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Oklahoma
Coach: Bob Stoops
2007: 11-3 overall, 7-2 in Big 12
Head of the Class – What is there not to like about the Sooners? There was no off-season drama. Sam Bradford looks like the real deal, and again they have one of the most punishing offensive lines in the country. Plus, their schedule shapes up well, skipping Missouri and getting all of their toughest games at home. Underachievers – Since Adrian Peterson was injured and then left early for the NFL, it is has been running back by committee in Norman. Now that Bradford is a known commodity, the running game is going to have to back him to a greater extent. Not a problem with the line the Sooners have but it is always a little tricky when there is not a featured back game after game.Academic Suspension – It is always a good sign when the worst thing someone can say about you is that you are starting a freshman kicker. Jimmy Stevens should be taking over the reins of the kicking job, and we know how many games often come down to important kicks. With Oklahoma’s offense, this shouldn’t be an issue, but it is something to watch.TexasCoach: Mack Brown
2007: 10-3 overall, 5-3 in Big 12
Head of the Class – Mack Brown has turned Texas into Linemen University. The Longhorns again have one of the best lines on both sides of the ball despite losing two starters from the defense. While the Big XII is slowly shifting to a spread-offense conference, most of the games are still won and lost in the trenches and there is nothing bad to say about the men who work on those lines for Texas.Underachievers – Where did the Colt McCoy from his freshman season go? He might have still been feeling the hangovers of the 2006 season’s injuries and hits last year. When the defenses finally got to him, I think it made him wake up and realize that he was in college. Last season, McCoy seemed more tentative with the ball. It will be up to him to get Texas back to the top of the league, so he better be ready for it.Academic Suspension – The defense loses 7 starters and the schedule is not too kind to Texas. They get Missouri and Texas A&M at home, but still have tough trips to Kansas (wow, that's strange to say) and Texas Tech. Don’t expect an undefeated run with a stretch of games like this. Mack Brown might want to make sure he actually beats A&M this year, too (two straight losses).Texas TechCoach: Mike Leach
2007: 9-4 overall, 4-4 in the Big 12
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