Great point. I've just seen plenty of 1st year HC's come in and by simply changing the mindset of a program they find 3-4 more wins than in the year prior. See Helfrich, Meyer, Hoke, Malzahn, Sumlin, etc. Texas has lots of senior leadership and upperclassmen who are hungry along with some very talented players at key positions. Again, if Ash doesn't stay healthy though, than getting to a bowl game will be a huge success.
JBL - as long as you guys are happy that is all that counts. It will all come out eventually. Texas is such a high profile school that literally all eyes will be on it as the season progresses. There was not that much pressure on Strong or his staff when they arrived at Louisville. It will be interesting to watch and as one who pushed to have Mack removed I guess I should be satisfied also. The first year of a new program calls for many adjustments by the coaches and by the players on different levels. I know you don't like me calling for an 8-5 season but anything above and beyond that bodes well for Strong and his future at UT.
espn's top 5 big 12 players...
By Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
With the season just a month away, we’ve used this week to rank the top 25 players in the Big 12.
You can click here to see the previous four installments.
Today, we wrap up the series with who we think the top five players in the league will be in 2014:
5. Cedric Reed, DE, Texas: Overshadowed by his Big 12 defensive player of the year teammate in 2013, Reed had almost as productive a season asJackson Jeffcoat. Reed was third in the Big 12 with 10 sacks, fourth with 19 tackles for loss and tied for first with five forced fumbles. With Jeffcoat gone, Reed takes over as the centerpiece of coach Charlie Strong’s defense. He bring as much speed off the corner as any defensive end in the league and could play himself into the first round of the NFL draft with another big season.
4. Eric Striker, LB, Oklahoma: He’s the Lawrence Taylor of the Big 12. Striker still needs to refine other parts of his game, but when it comes to rushing the passer off the blitz, there’s no one better in the country. Everyone remembers his three sacks in the Allstate Sugar Bowl win over Alabama, including the game-clinching forced fumble that led to an exclamation-point touchdown. But Striker had a penchant for creating big plays all season. On the first possession at Notre Dame, Striker slammed into quarterback Tommy Rees, knocking the ball into the air and into the arms of linebacker Corey Nelson, who gave the Sooners a quick 7-0 lead on the way to a 35-21 victory. Reed, Shawn Oakman and Ryan Mueller are all double-digit sack contenders, but Striker could be the odds-on favorite to win the Big 12’s sack crown in 2014.
3. Antwan Goodley, WR, Baylor: Goodley was arguably the league’s most improved player in 2013. He exploded right along with the Baylor offense, hauling in 1,339 receiving yards and a Big 12-best 13 touchdown catches. The big-play deep threat also led the nation with five receptions of 60 yards or more. Goodley won’t sneak up on anyone this season, but that doesn’t mean anyone will be able to contain him. The Bears have plenty of other weapons in the passing game and one of the nation’s top quarterbacks to get him the ball in Bryce Petty. Goodley has a legitimate chance to join Justin Blackmon and Michael Crabtree as the third Big 12 wideout to win Biletnikoff Award.
2. Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State: One of Goodley’s prime competitors for the Biletnikoff Award figures to be Lockett. Prone to utterly unconscious performances in big games, Lockett combined for 35 receptions, 631 yards and six touchdowns in the three games against Texas, Oklahoma andMichigan last season. He’ll have a prime opportunity to show the nation what he can do in September, when defending SEC champion Auburn visits Manhattan, Kansas, for a Thursday night clash. Lockett is on pace to break every school career receiving record held by his father, Kevin Lockett. Tyler Lockett will square off against Goodley in the final week of the regular season in a showdown featuring two of the best wideouts to come through the Big 12.
1. Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor: The Dairy Queens in Salem, Oregon, might not appreciate Petty, but we do here, as slotting Petty No. 1 was the easiest decision we made while putting together this top-25 player ranking. In his first season as a starting quarterback, Petty totaled 46 touchdowns and threw just three interceptions while earning Big 12 offensive player of the year honors. It will be difficult for Petty to replicate such gaudy numbers, but with a year of experience behind him operating Art Briles' offense, Petty should be even sharper in 2014. If he is, he’ll have a chance to become the second Baylor quarterback to capture the Heisman Trophy in the past four seasons.
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By Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
With the season just a month away, we’ve used this week to rank the top 25 players in the Big 12.
You can click here to see the previous four installments.
