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2013 College Football Preview: Big 12
By: Brian Graham - StatFox
Published: 7/29/2013  at  5:00:00 AM
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To get you prepared for the upcoming college football season, we continue our run of all FBS conference previews over the next several weeks. For complete coverage, download your copy of the 2013 StatFox Edge Football Preview. Next up is the Big 12, which has the same 10 members as last season.

Odds to Win Big 12

27-to-10: Oklahoma State
3-to-1: Texas
7-to-2: TCU
15-to-4: Oklahoma
12-to-1: Baylor
35-to-2: Kansas State
20-to-1: Texas Tech
25-to-1: West Virginia
35-to-1: Iowa State
75-to-1: Kansas

OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS


2012 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5 (5-4 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 8-5 (62%)
Over/Under: 8-4
Points Scored: 45.7 PPG
Points Allowed: 28.2 PPG
Odds to Win 2014 BCS National Championship: 40/1

2013 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
The Cowboys had 45.7 PPG (3rd in FBS) and 547 total YPG (4th in FBS) in 2012, and QB Clint Chelf (8.1 YPA, 15 TD, 6 INT) retains top WRs Josh Stewart (1,210 rec. yds) and Blake Jackson (19.9 YPC). The loss of would-be senior RB Joseph Randle -- 40 TD in past two years -- to the NFL hurts new OC Mike Yurcich’s offense. New DC Glenn Spencer will employ tighter coverage and more blitzing to improve a bad pass defense (280 YPG, 114th in FBS).

TEXAS LONGHORNS


2012 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4 (5-4 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 6-7 (46%)
Over/Under: 7-6
Points Scored: 35.7 PPG
Points Allowed: 29.2 PPG
Odds to Win 2014 BCS National Championship: 20/1

2013 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 10
Defense: Starters Returning: 9
After three subpar seasons (11-15 in Big 12), Texas returns to its no-huddle offense with QB David Ash (8.5 YPA, 19 TD, 8 INT) and WR Mike Davis (939 rec. yds, 7 TD) leading the way. RB Johnathan Gray (701 rush yds) paces a strong RB corps that will run behind a veteran O-Line. The ‘Horns defense gave up a school-worst 404 total YPG, and lost both S Kenny Vaccaro and DE Alex Okafor to the NFL. But CB Quandre Diggs (4 INT) is back, and LB Jordan Hicks (hip) and DE Jackson Jeffcoat (pectoral) both return healthy.

TCU HORNED FROGS


2012 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6 (4-5 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 5-8 (39%)
Over/Under: 4-8
Points Scored: 28.3 PPG
Points Allowed: 22.6 PPG
Odds to Win 2014 BCS National Championship: 80/1

2013 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 9
TCU was 0-4 in Big 12 home games last year, but that was minus QB Casey Pachall (36 TD, 8 INT in career) who returns from alcohol rehab. His supporting cast includes WR Brandon Carter (590 rec. yds, 6 TD), and RB Waymon James (6.9 YPC in career) who’s coming back from a season-ending knee injury. The Big 12’s top defense remains stacked with nine returners, including future pros DE Devonte Fields (10 sacks) and CB Jason Verrett (6 INT).

OKLAHOMA SOONERS


2012 Statistics:
SU Record: 10-3 (8-1 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 6-7 (46%)
Over/Under: 7-5
Points Scored: 38.2 PPG
Points Allowed: 25.5 PPG
Odds to Win 2014 BCS National Championship: 50/1

2013 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
QB Blake Bell (24 career rush TD) gives the Sooners a dual-threat QB to lead a more run-heavy offense that will rely on RBs Damien Williams (946 rush yds, 11 TD) and Brennan Clay (555 rush yds, 6 TD). WR Jalen Saunders (829 rec. yds) is the go-to receiver. An average OU defense (398 YPG allowed, 66th in FBS) will rely more heavily on its linebackers, and boasts top-notch CBs in Aaron Colvin (4 INT, 11 PD) and Arizona transfer Cortez Johnson.

BAYLOR BEARS


2012 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5 (4-5 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 9-4 (69%)
Over/Under: 8-4
Points Scored: 44.5 PPG
Points Allowed: 37.2 PPG
Odds to Win 2014 BCS National Championship: 150/1

2013 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
QB Bryce Petty (14 career pass attempts) takes over the nation’s No. 2 offense (572 total YPG) while WR Tevin Reese (957 rec. yds, 9 TD) headlines a quality receiving corps. The Big 12’s top rushing attack (232 YPG) should remain potent with RB Lache Seastrunk (1,012 rush yds, 7 TD). The defense, led by LB Bryce Hager (Big 12-best 124 tackles), will play more man coverage in an effort to improve its 502 YPG allowed in ‘12 (2nd-worst in FBS).

