ESPN.com - Huskers could bring title to Big 12

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Thursday, July 6, 2000
Updated: July 8, 1:46 PM ET
Huskers could bring title to Big 12

By Joe Wojciechowski
ESPN.com

Got to hand it to the Big 12, it makes things interesting.

Nebraska is the glamour team and should be in Miami for the national championship game, but the conference has several teams that could make it tough for the Huskers.

Texas, once it figures out who is playing QB, will be tough and Kansas State, after playing its cream puff early schedule, has a good defense and gets Nebraska at home. And don't forget Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma, who will all be much improved this season.

Nebraska's the class of the league, but it will be interesting.

Big 12 North

Colorado Buffaloes
1999 record: 7-5
Coach: Gary Barnett
Returning starters: 12 (6 offense, 6 defense)

Outlook: Well, at least Barnett didn't have to do his annual press conference to deny he was interested in any other coaching gigs. The annual Barnett watch has quieted and instead the focus is on Colorado, where there are more questions than answers.

Season Openers
Team	Date	Opponent
Baylor	8/31	at N. Texas
Colorado	9/2	Colorado St.
Iowa State	8/31	Ohio
Kansas	9/2	at SMU
Kansas State	8/26	Iowa
Missouri	9/2	W. Illinois
Nebraska	9/2	San Jose St.
Oklahoma	9/2	UTEP
Okla. State	9/9	at Tulsa
Texas	9/9	La.-Lafayette
Texas A&M	9/2	at N. Dame
Texas Tech	9/2	Utah State

Offensively, about the only sure things are WR Javon Green and TE Daniel Graham. Other than that, everything's up for grabs. The QB race is so tight it's going to take more time to determine whether Bobby Pesavento or Zac Colvin gets the nod. Cortlen Johnson will start the season at running back, but he missed the second half of spring ball with a sprained knee and has hot shot incoming freshman Marcus Houston looming in the fall. The line hinges on several things. Will RT Tom Ashworth's return form a shoulder injury? Will juco transfer Dave Wilford and Andre Goudeto -- both of whom missed the spring workouts -- be back in the fall to help shape the line? If not, this is a very thin line without much experience.

Defensively, things look a little better. The line had players really breakthrough in the spring, especially Tyler Brayton, sophomore Sam Taulealea and Northwestern transfer Antwan Jones could be a huge addition for a defense that needs a presence on the line. Barnett's defense suffered a huge blow when LBs Jashon Sykes had shoulder surgery and Ty Gregorak is still recovering from knee and shoulder problems and might redshirt this season. The secondary received a boost by the play of redshirt freshman Medford Moore, who will push for the free safety job and Michael Lewis is a stud at strong safety.

Question mark: Who will play QB? Pesavento looked like the starter up until the spring game, when Colvin outplayed him and turned the race into a dead heat. Barnett refused to name a starter so this is a battle that will continue in August.

Keep an eye on: RB Marcus Houston. OK, so he's not officially at Colorado - yet. But Barnett's prize recruit could help jump start a running game that needs a few more volts.

Iowa State Cyclones
1999 record: 4-7
Coach: Dan McCarney
Returning starters: 14 (5 offense, 9 defense)

Outlook: Words we never thought we'd type: Things are looking good in Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones look like they could notch their first winning season in over a decade and play in the postseason barring a major meltdown.

Offensively, Sage Rosenfels had a great spring to show last year's outstanding debut year wasn't a fluke. He passed for 422-yards in the spring game and that's huge considering the offense not be centered around the running game this season. With the loss of Darren Davis, the offense will become a more balanced attack. RBs Ennis Haywood and Michael Wagner will get the carries and should put up decent numbers. Wide receiver J.J. Moses broke through this spring as a game breaker and should team with Rosenfels often this season. The offensive line has some question marks, but that's an annual event that should be in the farmer's almanac next to the best time to harvest the crops. Marcel Howard and Ben Beaudet each sat out the spring with concussions, but both say they'll be ready in the fall. They'll also add 6-5, 340 pound juco transfer Lorenzo White to join returning center Ben Burns.

