance
Position 1: Defensive End	Height: 6-4
Position 2: Outside Linebacker	Weight: 274
Class: Senior	Age:
Projected Round: 5th	40time: 5.00

Combine/Proday Results
Bench Reps: 24	Vertical: 31
20yd Split: 2.84	Broad Jump: 9'2"
10yd Split: 1.62	20yd Shuttle: X
3 Cone Drill: X

Pros: Positives: Tall with a strong upper body and long arms. ... Can play on the strong or weak side because of his length and strength. ... Can push the tackle into the quarterback when one-on-one, using a strong bull rush. ... Uses his hands to gain an edge or rip off tackles.

Cons: A bit of a "tweener" who lacks great explosiveness off the edge and great bulk to handle double-team blocking on the power side. ... Lacks great change-of-direction skills in the open field.

Styg's Broncos Fit: After what can only be called a drought at the 3-4 DE position through the middle rounds of the draft, it isn't until the final picks and college free agency that we start to again see some potential there, starting with Bennett. He is a physical specimen who has never added up to the sum of his parts. He lacks both the explosiveness in the pass rush and anchor against the run to be projected as a starter in the near future. As a project, he does have some things going for him though. His length will allow him to practice at either end of the line, and he has experience at both positions. He has adequate-to-good speed for pressuring the blocker, and he knows how to use his hands in a bull rush, one of his few moves. Not a lot going for him, but enough to stand above others this late in the draft.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

A strong, long-armed tackle with good power in his overall frame and an ability to consistently get a good push on his bull rush. Displays a quick first step off the edge and possess good bend and closing speed around the corner. Has a nice swat move on the outside and does a nice job keeping his balance turning the corner. Possesses good base strength and can hold the edge on outside runs. [see more...]
Blessed with the combination of size and athleticism that warranted the Dallas Cowboys drafting his younger brother, former Texas A&M tight end Martellus Bennett, scouts are still waiting to see Michael take his game to the next level. A solid performer at either defensive end spot, Bennett has a combination of pass-rushing length and run-stopping strength on the edge. Big 12 coaches recognized Bennett's talent in 2007, when he was named honorable mention All-Big 12 despite starting only one game. Was a full-time starter in 2008 and posted statistics worthy of postseason honors (42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks), but he was not recognized. [see more...]

2009 NFL Draft -- Off the Edge -- Defensive Ends Ranked for Denver

Jeremy Bolander — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:30:07 -0000

NT may be the weakest position on the roster (we have a total of zero legitimate NTs), but 3-4 DE may be the second worst. While we do have players at the position (Marcus Thomas and Peterson) and Thomas can even be argued to have some talent and upside, we simply have nothing even remotely proven. The difference between the two positions, NT and DE, for us is that a true 3-4 DE may be even harder to find, as the draft is very weak at this position. While 4-3 DE and 3-4 rush OLB are so prevalent that half the names on the DE and OLB chart are made up of these prospects, selfless and stout at the point-of-attack inside defenders are actually pretty rare.

There are some options open in the draft however. An outside the box solution is to prioritize some of great ILB prospects, to help pick up the slack. Also, there are a number of DTs who may fit better being moved over to end, like Hood, Marks or Moala. And there are certainly some other legitimate, experienced options at the position, but their distribution in the draft is disconcerting.

While DTs can be had at each level of the draft, no true 3-4 DEs project to be available in the middle rounds, from the end of the third to the middle of the sixth. DTs like Walker and Scott may be available in those areas, but will require converting, if they are to play DE. DE features a group of highly talented overall players projected in the first, a group of talented, but questionable players that make up the rest of the first day, and the beginning of Day 2. But the gap between these players and a tiny contingent of sure rotational players and highly questionable projects is immense.

Bottom line, the sooner Denver addresses this position, the better.

Let's check out the rankings:

DE-Brian Orakpo

1st

Brian Orakpo, Texas: Orakpo projects more as a rush OLB, and a very fine one at that. Though Denver looks to have a number of bodies at the position, and have little chance to actually target Orakpo, they probably still have him highly ranked. Orakpo is really the whole package, with a variety of rush moves, the ability to play up or in the dirt, tremendous awareness, which makes him a steadying force against misdirection offenses and plays, and the strength to disengage from blockers and bring down the ball carrier.

DE--Everette Brown

1st

Everette Brown, Florida State: Much closer to what Denver is looking for, Brown is still primarily more of a rush OLB or 4-3 end. Where he might interest Denver is his unusual strength at the point of attack, where he can discard one-on-one blocks and anchor vs. the run. But he needs to add bulk for a consistent 3-4 end, and he didn't flash any ability to take on or defeat double teams. Unlike Orakpo, he has not had a lot of experience from a rush OLB role, so it is doubtful he will acclimate to the position right away, if moved there. An all-around good player with potential, but not likely to fit Denver's scheme.

DE--Tyson Jackson

1st-2nd

Tyson Jackson, LSU: The first true 3-4 DE prospect who is likely to go off the board, Jackson has the right qualities for the position, including the required "team-first" attitude. He has good, but not elite quickness off the snap, but he is consistent about discarding blockers and causing havoc around the line of scrimmage. Though he lacks the variety of pass rush moves you would like to see, he is definitely "field aware" and knows where his teammates are and what his responsibilities are. As a four-star prospect, he is a great match for Denver, but #12 may simply be too early, and the second round may be too late.

