1. Texas Longhorns- Look for the roommates Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley to lead one of the most potent offenses in the country. The Longhorns are playing with a chip on their shoulder after the Big 12 South debacle that kept them out of the BCS Title Game in January. I see them avenging that ruling; making it to Kansas City, and possibly Pasadena.

2. Oklahoma Sooners- Don’t think there is a year where someone doesn’t have them ranked at or near the top. Now, they will have to replace 4 out of 5 Offensive Linemen but with the return of Jermaine Gresham and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford look for Oklahoma to be just fine. I only have them #2 because of the psychological advantage I think Texas will have.

3. Oklahoma State Cowboys- The Dark Horse of the Big 12. I think the youth of last year’s team kept them from getting to Kansas City. They are now a year wiser and have just as much right to the Big 12 crown as those schools in Norman and Austin. Keep an eye on Zac Robinson and Dez Bryant as they lead a dominating Cowboys Offense

4. Nebraska Cornhuskers- Our first team from the North. The Cornhuskers lost nine players to the NFL, but I think they will be ok. Look for Zac Lee and Roy Helu Jr. to start winning some games for the Cornhuskers.

5. Kansas Jayhawks- They would have been the first team from the north, had they not lost all three starting linebackers. Having said that I think the offense will make up for it. With Todd Reesing leading the charge and weapons like Jake Sharp and Dezmon Briscoe look for Kansas to make a statement, and a run at KC.

6. Texas Tech Red Raiders- While they did lose Michael Crabtree and Graham Harrell Mike Leach always finds a way to win. In fact, Leach has had a winning season every year he’s been with the Red Raiders. With his new 5-year extension worth $12.7 million look for him to continue his winning ways.

7. Missouri Tigers- With only 9 returning starters and the loss of Chase Daniel look for Mizzou to be in a slump. Derrick Washington is the frontrunner for starting RB while Blaine Gabbert has a slight edge over Blaine Dalton. Look for the Tigers to get it all straightened out by September 5th.

8. Colorado Buffaloes- After a less than impressive 2008 season the Buffaloes look to go bowling in 2009. CB Cha’pelle Brown and LB Jeff Smart look to improve their 9th ranked Pass Defense and maintain their #1 Rush Defense, in the Big 12, on their way to a bowl in December.

9. Kansas State Wildcats- Legendary coach Bill Snyder has returned to Manhattan only to fight an uphill battle. Carson Coffman and Grant Gregory are looking to fill the void that Josh Freeman left behind. Also returning are their leading rusher, RB Lamark Brown and leading receiver, WR Brandon Banks. Look for them to help whoever wins the QB battle settle in nicely.

10. Texas A&M Aggies- After finishing in the Basement of the, albeit talented Big 12 South, the Aggies would like to improve in 2009. Now that Mike Sherman has a year under his belt in College Station that should happen. Either Jerrod Johnson or Ryan Tannehill will become the starter and should lead the Aggies to about 6 wins.

11. Baylor Bears- Baylor, along with A&M is the other school you didn’t hear about from the Big 12 South in 2008. They will, again not be on people’s minds or tongues as they trudge through their Big 12 South Divisional play.

12. Iowa State Cyclones- Gene Chizik was recently hired at Auburn meaning that all Paul Rhoads has to do is win 6 games in two years and he will already be ahead of the curve, and probably vying for the head coaching job at LSU. I think the Cyclones can bust out a few more wins, because their schedule is a little more favorable not having to play three of the top 4 teams on this list.

*Notable Games

September 5th
Oklahoma vs. BYU (Arlington, Texas)
Oklahoma State vs. Georgia
Missouri vs. Illinois
Baylor @ Wake Forest

September 19th
Nebraska @ Virginia Tech
Texas Tech @ Texas
Kansas State @ UCLA
Iowa State vs. Iowa

October 1st
Colorado @ West Virginia

October 3rd
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas

October 8th
Missouri vs. Nebraska

October 17th
Texas vs. Oklahoma (Dallas, Texas)
Texas Tech @ Nebraska

October 31st
Texas @ Oklahoma State

November 7th
Nebraska vs. Oklahoma
Kansas State vs. Kansas

November 14th
Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech
Iowa State vs. Colorado

November 19th
Colorado @ Oklahoma State

November 21st
Kansas @ Texas
Baylor @ Texas A&M

November 26th
Texas A&M @ Texas

November 28th
Kansas vs. Missouri
Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State