McCarney is downright giddy over his defense. He says he wouldn't trade his line for any in the Big 12. Before you dismiss McCarney's optimism, know DE Reggie Hayward had a monster spring and DTs James Reed and Ryan Harklau are players. They may not be the best in the conference, but they'll pretty good. The line will take the pressure of a young linebacker group. Add in a deep and experienced secondary highlighted by the return of 1998 starting CBs Jamarcus Powers and Breon Ansley, who missed 1999 with injuries.

Question mark: Will the offensive line protect Rosenfels? McCarney's major focus this spring was to get the line in working order. With so many injuries and new additions, it will take some work into the fall. Rosenfels showed last season he can scramble, but the line will also need to create some running lanes so defenses have to respect the run and can't just attack Rosenfels.

Keep an eye on: Stevie Johnson. Johnson, who played forward for the Cyclones Elite Eight basketball team last year, plans on finishing his football eligibility in style. The 6-4, 225 pound strong safety led the first team in tackles during the spring game, including a few SportsCenter type hits. He also played receiver where the Cyclones plan to utilize that 39-inch vertical jump.

Kansas Jayhawks
1999 record: 5-7
Coach: Terry Allen
Returning starters: 15 (8 offense, 7 defense)

Outlook: Last year, fans were promised a postseason appearance by Allen. Whoops. This year, fans were given the "Millenium Butcher Dance" by safety Carl Nesmith to perform after big hits. Say this much, they're a cocky bunch in Kansas. But maybe this spring gave them some reason to be dancing. With Dylen Smith, maybe the times are a changin' in Kansas. Smith came on late last season and has carried it over through the spring. He has a good arm, mobility, accuracy and is linebacker tough. He racked his thumb on a defender's helmet in the spring game and came back to complete 7 of 10 passes in the next two series. RB David Winbush is over the ankle injuries that slowed him last season and showed he will be a receiving and rushing threat this season. Junior WR Harrison Hill will also be a favorite target of Smith's and Termaine Fulton and Byron Gasaway return from medical redshirts to give the Jayhawks speed and depth at receiver. The offensive line will have experience and depth, as Allen has a transfusion of juco players due in the fall.

Defensively, the line is another area where Allen will give juco transfers a chance to play. NT Nate Sawyer is the only returning starter and the rest of the line will be up for grabs in the fall. Luckily, the linebackers can make up for the inexperience. Junior ILB Andrew LeClair will be the defense and teamed with Marcus Rogers on the inside, this will be a good run-stopping unit. FS Charles Nesmith leads a secondary that returns four players with starting experience.

Question mark: Will the busload of juco transfers make a difference? Allen is planning on several players making a difference, especially on the offensive and defensive lines. If they do, the Jayhawks could find themselves doing the Millenium Butcher Dance in the postseason.

Keep an eye on: FB Moran Norris. Norris, who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and bench presses 505 pounds, is a nice addition to an offense that features a variety of weapons. He'll see plenty of carries and with his strength will get the ball near the goal line often.

Kansas State Wildcats
1999 record: 11-1
Coach: Bill Snyder
Returning starters: 15 (8 offense, 7 defense)

Outlook: Another year. Another 11-1 season. Another batch of junior college transfers. Another season of having their schedule ripped. Yep, just another year for the Wildcats. But while Snyder has built a program that annually challenges for the Big 12 championship, there was some concern this spring in Manhattan. Start with quarterback, where Jonathan Beasley is constantly looking over his shoulder to see if freshman Ell Roberson is warming up. Beasley had a strong spring and has experience in big games, so he gets the nod heading into the fall. RB Joe Hall missed spring with academic problems and his future is uncertain, but David Allen and juco transfer Josh Scobey give the Wildcats a different look. Hall was a bruiser, but Allen, who is one of the best return men in the country, and Scobey, who is Northeastern A&M's all-time leading rusher with 2,423 yards and 31 TDs, have speed and moves to give the Cats a good running game. Another place filled with speed is receiver, where all Big 12 receivers Aaron Lockett and Quincy Morgan lead a deep and talented group. And that's not including TE Shad Meier, who showed soft hands this spring. The offensive line has three returning starters and while Andy Eby and Milford Stephenson are the early leaders to fill the left side of the line, there are four other players ready to step in and play.