Today, we wrap up the series with who we think the top five players in the league will be in 2014:
6-10...they went to 25 on these
10. Le'Raven Clark, OG, Texas Tech: Clark was a freshman All-American tackle two years ago and a first-team All-Big 12 performer last season as the anchor of the Texas Tech offensive line. With the addition of junior-college tackle Dominique Robertson, Clark is moving inside to guard, a more natural position for his 315-pound frame. Clark already has proven to be a terrific pass-blocker, but he could also become a road-grader in the run game in his new spot.
9. Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor: Sometimes you don’t realize what you’ve got until it’s gone. Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty found out the hard way just how valuable his left tackle is when Drango suffered a season-ending back injury in early November. With Drango protecting his blindside, Petty was sacked only eight times through the Bears’ first nine games. With Drango sidelined, Petty was sacked nine times in Baylor’s last four games -- two of which the Bears lost as their high-powered offense sputtered down the stretch. The good news for Petty, and Baylor, is that Drango is healthy again and ready to help keep one of the nation’s most lethal quarterbacks upright.
8. Charles Tapper, DE, Oklahoma: One offensive lineman at Big 12 media days noted that Tapper was the most difficult defender to block in the Big 12. The 6-foot-4, 281-pound junior runs like a linebacker with the strength of a defensive tackle. He was the only defensive underclassman to be named first-team All-Big 12 last season, and considering he’s only started 12 games in his career, he figures only to get better playing alongside one of the most talented and deepest defensive lines in the country.
7. Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor: Coach Art Briles has been effusive in his praise of Oakman, whom he called “unblockable” during the spring. The 6-foot-9, 275-pound outspoken defensive end could be an unstoppable force this season in the Big 12. Despite being a part-time player in 2013, Oakman still finished sixth in the league with 12.5 tackles for loss. The switch just now appears to have flipped for Oakman this offseason, which is a frightening proposition for Big 12 quarterbacks not named Bryce Petty.
6. Ryan Mueller, DE, Kansas State: Mueller doesn’t have the length or the athleticism that Tapper and Oakman do. But the former unrecruited walk-on finds a way to make plays. In 2013, Mueller finished with 11.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss, both of which were second in the league only to Jackson Jeffcoat, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Mueller forced four fumbles, too. There are players, and then there are playmakers. Mueller fits the latter.
Pretty accurate preseason list. The only thing i would change is I would trade the spots with OU's Tapper and Stryker. Stryker is a pain in the ass to all QB's, as we saw in their bowl game. But Stryker isn't a big guy for a linebacker. And I've watched him get taken to the cleaners against a few of the better OL on downhill running plays. Tapper on the other hand is nobody to be messed with. It's usually a good idea not to run to his side of the line.
Here are a few games in the Big 12 that I have marked for potential upset spots. Of course this is all subject to change as the season goes.
Kansas State over Oklahoma..This game concerns me just about more than any other of the OU's games. I think this is a very tricky spot for the Sooners the week after playing Texas and with KSU having two weeks to prepare for this game. The Cats have shown numerous times over the years that they aren't intimidated at all by the Snakepit. And KSU always seems to hit their stride in October.
Texas over Kansas ...This game comes the week after KSU plays OU. So I can see the Cats in a letdown spot here. Texas has a home game with Iowa State the week after OU. So they should be going into Manhattan primed for an upset.
Texas Tech over Texas..This game comes the week after KSU, and is The Horns second straight road game. It's never easy winning in Lubbock. And I can see this as a slight letdown spot for Texas. Tech will probably get a nice favorable line here if UT should go on to upset KSU. It will make it double tough if they make this a night game.
Texas over Baylor....The first big home game for Charlie Strong and Texas. Whenever I see a team like Baylor play a really soft early season schedule, go up against Texas, who will have already played BYU and UCLA, I start smelling upset. Especially if I can get some points with the home team with the better defense.
Oklahoma State over Texas...This wouldn't be considered a big upset. I look for a rough year for this young Pokes team. But by mid-November OSU could be pretty tough if everything comes together for them like I think it will. Plus OSU will be coming off a bye week while Texas will be playing for the 8th straight week.
Kansas State over Baylor...Baylor has to be careful here. I expect KSU to be very tough from October on. And they are the type of ball control team that can give Baylor fits. As we saw last year until Baylor finally pulled away late in the 4th quarter. KSU coming off two relatively easy games, while Baylor will be coming off OSU and Texas Tech back to back. I've never liked betting on teams the week after Tech because of the way their offense runs defenses all over the place. As we saw last year when Baylor played a shootout against Tech and then got pounded by OSU the next week. OSU getting 8 points in Stillwater in prime time was one of the easiest bets I won all last season.
