Good luck finding any Big 12 season previews that don't spend 1/3 of their ****** e talking about Brandon Sorsby. That subject has been covered to death, so I'm limiting myself to merely mentioning that he will not be the QB for Texas Tech this season. The gap he leaves creates one of the bigger question marks in a conference. Even with that uncertainty, the Red Raiders will enter the season as favorites to defend their conference championship and make it back to the CFP. Who are the teams best situated to challenge Texas Tech for the conference ****** le and possibly make the Big 12 a two-bid league?
Texas Tech
Texas Tech has arguably adapted to the NIL/Transfer Portal era better than any team in the country, unsavory as it may be. Alum/Benefactor/Oil Tycoon/Slimeball Cody Campbell has given the team one of the top NIL budgets in the country and they have used it to elevate their talent level a clear cut above their in-conference competition. Last year, they last a single conference game, hammered the next two teams consistently over three combined meetings (BYU and Utah), finished in the top 10 in Offensive and Defensive SP+, and made a run to the CFP Quarterfinals. This year, Will Hammond looks like the starting QB, once he fully recovers from a torn ACL suffered early last season. Hammond is unspectacular, but gets the job done. The rest of the roster is loaded. RB Cameron ****** ey might be the biggest star, but the offensive line is probably the best overall unit. Even WR looks great with four big-time transfers coming in. They also took in basically an entire starting-quality defensive lineup through the transfer portal despite having decent returning production. They might not have anyone as dominant as DE David Bailey, but they are incredibly deep with proven players everywhere on the depth chart. Like Miami in the ACC, something would have to go horribly wrong to offset the talent advantage they have over the rest of the conference.
BYU
The Cougars once again fought to retain Kalani Sitake after another season where they performed above expectations. QB Bear Bachmeier was good as a true freshman, which usually means there is room to grow into being a true star. They reloaded their offensive line, including UW tackle prospect Paki Finau, who was blocked on the depth chart in Seattle. There are two question marks related to departures They have to replace their top three receivers from a season ago without obvious backfills. They also lost their DC, Jay Hill, to Michigan. Despite the loss of Hill, the defense returns lots of experience and production, which should ease the transition for promoted LB coach Kelly Poppinga. As is often the case with BYU teams under Sitake, the question will be about the offensive explosiveness. If Bachmeier has the receivers to make enough big plays, it looks like the defense and the running game should support a real contender.
#offensive #make #teams
Texas Tech
Texas Tech has arguably adapted to the NIL/Transfer Portal era better than any team in the country, unsavory as it may be. Alum/Benefactor/Oil Tycoon/Slimeball Cody Campbell has given the team one of the top NIL budgets in the country and they have used it to elevate their talent level a clear cut above their in-conference competition. Last year, they last a single conference game, hammered the next two teams consistently over three combined meetings (BYU and Utah), finished in the top 10 in Offensive and Defensive SP+, and made a run to the CFP Quarterfinals. This year, Will Hammond looks like the starting QB, once he fully recovers from a torn ACL suffered early last season. Hammond is unspectacular, but gets the job done. The rest of the roster is loaded. RB Cameron ****** ey might be the biggest star, but the offensive line is probably the best overall unit. Even WR looks great with four big-time transfers coming in. They also took in basically an entire starting-quality defensive lineup through the transfer portal despite having decent returning production. They might not have anyone as dominant as DE David Bailey, but they are incredibly deep with proven players everywhere on the depth chart. Like Miami in the ACC, something would have to go horribly wrong to offset the talent advantage they have over the rest of the conference.
BYU
The Cougars once again fought to retain Kalani Sitake after another season where they performed above expectations. QB Bear Bachmeier was good as a true freshman, which usually means there is room to grow into being a true star. They reloaded their offensive line, including UW tackle prospect Paki Finau, who was blocked on the depth chart in Seattle. There are two question marks related to departures They have to replace their top three receivers from a season ago without obvious backfills. They also lost their DC, Jay Hill, to Michigan. Despite the loss of Hill, the defense returns lots of experience and production, which should ease the transition for promoted LB coach Kelly Poppinga. As is often the case with BYU teams under Sitake, the question will be about the offensive explosiveness. If Bachmeier has the receivers to make enough big plays, it looks like the defense and the running game should support a real contender.
#offensive #make #teams
3 months ago