DE--Robert Ayers

1st--2nd

Robert Ayers, Tennessee: Ayers' technique really impressed me, and later, when I read that the knock against him was that he didn't have a good first step, it seemed to me that the other evaluators were missing the point. While 4-3 teams are complaining that Ayers isn't quick enough off the edge to help them with their pass rush, 3-4 teams will be anticipating getting a great value. Ayers anchors well vs. the run, and is great at keeping low and keeping blockers away from him. He has all the moves, and specializes in changing up his first step - sometimes quick, sometimes slower, to keep the blocker off balance. His experience and success at DT should give him the right attitude to contribute quickly, and his football intelligence should make him an attractive option for McDaniels and Co. The drawback is his relative overall inexperience lining up as a starter. Recognition and other playing-time-centric skills may be undeveloped, or he may be the classic "one-year-wonder" of draft bust fame. From my viewpoint, what he can do is for real, but he will have to expand his game to guarantee a spot on the defensive line long-term. Four stars for what he is, and what he can provide right now.

DE--Michael Johnson

2nd

Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech: Though inconsistent, and not quite the strong type of anchor we should be looking at, he has a tall (6'7") frame with lots of potential to add more build without affecting his first step. Very good chance that he translates better to a strongside OLB prospect, but his potential on the line is undeniable, and his athleticism could be harnessed best there, as his drop-back coverage skills are non-existent. He needs to get significantly stronger and work on his technique to prevent his height from hurting him more than it helps. Also needs to improve his situational awareness, and learn to get his hands up. Overall, might not be the best project to take on for a team in desperate need of talent on the D-Line. His high draft stock puts him way out of Denver's reach, but players have plummeted before, and Johnson could be a valuable backup with starter potential.

DE--Paul Kruger

2nd

Paul Kruger, Utah: Another returned missionary, Kruger is an excellent athletic package whose age and eligibility all are tied up because of the two-year mission for his church. Yet another high-character guy, great motor, strong at the point of attack. He will try to add some weight to his frame, which should help him in anchoring against the run, but he has the versatility to stand up at OLB, and the speed to cover the TE. As a 25-year-old rookie, with the need to strengthen his frame and work on consistently staying low, his value may still make him a first-day pick. Three stars for a smart player who will need to slide into the second day before Denver can afford to take a look.

DE--Jarron Gilbert

2nd-3rd

Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State: Absolutely prototypical size for the 3-4 DE, he flashes athleticism that belies his 290 lbs, and word is, he can add more weight. He has excellent balance, startling production, and a famous YouTube video...ok, the last, while cool, is hardly the measure of the man. He has had some maturity concerns, but nothing that shows up in his game film. He is a relatively consistent source of pressure, but needs to work on not getting too tall against blockers and overall needs address his knowledge of the game. His impressive lower-body strength does not translate consistently to explosion off the snap; I suspect conditioning issues with him fading late in games. The number-one knock against him, however, and the one he can't address, is that the level of competition he faced did not provide the challenge needed to expose holes in his game. Overall he could be a solid find at the beginning of day 2.

DE--Mitch King

3rd

Mitch King, Iowa: This may be Denver's last chance to nab a true starting DE prospect in the 2009 draft, and for my money, King could merit going sooner than the 3rd round. His consistent technique puts him up with the head of the class, and his passion for the game and football intelligence are obvious, stellar qualities. He was a consistent producer, getting much of his production on his own, though because he is considered shorter than average (6'2") this production is often labeled "overachieving." What stands out in his technique is how he never gets stood up by blockers, and indeed can frustrate double-teamers who fail to back him up. He is a master at getting leverage and keeping blockers' hands out of his body. Doesn't have the kind of speed that most teams want from their ends, but he does have a good first step. If Denver has the patience to wait and the intuition not to wait too long, King could be one of the best players at 3-4 DE to come out of this draft, and Denver could get him.

DE--Michael Bennett

6th

Michael Bennett, Texas A&M: After what can only be called a drought at the 3-4 DE position through the middle rounds of the draft, it isn't until the final picks and college free agency that we start to again see some potential there, starting with Bennett. He is a physical specimen who has never added up to the sum of his parts. He lacks both the explosiveness in the pass rush and anchor against the run to be projected as a starter in the near future. As a project, he does have some things going for him though. His length will allow him to practice at either end of the line, and he has experience at both positions. He has adequate-to-good speed for pressuring the blocker, and he knows how to use his hands in a bull rush, one of his few moves. Not a lot going for him, but enough to stand above others this late in the draft.

DE--Derek Walker

6th-7th

Derek Walker, Illinois: An ideal player to draft for immediate depth on the line. He doesn't have quite the speed or strength to reach the next level, but he is capable and understands his role on the line. He is willing and able to occupy multiple blockers, and he has the size and burst to demand double teams on a limited basis. He is durable and gives everything he has, but he empties the cup pretty quickly and so doesn't project as a long-term solution as a starter. For cheap, effective and immediate depth, he should be a great find.

Bennett To Play In Shrine All-Star Game

miketag — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:25:28 -0000

Michael Bennett will play in the East-West Shrine game on January 17, 2009. I do not remember the last time I saw an Aggie who played in a postseason All Star game fail to be drafted. Friend of I Am The 12th Man.com, Pannel Egboh (DE- Stanford), will also participate in the game.

