Texas Longhorns

Sean Adams takes a look at some of the issues Texas must address before taking the field against Wyoming on Sept. 1. In this video he looks at wide receiver Mike Davis and how he must mature and become a true playmaker for the Longhorns' offense to succeed.

For the second consecutive year, the Big 12 is beginning play with an all-new lineup.

For the second consecutive year, the Big 12 is beginning play with just 10 teams.

Perhaps most importantly, it's beginning with no Big 12 Championship game. The Big 12 lucked out in 2011 on the season's final weekend.

Who said there was no Big 12 Championship? Oklahoma and Oklahoma State played for the Big 12 title and a trip to the Fiesta Bowl on Championship weekend, providing a fitting end while the SEC played its title game and the Big Ten and Pac-12 held their inaugural games.

Oklahoma State romped and stated its case for the national title game, though the Cowboys fell short.

Now, 2012 is a new year, and a new risk befalls the 10-team Big 12: Can it survive in college football's new world without a title game?

Expanding to 12 teams is a possibility, but not a necessity for the league to reinstitute a title game. The Big 12 could petition the NCAA and likely bring back the event on the season's final weekend, the same weekend the league hosted from the time it began in 1996 until 2010.

There's little motivation to do so from those who tend most to on-field matters: Coaches. At least one expressed a desire on Monday, though.

"I would like too see us add a couple more in the future to get us back to 12 and a conference championship game," Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said. "But who’s out there?"Everyone is kind of scrambling around trying to fill it up."

The biggest motivator, though, is the same as always: Money.

Former Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe convinced ABC/ESPN to honor its contract with the Big 12 in the summer of 2010, despite doing away with the Big 12 title game.

A new first-tier TV deal will likely be signed in 2014, the same year that -- gasp! -- college football could be entering a world with a four-team playoff.

Is there any doubt a new Big 12 television contract would be more valuable with the promise of a titanic clash at season's end?

By 2014, the Big 12 would join the Big East as the only major conference without a national championship game, and even that's no guarantee, with the Big East eyeing wholesale expansion and perhaps doubling the size of its league.

Perception is reality, and perception would claim the Big 12 was behind the times. The Big 12 could earn more cash with a Big 12 title game, but the respect from re-instituting it would come with a hefty price of its own.

A Big 12 team has never been thrust into the national title game, but on three occasions, Big 12 teams have lost the conference's title game when a win would have landed them in the national championship.

The Big 12 played for the title seven times, second only to the SEC's nine, but four more appearances than any other league.

Without a Big 12 title game, the Big 12 could have earned back some of that money with conference revenue from an appearance on college football's biggest stage.

Bring back the title game, though? Especially in a world with a four-team playoff?

Big 12 teams would be asked to win three games in addition to a 12-game schedule, after a Big 12 title game, national semifinal and national championship.

That's not easy.

Without divisions like the other leagues with title games, deciding the two participants for the game wouldn't be easy, either.

For now, the Big 12 will move on with 10 teams and no title game. Want to bring it back?

When the new commissioner arrives and a television contract is pieced together, prepare for plenty of debate.

The BCS brass -- aka conference commissioners -- are set to meet again this week to discuss the future of college football's postseason. On Monday, several Big 12 coaches took a swipe with their input on what, if any, changes should be ushered into the game.

Last year's SEC rematch in the BCS Championship Game -- and Oklahoma State's snubbing -- rubbed plenty of folks the wrong way, and Texas coach Mack Brown was the most adamant about bringing change. He's not sure what he wants, he just wants something else.

"I'm hoping it's something different than what we've got now. I'm not really sure what I think would be best," Brown said on Monday's Big 12 coaches teleconference.

For now, it looks like all eight- and 16-team playoff options are off the table, but the BCS as it currently stands had Brown fired up.

"I don't like our current system. I don't like the fact that last year two teams played twice. I do not feel like the BCS really gives credence to, really, strength of schedule," he said. "We've had some teams play in the BCS that played some poorer teams and still had an opportunity to play. I don't like the fact that we compete between BCS and non-BCS, as far as who plays. I understand that that's the money cycle, but I'd rather see the best teams play at the end."

TCU, who will join the Big 12 in 2012, went undefeated in 2010 and beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl but was denied a chance at playing fellow undefeated Auburn, which took home the national title.

"I'd rather have different means to evaluate the best teams in the end," Brown said. "I think the best teams should play at the end. That's more fair to the coaches, that's more fair to the players and that's more fair to the fans."

One problem for some in the process? Nobody can seem to agree on what to call a new postseason, even if it's four teams playing for the right to be called champion.

"I'm not for a playoff, because it would ruin the bowl system, and I don't believe it would be good for student-athletes," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said.

However, later on, he expressed his preference for the plus-one, which could just as easily be referred to as a playoff.

