I spent quite a bit of time studying the Big 12 and what KU needs to do the most over the next couple years. Before I get into this let me say I think Beaty will win at KU. I'm not calling for 10-win seasons. I'm talking about from where the program is now and where it needs to go to gain support.
Next year will be better than this year, but what kind of gains will happen I don't know. From sheer experience and strength alone the team will be better. They've had one year with the coaching staff and learning the system. There were a lot of freshmen, sophomores, and junior college players that saw their first D1 action. You can win by plugging certain inexperience at certain positions, but not all over the place.
I think it goes without saying KU needs to improve in every area. I don't think there is one area where you look at the team and believe that unit ranks among the upper half of the Big 12 outside what Wyman has done as a punter.
I studied the numbers of the conference, each team, and what next year shapes up like with the most important part of what I believe needs to improve the fastest....The Offense.
Every phase of KU's team needs to get better. But after looking it over and breaking it down you will not win in the Big 12 without being able to move the chains, get yards, and scoring. You just won't. This league is run by coaches like Holgorsen, Gundy, Lincoln Riley, Kingsbury, Briles, Meacham/Cumby etc. They are very smart offensive minds who will create systems built around their personnel. They are going to be spread out and put stress on defenses and defensive coordinators.
There is no other conference that comes close to it.
In the NCAA national rankings the Big 12 has five of the Top 10 offenses in the country.
1- Baylor
2- Texas Tech
3- Oklahoma
6- TCU
7- Oklahoma State
That is unreal. Think about that. Half of the teams in the league are in the top seven overall in the country. The other thing that stood out is where some of those teams rank in rushing nationally:
4- Baylor
10- West Virginia
19- Oklahoma
21- TCU
25- Texas
34- Texas Tech
Obviously with so many eye-popping numbers on offense you would expect numbers to be down on defense. And oh were they. Only one Big 12 team is currently ranked in the Top 50 on defense and that's Oklahoma at #25.
There are six teams ranked 75 and below. Baylor, Texas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Texas Tech, and Kansas.
Those offensive numbers also are more impressive with the fact how many QB changes or injuries have happened.
Having watched so much Big 12 football the other thing I am impressed with is the skill in which the offensive lines operate in such exotic schemes. Look at what West Virginia did this year. They basically created a new way to run the football out of the diamond set with two backs and still throw the ball.
The OL/QB combos are really good in the Big 12. So I went into it deeper to see what next year looks like next year:
Iowa State- Loses four OL starters returns their current starting QB.
Oklahoma- Returns three OL starters and all three of their top QB on the depth chart
Kansas State- Loses four starting OL and returns several QB
Baylor- Loses four starters on OL returns three QB
Oklahoma State- Returns all OL and QBs
Texas Tech- Loses four OL starters and returns top two QB
Texas- Returns three starters on OL and top three QB on depth chart
TCU- Loses four OL starters and Boykin
West Virginia- Returns four OL starters and top three QB on depth chart
It is a mixed bag but some good offenses will have to break in new OL but very few lose their QBs. Some good offenses this year return several players in key positions.
The fact it is and it isn't even arguable you have to score in this league.
The KU defense needs to improve, there is no denying that. But you win in the Big 12 by getting a few key stops on defense and scoring. KU returns several guys on offense. You hope in the off season they grow and jell together. Experience will help a lot. It will be interesting to see if they tweak anything or change something on offense. I know the injuries and a young OL have been tough. They aren't running what they intended to going into the season. The fastest way to see improvement is going to be a developing offense. That will also help the defense. I am trying to locate this stat but I was told KU had the most three-and-outs in the country.
They have some players to build around. It will be interesting to watch it develop.
Next year will be better than this year, but what kind of gains will happen I don't know. From sheer experience and strength alone the team will be better. They've had one year with the coaching staff and learning the system. There were a lot of freshmen, sophomores, and junior college players that saw their first D1 action. You can win by plugging certain inexperience at certain positions, but not all over the place.
I think it goes without saying KU needs to improve in every area. I don't think there is one area where you look at the team and believe that unit ranks among the upper half of the Big 12 outside what Wyman has done as a punter.
I studied the numbers of the conference, each team, and what next year shapes up like with the most important part of what I believe needs to improve the fastest....The Offense.
Every phase of KU's team needs to get better. But after looking it over and breaking it down you will not win in the Big 12 without being able to move the chains, get yards, and scoring. You just won't. This league is run by coaches like Holgorsen, Gundy, Lincoln Riley, Kingsbury, Briles, Meacham/Cumby etc. They are very smart offensive minds who will create systems built around their personnel. They are going to be spread out and put stress on defenses and defensive coordinators.
There is no other conference that comes close to it.
In the NCAA national rankings the Big 12 has five of the Top 10 offenses in the country.
1- Baylor
2- Texas Tech
3- Oklahoma
6- TCU
7- Oklahoma State
That is unreal. Think about that. Half of the teams in the league are in the top seven overall in the country. The other thing that stood out is where some of those teams rank in rushing nationally:
4- Baylor
10- West Virginia
19- Oklahoma
21- TCU
25- Texas
34- Texas Tech
Obviously with so many eye-popping numbers on offense you would expect numbers to be down on defense. And oh were they. Only one Big 12 team is currently ranked in the Top 50 on defense and that's Oklahoma at #25.
There are six teams ranked 75 and below. Baylor, Texas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Texas Tech, and Kansas.
Those offensive numbers also are more impressive with the fact how many QB changes or injuries have happened.
Having watched so much Big 12 football the other thing I am impressed with is the skill in which the offensive lines operate in such exotic schemes. Look at what West Virginia did this year. They basically created a new way to run the football out of the diamond set with two backs and still throw the ball.
The OL/QB combos are really good in the Big 12. So I went into it deeper to see what next year looks like next year:
Iowa State- Loses four OL starters returns their current starting QB.
Oklahoma- Returns three OL starters and all three of their top QB on the depth chart
Kansas State- Loses four starting OL and returns several QB
Baylor- Loses four starters on OL returns three QB
Oklahoma State- Returns all OL and QBs
Texas Tech- Loses four OL starters and returns top two QB
Texas- Returns three starters on OL and top three QB on depth chart
TCU- Loses four OL starters and Boykin
West Virginia- Returns four OL starters and top three QB on depth chart
It is a mixed bag but some good offenses will have to break in new OL but very few lose their QBs. Some good offenses this year return several players in key positions.
The fact it is and it isn't even arguable you have to score in this league.
The KU defense needs to improve, there is no denying that. But you win in the Big 12 by getting a few key stops on defense and scoring. KU returns several guys on offense. You hope in the off season they grow and jell together. Experience will help a lot. It will be interesting to see if they tweak anything or change something on offense. I know the injuries and a young OL have been tough. They aren't running what they intended to going into the season. The fastest way to see improvement is going to be a developing offense. That will also help the defense. I am trying to locate this stat but I was told KU had the most three-and-outs in the country.
They have some players to build around. It will be interesting to watch it develop.