Morning Coffee Thinks It's Time To Beat the Aggies

GhostofBigRoy — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:00:07 -0000

Riddle me this. Since the great writers here at BON have already laid out the case for Texas, analyzed the BCS, broken down the head-to-head debate, and refuted the arguments of rivals, there isn't much room left for analysis. But I do have one significant question. The Harris poll voters have both SEC teams, Alabama and Florida, ahead of Texas and Oklahoma. How does that happen? Alabama is fine at the top, that's to be expected. But Florida in front of Texas? The team that lost to Ole Miss at home? Against a team that lost on the road on the last play in the biggest game in the opposing program's history?

Florida's defining victory was their smashing of Georgia, but the best team the Bulldogs have beat is the increasingly pathetic LSU. Sure, Florida beat two teams that were in the top 10, but neither of those teams looks particularly worthy of those rankings now. Texas owns victories over three teams that are legitimately in the top 12 in the country. If voters are punishing Texas for the more recent loss, they should consider that it came after the toughest four-game stretch any team has played in college football for 60 years. I don't get it.

This is all a little ridiculous. Not just Florida being ranked in front of the Longhorns, which is certainly a debatable question. The whole system. Dan Wetzel's characterizes the absurdity of the voting system in the following way:

Should Texas get the nod because it beat Oklahoma? Should it be Oklahoma because it put together the most impressive performance of the season in blasting Tech 65-21? Should Tech be considered because a voter likes its coach? How about strength of schedule? Or margin of victory? Coolest mascot? Color scheme? Does it matter who's played the most recent TV game? What if a voter missed one team's impressive performance because he went fishing? A voter's alma mater has been known to come into play. And doesn't he owe the conference that got him a vote in the first place? What about the coach who's still bitter about losing a recruit to a certain school?

Wetzel's repeated rhetorical questions highlight a principle problem that writers and bloggers across the country are racing to address: What is the criteria for the polls? This isn't exaclty a new question, but having three of the six or seven best teams in the same country in the same conference division, that competely personal and nebulous set of criterion exposes the flaw in the current system. Then each team ends up with one loss, chaos results, and multiple teams get screwed. Think about it: UT, OU, and Tech are all deserving of BCS bids. But the current system could leave two on the outside looking in, while mediocre squads like Cincinnati and whatever team emerges from the mess that is the ACC, conferences that don't deserve bids this season.

As Wetzel goes on to note, the system also results in members of the Texas sports information department propagandizing sportswriters on Saturday before even Tech knew what had just happened. Didn't work, apparently, but it increasingly politicizes the game of college football. It's only a matter of time with this system before Sports Information departments around the country morph into sophisticated purveyors of propaganda. How long is it until sportswriters look up from their desks to see a beaming Matthew McConaughey asking them to do the right thing? Don't mess with Roger Clemens, he might have some leftover, uh, rage, you know. If the BCS is worth millions of dollars, the Joneses (yeah, I'm talking about Texas) can afford to employ professional lobbyists on their behalf, afford the relentless advertising, research advanced brainwashing mechanisms. Hell, what about out-and-out bribery. That's all about as unsavory as pretty much everything Scott Boras does. Gotta be time for a playoff.

Mack Brown's take on the BCS. Perhaps the most famous lobbyist in the history of college football, Mack Brown will decline to make the BCS case for the Longhorns until after the Aggie game. He spoke with the team about it on Sunday, before he and the team made the decision not to talk about it, telling the players that they have more impact on where they play at the end of the season than anyone else. Brown is correct in his assessment, especially considering the flat performances against A&M the last two seasons. If ever there is a time for "style points," it's Thanksgiving day against the Aggies.

As much emotion as may be present in the game coming from the maroon side of the field, this Longhorns team has shown all season that they play hard every week. It started after the loss in College Station last season and now the team has the chance to bring that edge full circle and unleash all that frustration on the poor Aggies. There will not be a flat performance on Thursday--the seniors and the junior leaders on the team like Colt McCoy will not allow that to happen. Will Muschamp will not allow that to happen. And Mack Brown, despite his Mr. Clappy side, will not allow that to happen. As if they need any more motivation after two straight losses, one former Aggie is providing some serious bulletin board material...

Martellus Bennett has diarrhea of the mouth. Martellus Bennett is running his mouth about the Longhorns, callilng Texas "yellowbellies" and noting that the Aggies "always beat Texas." Let's go to the all-time scoreboard, Martellus. Okay, let's see here. Oh yeah, Texas 73, TAMU 36, with 5 ties. That's the big-boy scoreboard (unless you want to talk about national championships, where Texas leads 4-1). So no, the Aggies don't always beat Texas. In fact, for the mathematically challenged (and Aggies), that means that Texas wins about twice for each Aggie victory. Even with victories in the last two meetings between the teams (as if Texas fans need a reminder), the Aggies would need to beat the Longhorns 37 years in a row to tie the series--it couldn't happen until 2044. Since Martellus no doubt couldn't shut his mouth long enough to learn anything in history class, let's take a step back in time: 2003, Texas wins 46-15, 2002, Texas wins 50-20, and 2000, 43-17. Bennett went on to predict an Aggie victory and some more hits on Colt McCoy (or Cart McCoy, quite poor taste there Martellus) by his brother, Michael. Considering that Michael Bennett only has two sacks on the season, that doesn't seem likely.