"I'd like to see the plus-one," he said. "If they do so, I'd like to see the four teams that qualify as the per se 'playoff teams' participate in two of the BCS bowls and then rotate it every two years, which bowls are hosting the playoff teams and which ones aren't, and then the plus-one after it."

Stoops often looks back fondly on his bowl week experiences as a defensive back at Iowa and doesn't want to rob future players of a week in the sun during winter with light practices, red-carpet treatment and a week spent solely with teammates.

"Anything that eliminates the bowls would in the long run not be positive for college football," Stoops said.

As for the elder statesman of the Big 12 coaches, Bill Snyder? He's staying out of the argument.

"I don’t have any startling estimations in regards to what will happen and don’t really have any major preference as far as playoff versus the system," Snyder said. "I can’t imagine it’s getting into an eight or 16-team playoff."

I've been inspired by the boys at the Big Ten Blog, and this should be a fun walk-through each week in the new-look Big 12 next season. I'll pick one game a week during the season that I'd attend if it were entirely up to me. I don't make the call, and things change as games are played, of course. But right now, this is how it would look if it were up to me. I'll include road nonconference games, too.

• Week 1: West Virginia vs. Marshall
• Week 2: Kansas State vs. Miami
• Week 3: Texas at Ole Miss
• Week 4: Kansas State at Oklahoma
• Week 5: Texas at Oklahoma State
• Week 6: West Virginia at Texas
• Week 7: Oklahoma vs. Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas
• Week 8: Kansas State at West Virginia
• Week 9: Notre Dame at Oklahoma

Here's the Week 10 slate in the Big 12:

• Kansas at Baylor
• Oklahoma at Iowa State
• Oklahoma State at Kansas State
• TCU at West Virginia
• Texas at Texas Tech

My pick: Oklahoma State at Kansas State

Sorry, new kids. I'll be bailing on the TCU-West Virginia showdown to see the redux of last year's classic, which came down to the wire in Stillwater and featured a post-game earthquake, too.

It was one of the best of the Big 12 season and this could be another classic too. Kansas State's Collin Klein will get another shot at the defense that got two huge stops in the final seconds for a dramatic win, and there may also be a Big 12 title on the line in this one. Manhattan will be Man-hoppin' (sorry) for sure, with one of the best atmospheres of the season. Don't think K-State fans will forget about that game, either.

It's getting late in the season, so it's certainly a lot more difficult to forecast how this will impact the title race, but it's hard to see K-State or Oklahoma State both being out of it with a few weeks left to play. This could be a matchup of two Top-25 teams with a lot on the line.

I know you want to see Chris, Kirk, Desmond and Erin -- a.k.a. the "College GameDay" crew coming to your city very soon.

They'll be shooting an ad on campus this offseason, but where will they do it?

It's up to you. ESPN is giving you a chance to vote from now until May 2 and bring the next "College GameDay" ad to the campus of your choice.

For now, West Virginia's got a huge lead among Big 12 teams, but there's plenty of time to catch up. You can vote once a day until May 2.

Let's see what you've got.

It's Tuesday, so it must be HornsNation chat day. Carter Strickland will be answering your questions about the NFL draft, Texas baseball and pretty much anything else going on in the burnt orange world.

Submit your questions here.

Don't forget to join us at 2 p.m. CT.

Dick Vitale has taken a look at the recent NBA draft announcements and how they will affect teams next year. With that, Dickie V has ranked his top 40.

No surprise that his top four are Louisville, Kentucky, Indiana and Kansas. Those four have been the consensus teams for next season.

Texas also made the list. The Longhorns check in at No. 20.

Read the full rankings here.

Sean Adams stopped by SportsNation to chat about the Longhorns, the NFL draft, and much more.

Here is what you missed:

Michael Twining (Austin)

Is Garrett Gilbert going to make us jealous next year?

Sean Adams

I don't know if he is going to make Texas fans jealous but I do believe that he is going to play well. Sometimes a fresh start is huge for people in sports and in life. As a fan of the student-athlete, I'm excited to see if he can live up to his own promise and become the type of quarterback he wants to be. Forget what everyone else wants him to be. He needs to be strong and good for himself.

Terry (Austin)

Best QB in the Big 12?

Sean Adams

That one is pretty easy right now. Geno Smith had huge numbers at West Virginia last year. 4,385 yards, 31 TDs, 7 INTs, 65.8 percent. He has to be the No. 1 right now and I would expect him to be first team All-Big 12.

Scott (Austin)

We heard before the 2010 and 2011 seasons that Texas would pound the ball in the running game, and that seemed to be true against weaker teams, but was unreliable against better competition. Should we be worried they will put up 400 yds against Tech and KU but have a lot of third and long against OU and the top tier? Why will it be different this year?