Texas Tech over OU...I do think OU will lose one conference game this season. I'm guessing it's either going to be this spot or against KSU. I think OU will be very ready for revenge when Baylor comes to town. But this game is a concern because it is the week after OU plays Baylor. And TT will be coming off a bye week and will be sky high for this game. Especially if OU is undefeated, or TT is still in the Big 12 hunt...
I've got a few more on the radar. But most of them concern the mid pack and lower rung teams that won't be a threat for the Big 12. I do think with their defense that TCU will pull one or two upsets this year. Especially since they get 7 home games. Between OSU, TT and KSU at home I think the Frogs are very capable of winning 2 out of 3 of those games.
Kansas State over Oklahoma..This game concerns me just about more than any other of the OU's games. I think this is a very tricky spot for the Sooners the week after playing Texas and with KSU having two weeks to prepare for this game. The Cats have shown numerous times over the years that they aren't intimidated at all by the Snakepit. And KSU always seems to hit their stride in October.
Texas over Kansas ...This game comes the week after KSU plays OU. So I can see the Cats in a letdown spot here. Texas has a home game with Iowa State the week after OU. So they should be going into Manhattan primed for an upset.
Texas Tech over Texas..This game comes the week after KSU, and is The Horns second straight road game. It's never easy winning in Lubbock. And I can see this as a slight letdown spot for Texas. Tech will probably get a nice favorable line here if UT should go on to upset KSU. It will make it double tough if they make this a night game.
Texas over Baylor....The first big home game for Charlie Strong and Texas. Whenever I see a team like Baylor play a really soft early season schedule, go up against Texas, who will have already played BYU and UCLA, I start smelling upset. Especially if I can get some points with the home team with the better defense.
Oklahoma State over Texas...This wouldn't be considered a big upset. I look for a rough year for this young Pokes team. But by mid-November OSU could be pretty tough if everything comes together for them like I think it will. Plus OSU will be coming off a bye week while Texas will be playing for the 8th straight week.
Kansas State over Baylor...Baylor has to be careful here. I expect KSU to be very tough from October on. And they are the type of ball control team that can give Baylor fits. As we saw last year until Baylor finally pulled away late in the 4th quarter. KSU coming off two relatively easy games, while Baylor will be coming off OSU and Texas Tech back to back. I've never liked betting on teams the week after Tech because of the way their offense runs defenses all over the place. As we saw last year when Baylor played a shootout against Tech and then got pounded by OSU the next week. OSU getting 8 points in Stillwater in prime time was one of the easiest bets I won all last season.
Texas Tech over OU...I do think OU will lose one conference game this season. I'm guessing it's either going to be this spot or against KSU. I think OU will be very ready for revenge when Baylor comes to town. But this game is a concern because it is the week after OU plays Baylor. And TT will be coming off a bye week and will be sky high for this game. Especially if OU is undefeated, or TT is still in the Big 12 hunt...
I've got a few more on the radar. But most of them concern the mid pack and lower rung teams that won't be a threat for the Big 12. I do think with their defense that TCU will pull one or two upsets this year. Especially since they get 7 home games. Between OSU, TT and KSU at home I think the Frogs are very capable of winning 2 out of 3 of those games.
I'm quite surprised you don't think Texas over OU can happen in the Cotton Bowl. If just for the reason that anything can happen in that game, as seen by last year's fairly huge upset. And this series comes in multiple wins/ losses. I can't remember the last time there weren't 2 consecutive wins/ losses? But that was during the Mack/ Stoops tenure so maybe something changes now that there's a new HC on one of the sidelines. But Strong's philosophy is the type that gives OU fits.
And if the preseason lines hold up into the regular season KSU should be double digit dogs against the Sooners. As for Texas, I think they will definitely have a say in which direction this conference race goes. I was bluffing with JB Longhorn a little bit. I do think the Red River Rivalry will probably be a close low scoring game. And Texas will have the kind of good straight ahead rushing team that gave OU fits last year. But I believe Mike Stoops/Walker will have a much better gameplan for their rushing game this year. And I don't see a Ash or whoever is behind center, to have the game of his life like Case McCoy did last year. The main problem I have with OU this year is Vegas and the media are over hyping the Sooners a bit this season making them double digit favorites in every game. But as the public that is betting on these huge spreads against dangerous offenses, we have to ask ourselves, "what would these lines be if OU hadn't beaten Alabama in their bowl game?" So much of this is based on one game that was played after the regular season was over.
