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Porkins: Catches bullets said 07/17, 03:57 PM
In 2007, the Big 12 was at the center of BCS controversy as Kansas and Oklahoma got BCS berths while Missouri was left out in the cold.

Did the Tigers deserve that fate? Maybe, maybe not. But they lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game and that, in the eyes of the voters, was enough evidence to go on.

So what will 2008 bring?

Another Big 12 title to Oklahoma.

Last year the Sooners went 11-2 overall in the regular season thanks to an embarrassing loss to Colorado and their failure to successfully out-shoot the Red Raiders.

However, OU beat Mizzou TWICE convincingly- the wins were by a combined 31 points. Yes, OU failed to impress against WVU in the Fiesta Bowl, but otherwise they improved significantly from the beginning of the year.

Why will they win in 2008?

4 keys:

1. Sam Bradford- The now sophomore QB is a star and will be in the Heisman race this year.
2. 13 returning starters mean big-game experience and leadership.
3. One of the BEST O-lines in the nation. All returning seniors. We'll get to them.
4. 3 returning starters on the D-line make OU's defensive front one the best.

Bradford + line play on both sides = Big 12 title.

Porkins: Catches bullets said 07/18, 07:30 AM
Mizzou has an asset in Daniel, but also has a few MAJOR questions.

- New, unproven starters at two KEY positions: Left Tackle, and Center. Two of the most critical offensive positions, and not the spots where you want a lack of experience.

- No strong running game with the departure of Temple. They'll run by committee, and neither of the primary guys is a particularly dangerous threat. Teams will be able to gear up for Daniel.

- Daniel will be a Heisman candidate, but in '07 he was only 15th in the nation among QBs. His yardage was gaudy, but he had double-digit picks, only 7.6 yds/ att, and 20 sacks. He's got two new faces on the line and an even bigger bullseye on his back- expect the sacks to go up.

- Two Alexanders (WR & LB) both lost to torn ACLs, plus several other major injuries leave some BIG holes and bigger "ifs"


The #1 rated QB in the NATION last year was Sam Bradford.

More TDs than Daniel
Fewer INTs
Better comp %
More yds/ attempt
Fewer sacks

As a senior, Daniel is going to get more attention, but Bradford is every bit as good and has a much stronger supporting cast.

Mizzou couldn't come close to beating OU. That won't change.

Porkins: Catches bullets said 07/19, 08:19 AM
Sorry about the missed turn- not sure what happened there.

In any event, Oklahoma has five returning starters on its offensive line. Last year they gave up the second FEWEST sacks in the nation, and they'll be even better in 2008.

Bradford will also improve, and consdering he had the best rating last year, that's a scary thought.

3 out of 4 defensive linemen are also retruning starters. Oklahoma's true strength in '08 is the play in the trenches. It's going to be very difficult for others teams to:

- Get to Bradford
- Stop the Sooners running game
- Run on the Sooners defense

Those three factors mean that the Big 12 trophy is going to remain in Norman for another season.