College Football Preview: Who Will Prove Supreme in the '07 Big 12 Race?

Not likely, but expect an exciting year of college football in this recently maligned conference. The Big East had been serving as a whipping boy of sorts in NCAA football, but the Big 12, hitting a perceived low with Okahoma's loss to Boise State in the Fiesta, has been receiving more scrutiny of late.

Here is what we see unfolding:

BIG 12 SOUTH:

Texas - This year's UT/OU match-up should be a dandy with the winner in the driver's seat not only for the Big 12 South, but likely the league as a whole. Look for Colt McCoy and the Horns to play slightly better football on October 6th.

Oklahoma - The Sooners will be chasing the Horns in 2007. One has to wonder if the recent NCAA sanctions will polarize the OU program in one form or another. If OU can find answers at quarterback and running back, things could get even more interesting.

Texas A&M - Aggie football has not been reminiscent of the programs that R.C. Slocum used to field in the 80's and 90's. Is this the year that an experienced Aggie program gets back on track? They'll be better, but the Big 12 South division is likely too tough to expect a return to prominence.

Okahoma State - The Cowboys have some offensive weapons at their disposal. Question is can their defense step up to allow the Oklahoma State football program to do the same?

Texas Tech - Regardless of Mike Leech's "air it out" approach, football games always have and always will be won up front. That's bad new for a Texas Tech program having to rebuild both lines ......... and also find new WR's for Graham Harrell.

Baylor - You gotta feel for Baylor. In a state where Longhorns, Aggies, and Red Raiders reign, a Horned Frog program is on the rise in C-USA, where Sooners recruits heavily, and essentially every program in the country recruits top-notch high school football talent, it's hard for the Bears to show much growth

BIG 12 NORTH

Missouri - Chase Daniel is one of the best players in the country that many people have not heard of and we think this is the year that Missouri takes another step ........... even if it means playing a far superior program in the league's title tilt.