Assessing the Big 12 So Far

October 11, 2006 by Darren K. Carlson

Granted, we're only 2 games in to the Big 12 conference season, but a few trends are already starting to emerge. Specifically, Texas has a serious leg up on the rest of the South division following their win over OU. And, two teams in the North - Nebraska and Missouri - look like they are headed for a showdown. And maybe this is the year that a measure of competitive balance is restored between the divisions.

In the South - Texas In Command

The Red River Shootout, er, I mean Rivalry, went to Texas for the second year in a row. This has to put them in the drivers seat in the South. That is especially true with another South contender - Texas Tech - taking a loss in the same week. UT gets to play rival A&M in Austin this year. And the Longhorns still out class Oklahoma State and Baylor by a significant margin. UT could stub their toe is in their consecutive trips to Lincoln and Lubbock in October. They are road trips, sure. But the odds clearly favor UT punching a ticket to Kansas City at this point.

Two Emerging in the North

For good reason, Nebraska was installed by many as the preseason favorite in the Big 12 North. And for equally good reason, much of that buzz has now shifted to Missouri. The Tigers are 5-0 and have a "statement" win against a South foe in their pocket, courtesy of Tech turnovers. The Tigers obviously look the part. And, despite the thriller against KU two weeks ago, NU is holding up its end of the bargain so far. Their November 4th meeting in Lincoln is the game to point toward in the North.

Is it fair to completely count out the rest of the North? Well, if NU and MU win this week, then yes. Kansas has talent but can't finish games (see NU and A&M results), unless Iowa State shocks Oklahoma this week, they fall to 0-3 in the conference. Kansas State must find some semblance of offense. And, Colorado is 0-6 on the season.

Competitive Balance?

There are four Big 12 teams ranked in the AP top 25 this week - Texas at #6, Missouri is #19, Nebraska at #21 and Oklahoma checks in at #24. That's two ranked teams per division, which is not too terribly unbalanced. Granted UT is the class of the conference and they are in the South.

The overall win loss records aren't terribly far apart, as the North is 21-15 overall, and the South is 23-11 overall. Two South teams - Oklahoma and Oklahoma State - have had bye weeks. When you consider that 6 of the North losses are all by one team, (thanks a lot Colorado) it's not too bad. And, the South is helped by A&M's 5-1 record. To say the Aggies played a soft non-conference schedule would be an understatement. Though, I also feel like the South should get one more win on the board after OU's travesty in Oregon.

Another measure of balance might come from reviewing the games between the divisions so far. Granted, there is a very limited sample at this point, but things still point South. The North should be encouraged by Missouri's ability to go to Texas Tech and win last week. Baylor achieved a 2-0 record in conference for the first time in their Big 12 history by beating the dregs of the North division - Colorado and Kansas State. Iowa State getting run off of the field by Texas also shows how far ahead of the field the Longhorns are. Worse still is the fact that Kansas let a game absolutely slip away at home against Texas A&M. Of course, KSU stole one from Oklahoma State the same week.

With a very interesting slate of divisional games this week, the picture should much clearer by Sunday.

For good reason, the national media won't view the Big 12 as having competitive balance until any team from the North can find a way to knock off OU or UT. This year, Nebraska gets UT at home and Missouri gets OU in Columbia. Those are clearly the best opportunities for the North to shift perception.

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