That massive vortex of suck? That would be the Aggie football program. Don't stand too close because you could get sucked in. There are few things more frustrating in life than Aggies who can call scoreboard. Even worse when they manage to lose to Arkansas State and get blown out by Baylor. How bad was the blowout to Baylor? The Bears lead 41-7 going into the fourth quarter, having allowed the Aggies 233 yards, while forcing five turnovers (including four picks by freshman quarterback Jerrod Johnson) and giving up third down conversions on only 2 of 9 attempts. And no one is likely to confuse Baylor's defense (94th in total defense and 110th in opponent's third down conversions, at 47.5%) with a good defense.

After a good start to the season, with 18 touchdowns to only four interceptions, Jerrod Johnson has struggled in the last two games, throwing six interceptions against two touchdown passes. The offensive line isn't helping things. They weren't any good to being with and injuries have further slowed the unit, resulting in 33 sacks on the season, three per game. On the other side of the ball, the Aggie defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks only 13 times. The inability to pressure the quarterback has lead to 36.4 points allowed per game, which ranks 113th in the country, right behind lowly Iowa State and 114th in total defense, giving up 455 yards per game. Even when they do manage to stop the opposing team on the first two downs, they allow opponents to convert on 52% of their third downs, edging only lowly SMU in that category. You have that going for you Aggies. In other words, the window for Aggies having scoreboard bragging rights is rapidly closing. Time for a beat down. No more scoreboard. The proper alignment for the universe.

Beyond the Box Score: Official Big 12 Edition (Part Two)

Bill C. — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:38:53 -0000

South Division

Oklahoma (6-2)

Game-Changing Stats

Pass Offense (particularly success rates)
Q1 Offense
Offensive Points Per Play
Q2 Defense

Top Ranks

#1: Offensive 3rd Down Passing S&P+
#1: Defensive Q4 Rushing S&P+
#2: Offensive Redzone Passing S&P+
#2: Defensive 3rd Down Line Yards+, Defensive Q4 Line Yards+

Bottom Ranks

#126: Offensive Q1 Line Yards+
#107: Defensive Q2 Passing S&P+
#87: Offensive 2nd Down Line Yards+
#77: Offensive Q4 Rushing S&P+

Remember back in 2005, when OU's offensive line was a complete and total disaster? Injuries, defections, disappointment...for a number of reasons, the depth was poor, the luck was bad, and lots of freshmen were moving in and out of the starting lineup. The O-line was OU's biggest hindrance, and OU went from back-to-back national title game appearances to a 7-4 record and Holiday Bowl bid.

There's a plus-side to all that lineup shuffling and youth: two or three years later, your O-line is going to be unbelievable. Duke Robinson (senior), Phil Loadholt (senior--though he's a JUCO transfer), Jon Cooper (senior), Brandon Walker (senior), and Branndon Braxton (senior) make up probably the best, most experienced offensive line in the country. They average 6'5, 317, they've combined for 130 career starts, and they form a fortress around sophomore QB Sam Bradford. As rptgwb suggested the other day, we really have no idea how good Bradford is or will be because the line has made his job really easy. He was sacked all of once a game last year. I'm usually skeptical of sophomore QBs who did a little too well their freshman years (cough cough Colt McCoy cough), but...I have no reason to think Bradford's performance will suffer much.

If (if) there's an Achilles Heel on the offense, it's the fact that Malcolm Kelly is gone. Juaquin Iglesias, Manny Johnson and Quentin Chaney (all seniors) make up quite an experienced WR unit, but Kelly was the #1 threat. Iglesias has thrived as the #2 guy (he even caught 19 more passes than Kelly in '07), but when you prepared for OU the last couple years, you prepared knowing that you had to shut Kelly down first and foremost. If Iglesias is facing everybody's #1 CB, will his production suffer? Meanwhile, Johnson and Chaney have repeatedly showed flashes of big-time ability, but they have yet to produce consistently. I've heard really good things from my inside source*, however, about RSFr Ryan Broyles. He's a little guy (6'0, 170) who's doing great things as a slot WR/waterbug. You never know in advance how guys who look good in practice will look in a game, but keep your eye out for him. If he's a reliable underneath threat, that opens things up for Johnson and Chaney (and Adron Tennell) to succeed in the "Go long, and I'll find you a couple times a game" role.

* Backup TE Trent Ratterree is the little brother of my high school best friend, so naturally my high school best friend is taking advantage of this and going to every possible practice and scrimmage.

I haven't said a word about OU's RBs and TEs because, well, it's in pretty good hands there. DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown make for a nice quickness/toughness combo (and they'll look twice as good running behind that O-line), and Jermaine Gresham will catch 50 passes and go pro after '08...opening the door for my boy Ratterree to get some quality PT in '09.

Defensively, the question isn't "Is there talent to replace Curtis Lofton and Reggie Smith?" There's plenty of talent and experience in both the LB corps (Ryan Reynolds, Austin Box, former DB Keenan Clayton, JUCO transfer Mike Balogun) and secondary (seniors Nic Harris and Lendy Holmes, Dominique Franks). Really, the question is simply, can they avoid the occasional breakdown? They're making a national title run here, and breakdowns like the second half of the Colorado game, or the last two Fiesta Bowls, or the '06 Oregon game, simply cannot happen. Franks and junior Brian Jackson should make a solid pair of CBs, but...they're playing a lot of potent offenses. Plus, between Reynolds and Box, there's always somebody hurt in the LB corps. If the back seven is shaky or not totally healthy, the defense could become vulnerable against just about anybody on the conference slate.

