Oklahoma’s appearance in the College Football Playoff eased concerns in Big 12 Conference circles about the league’s viability in the new postseason format. There are still vocal advocates for expansion — see Oklahoma president David Boren, who in January called the league “disadvantaged” for its lack of 12 members and a championship game.
Until the league expands — and particularly if it doesn’t — the Big 12 will continue to make waves each offseason. Every other Power Five conference oozes consistency; the Big 12 has detractors inside its own gates.
Football season itself is much kinder. The Big 12 prepares for spring drills with two heavy championship contenders in tow: Oklahoma, the defending conference champions, and Baylor, which seemed destined for the Playoff before a rash of injuries during the second half of last season.
Add Oklahoma State, TCU and a team to be named later — perhaps Texas, should the Longhorns finally rebound — and you have a top grouping to rival the best of the best in the Atlantic Coast Conference and Pac-12 Conference. The league will trail the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten Conference, but that’s fine: being the third-best conference in the country would virtually guarantee an undefeated or one-loss Big 12 champion a spot in the Playoff.
Be prepared for another furious sprint for the field, beginning with the onset of spring drills. Oklahoma must find a new go-to target to replace Sterling Shepard. Baylor’s quarterbacks are battling injuries. TCU might struggle replacing Trevone Boykin. Oklahoma State must improve upon its paltry running game.
No team in the Big 12 is perfect — but few teams in college football are, and even the strongest championship contenders must work out the kinks during offseason drills. What the Big 12 might have, however, is enough depth to remain nationally relevant even if one or two frontrunners stumble come September.
Three spring storylines
1. Another make-or-break year for Strong. Back-to-back losing seasons hang over Charlie Strong's head as he heads into his third year at Texas. A terrific close to signing day in early February eases concerns, even if the lion's share of the recruiting class will need time to develop on this higher level of competition. Strong has job though, but this coming season will seem familiar: Texas needs to make a move into the top third of the Big 12 or be at risk of losing more ground to its primary competitors — Oklahoma, as always, but also Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma State.
2. Kansas' rebuild hits a snag. It wasn't pretty in David Beaty's debut: KU went 0-12, becoming the first team in Big 12 history to finish winless, and lost just one of its nine league games by single digits. Beaty has been adamant that this is a multiple-year rebuild, but an offseason coaching overhaul could present an additional hurdle for the Jayhawks to overcome. Another crop of incoming recruits will bolster the roster's overall numbers, Kansas will also welcome five new assistant coaches. With so many new faces, the Jayhawks must make the most of this spring to climb out of the Big 12 cellar.
3. Russell and Stidham at Baylor. Seth Russell should be Baylor's starting quarterback, but only if he proves himself physically able to perform after last season's neck injury. Jarrett Stidham, meanwhile, is dealing with an injury of his own, to his ankle; both will be limited during the spring. This will be Russell's job, barring a medical setback, but will there be a role for Stidham in this offense? The spring might not reveal any clear answers (starting running back Shock Linwood also is missing spring drills after surgery on a broken foot), but it will be the starting point for Art Briles and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles.
Five impact newcomers
1. Texas Tech WR Derrick Willies. The Red Raiders' signing class included a pair of four-star receiver recruits from the local high school ranks, but Willies, a junior-college transfer, is the most likely to make an immediate impact at this crucial position.
2. Texas LB Erick Fowler. The Longhorns' torrid close to signing day included adding this five-star prospect, giving Charlie Strong another tool at this disposal on defense.
3. Baylor DE Brandon Bowen. Adding a top-100 prospect on the defensive side of the ball speaks to Baylor's continued growth on the recruiting trail.
4. TCU DB Markell Simmons. Utah, West Virginia and Nebraska were among the other suitors for this JUCO addition, who should quickly slide into a starting or reserve role in TCU's unorthodox defensive alignment.
5. Oklahoma LB Caleb Kelly. The jewel of OU's signing class will be needed from the start as the Sooners rebuild on the second level of the defense.
Spring game schedule
March 18, Baylor; April 1, TCU; April 9, Kansas, Oklahoma; April 16, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech; April 23, Kansas State, West Virginia.
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