Defensively, the Wildcats should be strong again, especially on the line and in the secondary. Mario Fatafehi and Cliff Holloman anchor a very good line. There is no big name linebacker, but Clemson transfer Warren Lott had a great spring and might just be the playmaker K-State needs. Strong safety Jarrod Cooper returns to lead a secondary that could again be the best in the nation in pass efficiency.

Question mark: Will Beasley finish the year as starting QB? Beasley is a solid player, but inconsistent. With the "next Michael Bishop" lurking on the sidelines in Roberson, Beasley will need to start the season strong to keep Roberson on the bench.

Keep an eye on: WR Quincy Morgan. He was just the second K-State receiver to go over 1,000 yards in a season and could improve on those numbers this season. He averaged 48.7 yards per TD catch (and he had nine TDs) and is the deep threat the Wildcats need.

Missouri Tigers
1999 record: 4-7
Coach: Larry Smith
Returning starters: 16 (8 offense, 8 defense)

Outlook: This is like Rush Limbaugh voting liberal, Yanni rapping and the Osmond family playing heavy metal. Larry Smith embracing a wide-open offense? What's next? A diamond stud in his ear? But after watching his offense stumble through a 4-7 record last year, he brought in Western Michigan's Bill Cubit to open the offense up. Imagine the looks on these players when Cubit had them lining up in five receiver sets. Is this heaven? No, it's Missouri. Kirk Farmer will likely get first shot at running the new offense in the fall. After suffering a broken leg last season, he played only about 80 percent of the spring. While he didn't wow Smith, he played well enough considering the injury and a new offense to be tabbed the starter. Running back Zack Abron surprised everyone with his spring performance. It was assumed Zain Gilmore would get the starting nod, but Abron's a junior Jerome Bettis and would be a nice complement to the wide-open offense. The receivers are drooling at the thought of all those passes. Travis Garvin and John Dausman highlight an athletic bunch and Justin Gage will see his share of passes as well. The line has plenty of experience with three starters returning and a couple of 300-plus pounders waiting in the wings.

Defensively, Smith liked what he saw this spring. Defensive end Justin Smith was throwing blockers around this spring and is the leader of the defense. LB Jamonte Robinson is a play-making linebacker and John McPherson leads a secondary that returns three starters and a load of experienced reserves.

Question mark: Will Farmer remain the QB? Smith was less than impressed with Farmer and backup Jim Doughterty this spring. The fans love the athletic Darius Outlaw, but he struggled to grasp the offense this spring and is still too raw. Smith wouldn't mind a two-headed quarterback, but Cubit says no way. This is a battle that will resume in the fall.

Keep an eye on: WR Justin Gage. Gage, who plays basketball for the Tigers, will be a key part of this offense before too long. The former quarterback showed he can run precise routes, has soft hands and will almost certainly be part of a few trick plays.

Nebraska Cornhuskers
1999 record: 12-1
Coach: Frank Solich
Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense)

