The Big 12 is well known for its high-powered offenses but with graduation claiming several players, along with Griffin and Blackmon heading to the NFL, not to mention Mizzou and Texas A&M taking some great talent with them to the SEC, it would be easy to think the Big 12 might not be lighting up the scoreboard like it has the past few seasons.
While all that may be true, the cupboard will be far from bare when they hit the field next season. The Big 12 will still have more than a few formidable offenses that defensive coordinator's are going to have to try and figure out how to stop. Here's a quick look at some of the top talent that should keep Big 12 offenses humming right along in 2012.
1. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma - Jones returning to Oklahoma for his senior season probably makes the Sooners the favorites, once again, in what should be a wide open Big 12 race. Jones has put up huge stats in his three years as OU's starter - 12,379 yards and 93 touchdowns - but he's yet to play for the national title which is probably one big reason he'll be back in Norman in 2012.
2. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia - Assuming West Virginia finally makes it to the Big 12, Smith should start off right where he finished in the Orange Bowl when he shredded Clemson's defense to pieces. The junior threw for 4,385 yards and 31 touchdowns for Dana Holgorsen and should only get better during his second year in the system. Defensive coordinators should be worried.
3. Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State - The junior rushed for 1,141 yards in 2011 and continued to improve as a passer throughout the season. Assuming the Wildcats can keep him healthy, he'll be in for another big season in Manhattan.
4. Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma State - It'll be interesting to see what becomes of the Cowboys' offense in the post Weeden/Blackmon era, but Randle will be one guy they can rely on as the break in a new starting quarterback. He finished this season and 1216 yards and an impressive 24 rushing touchdowns. He also be helped by his running mate, Jeremy Smith, who will continue to help shoulder some of the load for Pokes in 2012
5. Seth Doege - QB, Texas Tech - Robert Griffin, Weeden, and Jones stole most of the headlines at quarterback in 2011, but Doege put together nice first season as the starter in Lubbock. He threw for 4004 yards and 28 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Considering the bulk of his receiving corps return next season, he should be in for a big senior year.
6. Dom Whaley, RB, Oklahoma - It's easy to forget about Whaley since he only played seven games before fracturing his ankle and missing the rest of the season. He had an impressive first half of the season, however, and assuming there aren't any lingering injury issues, should be right back in the mix in the OU backfield along with Roy Finch.
7. Eric Stephens, RB, Texas Tech - Like Whaley at Oklahoma, Stephens is kind of a forgotten man after playing in only five games before injuring his knee. Before he was hurt, he was averaging 113 yards a game for the Red Raiders and could be one of the best backs in the Big 12 next season if he returns to 100% health.
8. Kenny Stills, WR - Oklahoma - No one may benefit in Landry Jones' decision to return more than Kenny Stills. The sophomore finished 7th in the Big 12 with 5.8 catches per game this year, a number that will should dramatically increase next season. Oklahoma had some struggles after Ryan Broyles went down with his injury, but Stills and Jones will have an entire offseason to help develop the chemistry that made the Jones and Broyles connection so successful.
9. Tavon Austin - WR, West Virginia - If you watched West Virginia's dismantling of Clemson in the Orange Bowl, then you know Tavon Austin can be a handful to stop. He finished with 12 catches for 123 yards and four touchdowns (although, yes, several came on WV's "shovel pass" jet-sweep play). Paired with Geno Smith and playing in Dana Holgorsen's offense means Austin should be in for another big season in 2012).
10. Casey Pachall, QB, TCU - Pachall had a solid season in his first year as a starter replacing Andy Dalton. They'll be some adjustment for the Horned Frogs playing against Big 12 competition week in and week out, but here's guessing Pachall and the Horned Frogs handle the change just fine.
It's goes without saying, but this list is by no means all inclusive. There are a slew of other guys set for big seasons, as well.
The combination of Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron at Texas will be even better next season.
You can count on Eric Ward and the Texas Tech receiving crew to put up big numbers again in Neal Brown's offense.
Kansas is a bit of a wild card with Charlie Weis coming on board, but he'll have two very talented backs, James Sims and Darrian Miller, at his disposal to go along with Dayne Crist at quarterback.
Who is going to replace Blackmon in OSU's offense? Well, you don't really replace a guy like that, but someone will emerge in that offense. Michael Harrison and Josh Stewart could be two of the top candidates.
Iowa State has to figure out their quarterback situation to go along with a new offensive coordinator, but Steele Jantz and Jared Barnett both should flashes of what they can do and should make big improvements in year two.
Baylor will have a new quarterback next season, but whoever it is will have two good receivers in Tevin Reese and Terrance Williams to work to help ease the transition out of the RGIII era.
So what do you think? Who am I missing? Leave a comment below and let's discuss it.
