Welcome to the Heartland College Sports Big 12 football mailbag. This mailbag is for all you football junkies out there who root for a Big 12 school and not only have questions about your team but other teams in the conference as well.
So, join me, grab a can, bottle, or glass of your favorite beverage, and relax as I answer all your Big 12 questions. I want to thank each one of you who submitted a question this week on Twitter and our message boards! As for tonight’s drink of choice, take a look for yourself. Cheers!
@Big12clone asks: Can you encourage Matt Campbell to give his fans an update on our wounded linebacker core?
Duke: As much as I love me some Matt Campbell, the man is going to give you coach speak in press conferences like most other coaches do. But to be fair, I wouldn’t want to give updates on my linebacker group either considering it is the weak link of the defense. There is no need for Iowa State to give an opponent any sort of edge when it comes to the health of your team. Now, I will say that the group certainly didn’t have their best game last weekend against UCF, but overall, I have been very impressed with how they have brought in younger guys who play well. I must give John Heacock some credit because he’s been bringing in guys from the student section to play linebacker.
@StephenfromVA asks: Before Baylor’s decisive victory over Texas Tech the season appeared lost and without hope. But now after a dominant road performance over a team better than the rest of the teams Baylor plays this season, how likely is it that Baylor runs the table and finishes 8-4?
Duke: Before I answer your question, I just want to say how impressed I was with Baylor’s offense against Texas Tech. Sawyer Roberston threw five touchdown passes, and the run game was on a roll with over 250 yards on the ground. If we get that Baylor offense, then they would have no trouble winning out. However, I still have concerns about Baylor being consistent week in and week out. Outside of the Texas Tech game, is there a game where they played well on both sides of the ball? You’d have to go back to the opening game against Tarleton State.
Now, their schedule is very favorable with games left against Oklahoma State, TCU, West Virginia, Houston, and Kansas, but there is no way they are going to go 5-0 and win out. I am thinking more along the lines of a 6-6 finish or best case 7-5. Now, the real question would be, is that enough for Dave Aranda to keep his job?
@KBehr68 asks: Does UCF bounce back or take a step back?
Duke: The Knights found some life offensively against a good Iowa State defense thanks to RJ Harvey, who ran for 196 yards and two touchdowns, and quarterback Jacurri Brown actually looked like a decent option for UCF moving forward. However, the Knights were gifted two pick-sixes (the other one was close enough) in that game, which may skew the perception of them a little bit. While it was nice to see UCF’s offense finally get going, I just aren’t ready to buy into them yet. Now, I don’t believe they will play BYU tough, but I wouldn’t count on UCF pulling off the upset.
@Vectoze_ asks: Remember when Morgantown used to be the toughest place to play? But hey, at least Neal Brown is having fun. Thoughts on his comments?
Duke: Morgantown is a great college town and should be one of the toughest places to play in the Big 12. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case during the Neal Brown era at West Virginia. Brown is now 34-33 with a conference record of 22-26 and is also 3-17 against top 25 teams. That simply isn’t good enough in year six, and his comments last week should piss off every West Virginia fan. Neal Brown doesn’t get paid over four million dollars a year to worry about fans having fun. Fans have the most fun when their team wins games, but Neal Brown certainly hasn’t done enough of that in Morgantown.
@JohnnyJ31458295 asks: Who has the hardest time transitioning in Big 12 their first year? Louisville, Pitt, Virginia Tech, or NC State?
Duke: Ok, whose burner account is this? I thought we could make it through October before we started talking about realignment again. Come on, Johnny, we are in the middle of a great Big 12 title race, and you want to bring up ACC teams? Anyways, if the Big 12 decides to add those teams they would likely all have a tough transition. If you don’t believe me then ask some of these new teams in the conference just how tough Big 12 football is week in and week out. There are no breaks in this conference and you won’t find November cupcake games here.
As for the answer to your question, it would be Pitt. I believe they would struggle with resources and recruiting and would have a tough time keeping up with the other programs in the Big 12 compared to those other three you mentioned.
