Preseason All Big XII team

[Blaze_1UP]

2007 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team Announced :: <blank>
No real suprises here Texas tops the list followed by Oklahoma.

[Daddy Duck]

You know, i find it strange that so many are picking Missouri to win the North. Yet only 1 player, Martin Rucker (TE) made this team.

[Blaze_1UP]

Yeah I don't understand it either, though Mizzou does have an excellent QB and they play NU at home which is always tough plus everyone hates the huskers in the big 12.

[Daddy Duck]

I agree Chase is a stud.

I just don't think their D or running game will win them enough games to win the North.

[Blaze_1UP]

I hope so it's gonna be a close one

[NightHawk11and81]

Originally Posted by Daddy Duck

I agree Chase is a stud.

I just don't think their D or running game will win them enough games to win the North.

The defense is certainly a question mark. The defensive line should be fine, but the linebackers and secondary are trouble spots. Brock Christopher is the only returnee at linebacker who saw serious time last year, although Van Alexander was slated to start last year before getting injured. On the other side, Steve Redmond and Sean Weatherspoon will battle to see who the third guy is. I've heard good things about Weatherspoon out of the spring, but it was only spring practice, so that's taken with caution.

On the secondary, Darnell Terrell will anchor the unit at one corner, and William Moore saw significant time last year at free safety. Pig Brown was mainly a nickel guy last year, but will move into David Overstreet's strong safety position. He's capable, but not nearly as experienced. On the other side, Paul Simpson is slotted to replace Domonique Johnson. He's also capable but not experienced, even though both are seniors.

The running game is actually stronger than you would believe. Tony Temple was one of only two backs in the conference to rush for over 1,000 yards (the other was Kansas's Jon Cornish, who graduated) and averaged just over 81 yards a game, again second only to Cornish.

The biggest thing that helps Missouri is the schedule. The Tigers and Huskers are about even, but other than a trip to Oklahoma, Missouri plays its toughest games of Nebraska and Texas A&M at Faurot Field. Nebraska has to go to both Texas and Missouri, and if the Huskers lose both of those, Missouri would have to drop two more besides the Oklahoma game for Nebraska to win the division. Although no road game in the conference except Baylor is easy, Missouri's road games after Norman are manageable: at Colorado, at K-State and Kansas in KC. It's going to be a close race.

[Daddy Duck]

NightHawk, thanks for the good insight man.

[Blaze_1UP]

We might see a tie in the standings and another OT game. I know how tough Mizzou plays NU, it's a struggle every year.
May the beast team win

[NightHawk11and81]

Originally Posted by Blaze_1UP

We might see a tie in the standings and another OT game. I know how tough Mizzou plays NU, it's a struggle every year.

Well, it's a struggle every other year. We can't figure out how to play well in the Cornhusker State after the trip up I-29. I know the final last year said 34-20, but it wasn't really that close, Missouri played poorly at the beginning, Nebraska capitalized the way good teams do, and the hole was too deep for the Tigers.

Originally Posted by Blaze_1UP

May the beast team win

Agreed, I can't wait for this game, although it is a little wrong that the two best in the North tangle this early in the season.

[MS72]

I am happy Derek made this list, he seems to be overlooked on our LB corps.

I think that Chase Coffman is better than Martin Rucker, but whatever.