Outlook: This wasn't spring football. This was a walk in the grass. This was simply a stretching of the legs. When you're Nebraska and the lineup that will challenge for the National Championship is all but etched in stone, suddenly spring isn't the most vital of deals. Yes, there were some position battles, but things were toned down for proven players like QB Eric Crouch, I-back Dan Alexander and receivers Bobby Newcombe and Matt Davidson. Crouch, who was recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, will be back to lead an offense that may never let punter Dan Hadenfeldt see the field. Alexander tops a list of seven backs that received touches in the spring, although it will mainly be Alexander, Correll Buckhalter and Dahrran Diedrick in the fall. Newcombe and Davidson will be the main targets in the passing attack, but watch TE Tracey Winstron, whom Crouch always seems to find in a pinch. The best part about his offense, though, isn't the skill people. The line is one that could go down as the best in Big Red history. Senior RG Russ Hochstein and junior C Dominic Raiola will battle for the Outland Trophy. Dave Volk will move to left tackle so Jason Schwab, who missed last season with an ACL injury, will resume his right tackle slot. Sophomore Tonui Fonoti will move into the left guard slot for a line that should provide plenty of protection for Crouch and company.

Defensively, there are some holes to fill, but not many. DE Kyle Vanden Bosch had a huge spring, tormenting Husker offensive linemen and will do the same to opposing lineman in the fall. Carlos Polk leads a linebacker unit that is replacing three starters and six lettermen. While the secondary must replace CB Ralph Brown and rover Mike Brown, it returns seven players with starting experience highlighted by future superstar CB Keyuo Craver.

Question mark: Why does Nebraska have five punters? The Huskers will be lucky to use one, much less five. Crouch was babied this spring, but he's in great shape and this high-powered offense might not need a punter this season.

Keep an eye on: FB Judd Davies. The future could come sooner than expected as Davies had a monster spring, including a pair of 11 yard TD runs in the spring game. Davies, a 6-foot, 240 pound bruiser, could have Willie Miller's job before the end of the season.

Big 12 South

Baylor Bears
1999 record: 1-10
Coach: Kevin Steele
Returning starters: 13 (8 offense, 5 defense)

Outlook: The goals were simple this spring: get tougher, get better fundamentally and get 100 percent effort from everyone. Well, mission accomplished. Of course, how that plays come fall is a different story. The good news is Baylor looks to have a quarterback in Greg Cicero. Cicero, who played at Texas two years ago, is the mature leader this young team needs. The Bears have a nice rushing attack with Darrell Bush and Elijah Burkins, but it remains to be seen who will replace FB Derek Lagaway, who is out for the year after suffering a season ending knee injury in a motorcycle accident earlier this month. The offensive line features just one senior and there will be more growing pains with this unit, but Steele saw improvements in the spring and is optimistic they will continue to get better.

Defensively, there is more speed on this side of the ball than Baylor has seen in recent years. Guys like DE Charles Mann, Aaron Lard and Kevin Stevenson give the line a quicker look with NT Ryan Gillwater clogging the middle. LB Kris Micheaux will be the leader of the defense. His attitude and work ethic makes him a poster child for what Steele wants from every player. The secondary features a good pair of cornerbacks in Daniel Wilturner and Gary Baxter.

Question mark: Who will emerge at wide receiver? Andra Fuller has a great spring, highlighted by his seven catch, 120-yard spring game that included a rushing and receiving TD. If he can become Cicero's go-to guy, the Bears should score more than the 12.7 points per game they averaged last season.

Keep an eye on: QB Greg Cicero. He was in the running to start at Texas over Major Applewhite before transferring to Palomar Junior College and ending back in the Big 12 with Baylor. He has a good arm and plenty of smarts. Baylor isn't going far this season, but they go nowhere without him.

Oklahoma Sooners
1999 record: 7-5
Coach: Bob Stoops
Returning starters: 15 (7 offense, 8 defense)

Outlook: Oklahoma's a passing team. That's right. No wishbone. No fullback dive. All air, all the time. Last year they chucked it 68 percent of the time and this was no passing fancy, as evidenced by the fact the Sooners threw the ball 62 percent of the time in spring scrimmages. QB Josh Heupel's season of 3,800 yards and 33 TDs last year would be a career for most OU quarterbacks in the pre-Stoops era. This season look for more of the same with WR Andre Woolfolk and Antwone Savage becoming Heupel's main targets. Don't forget RB Quintin Griffin, who can catch the ball as well as he runs it. The offensive line will miss Stockar McDougle, but is loaded with seniors and should be OK.

