What Big 12 Spring Games Tell Us

7 comments so far April 23, 2009 by Tom Cudd

Ten of the Big 12 teams have topped off their spring practices with the big spring game events. These rarely ever tell fans and critics alike anything new, but what they can do is solidify the theories that most of us suspect already. So other than Kansas State and Colorado, we have a pretty good picture of what teams seem to have the most talent and which ones are lacking something to make them a contender.

Nebraska's quarterbacks were the talk of the town after the Red-White game. For some reason, we as fans suspected that we had someone who could content with the rest of the conference. Of course, we'll know more when they don't have the green jersey's on, but in the mean time, they still looked like they were comfortable with what the coaches threw at them.

Missouri was the biggest question mark of the Big 12 offenses this spring. Because their defense stepped up this last weekend, Tiger fans are still trying to figure out what type of Quarterback they've got at the helm. Highly touted does not instantly make a star on the field. But Blain Gabbert was unable to utilize his top receivers due to injury, and it feels like just about everyone is new offensively, while the defense returns four of their fastest, most talented players and a few who played but didn't start last year.

Iowa State showed some offensive prowess, but the new spread-style attack probably had more to do with it than anything. Oh, and it probably helps that they were going against one of the worst defenses in the country last year - likely a squad with very little improvement. Speaking of defesive struggles, Kansas had apparent problems with a number of young guys making mistakes. It didn't help playing against a returning Reesing with a number of offensive weapons, which puts them in the most comfortable position in the North.

Colorado's spring will tell us that they are still having QB and WR issues. Injuries and uncertainty are still the name of the game. As for the Wildcats, their game will tell fans that Bill Snyder has his work cut out for him. Will he quickly teach his guys about being in position and fundamentals that appeared to be missing last year? Probably not yet. It takes more than 15 practices to do that.

Highlights from the Big 12 South:

• Oklahoma State still has an explosive offense with or wihtout Zac Robinson at the helm, but defensive concerns look like they were slightly put to rest with a simplified scheme.


• Texas A&M has concerns on the other side of the ball, barely able to hold together enough players for a running game. I thought they might have to play eight man ball.


• Oklahoma is the team we thought they were. Bradford is great. The offensive line needs work. Their defense is good. Nothing else to say, really.


• Texas Tech has a plug and play offense. An adequate, reliable, accurate QB can shine in this system. Not flashy, but they can get the job done. The twist on the story is that the Red Raiders actually have two quarterbacks that look good in this system.


• Texas defense comfortably controlled their spring game, which delayed the emergence of the go to running back. Colt McCoy had to deal with 30 MPH wind gusts, helping the defense look solid against the Heisman hopeful.


• Baylor returns an offense that showed flashes of something special last year. Led by last year's rookie sensation, Robert Griffin looks to build on that athleticism with his offense.

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