I think this is one of the biggest mistakes the public makes. They think the carryover from winning a conference title game or a big bowl win is automatic because the polls almost always OVERRATE that team the next season. The problem is there is USUALLY too much player turnover to the next season for a team to have the exact same chemistry as it finished with. The graduation of just one or two key players can make a huge difference in that chemistry. Plus you really have to look at the numbers. Is OU's defense as good as it is being hyped? At this point I would say no. They finished the 2013 season ranked just 52nd nationally in yards per play 5.38/per play. Baylor, OSU, TCU, KSU and Tech in the Big 12 were all ahead of OU in this category. Now when it came to allowing the other team to score OU finished 1st in the Big 12 total D. Which I guess is the bottom line, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Since OU had a bunch of first year starters last year, should there be a noticeable jump in the level of play from last season to this season? Yes, there should be in year two of their multiple 3-4 scheme. Will they be a top 10-15 defense? I doubt it. With the offenses in this conference, it's hard to make the top 10 in any defensive category other than positive turnover ratio. This is where I think OU can excel. They were very disruptive last year. And with the front 7 coming back intact, I think they are going to cause a lot of turnovers this year. I think they'll be a little like the OSU defense that won the Big 12 in 2011. They'll be a bend but not break defense that gives up too many yards against the rush, but makes it up by stopping drives and scores by creating defensive turnovers. But OU is still in for a bumpy ride against some dangerous Big 12 offenses.
Completely agree with you in regards to public thinking last year's bowl results carry over. And again this is why I will be fading A&M until they prove to me that they are a legitimate top 25 football team without 3 first round draft picks + 3 starters on an already porous D that have been kicked off. I just think it's a good idea to fade the aggies until proven otherwise. BOL.
The problem with A&M this year is they are a little behind the 8 ball with so many teams on their schedule bringing back a significant amount of starters. They are also the only team in the conference who has to play 6 road games away from College Station. Not a good situation when you're breaking in a new QB.
I believe Bama and South Carolina are 2 of the only 3 teams (maybe orgeon 3rd?) to finish in top 10 3-straight years and they play both of them away from home....not to mention they play last year's finalist away from home as well. that's a murderer's row of away games
btw, did A&M move back to the big 12? (of course not...it's just a wronghorn inferiority complex)
Just heard per Twitter that Devonte Fields is done at TCU. Transferring to Stephen F. Austin. Poor Toads. If it's not one thing it's another with this program. Seems like the whole team has had off field issues the last couple of years. Big loss here. It kind of cripples their ability to get pressure with 4 that they would have had with him in there.
Big 12 Betting Preview from Conference Chalk
[h=1]2014 Big 12 Football Betting Preview[/h]August 6, 2014 davidmason Leave a comment
Will Texas turn a profit for only the 2nd time since 2008?It’s been quite some time since Texas truly lived up to expectations, and believe it or not the performance on the window is worse than that on the scoreboard (27-37-1 ATS since 2009). Can Charlie Strong right the ship and recoup the portfolios of his backers? This question answered and more in the Big 12 Football Betting Preview, where assess each team in terms of its perceived value by Vegas as compared to ours.
[h=3]Texas (2013 Record ATS: 6-7)[/h]Since I’ve expected the Longhorns to rebound every years since 2012 (and have been wrong each time), I’ll stick to my guns and assume the odds have to swing back in my favor. This time, there may actually be reason to believe the hype with a new sheriff in town in Charlie Strong and 15 returning starters. While the defense has been maligned the last 2 years, it’s worth noting that the unit really improved in Big 12 play, giving up >4.1 ypc rushing only once. The offense relies on David Ash’s ability to stay healthy, but if he does he makes Texas dangerous on that side of the ball with an absurd amount of talent at running back. Consider me a buyer and Strong has really put himself in a nice position
[h=3]Iowa State (2013 Record ATS: 6-6)[/h]The Cyclones are an afterthought in the Big 12, but Paul Rhoads has always been a respectable coach and appears to have his most experienced team in years. The offense returns 10 starters and my guess is they move up from 363 ypg to closer to 400 and with improved ball control should give the defense some relief. Iowa State will be given points almost weekly and I like them to keep games relatively close and finish with at least 7 covers.