One thing they do have in their back pocket, though, is the best D-line in the conference, possibly the country. The backup DEs (John Williams and Mizzou-killer Jeremy Beal) could be the starting unit at most Big 12 schools, but they'll be fighting for playing time with newcomers like RJ Washington and Jonte Bumpus. Auston English is recovering from appendicitis, but he will be full-speed by conference play, and Alan Davis is solid and steady (though I actually think Beal is better). And then, of course, they have two former 5-star recruits in Gerald McCoy and DeMarcus "Five Finger Discount" Granger at DT. Granger's been in the doghouse ever since he was caught shoplifting in Arizona before the Fiesta Bowl, plus he's battling injuries, so they might have to rely on 2-year starter Cory Bennett alongside McCoy. I feel so sorry for them.

Verdict: If the cliche is right, and football really is won in the trenches, then go ahead and hand OU the national title now. They're the best trench warfare team in the country, plus they've got dynamic non-trench talent as well (Murray, Bradford, Gresham, Iglesias, Harris, Holmes, etc.). But can OU avoid the lapses that killed them in '07? I can excuse the West Virginia and Texas Tech losses last year (WV torched a lot of D's, and OU would have beaten Tech if Bradford hadn't gotten hurt), but...Colorado? OU has to face road games against teams that really aren't any worse than CU was last year (KSU, ATM, OSU, maybe Washington). Can they stay healthy and awake enough to win all of those? I'm picking them to do just that, but if I were an OU fan, my biggest concern would simply be that Big Game Bob's teams don't always show up for the Moderate Games.

Texas (5-3)

Game-Changing Stats

Q1 Defense
1st Down Pass Offense
2nd Down Defense
Q2 Offense

Top Ranks

#1: Offensive Redzone Passing S&P+
#2: Defensive Rushing EqPts+
#6: Defensive Line Yards+
#7: Defensive Redzone Rushing S&P+

Bottom Ranks

#101: Defensive Q4 Passing S&P+
#95: Defensive Q1 Passing S&P+
#92: Defensive Q4 S&P+
#82: Defensive 1st Down Passing S&P+

Texas Football: Beyond the Box Score 2007

How will Colt McCoy do in '08?

Depends. As has been mentioned elsewhere, McCoy was a better scrambler at the end of the year than a passer--his rushing averages were indeed quite nice (55.6% / 0.49 PPP / 1.050 S&P). However, it's hard to project how he'll progress as a junior because it's impossible to know the state of his arm and the state of his head. His passing numbers (46.8% / 0.38 PPP / 0.848 S&P) were quite nice aside from the ugly INT totals (18). But those INTs are kinda sorta important. If he trusts his arm (and knows what he's capable of instead of throwing dumb passes), then he should at the very least be able to throw efficiently.

Having an explosive passing game, however, is a different matter. Quan Cosby (86.4% / 0.87 PPP / 1.735 S&P...not bad) returns, as does Jordan Shipley (77.8% / 1.37 PPP / 2.151 S&P). Neither of them are game-changers (though if Shipley can double his receptions and maintain those averages, he could be). Plus, they lose possession WR Nate Jones (1.505 S&P) and TE Jermichael Finley. They need to find some new blood. Lord knows they've got some options with potential--RSFr (and stud recruit) Malcolm Williams, true freshmen (and stud recruits) Dan Buckner and DJ Grant, etc.

...

Will the defense improve in 2008?

Yes. They weren't bad to begin with, their D-Line has Brian Orakpo, Lamarr Houston, Eddie Jones, Roy Miller, etc., they have a better D-Coordinator (at least one with a better reputation)...yes. Yes, they will improve. How did you like THAT analysis?

...

If Sam Bradford has anything resembling a sophomore slump, Texas could win the South. They're a lot closer than people want to think. Texas Tech is the flavor of the month, but Texas is the second-best team in the South. Of course, a) they play Tech in Lubbock, and b) if the pass defense isn't solid, the October stretch of Oklahoma -> Missouri -> Oklahoma State -> at Texas Tech could be murder. But needless to say, this is the best, most talented team on Mizzou's schedule in 2008, and it stinks that we're playing them in Austin.

Verdict: Tech may be the flavor of the month, but with a more stable (read: fewer INTs from Colt McCoy) offense and a more intense, less breakdown-oriented defense, Texas is still the second-best team in the South. Unfortunately for them, they do play Tech in Lubbock.

Texas Tech (4-4)

Game-Changing Stats

Q3 Defense
2nd Down Defense
Redzone Offense
Q3 Rush Defense

Top Ranks

#1: Defensive Passing EqPts+
#1: Offensive Passing EqPts+
#2: Defensive Passing Downs Passing S&P+
#2: Offensive Q2 S&P+, Offensive 2nd Down S&P+

Bottom Ranks

#122: Defensive Q1 Line Yards+
#117: Offensive Rushing EqPts+
#115: Defensive Q4 Passing S&P+
#113: Defensive Q2 Line Yards+

I've given up on trying to figure out exactly how Texas Tech had the "#1 defense in the Big 12" after long-time assistant Ruffin McNeill took the DC job midseason last year. They didn't. They still managed to give up 59 to Texas, 41 to Missouri, 31 to Colorado (Colorado!), 28 to Virginia, and 27 to Oklahoma after McNeill took over, and their D-line still served as just as good a sieve to rushing yards. As I've said many times this offseason, I think Texas Tech is without a doubt a Top 15-18 team...but no higher. And as I've said many times, they were two injuries to opponents' QBs (Sam Bradford, Jameel Sewell) away from a possible 7-6 record in '07. They do indeed return most of their key contributors from '07, including the best freshman WR of all-time, Michael Crabtree, but let's not pretend like there aren't holes here.