The defense has eight starters and 10 players who saw steady playing time returning. LB Rocky Calmus is among the nation's best and teamed with future NFL star Torrence Marshall and steady Roger Steffan, this is the defense's strength. The line is experienced with three starters back and the secondary has some concerns at cornerback, but SS Roy Williams has the speed to help out and free safety J.T. Thatcher showed he's a ball hawk in the spring game with two picks returned for scores.

Question mark: Will the offensive line come together quickly enough? Heupel is a great passer, but not the quickest of guys. He'll need protection from his line friends if the Sooners are to be successful.

Keep an eye on: RB Quinten Griffin. At 5-foot-6, it's easy to be overlooked, especially in this offense and in the Big 12 conference, but Griffin is the real deal and will be a major part of this offense both running and receiving.

Oklahoma State Cowboys
1999 record: 5-6
Coach: Bob Simmons
Returning starters: 11 (6 offense, 5 defense)

Outlook: Things aren't so still in Stillwater this spring. They're talking postseason and winning seasons at Oklahoma State and there is reason for the excitement. Senior QB Tony Lindsay looks healthy after missing five games last season, had a great spring and is ready to make some noise this fall. He'll have help in RB Reggie White, who wowed everyone with his 160-yard, 3 TD performance in the spring game. Jamaal Fobbs, who missed the last week of the spring with a separated shoulder, will spell White and the two will give the Cowboys a healthy rushing attack. The receivers, on the other hand, are more of a mystery. While sophomore Willie Young had a nice spring, it's still a very young group. The offensive line has three starters back, but there is little experience and depth behind them.

The defense features a great line led by DEs Juqua Thomas and Kevin Williams, a pair of sophomores who had jaw-dropping springs. The Cowboys will need a strong effort from the line since Simmons heads into the fall wondering who will play linebacker. Junior Dwayne Levels is the most experienced backer and he started just one game. The secondary will be solid with four returning starters.

Question mark: Who will play linebacker? This is a defense that has always relied on strong play from this position and though the Cowboys have a strong defensive line and decent secondary, teams will run roughshod if they don't get any production from this group.

Keep an eye on: QB Tony Lindsay. This spring he showed the mobility and arm strength everyone's been raving about since his freshman year. He's in good shape and if he can stay healthy, he should post some great numbers this fall.

Texas Longhorns
1999 record: 9-5
Coach: Mack Brown
Returning starters: 16 (7 offense, 9 defense)

Outlook: Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the quarterback controversies. Chris Simms or Major Applewhite? The guy who played great this spring or the guy who played great last season? While Applewhite rehabbed from off season knee surgery, Simms was making his bid for the starting job and it was a pretty impressive argument. He made crisp, strong throws and seemed to make the right read every time. So what happens now, only Mack Brown knows. This much is known, though. Senior RB Hodges Mitchell, who rushed for over 13,00 yards last season, is back and talented backups Victor Ike and Kenny Hayter ensure the Longhorns will be able to run the ball. Of course, another good indication Texas can run is the line, which spent the off-season dropping weight and getting stronger. Of course, that doesn't mean they are small. Leonard Davis is a partial eclipse at 6-6, 367 pounds. Four starters return and talented Derrick Dockery rounds out the fivesome very nicely. The receivers are untested, but Artie Ellis, Courtney Garcia and Montrell Flowers all had solid springs.

As good as the offense is, the defense could be better. The line features all-america candidates in DTs Shaun Rogers and Casey Hampton and the Longhorns have three returning starters at linebacker as well as four outstanding backups. The secondary was a bit of a worry, but Quentin Jammer and Rod Babers had fantastic springs and, if nothing else, give Texas two more good cover men to go with returning starters Ervis Hill and Ahmad Brooks.

