Big 12
Big-12 Looking To Remain Competitive in 2010-11

With one of the most dominant conferences in college football coming off a solid season, and losing a lot of talent from players making the move to the big league, the Big-12 seems to be at a crossroads leading in to the opening of the 2010-11 year. While the top schools from thee division will say otherwise, including Texas, which finished a perfect 8-0 in conference play, a quick look at the top selections from the 2010 NFL draft reveals just how many solid players will have to be replaced as the conference looks to remain competitive again this year.

The first four college football betting selections in the draft came from Big-12 schools, as well as five of the top six, and nine in the opening round overall. Oklahoma, which finished 5-3 in conference play, and 8-5 overall, lost their starting quarterback, and top tackles on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball through the first four picks. With Sam Bradford, Gerald McCoy, and Trent Williams all playing in the NFL this year, the Sooners may have a tough time just getting over .500.

Nebraska finished atop the betting standings in the Big-12 North with a 6-2 conference record, going 10-4 overall, but lost one of the most dominant defensive players in college football when defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was taken by the Detroit Lions. Now both teams, as well as the rest of the conference, will enter the 2010-11 season looking to prove they are not in rebuilding mode.
 
How Will Longhorns Fare In 2010?

Texas Longhorns: 2009 Recap

Texas was near the top of the online betting odds to win the national championship all season, and quarterback Colt McCoy was a candidate to win the Heisman award. Only three times during the regular season did the Longhorns fail to win by more than 10 points, which came in a 16-13 win over Oklahoma in the annual Red River Rivalry, a 34-24 victory over Texas Tech, and the 13-12 thrilling win over Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game. The Longhorns then went on to lose 37-21 to Alabama in the BCS title game, and they were dealt a tough early blow when McCoy was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury in the first quarter. Freshman Garrett Gilbert came in and made a valiant effort, but it wasn't enough to spark a comeback against the Crimson Tide.

McCoy and Jordan Shipley powered the offense, and NCAA football betting players knew that coming into the season. But no one could have guessed at how good the Texas defense would be, and that group finished third in the country in that category, leading the nation against the run. Safety Earl Thomas played his way into a first-round draft pick, while Sergio Kindle was a force on the pass rush, and the Longhorns were tied for second in the NCAA in sacks. But they were no match for Heisman winner Mark Ingram and the Crimson Tide, who ran over the Longhorns with 205 yards on the ground. The Longhorns also didn't turn the ball over much in the regular season, but they committed five against Alabama's No.2-ranked defense.

Texas Longhorns: 2010 Preview

Texas has decent odds in your offshore sportsbook when it comes to winning the national title, and even though they've lost the likes of McCoy, Shipley, Thomas and Kindle, the Longhorns will return 14 starters to town. Gilbert improved a lot during the course of the Alabama game, and he showed no signs of letting up during the spring. The Longhorns will try to make it easier on their young pivot by going to the ground more often with Fozzy Whitaker and Tre Newton, son of former Dallas Cowboys guard Nate Newton. Seven of those starters come on the defensive side of the ball, and the secondary is in good hands, even without Thomas.

The Longhorns head to Texas Tech for a rivalry game on September 18th, and then there's the annual showdown with Oklahoma two weeks later, and we all know the importance of that game, for tradition as well as the Big 12 standings. The following week, the Longhorns travel to Nebraska, who is aiming to face either Texas or Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. After that, however, the trickiest tests that Texas will face is a visit from Oklahoma State on November 13th, and then Texas A&M come to town to wrap up the season.

Texas will always be in the national-title discussion, especially with Mack Brown at the helm. The real key may be coordinator Will Muschamp and the defense, which will be counted on to carry the team until Gilbert gets comfortable under center. The non-conference schedule (a visit from UCLA on September 25th) is simple, which may hurt them in the polls. The Longhorns should be in the top 10 all season, but we're too skeptical in the young offense to place a sports betting pick on Texas to win it all this year.
 
Longhorns-Cowboys tilt shakes the Big 12 South

Texas has been one of the online betting favourites all year, and they finally broke out last week at Missouri. The Longhorns head to Oklahoma State under the lights on Saturday night with an unbeaten record, while the Cowboys look to pull even. NCAA football betting players also need to watch out for a wounded darkhorse to head to the Big 12 championship game.

Texas (7-0, 4-0) has won 11 straight over the Cowboys, and No.12 would be a huge boost to the Longhorns’ odds in your offshore sportsbook. Speaking of No.12, Colt McCoy finally showed why he was a preseason Heisman favourite against Mizzou, and he’ll need more of that against the Cowboys. The defense may be the most improved unit in the country, coming in second only to Florida. After this week, the Longhorns welcome Kansas and head to Texas A&M to close it out, so there’s a lot of pressure for Texas on Saturday night.

Oklahoma State (6-1, 3-0) was supposed to fade after receiver Dez Bryant was suspended by the NCAA, but the Cowboys have been on a roll since, although against subpar competition. Zac Robinson has been excellent, and the Cowboys’ defense is also improving. But they haven’t seen the likes of Texas yet this year, and the spotlight may be too much for Oklahoma State’s nerves. It doesn’t get easier either, with a tricky road trip to Iowa State next week, followed by Texas Tech, and there’s always the Bedlam game with Oklahoma to end the season.

Oklahoma (4-3, 2-1) has been banged up, losing reigning Heisman winner Sam Bradford for good against Texas, tight end Jermaine Gresham was gone early, and the Sooners are still in the mix. They’re doing it with a sixth-ranked defense that is as good as anyone, which is even more important with so much transition on the offensive side. But the Sooners’ schedule may eventuall get the better of them: they still head to Nebraska and Texas Tech, and next week’s visit from Kansas State won’t be a cakewalk. At least they host this year’s Bedlam rivalry clash with Oklahoma State, which could be even bigger if both run the table until then.