Big 12 South Predictions

Monday kicks off Big 12 Media Days, and, while I won't be attending the festivities, that doesn't mean I can't chime in with a few opinions. I'll start with a schedule breakdown of how I see things shaking out in the Big 12 South.

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

Aug. 30 Chattanooga -- WIN
Sept. 6 Cincinnati -- WIN
Sept. 13 @ Washington -- WIN
Sept. 27 TCU -- WIN
Oct. 4 @ Baylor -- WIN
Oct. 11 Texas (in Dallas) -- LOSS
Oct. 18 Kansas -- WIN
Oct. 25 @ Kansas St. -- WIN
Nov. 1 Nebraska -- WIN
Nov. 8 @ Texas A&M -- WIN
Nov. 23 Texas Tech -- WIN
Nov. 29 @ Oklahoma St. -- WIN

Overview: OU returns the 2007 national leader in passing efficiency, Sam Bradford, a huge offensive line and stud running back DeMarco Murray. The defensive back seven will drop off slightly, but the D-line will be solid behind highly touted DTs Gerald McCoy and Demarcus Granger, as well as Auston English who led the Big 12 in sacks last year. A tough loss to rival Texas will be the only blemish on the OU regular season and Bob Stoops will win yet another Big 12 South crown.

2. Texas
Overall record: 9-3, Conference record: 6-2

Aug. 30 Florida Atlantic -- WIN
Sept. 6 @UTEP -- WIN
Sept. 13 Arkansas -- LOSS
Sept. 20 Rice -- WIN
Oct. 4 @ Colorado -- LOSS
Oct. 11 Oklahoma (in Dallas) -- WIN
Oct. 18 Missouri -- LOSS
Oct. 25 Oklahoma St. -- WIN
Nov. 1 @Texas Tech -- WIN
Nov. 8 Baylor -- WIN
Nov. 15 @ Kansas -- WIN
Nov. 27 Texas A&M -- WIN

Overview: Though this Longhorn team certainly has some holes -- most notably at running back and in the secondary -- Texas still has the talent to compete for the South title. Look for QB Colt McCoy to have a much more efficient junior year, and for his back-up, John Chiles to play some snaps and add a running threat from behind center. The defense may struggle a little early, before finding its way toward the end of the regular season.

3. Texas Tech
Overall record: 8-4, Conference record 4-4

Aug. 30 Eastern Washington -- WIN
Sept. 6 @ Nevada -- WIN
Sept. 13 Southern Methodist -- WIN
Sept. 20 Massachussetts -- WIN
Oct. 4 @ Kansas St. -- WIN
Oct. 11 Nebraska -- WIN
Oct. 18 @ Texas A&M -- WIN
Oct. 25 @ Kansas -- LOSS
Nov. 1 Texas -- LOSS
Nov. 8 Oklahoma St. -- LOSS
Nov. 22 Oklahoma -- LOSS
Nov. 29 Baylor -- WIN

Overview: Mike Leach's offense will put up big wins and bigger numbers against a cupcake non-conference schedule. They'll ride that momentum to a 7-0 start that will vault them into the nation's top ten, before suffering four consecutive losses. QB Graham Harrell will pass for huge yardage, taking advantage of the best corps of receivers in the Big 12. Bonus prediction: This will be Mike Leach's final year in Lubbock as he will be poached by the Arizona Wildcats for the 2008 season after the Wildcats fire head coach Mike Stoops.

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

Aug. 30 @Washington St. -- WIN
Sept. 6 Houston -- LOSS
Sept. 13 Missouri St. -- WIN
Sept. 27 Troy -- WIN
Oct. 4 Texas A&M -- LOSS
Oct. 11 @ Missouri -- LOSS
Oct. 18 Baylor -- WIN
Oct. 25 @ Texas -- LOSS
Nov. 1 Iowa State -- WIN
Nov. 8 @ Texas Tech -- WIN
Nov. 15 @ Colorado -- LOSS
Nov. 29 Oklahoma -- LOSS

Overview: Oklahoma State will be an enigma, winning a game they probably shouldn't win at Texas Tech and losing a game at home against Texas A&M they shouldn't lose. Mike Gundy's squad will score plenty of points behind the arm and feet of signal caller Zac Robinson and breakout star WR Dez Bryant. However, the defense will be an ongoing concern and will break some hearts in Stillwater this year.

5. Texas A&M
Overall record 4-8, Conference record 2-6

Aug. 30 Arkansas St. -- WIN
Sept. 6 @ New Mexico -- LOSS
Sept. 20 Miami, FL -- LOSS
Sept. 27 Army -- WIN
Oct. 4 @ Oklahoma St. -- WIN
Oct. 11 Kansas State -- LOSS
Oct. 18 Texas Tech -- LOSS
Oct. 25 @ Iowa St. -- LOSS
Nov. 1 Colorado -- LOSS
Nov. 8 Oklahoma -- LOSS
Nov. 15 @ Baylor -- WIN
Nov. 27 @ Texas -- LOSS

Overview: Remember the Huskers' painful first year under Bill Callahan? We'll all see striking similarities to the Aggies' first campaign under new coach Mike Sherman. Aggie QB Stephen McGee is simply not well suited to Sherman's pro-style attack, and there isn't enough talent on defense to hold off opposing offenses while A&M's offense figures things out. This will be an ugly transition year.

6. Baylor
Overall record: 3-9, Conference record: 1-7

Aug. 30 Wake Forest -- WIN
Sept. 6 Northwestern St. -- WIN
Sept. 13 Washington St. -- LOSS
Sept. 19 @ Connecticut -- LOSS
Oct. 4 Oklahoma -- LOSS
Oct. 11 Iowa State -- WIN
Oct. 18 @ Oklahoma St. -- LOSS
Oct. 25 @ Nebraska -- LOSS
Nov. 1 Missouri -- LOSS
Nov. 8 @ Texas -- LOSS
Nov. 15 Texas A&M -- LOSS
Nov. 29 @ Texas Tech -- LOSS

Overview: The first season under new head coach Art Briles will initially spur all sorts of optimism in Waco, as the Bears upset ACC power Wake Forest in their opener. Unfortunately, it's all classic Baylor from there on out. Briles is a brilliant coach and a great hire (in a few years, Texas A&M will be kicking themselves for hiring Sherman when Briles was available), but there simply isn't enough talent or depth for the Bears to finish anywhere but in the Big 12 South basement.

Coming Soon...the Big 12 North preview.