And let's start with the holes:

They've lost their one playmaking LB, Paul Williams (7.5 TFL's in '07, and a stellar success rate). We've heard lots of good things about sophomores Bront Bird and Brian Duncan, and there's a nice group of athletic RSFr's fighting for playing time, but they had one true playmaker, and he's gone.
The secondary is experienced and a little more deep than the typical Tech secondary, but...teams don't throw on Tech. They run on Tech. And while this could be the best D-line Tech's had in a long time (which is one of the reasons I think they're a Top 15-18 team), it's still not as good as OU's, or Texas's, or Missouri's, or Kansas's, or Colorado's. DTs' Colby Whitlock and Rajon Henley are solid, and there's potential at DE with Brandon Williams, Jake Ratliff, and McKinner Dixon. But again...at best, they're the #6 DL in the conference.
The offense still seems to get a bit timid when punched in the mouth. Missouri held them in check for 4 quarters by hitting them really hard, Colorado and Virginia did for 3. Once Oklahoma got its offense going while attempting a comeback, Tech's O ground to a total halt. Shannon Woods is a fantastic RB for Tech's offense, but he's not a power guy, not an "If Tech gains 2 yards on this play, they win the game...let's give it to that guy!" guy.

Again, though, this is why I don't think they're a conference or national title contender. They're still a good team, and getting Texas at home means they have a legitimate shot at #2 in the South and 10 wins overall (most wins under Leach: 9). Graham Harrell is the best, most experienced QB Mike Leach has had. Michael Crabtree is...Michael Crabtree. Guys like Eric Morris and Edward Britton will make sure that Danny Amendola won't be missed. The O-line returns all starters, plus it's humongous. Tech has more pure star power than it ever has before.

Verdict: Tech is 20-24 on the road under Mike Leach. They face Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas A&M, and Kansas State on the road. Plus, they get Texas at home (last time they gave up less than 38 points to Texas: 2000). In other words, this is not a national title contender, and it's unfair to them to place the expectations that high. That said, this is just about the most dangerous team in the country. They can win any single game on their schedule, and if they wanted to win the South so that we didn't have to face OU in the conference title game (knock on wood), I sure wouldn't object.

Oklahoma State (4-4)

Game-Changing Stats

3rd Down Defense
Pass Offense
Redzone Defense
Defensive Points Per Play

Top Ranks

#1: Offensive 2nd Down Line Yards+
#2: Offensive Q2 Line Yards+
#2: Offensive Line Yards+
#3: Offensive 1st Down Line Yards+, Offensive Non-Passing Downs Line Yards+

Bottom Ranks

#124: Defensive Passing Downs Passing S&P+
#123: Defensive Q2 Passing S&P+
#121: Defensive 3rd Down Passing S&P+
#107: Defensive Q3 Passing S&P+

Oklahoma State Football: Beyond the Box Score 2007

Really, the key to Oklahoma State's 2008 season isn't any of my numbers, it's PS#'s. Phil Steele followers will know that PS#'s are Steele's coordinated recruit rankings. OSU has begun to put together quite a few strong PS#'s over the last couple of years. WR Dez Bryant? PS#5 (i.e. the #5 WR of his class). New RB Beau Johnson? PS#7. DE Richetti Jones? PS#9. CB Perrish Cox? PS#12. WR William Cole? PS#25. Ugo Chinasa? PS#31. DE Derek Burton? PS#38. Mike Gundy has pulled together a deep amount of not only strong athletes but pretty highly-touted guys. It's time those guys start producing. And if the defensive guys on that list step up, OSU might not be able to win string a bunch of wins together and take the South, but they can win any individual game on the schedule...against Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, whoever. But without some new playmakers on the line and some competition in the secondary, a third straight 7-6 season seems ready to enter the books.

Verdict: I STILL have no idea what to do with OSU. They've got talent, athleticism, a dynamic QB, and an underrated offensive line. But their pass defense managed to be both horrific AND prone to breakdowns in 2007, and it's really hard for me to predict a major jump from them until they prove that they've improved in that area.

Texas A&M (4-4)

Game-Changing Stats

Non-Passing Downs Defense
Q3 Offense
Rushing Offense
1st Down Defense

Top Ranks

#1: Offensive Q4 S&P+
#3: Offensive Q4 Line Yards+
#5: Offensive Q1 Rushing S&P+
#8: Offensive Q4 Rushing S&P+

Bottom Ranks

#121: Offensive Q1 Passing S&P+
#118: Defensive Q2 Passing S&P+
#117: Offensive Redzone Passing S&P+
#115: Offensive Q2 S&P+

I got wordy about Tech and really wordy about OU, but...I just don't have that much to say about ATM. The hiring of Mike Sherman means that ATM will continue to be a physical team that can sneak up and bite you. Mike Goodson is obviously a big play waiting to happen, Stephen McGee is tough as nails, and they return a bunch of hard-hitters on defense--particularly guys like Devin Gregg and Crazy Michael Bennett. But...they still lack overall speed on defense, they don't have a QB who fits a pro-style offense, they lost their only two big-play threats in the passing game (Martellus Bennett, Kerry Franks), they have to replace 3 starters on the D-line, and they have to replace 3.5 on the O-line. The Big 12's too good this year to win big with that many weaknesses.