KANSAS STATE WILDCATS


2012 Statistics:
SU Record: 11-2 (8-1 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 9-3-1 (75%)
Over/Under: 7-5
Points Scored: 38.8 PPG
Points Allowed: 22.2 PPG
Odds to Win 2014 BCS National Championship: 500/1

2013 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 2
KSU defends its Big 12 title without QB Collin Klein and his 79 TD in the past two years. Either pocket passer Jake Waters or speedy Daniel Sams (7.3 YPC, 6-for-8 passing) will start under center. WRs Tyler Lockett (687 rec. yds, 4 TD) and Tramaine Thompson (526 rec. yds, 4 TD) are explosive receivers and kick returners. RB John Hubert (947 rush yds, 15 TD) leads a potent ground game. LB Tre Walker (3 TFL) and S Ty Zimmerman (5 INT, 50 tackles) are the only starters left from the Big 12’s top defense (22.1 PPG allowed).

TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS


2012 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5 (4-5 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 6-7 (46%)
Over/Under: 8-4
Points Scored: 37.5 PPG
Points Allowed: 31.8 PPG
Odds to Win 2014 BCS National Championship: 500/1

2013 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
New Head Coach: Kliff Kingsbury
Kliff Kingsbury -- Johnny Manziel’s QB coach last year -- hands the nation’s No. 2 passing offense (356 YPG) to dual-threat QB Michael Brewer (7.8 YPA, 4 TD, 0 INT). WR Eric Ward (1,053 rec. yds, 12 TD) is excellent and TE Jace Amaro (16.4 YPC, 4 TD) and RB Kenny Williams (824 rush yds, 5 TD) are both solid. The defense allowed 45.0 PPG in its final seven games, and DC Matt Wallerstedt will switch to a 3-4 with a highly inexperienced secondary.

WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS


2012 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6 (4-5 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 5-8 (39%)
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 39.5 PPG
Points Allowed: 38.1 PPG
Odds to Win 2014 BCS National Championship: 1,000/1

2013 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 3
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
Little remains from WVU’s Air Raid offense (330 YPG, 10th in FBS), but Florida State transfer QB Clint Trickett (8.9 YPA, 7 TD, 4 INT career) is a quality successor to Geno Smith. WRs Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey will be missed, but the ground game is in great shape with Houston transfer RB Charles Sims (6.6 YPC in career) and RB Andrew Buie (851 rush yds, 7 TD). The awful pass defense (313 YPG, 3rd-worst in FBS) will struggle again.

IOWA STATE CYCLONES


2012 Statistics:
SU Record: 6-7 (3-6 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 5-7-1 (42%)
Over/Under: 4-8
Points Scored: 24.5 PPG
Points Allowed: 23.9 PPG
Odds to Win 2014 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2013 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
The Cyclones poor offense (364 YPG, 96th in FBS) lost QB Steele Jantz and its top three receivers. QB Sam Richardson (8 TD, 1 INT) will start in this run-heavy offense that returns four O-Line starters and its top two rushers in RBs James White (505 rush yds) and Shontrelle Johnson (504 rush yds). The 98th-ranked defense (442 YPG allowed) lost a ton, but LB Jeremiah George (87 tackles) and S Jacques Washington (90 tackles, 3 INT) both return.

KANSAS JAYHAWKS


2012 Statistics:
SU Record: 1-11 (0-9 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 4-7-1 (36%)
Over/Under: 4-7
Points Scored: 18.3 PPG
Points Allowed: 36.1 PPG
Odds to Win 2014 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2013 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
The Jayhawks lost all nine Big 12 games by an average score of 40 to 16. The lone bright spot was its ground game (212 YPG, 22nd in FBS) led by returning RBs James Sims (1,013 rush yds, 9 TD) and Tony Pierson (760 rush yds, 6.5 YPC). BYU transfer QB Jake Heaps (24 TD, 17 INT career) should be an upgrade from the erratic Dayne Crist. The 116th-ranked defense (481 YPG allowed) is strong in the middle with LBs Ben Heeney (112 tackles, 11.5 TFL) and Jake Love (8 TFL), but will have to rely on a slew of JUCO transfers.

All 2013 College Football Previews:

MAC
Conference USA
Mountain West
Sun Belt
American Athletic
Independents
ACC
Big 12
Big Ten - August 5
Pac-12 - August 12
SEC - August 19

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