Sean Adams

The offensive line will be better and the RB's will be healthy. I think the team will be more consistent because the pieces are in place. I can't say enough how much the offensive line will be better than previous years, even 2009 when Texas played for the national championship.

Lake (Vallejo, CA)

What are your thoughts on Brock Huard's ranking of QB U?

Sean Adams

Love Brock but he is more of a Pac 12 homer than me and that is hard to be. Having USC, Stanford and Oregon on that list is funny. USC is number 1, easily. Amazes me that he left off Texas and Oklahoma. Arkansas can probably make an argument as well.

Nick (Cal)

Is Texas gonna remain part of the Big 12 for the future?

Sean Adams

I think they will be part of the conversation for a while. The situation is great for Texas and as Oklahoma continues to build its brand, they will continue to branch in the media space. The dollars are right, the autonomy is right and Texas will be in the Big 12 for a long time.

Read the full chat here.

Remember you can listen to The Adams Theoy with Sean Adams and Chance Mock daily from 1-4 p.m. CT on 104.9 ESPN Austin.

I've been inspired by the boys at the Big Ten Blog, and this should be a fun walk-through each week in the new-look Big 12 next season. I'll pick one game a week during the season that I'd attend if it were entirely up to me. I don't make the call, and things change as games are played, of course. But right now, this is how it would look if it were up to me. I'll include road nonconference games, too.

• Week 1: West Virginia vs. Marshall
• Week 2: Kansas State vs. Miami
• Week 3: Texas at Ole Miss
• Week 4: Kansas State at Oklahoma
• Week 5: Texas at Oklahoma State
• Week 6: West Virginia at Texas
• Week 7: Oklahoma vs. Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas
• Week 8: Kansas State at West Virginia

Here's the Week 9 slate in the Big 12:

• Texas Tech at Kansas State
• Texas at Kansas
• TCU at Oklahoma State
• Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma
• Baylor at Iowa State

My pick: Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma

My apologies to TCU at Oklahoma State here, which may have some serious implications to the Big 12 title race. With Brian Kelly and the Irish in town, it seems a fitting week to make my second trip to Norman.

Expectations are low for Notre Dame this year, but the history with this game will be too much fun to ignore. Believe it or not, Oklahoma's never beaten Notre Dame at home, and is 1-8 all time vs. the Irish. Remember that 47-game winning streak from Bud Wilkinson's teams between 1953 and 1957? Well, the Irish ended it with a 7-0 win in 1957.

Before that, who was the last team to knock out the Sooners? Well, the Irish of course, with a 28-21 win over the Sooners in the 1953 season opener.

Crazy stuff. Nothing quite like two of the game's best helmets and best uniforms going head to head for four hours. Notre Dame won't be scary this year, but kudos to Oklahoma for putting together a tough nonconference schedule. Nobody schedules as difficult as the Sooners, and that's to be commended.

The Sooners, though, made their one win against the Irish count. A 40-0 win in 1956 still stands as the most lopsided home defeat in Notre Dame history.

Too much history here to ignore.

Mitch Sherman takes a early look at the 2013 Under Armour All-America game and its already loaded roster:

Nearly 60 football players have already pledged to play in the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game. Poll them on their motivation to participate in the event, and you'd likely receive about 60 different answers.

That's the beauty of the Under Armour Game and the week of practice prior to it -- it offers something different for every prospect involved ...

When the rosters are complete, the sixth annual Under Armour Game will include 90 of the nation's top seniors.

The game last season, played Jan. 5 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., after practices at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., featured former NFL head coaches Steve Mariucci and Herm Edwards in addition to 10 of the top 12 players in the final ESPN 150.

Mitch talked with prospect about what it means to play in the game. Read the story here.

This week's Verbal Commit podcast also takes a look at the game. Listen here .

Darius James is currently the only Longhorns commit on the roster. However, the game does feature several Texas targets.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Big 12 is supposed to be about quarterbacks and production.

After all, over the past three NFL Drafts, only the SEC has produced as many picks as the Big 12. Both have six. The next closest -- Pac-12, ACC and Big 10 -- all have three.
And, of course, there are three more former Big 12 quarterbacks expected to be drafted this year.

So it comes as no surprise during this spring, like most others, all the talk has centered around QBs.

There is the great debate over who is better, West Virginia’s Geno Smith or Oklahoma’s Landry Jones?

And let’s not forget the debates at Baylor, Kansas, Iowa State and Oklahoma State that center on just who the quarterback will be in 2012.

This spring was a time to settle the debates. OK not all. The Smith-Jones thing will be settled Nov. 17 in Morgantown, W.V. As for the others, some have been settled -- Baylor, Kansas -- while others -- Oklahoma State, Iowa State and yes, Texas -- still remain open for discussion.

(Read full post)