Verdict: I think I said it all above. I didn't like the Sherman hire, but any new ATM coach will have the opportunity to build some good, Texas-based recruiting classes, and eventually succeed. It's just not going to happen this year.

Baylor (0-8)

Game-Changing Stats

Pass Offense
2nd Down Offense
Q3 Offense
2nd Down Defense

Top Ranks

#5: Defensive Passing Downs S&P+
#6: Defensive 3rd Down S&P+
#6: Defensive 3rd Down Passing S&P+
#7: Defensive Passing Downs Passing S&P+

Bottom Ranks

#125: Offensive Q3 Rushing S&P+
#124: Offensive Q3 Line Yards+
#123: Defensive 1st Down Passing S&P+
#123: Defensive Q3 Passing S&P+

Baylor Football: Beyond the Box Score 2007

There's more potential with this Baylor team than has been seen in green and gold for a while. But that's not saying much. Kirby Freeman was highly-recruited out of high school but pretty much flamed out at Miami--he's got potential, but if he doesn't get the QB job, a brand spanking new 4-star QB (with loads of, you guessed it, potential) is available to give it a shot. Briles' first (partial) recruiting class featured quite a bit of potential and speed, and that's probably what the Bears have been lacking most. They have a potential go-to WR in Thomas White, a potentially strong O-Line, and a couple potential big-time defenders in [Joe] Pawelek and [Jordan] Lake.

But let's be honest--every other team in the Big 12 (aside from maybe Iowa State) has more potential at the moment, along with more proven commodities. To turn this ship around in one season would require not one, but a series of miracles, and while Briles has proven himself to be a good coach...he hasn't proven himself God.

Verdict: A month or so after I wrote the above post, Art Briles still has yet to prove himself God. So everything I said above still stands.

BALANCE OF POWER

Oklahoma
Texas
Texas Tech
Oklahoma State
Texas A&M
Baylor

SCHEDULES

North Division
Missouri

Likely Wins (8): SEMO, Nevada, Buffalo, Oklahoma State, Colorado, @ Baylor, Kansas State, @ Iowa State

Likely Losses: none

Tossups (4): vs Illinois, @ Nebraska, @ Texas, vs Kansas

Prediction: It's hard to pick anybody to win in Austin, and I feel a bit like a homer for doing so, but...I'm doing it. This is possibly the best Mizzou team of my lifetime, and just in case they really do go 12-0, I want to say I picked it. I still get to be a fan. 12-0 (8-0).

Kansas

Likely Wins (6): Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Sam Houston State, @ Iowa State, Colorado, Kansas State

Likely Losses (1): @ Oklahoma

Tossups (5): @ South Florida, Texas Tech, @ Nebraska, Texas, vs Missouri

Prediction: Depending on how KU responds to what is really one heckuva 5-week stretch (@OU, TT, KSU, @NU, UT), they could be 6-5 or 10-1 headed into the Mizzou game. I say they beat USF, Tech, and NU, meaning they're 9-1 headed into the UT game...and they lose to UT and MU. 9-3 (5-3).

Nebraska

Likely Wins (5): Western Michigan, San Jose State, New Mexico State, Baylor

Likely Losses (2): @ Texas Tech, @ Oklahoma

Tossups (6): Virginia Tech, Missouri, @ Iowa State, Kansas, @ Kansas State, Colorado

Prediction: I really do expect NU to be undefeated heading into the Mizzou game. They should handle a thin Virginia Tech squad at home before (I hope) losing to Mizzou. Then it gets tough to predict. I fully expect ISU to beat somebody at home, but I don't think they match up well at all with NU, so NU takes that one. They lose to both Kansas teams, but bounce back to beat CU. Which puts them at...8-4 (4-4).

Colorado

Likely Wins (3): Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Iowa State

Likely Losses (3): @ Florida State, @ Kansas, @ Missouri

Tossups (6): West Virginia, Texas, Kansas State, @ Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, @ Nebraska.

Prediction: They match up pretty well with WV, I think, but no. They lose that one and lose another tight one to Texas before bouncing back against KSU, then heading down and winning in College Station. From there they take out OSU and lose to NU. 6-6 (4-4).

Kansas State

Likely Wins (3): North Texas, Montana State, UL-Lafayette

Likely Losses (3): Oklahoma, @ Kansas, @ Missouri

Tossups (6): @ Louisville, Texas Tech, @ Texas A&M, @ Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa State

Prediction: Beat Louisville, lose a tight one to Tech, lose the roadies to ATM and CU, pick off NU and ISU at home. The one trick here is, that would put them at 4-6 heading home for NU and ISU. It's quite possible that they don't keep it together enough to get to 6-6, but I'll say they do it. 6-6 (2-6).

Iowa State

Likely Wins (2): South Dakota State, Kent State

Likely Losses (5): Kansas, @ Oklahoma State, @ Colorado, Missouri, @ Kansas State

Tossups (5): @ Iowa, @ UNLV, @ Baylor, Nebraska, Texas A&M

Prediction: Iowa's always a tossup, but no. UNLV may actually be decent this year, but...I have to have ISU beating somebody. So they beat UNLV, lose to Baylor and Nebraska, and take out ATM. 4-8 (1-7).

