The Athletic- Big XII Predictions

[BigJCy]

"As the 2020 season gets underway, The Athletic writers put their heads together for some predictions and key things to watch in the Big 12.

Projected order of finish":

RK	TEAM	2019 RECORD
1	Oklahoma	12-2
2	Texas	8-5
3	Oklahoma State	8-5
4	Iowa State	7-6
5	TCU	5-7
6	Kansas State	8-5
7	Baylor	11-3
8	Texas Tech	4-8
9	West Virginia	5-7
10	Kansas	3-9

4. Iowa State
This looks like Matt Campbell’s best team yet in Ames, with quality players and depth at nearly every position. Brock Purdy, Charlie Kolar and Breece Hall power a dangerous offense. Eight starters return on defense. Can the Cyclones finally get off to a hot start and become a contender in this conference race?

Entire article ($):

Previewing the Big 12: Oklahoma’s latest title defense won’t be short on tests

The Sooners are still the prohibitive favorite, but there are multiple league rivals better positioned to thrive in a chaotic season.

theathletic.com

 

[RonBurgundy]

"As the 2020 season gets underway, The Athletic writers put their heads together for some predictions and key things to watch in the Big 12.

Projected order of finish":

RK	TEAM	2019 RECORD
1	Oklahoma	12-2
2	Texas	8-5
3	Oklahoma State	8-5
4	Iowa State	7-6
5	TCU	5-7
6	Kansas State	8-5
7	Baylor	11-3
8	Texas Tech	4-8
9	West Virginia	5-7
10	Kansas	3-9

4. Iowa State
This looks like Matt Campbell’s best team yet in Ames, with quality players and depth at nearly every position. Brock Purdy, Charlie Kolar and Breece Hall power a dangerous offense. Eight starters return on defense. Can the Cyclones finally get off to a hot start and become a contender in this conference race?

Entire article ($):

Previewing the Big 12: Oklahoma’s latest title defense won’t be short on tests

The Sooners are still the prohibitive favorite, but there are multiple league rivals better positioned to thrive in a chaotic season.

theathletic.com

Ugh. I hate seeing that 7-6 record. That was a talented team last year, and should have showed better.

 

[I-stateTheTruth]

I'd write, "Can they get 3rd down stops?"

 

[Cyched]

Not sure if I can hook this prediction to my veins or not

 

[LincolnWay187]

I wish kstate would fall to new levels of suckage. I hate that program.

 

[madguy30]

Ugh. I hate seeing that 7-6 record. That was a talented team last year, and should have showed better.

Just didn't quite have enough of that 'go get it'-ness that's needed late in some games. Youth.

 

[Gunnerclone]

Just didn't quite have enough of that 'go get it'-ness that's needed late in some games. Youth.

Yep. I’d like to know who people considered our “go-to-guy was last year in the passing game. Lots of good pieces no doubt but imo last years offense needed a go to wr to go along with the solid TE’s. I think the offense is going to look different this year. More play action if the line can prove itself a little bit. Purdy/Hall/Kolar is a great play action spine.

I also want to mention how crazy last year was,we had some crazy games. UNI was a close shave....Iowa was the weather and the punt...Break every record ever vs ULM...Baylor was Tentgate...then on and on with the close games and Purdy getting picked at bad times...coming up short vs OU...then beat Texas the next game...then I don’t know what that was the last two games.

 

[CloneinWDSM]

i just signed up for the Athletic a few weeks ago. Is that their whole conference preview? That could’ve been written in 10 minutes.

 

[Gunnerclone]

i just signed up for the Athletic a few weeks ago. Is that their whole conference preview? That could’ve been written in 10 minutes.

Why are you complaining about something that you were getting for free like a year ago? It’s the same ****** ****, but now you’re just paying for it and it’s aggregated.

 

[AuH2O]

Not sure if I can hook this prediction to my veins or not

Looks more like a butt chug type of prediction.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

It will all come down to turnovers and take aways, we were horrible turning the ball over last year, too many silly mistakes. It would also be nice if we showed up before the 2nd quarter on offense this year.

