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2006 Big 12 Preview
Texas and Oklahoma Will Again Dictate the Conference Standings
The Big XII is home of the defending BSC champion Texas Longhorns, but in ’06
its Red River Shootout counterparts could take the lead. Armed with the best
player in the country, Adrian Peterson is healthy and ready to explode as one of
the Heisman frontrunners. Texas no longer has Vince Young to rely upon and have
a big hole to fill as his replacement, but the rest of the offense is absolutely
loaded. OU and UT will 1-2 step their way to first and second place in the
conference, but several teams along the way will be formidable tests. Nebraska
and Texas A&M are capable squads, while Texas Tech under Mike Leach’s offensive
system is always a passing juggernaut.
Oklahoma and Texas will be top ten fixtures most of the year and have very
complete teams. The Sooners finally have another Bob Stoops national
championship contender. Sophomore Rhett Bomar has a year under his belt and will
assist Peterson with his efficient game control in the passing attack.
Oklahoma’s only weakness will be its unproven offensive line, but with a defense
as good as Stoops’, they won’t need many points to win. Led by the best
linebacking core in the country, Boomer Sooner will dominate in most games this
year. Rufus Alexander and Zach Latimer jumpstart an experience group that will
tough to overcome from any opposition. Austin holds its own stingy defense, and
it will have to be if Texas’ starting quarterback struggles from the start of
the season. Despite inexperience from freshmen Colt McCoy ad Jevan Snead, talent
surrounds them. Sophomore sensation Jamaal Charles returns and will in all
likelihood be the starter. Juniors Limas Sweed and Billy Pittman are its top two
wide outs, while Jordan Shipley and Quan Crosby add depth and speed.
The third year under Bill Callahan should see better results. After finishing
4-4 in conference last year, Nebraska reemphasized the running game to
compliment Callahan’s west coast offense. Senior Zac Taylor showed he is very
capable of engineering the offense, but if the running game lacks the punch it
needs, issues will arise. The Corn Husker defense will show strides as seven
starters return. The biggest concern will be the turnover ratio. Last year the
team finished -2 and if it repeats a number close to that, Bill Cahallan might
have to find a new job.
The Aggies and Red Raiders should find themselves just below the previously
mentioned three of the Big 12, but both start the season with brand new signal
callers. Sophomore Steven McGee leads Texas A&M while sophomore Graham Harrell
should get the nod for Texas Tech. Question marks arise for both defensive units
as few starters remain from the past year. Texas Tech is coming off a nine-win
season but inexperience should lower than number. The Aggies disappointed to the
tune of a 5-6 ’05 and should see a couple more wins this upcoming campaign.
ODDS TO WIN BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP
Oklahoma 1.5/1
Texas 2/1
Nebraska 6/1
Colorado 10/1
Iowa State 8/1
Kansas 15/1
Kansas St 20/1
Texas A&M 25/1
Texas Tech 8/1
Oklahoma St50/1
Missouri 15/1
Baylor 50/1
BIG 12 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
2006
Thursday, August 31
Toledo at Iowa State
Saturday, September 2
Montana State at Colorado
Northwestern State at Kansas
Illinois State at Kansas State
Murray State at Missouri
Louisiana Tech at Nebraska
TCU at Baylor
UAB at Oklahoma
Missouri State at Oklahoma State
North Texas at Texas
The Citadel at Texas A&M
SMU at Texas Tech
Saturday, September 9
Colorado State at Colorado
UNLV at Iowa State
UL Monroe at Kansas
Florida Atlantic at Kansas State
Ole Miss at Missouri
Nicholls State at Nebraska
Northwestern State at Baylor
Washington at Oklahoma
Oklahoma State at Arkansas State
Ohio State at Texas
UL Lafayette at Texas A&M
Texas Tech at UTEP
Saturday, September 16
Arizona State at Colorado
Iowa State at Iowa
Kansas at Toledo
Marshall at Kansas State
Missouri at New Mexico
Nebraska at USC
Baylor at Washington State (in Seattle)
Oklahoma at Oregon
Florida Atlantic at Oklahoma State
Texas at Rice
Army at Texas A&M
Texas Tech at TCU
Saturday, September 23
Colorado at Georgia
Iowa State at Texas
South Florida at Kansas
Louisville at Kansas State
Ohio at Missouri
Troy at Nebraska
Army at Baylor
MTSU at Oklahoma
Oklahoma State at Houston
Louisiana Tech at Texas A&M
SE Louisiana at Texas Tech
Saturday, September 30
Colorado at Missouri
Northern Iowa at Iowa State
Kansas at Nebraska
Kansas State at Baylor
Sam Houston State at Texas
Texas Tech at Texas A&M
Saturday, October 7
Baylor at Colorado
Nebraska at Iowa State
Texas A&M at Kansas
Oklahoma State at Kansas State
Missouri at Texas Tech
Oklahoma vs. Texas (in Dallas)
Saturday, October 14
Texas Tech at Colorado
Iowa State at Oklahoma
Oklahoma State at Kansas
Nebraska at Kansas State
Missouri at Texas A&M
Baylor at Texas
Saturday, October 21
Colorado at Oklahoma
Texas Tech at Iowa State
Kansas at Baylor
Kansas State at Missouri
Texas at Nebraska
Texas A&M at Oklahoma State
Saturday, October 28
Colorado at Kansas
Iowa State at Kansas State
Oklahoma at Missouri
Nebraska at Oklahoma State
Texas A&M at Baylor
Texas at Texas Tech
Saturday, November 4
Kansas State at Colorado
Kansas at Iowa State
Missouri at Nebraska
Baylor at Texas Tech
Oklahoma at Texas A&M
Oklahoma State at Texas
Saturday, November 11
Iowa State at Colorado
Texas at Kansas State
Nebraska at Texas A&M
Baylor at Oklahoma State
Texas Tech at Oklahoma
Saturday, November 18
Missouri at Iowa State
Kansas State at Kansas
Oklahoma at Baylor
Oklahoma State at Texas Tech
Friday, November 24
Colorado at Nebraska
Texas A&M at Texas
Saturday, November 25
Kansas at Missouri
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State