South Division

Oklahoma

Likely Wins (10): Chattanooga, Cincinnati, @ Washington, TCU, @ Baylor, Kansas, @ Kansas State, Nebraska, @ Texas A&M, Texas Tech

Likely Losses: none

Tossups (2): vs Texas, @ Oklahoma State

Prediction: I put OSU on the tossups list because it always seems like a tight game in Stillwater. And while it's quite possible OU slips up on the road, I just don't know who that's going to be to. So I'll say 12-0 (8-0).

Texas

Likely Wins (7): Florida Atlantic, @ UTEP, Arkansas, Rice, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Texas A&M

Likely Losses: none

Tossups (5): @ Colorado, vs Oklahoma, Missouri, @ Texas Tech, @ Kansas

Prediction: I almost picked CU to upset UT until I realized that would mean I'd have UT losing three in a row (after picking them to lose to OU and MU). That's probably not going to happen. So they beat Colorado, lose to OU, MU, and Tech (I guess), and beat Kansas. 9-3 (5-3).

Texas Tech

Likely Wins (6): Eastern Washington, @ Nevada, SMU, UMass, Nebraska, Baylor

Likely Losses (1): @ Oklahoma

Tossups (5): @ Kansas State, @ Texas A&M, @ Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State

Prediction: I just can't see them going better than 3-2 on the road, but I will have them beating KSU and ATM before losing to KU. They then beat UT and OSU to finish...10-2 (6-2).

Oklahoma State

Likely Wins (6): Houston, Missouri State, Troy, Texas A&M, Baylor, Iowa State

Likely Losses (2): @ Missouri, @ Texas

Tossups (4): @ Washington State, @ Texas Tech, @ Colorado, Oklahoma

Prediction: The Wazzu game is pretty tricky, but...I'm a minor OSU homer, so I say they'll handle that one. But they'll lose the other three tossups. 7-5 (3-5).

Texas A&M

Likely Wins (2): Arkansas State, Army

Likely Losses (3): @ Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, @ Texas

Tossups (7): @ New Mexico, Miami-FL, Kansas State, Texas Tech, @ Iowa State, Colorado, @ Baylor

Prediction: ATM does have a chance to make something out of this season, but...oy, I don't know. I say they take out the two non-con teams (UNM, Miami), beat KSU, lose to Tech, ISU and CU, then beat Baylor. 6-6 (2-6).

Baylor

Likely Wins (1): Northwestern State

Likely Losses (7): @ UConn, Oklahoma, @ OSU, @ Nebraska, Missouri, @ Texas, @ Texas Tech.

Tossups (4): Wake Forest, Washington State, Iowa State, Texas A&M

Prediction: If Briles finds and offense and they're tough at home, they could end up with a solid record, as they have 5 winnable home games. But I don't see it happening yet. Beat Iowa State, lose the others. 2-10 (0-8).

STANDINGS

North

Missouri (8-0)
Kansas (5-3)
Nebraska (4-4)
Colorado (4-4)
Kansas State (2-6)
Iowa State (1-7)

South

Oklahoma (8-0)
Texas Tech (6-2)
Texas (5-3)
Oklahoma State (3-5)
Texas A&M (2-6)
Baylor (0-8)

Big 12 Championship

So it comes to this. Winner goes to the National Title Game. This is the year Fink beats the stomach, and by God, this is the year Missouri beats Oklahoma. I think. This is turning into the 2000-02 stretch in basketball where we couldn't beat them in the postseason (or season) to save our lives. But we'll say last year's Big 12 title game was the equivalent to losingto them in the Elite Eight in '02. And again...if it happens, I want to say I predicted it.

Missouri > Oklahoma

BOWLS

National Title Game: Missouri, dammit (13-0)
Fiesta Bowl (again): Oklahoma (12-1)
Cotton Bowl: Texas Tech (10-2)
Holiday Bowl: Texas (9-3)
Sun Bowl: Kansas (9-3)
Alamo Bowl: Nebraska (8-4)
Insight Bowl: Oklahoma State (7-5)
Independence Bowl: Texas A&M (6-6)
Texas Bowl: Colorado (6-6)

Other Bowl Eligible Teams
Kansas State (6-6)

Coming later this week: I put the whole thing together.

SB Nation - Michael Bennett

SB Nation 2009 Big 12 Preview: Texas A&M

Jean-Jacques Taylor Needs To Lighten Up

2009 NFL Draft - Second Day Live Thread

2009 NFL Draft Live Thread

DE, Michael Bennett, Texas A&M

DE, Michael Bennett, Texas A&M

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

2009 NFL Draft -- Off the Edge -- Defensive Ends Ranked for Denver

2009 NFL Draft Coverage-Merry Draftivus!!

DE-Brian Orakpo

1st

DE--Everette Brown

1st

DE--Tyson Jackson

1st-2nd

DE--Robert Ayers

1st--2nd

DE--Michael Johnson

2nd

DE--Paul Kruger

2nd

DE--Jarron Gilbert

2nd-3rd

DE--Mitch King

3rd

DE--Michael Bennett

6th

DE--Derek Walker

6th-7th

Bennett To Play In Shrine All-Star Game

Morning Coffee Thinks It's Time To Beat the Aggies

Beyond the Box Score: Official Big 12 Edition (Part Two)

BALANCE OF POWER

SCHEDULES

STANDINGS

BOWLS