In our final Friday Forum before the Sooners kickoff we're weighing in on how we see the divisions finishing up. JTE and I are pretty solid on the south division but the north, now that's a different story.
JTE
South
Oklahoma
Texas
Texas A&M
Baylor
Texas Tech
Oklahoma State
North
Missouri
Nebraska
Kansas State
Iowa State
Colorado
Kansas
South breakdown: I absolutely believe the streak ends and a new one begins in Dallas this year. OU will win that game, win the South, and the conference in 2010. I could see them losing one game and Texas also losing one game then winning the conference via the tiebreak. A&M will live up to the hype (by their standards anyway) and finish 3rd (or 2nd first place as I'm sure they'll sell it down there) by just outscoring everyone. Baylor, behind the return of uber athlete QB Robert Griffin, will have their best finish since joining the Big 12. Oklahoma State is going to be awful in my opinion. They just lost too much for me to think they are going to do anything significant this season. They might not finish in the cellar, but they won't be much higher than that at the conclusion of 2010.
North breakdown: I'm just not buying the Nebraska hype. I think they are massively overrated and will disappoint big time (at least based on expectations). Not liking my Mizzou pick as much now that their starting RB chose to go and (likely) throw away his senior season, but I think Gabbert is the key to their success ultimately and they'll be able to replace Washington by committee. After those two, the North is looking pretty grim this year. I think KSU and ISU could be pretty much interchangeable at that 3-4 spot (big fan of Paul Rhoads). CU and KU will battle it out for the Toilet Bowl in 2010.
CC Machine
South
Oklahoma
Texas
Texas A&M
Baylor
Texas Tech
Oklahoma State
North
Nebraska
Iowa State
Missouri
Kansas State
Colorado
Kansas
South Breakdown: As has been the case the last decade the winner of the Red River Shootout will once again be in the driver's seat for the south division championship. Texas and Oklahoma have a lot in common this year in the areas of inexperience but obviously I'm giving the Sooners the nod here. The reason why is that I believe the Longhorns have inexperience at more crucial positions. Texas A&M is going to be good on offense but struggles on the defensive side of the ball will cost them. Baylor will be the team that plays spoiler in the south.
North Breakdown: My "bold prediction" this season is that the Cyclones will be the second best team in the North. Before all the, "you're crazy!" type comments consider this. I've got Kansas, Kansas State and Colorado all pegged to struggle offensively with ISU having more weapons in their arsenal. I also think that the Corn Huskers will faces some offensive struggles but will have the type of defense that can bail them out.