 

[helechopper]

I’m looking forward to the day when ISUs best football team places higher than 4th in the conference. I believe in Campbell and think he will take us to the promise land.

 

[RustShack]

I’m looking forward to the day when ISUs best football team places higher than 4th in the conference. I believe in Campbell and think he will take us to the promise land.

I think you’ll see it this year. Big12 Championship game appearance.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I’m looking forward to the day when ISUs best football team places higher than 4th in the conference. I believe in Campbell and think he will take us to the promise land.

We should have been the 6-3 team in the conference last year. If it were a normal year I’d be disappointed if we didn’t get to that mark this season.

 

[JM4CY]

Looks more like a butt chug type of prediction.

This is an excellent post.

 

[Inthesystem]

i just signed up for the Athletic a few weeks ago. Is that their whole conference preview? That could’ve been written in 10 minutes.

They also did detailed team previews.

 

[Statefan10]

Yep. I’d like to know who people considered our “go-to-guy was last year in the passing game. Lots of good pieces no doubt but imo last years offense needed a go to wr to go along with the solid TE’s. I think the offense is going to look different this year. More play action if the line can prove itself a little bit. Purdy/Hall/Kolar is a great play action spine.

I also want to mention how crazy last year was,we had some crazy games. UNI was a close shave....Iowa was the weather and the punt...Break every record ever vs ULM...Baylor was Tentgate...then on and on with the close games and Purdy getting picked at bad times...coming up short vs OU...then beat Texas the next game...then I don’t know what that was the last two games.

For me, Kolar was the "go to guy" in the passing game. We did not have a true go to guy in the WR group though. Some may say that was Pettway, and even though he had great hands, he was not very good at creating separation. That and the fact that he didn't have the frame like Lazard or Butler which makes it hard for you to be able to rely on him like you could with those two.

We're going to be better at the WR position this year imo. From what I've heard, Hutchinson is elite and Shaw has made some great strides from a pretty solid RS FR season. 6'3" and 6'6" is tough to match up with. Hutchinson not only has great size but he can run away from people too. Milton also is going to be at a more comfortable position this year.

 

[Al_4_State]

We're starting to see some consistent issues with Matt Campbell teams that are handicapping season potentials.

1) Slow starts. Other than maybe 2017 against UNI, his teams have NOT been good in opening games, and even that one took awhile to get rolling. Usually it takes 3-4 games to get things sorted out before they go on a tear.

2) He can't beat Iowa. It is what it is until it isn't. We can't get over the hump until he can win that game.

3) Special teams are bad. A lot of missed field goals throughout the season (Texas aside). Muffing punts. Fair catching with room to run. Shanked punts.

I still think he's the best coach ISU has had in my lifetime, by a wide margin, but if these things don't change, 8 wins is probably the ceiling. And if we were guaranteed 8 wins every year, given our past, it seems just fine to me.

 

[BCClone]

We're starting to see some consistent issues with Matt Campbell teams that are handicapping season potentials.

1) Slow starts. Other than maybe 2017 against UNI, his teams have NOT been good in opening games, and even that one took awhile to get rolling. Usually it takes 3-4 games to get things sorted out before they go on a tear.

2) He can't beat Iowa. It is what it is until it isn't. We can't get over the hump until he can win that game.

3) Special teams are bad. A lot of missed field goals throughout the season (Texas aside). Muffing punts. Fair catching with room to run. Shanked punts.

I still think he's the best coach ISU has had in my lifetime, by a wide margin, but if these things don't change, 8 wins is probably the ceiling. And if we were guaranteed 8 wins every year, given our past, it seems just fine to me.

I think we hired someone for special teams this year. Last year, the returners were told to fair catch and just get us the ball, so that was on the coaches.

 

[Al_4_State]

I think we hired someone for special teams this year. Last year, the returners were told to fair catch and just get us the ball, so that was on the coaches.

I know. I think that's poor coaching (in that instance).