[h=3]TCU (2013 Record ATS: 4-8)[/h]Perhaps the #1 reason I’m putting the Frogs up here is that Gary Patterson is due. Once a bettor’s dream team, TCU is just 13-24-1 ATS over the last 4 years. Patterson is better than that and with 16 starters returning, maybe this is the year TCU becomes relevant again. As usual, we’ll have to see how the quarterback situation plays out, and the news of Devonte Fields’ dismissal isn’t good for business.
[h=3]Texas Tech (2013 Record ATS: 6-7)[/h]Good karma abounds in Lubbuck, as most would agree that year 1 of the Kliff Kingsbury experience was a success. With Davis Webb having established himself as the clear cut signal caller, Tech has its guy and with 9 starters returning this unit should be clicking from start to finish. As usual, the achilles heel will be the defense, so we’ll have to see how Vegas treats the Raiders. If the spreads are near what they were last season or even slightly higher, it’ll be a year in the black.
[h=3]
[/h][h=3]Oklahoma (2013 Record ATS: 8-5)[/h]Oklahoma hasn’t been a good bet since the Sam Bradford era, and with just about everyone annointing them as an elite team heading into this season I don’t anticipate a lot of value here. That said, the Sooners will be good. The defense was the best that Stoops has had in years (350 ypg) and gets almost everyone back, and the offensive philosophy returned to a rushing-focused attack. With easily the most complete team in the conference, it’s not out of the question that they do end up in the black but there are no secrets left about this team.
[h=3]
[/h][h=3]Kansas State (2013 Record ATS: 8-5)[/h]Few teams have been more profitable over the last few years than the Wildcats, a fantastic 26-12-1 ATS during this period. What led the way in the first year of the post-Klein era was an underrated defense, which gave up only 359 ypg, and the concern here is that they lost 6 starters. With trustworthy QB Jake Waters returning I think the ‘Cats will hold their own, but with the assumed step down in D 6-7 or 7-6 ATS seems like a realistic prediction.
[h=3]
[/h][h=3]West Virginia (2013 Record ATS: 3-9)[/h]I want to believe that Dana Holgorsen can get back to his rising star level, I’m just not sure Clint Trickett is his meal ticket back. WVU was really young last year and the defense was destroyed by injuries. With a more experienced team and injuries (hopefully) a thing of the past, I don’t expect WVU to be the doormat they were in 2013, but a cash cow seems like a stretch.
[h=3]
[/h][h=3]Baylor (2013 Record ATS: 9-4)[/h]Baylor going into this season reminds me of Texas A&M going into last year. Both coming off years in which they set the world on fire with a dynamic offense and an underrated defense to back it up. Last season, A&M was an absolute dog ATS (4-9) because the defense wasn’t nearly as good, and Baylor looks to be in a similar situation with only 4 starters returning. Due to the video game numbers Baylor will be asked to cover big numbers this season and I see most opponents sliding within them.
[h=3]
[/h][h=3]Oklahoma State (2013 Record ATS: 8-5)[/h]Mike Gundy has been one of the best coaches to back for years now, but his sparking record may balance out a tad this season. No team in the country lost more than Oklahoma State did, and Vegas isn’t likely to be giving them much of a break due to Gundy’s track record. Gundy has a rebuilding project on his hands, not to mention an investigation hanging over his head, and it feels to me like one of those bad years.
[h=3]
[/h][h=3]Kansas (2013 Record ATS: 4-8)[/h]This has to be a make or break season for Charlie Weis and from what I have seen from his first two years I have no confidence in him turning a profit for us. The offense has been a major problem no matter who gets thrown out there at QB, and based on what I saw last season from Montell Cozart have no confidence that this will change. The defense will probably be competent, but by game 7 with another losing season all but guaranteed and a likely lame duck coach, will they have the desire to compete?
[h=1]2014 Big 12 Football Betting Preview[/h]August 6, 2014 davidmason Leave a comment
Will Texas turn a profit for only the 2nd time since 2008?It’s been quite some time since Texas truly lived up to expectations, and believe it or not the performance on the window is worse than that on the scoreboard (27-37-1 ATS since 2009). Can Charlie Strong right the ship and recoup the portfolios of his backers? This question answered and more in the Big 12 Football Betting Preview, where assess each team in terms of its perceived value by Vegas as compared to ours.