Question mark: Who will start at quarterback? Who cares? Applewhite is a proven leader and Simms is finally living up to the hype that surrounded him coming out of high school. The guess is if Applewhite's healthy, it's his job, but watch this battle in the spring.

Keep an eye on: DE Cory Redding. The super-soph was Defensive Freshman of the Year last season and that was no fluke. Redding is 6-5, 245-pounds and has linebacker speed to go with his lineman strength. He'll help keep offense from double-teaming Rogers and Hampton as well as making his share of big plays.

Texas A&M Aggies
1999 record: 8-4
Coach: R.C. Slocum
Returning starters: 14 (6 offense, 8 defense)

Outlook: Checklist for an offense: Quality running backs? Check. Depth at receiver? Check. Decent offensive line? Yep. Quarterback? Uh, not so fast there, Aggies. For an offense that looks loaded, A&M is missing a big piece at quarterback as Mark Farris, Vance Smith and Colby Freeman are battling for the starting nod. Farris is a junior Chris Weinke, a former Pittsburgh Pirate farmhand back giving football a second chance. Freeman is the most athletic and Smith is a classic dropback passer. Slocumb was hoping one would emerge this spring as the starter, but no one really did. Once that's settles, this could be a fairly good offense. Redshirt freshman RB Richard Whitaker is special, thus the move of last year's leading rusher Ja'Mar Toombs to fullback this spring. If Toombs can adjust and accept his new role, this could be a lethal backfield combo. The receivers have a pair of playmakers in Chris Taylor and Bethel Johnson. Though the backups are young, there is talent. The line is decent, but young and depth is a question.

Defensively, linebacker is the position of strength, although the line is solid as well. There's not a true star, but MLB Brian Gamble will be one before too long. The line returns it's three starters giving the Aggies' one of the best front seven in the Big 12. The secondary is a work in progress, but sophomores Sammy Davis and Terrence Kiel play beyond their years. It's not deep and it's not the best secondary, but it shouldn't hurt the Aggies.

Question mark: Who will be quarterback? Farris won the position in the spring, but not by much. While Freeman is more athletic, with Texas A&M's schedule and need for leadership, Farris needs to be the guy.

Keep an eye on: RB Richard Whitaker. He has moves, power, speed and smarts. Not a bad package, huh?

Texas Tech Red Raiders
1999 record: 6-5
Coach: Mike Leach
Returning starters: 10 (6 offense, 4 defense)

Outlook: This will be fun. Leach brings the wide-open offense he used as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma last season to the Red Raiders and things will never be the same in Lubbock. Quarterback Kliff Kingsbury really embraced the offense this spring and ran it well. He emerged as the clear No. 1 guy with B.J. Symons the backup. But don't think the Red Raiders will abandon the run. No chance with Ricky Williams back from knee injury. While Williams wasn't 100 percent in the spring, he still looked pretty darn good. If his knee holds up, he adds another dimension to this offense. The receivers have a chance to be special with Derek Dorris, who had a fantastic spring, and Tim Baker. Juco transfer James Wagener, who runs a 4.3 40-yard dash, provides a deep threat to stretch the defense. The offensive line returns three starters and should be good enough to give Williams some running room and Kingsbury some time to throw.

Defensively, they Red Raiders have changed their look. They unveiled a more athletic look, emphasizing speed and an attacking style. They'll need to do something, but this side of the ball is being rebuilt. The line is Devin Lemons and future all-conference performer Aaron Hunt. The linebackers and secondary, though, are in disarray. Kevin Curtis is an All-American at strong safety, but he can't cover the whole field, can he?

Question mark: Will the defense stop anyone? With the problems at linebacker and secondary - minus Curtis - the Red Raiders better hope they're quick because they'll be chasing some players.

Keep an eye on: RB Ricky Williams. Williams went from Heisman hopeful last season to possibly being a distraction in Leach's high-octane offense. But don't forget about him. His knee looked sound in spring and if he's 100 percent in the fall, he makes this offense that much better.

Joe Wojciechowski is the college football editor at ESPN.com