Big 12 North Predictions

While Oklahoma reigned supreme in the Big 12 last season, the Northern division closed the gap significantly. Missouri and Kansas put together amazing seasons and Colorado showed signs of life. The North should be strong again in 2008 with pretty much every team in the division likely to improve. Here are my predictions on how the North will shake out this year.

1. Missouri
Overall record: 11-1, Conference record: 7-1

Aug. 30 Illinois (in St. Louis) -- WIN
Sept. 6 S.E. Missouri St. -- WIN
Sept. 13 Nevada -- WIN
Sept. 20 Buffalo -- WIN
Oct. 4 @ Nebraska -- WIN
Oct. 11 Oklahoma St. -- WIN
Oct. 18 @ Texas -- WIN
Oct. 25 Colorado -- WIN
Nov. 1 @ Baylor -- WIN
Nov. 8 Kansas St. -- WIN
Nov. 15 @ Iowa St. -- WIN
Nov. 29 Kansas -- LOSS

Overview: Too much Chase Daniel, too much Jeremy Maclin, too much William Moore equals too much talent for Coach Gary Pinkel to mess up. Replacing RB Tony Temple and TE Martin Rucker will prove to be minor issues. This is a stacked, senior laden team that returns nearly all the other key components from last year's Big 12 North champs. The Tigers will head to Kansas City in December for a rematch against OU for the Big 12 title.

2. Nebraska
Overall record: 9-3, Conference record: 5-3

Aug. 30 Western Michigan -- WIN
Sept. 6 San Jose St. -- WIN
Sept. 13 New Mexico St. -- WIN
Sept. 27 Virginia Tech -- WIN
Oct. 4 Missouri -- LOSS
Oct. 11 @ Texas Tech -- LOSS
Oct. 18 @ Iowa St. -- WIN
Oct. 25 Baylor -- WIN
Nov. 1 @ Oklahoma -- LOSS
Nov. 8 Kansas -- WIN
Nov. 15 @ Kansas St. -- WIN
Nov. 28 Colorado -- WIN

Overview: It's a new era that celebrates the old traditions in Lincoln. The Husker offense should be potent behind Joe Ganz, a solid O-line and a talented stable of running backs. The key a 2008 resurgence will be the play of the Pelini-led Blackshirts. An improvement to mere competence on D should be worth a few wins and a second place finish in the North.

3. Kansas
Overall record: 7-5, Conference record: 4-4

Aug. 30 Florida International -- WIN
Sept. 6 Louisiana Tech -- WIN
Sept. 12 @ South Florida -- LOSS
Sept. 20 Sam Houston St. -- WIN
Oct. 4 @ Iowa St. -- WIN
Oct. 11 Colorado -- LOSS
Oct. 18 @ Oklahoma -- LOSS
Oct. 25 Texas Tech -- WIN
Nov. 1 Kansas St. -- WIN
Nov. 8 @Nebraska -- LOSS
Nov. 15 Texas -- LOSS
Nov. 29 @ Missouri -- WIN

Overview: Kansas' talent and ability won't drop off, but a much harder schedule (adding South Florida to the non-conference and Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Texas to the conference slate) will result in a disappointing third place finish for the Jayhawks. The productivity of JUCO RB recruit Jocques Crawford will be key for the fighting Manginos.

4. Kansas St.
Overall record: 6-6, Conference record: 3-5

Aug. 30 North Texas -- WIN
Sept. 6 Montana St. -- WIN
Sept. 17 @ Louisville -- LOSS
Sept. 27 Louisiana-Lafayette -- WIN
Oct. 4 Texas Tech -- LOSS
Oct. 11 @ Texas A&M -- WIN
Oct. 18 @ Colorado -- WIN
Oct. 25 Oklahoma -- LOSS
Nov. 1 @ Kansas -- LOSS
Nov. 8 @ Missouri -- LOSS
Nov. 15 Nebraska -- LOSS
Nov. 22 Iowa St. -- WIN

Overview: K-State Coach Ron Prince took a big gamble when he brought in 19 junior college recruits in 2008. The Wildcats are obviously looking for a quick fix, which I think will result in an inconsistent squad. A minor bowl at the end of the season should be enough for Prince to keep his job for one more year.

5. Colorado
Overall record: 5-7, Conference record: 3-5

Aug. 31 @ Colorado St. -- WIN
Sept. 6 Eastern Washington -- WIN
Sept. 13 West Virginia -- LOSS
Sept. 27 @ Florida St. -- LOSS
Oct. 4 Texas -- LOSS
Oct. 11 @ Kansas -- WIN
Oct. 18 Kansas St. -- LOSS
Oct. 25 @ Missouri -- LOSS
Nov. 1 @ Texas A&M -- WIN
Nov. 8 Iowa St. -- LOSS
Nov. 15 Oklahoma St. -- WIN
Nov. 25 @ Nebraska -- LOSS

Overview: I'm not buying the hype over Colorado. While this will be a more talented team than has been seen in Boulder the last few years, a typically tough schedule combined with serious holes at offensive line, wide receiver and in the secondary will keep the Buffs home for the holidays. Look for a sophomore slump from QB Cody Hawkins.

6. Iowa St.
Overall record: 4-8, Conference record: 2-6

Aug. 28 South Dakota St. -- WIN
Sept. 6 Kent St. -- WIN
Sept. 13 @ Iowa -- LOSS
Sept. 20 @ UNLV -- LOSS
Oct. 4 Kansas -- LOSS
Oct. 11 @ Baylor -- LOSS
Oct. 18 Nebraska -- LOSS
Oct. 25 Texas A&M -- WIN
Nov. 1 @ Oklahoma St. -- LOSS
Nov. 8 @ Colorado -- WIN
Nov. 15 Missouri -- LOSS
Nov. 22 @ Kansas St. -- LOSS

Overview: Gene Chizik's Cyclones will play with more fire and passion, but less overall talent in 2008. Chizik is a good coach, but Ames is a tough place to win. A lack of playmakers and uncertainty at QB, WR and linebacker will ultimately doom ISU's 2008 campaign.