[h=3]Texas (2013 Record ATS: 6-7)[/h]Since I’ve expected the Longhorns to rebound every years since 2012 (and have been wrong each time), I’ll stick to my guns and assume the odds have to swing back in my favor. This time, there may actually be reason to believe the hype with a new sheriff in town in Charlie Strong and 15 returning starters. While the defense has been maligned the last 2 years, it’s worth noting that the unit really improved in Big 12 play, giving up >4.1 ypc rushing only once. The offense relies on David Ash’s ability to stay healthy, but if he does he makes Texas dangerous on that side of the ball with an absurd amount of talent at running back. Consider me a buyer and Strong has really put himself in a nice position
[h=3]Iowa State (2013 Record ATS: 6-6)[/h]The Cyclones are an afterthought in the Big 12, but Paul Rhoads has always been a respectable coach and appears to have his most experienced team in years. The offense returns 10 starters and my guess is they move up from 363 ypg to closer to 400 and with improved ball control should give the defense some relief. Iowa State will be given points almost weekly and I like them to keep games relatively close and finish with at least 7 covers.
[h=3]TCU (2013 Record ATS: 4-8)[/h]Perhaps the #1 reason I’m putting the Frogs up here is that Gary Patterson is due. Once a bettor’s dream team, TCU is just 13-24-1 ATS over the last 4 years. Patterson is better than that and with 16 starters returning, maybe this is the year TCU becomes relevant again. As usual, we’ll have to see how the quarterback situation plays out, and the news of Devonte Fields’ dismissal isn’t good for business.
[h=3]Texas Tech (2013 Record ATS: 6-7)[/h]Good karma abounds in Lubbuck, as most would agree that year 1 of the Kliff Kingsbury experience was a success. With Davis Webb having established himself as the clear cut signal caller, Tech has its guy and with 9 starters returning this unit should be clicking from start to finish. As usual, the achilles heel will be the defense, so we’ll have to see how Vegas treats the Raiders. If the spreads are near what they were last season or even slightly higher, it’ll be a year in the black.
[h=3]
[/h][h=3]Oklahoma (2013 Record ATS: 8-5)[/h]Oklahoma hasn’t been a good bet since the Sam Bradford era, and with just about everyone annointing them as an elite team heading into this season I don’t anticipate a lot of value here. That said, the Sooners will be good. The defense was the best that Stoops has had in years (350 ypg) and gets almost everyone back, and the offensive philosophy returned to a rushing-focused attack. With easily the most complete team in the conference, it’s not out of the question that they do end up in the black but there are no secrets left about this team.[h=3]
[/h][h=3]Kansas State (2013 Record ATS: 8-5)[/h]Few teams have been more profitable over the last few years than the Wildcats, a fantastic 26-12-1 ATS during this period. What led the way in the first year of the post-Klein era was an underrated defense, which gave up only 359 ypg, and the concern here is that they lost 6 starters. With trustworthy QB Jake Waters returning I think the ‘Cats will hold their own, but with the assumed step down in D 6-7 or 7-6 ATS seems like a realistic prediction.[h=3]
[/h][h=3]West Virginia (2013 Record ATS: 3-9)[/h]I want to believe that Dana Holgorsen can get back to his rising star level, I’m just not sure Clint Trickett is his meal ticket back. WVU was really young last year and the defense was destroyed by injuries. With a more experienced team and injuries (hopefully) a thing of the past, I don’t expect WVU to be the doormat they were in 2013, but a cash cow seems like a stretch.[h=3]
[/h][h=3]Baylor (2013 Record ATS: 9-4)[/h]Baylor going into this season reminds me of Texas A&M going into last year. Both coming off years in which they set the world on fire with a dynamic offense and an underrated defense to back it up. Last season, A&M was an absolute dog ATS (4-9) because the defense wasn’t nearly as good, and Baylor looks to be in a similar situation with only 4 starters returning. Due to the video game numbers Baylor will be asked to cover big numbers this season and I see most opponents sliding within them.[h=3]
[/h][h=3]Oklahoma State (2013 Record ATS: 8-5)[/h]Mike Gundy has been one of the best coaches to back for years now, but his sparking record may balance out a tad this season. No team in the country lost more than Oklahoma State did, and Vegas isn’t likely to be giving them much of a break due to Gundy’s track record. Gundy has a rebuilding project on his hands, not to mention an investigation hanging over his head, and it feels to me like one of those bad years.[h=3]
[/h][h=3]Kansas (2013 Record ATS: 4-8)[/h]This has to be a make or break season for Charlie Weis and from what I have seen from his first two years I have no confidence in him turning a profit for us. The offense has been a major problem no matter who gets thrown out there at QB, and based on what I saw last season from Montell Cozart have no confidence that this will change. The defense will probably be competent, but by game 7 with another losing season all but guaranteed and a likely lame duck coach, will they have the desire to compete?
