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Big 12 spring football preview: Iowa State looks to give Oklahoma serious challenge for title

Erick Smith
USA TODAY

College football never stops. Even though the season ended just more than a month ago, preparations are already full speed toward the 2021 campaign. 

Spring practices give teams an opportunity to develop starters, find replacements for departed players and give young talent the chance to gain experience.

The outlook for the Big 12 again focuses on Oklahoma. The Sooners have won the league for six consecutive seasons, but aspirations will be higher this year with most of their best players returning on both sides of the ball. The contenders to knock them off the mountain include Iowa State. The Cyclones are loaded for a run as Matt Campbell continues to build the program into one of the conference's best.

There's several other teams hoping to break through, including Oklahoma State, Texas, TCU and West Virginia.

The key question for each team entering its offseason practices:

Baylor

2020 record: 2-7 (2-7 in Big 12)

Key players: WR R.J. Sneed, LB Terrel Bernard, DB Jalen Pitre

Biggest question: Where does the offense come from?

Dave Aranda’s hiring before last season was going to bring a more immediate impact on the defense. The surprise was how poorly the Bears struggled to score in 2020. They were near the bottom in the country in points (23.3) and yards (310.2) per game, so Aranda brought in Jeff Grimes from Brigham Young to run the offense. The first order of business is finding a quarterback with Charlie Brewer choosing to transfer. Not far behind is sorting out the running game that averaged just 2.7 yards per carry. The defense should be improved with a complete offseason under Aranda’s tutelage.

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Iowa State

2020 record: 9-3 (8-1)

Key players: QB Brock Purdy, RB Breece Hall, LB Mike Rose

Biggest question: How do the Cyclones handle expectations?

The hypothesis may seem strange, but it’s hard to argue against ISU being among the top College Football Playoff contenders with Hall and Rose returning as Big 12 offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively. Purdy enters his senior season as one of the country’s better quarterbacks, but he still needs to limit turnovers. Several veterans stayed to bolster a defense that led the conference against the run and was second in total defense. The situation is rarefied air for the Cyclones, who have thrived as an underdog. Now that they’re one of the hunted, does the attitude that got them near the top change? Maintaining the work ethic in the offseason and avoiding complacency is critical as spring and summer efforts are what pay dividends in the fall.

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Kansas

2020 record: 0-9 (0-8)

Key players: WR Kwamie Lassiter II, LB Kyron Johnson, DB Kenny Logan

Biggest question: Will the Jayhawks win a Big 12 game this season?

The optimism Les Miles brought into the program was wiped away after the Jayhawks were overmatched in his second season. They were outscored 378-119 in eight conference games. A three-point loss to Texas Tech in the season finale was the only game closer than 21 points. There are numerous challenges on both sides of the ball, starting at quarterback. Lassiter’s return is a bright spot. The other positive? Things can’t go much lower after ranking second to last in total offense (259.2 yards) and 108th (429.2 yards) on defense. It’s vital for Miles to show progress to build faith with the players and the administration that this program can be turned around.

Kansas State

2020 record: 4-6 (4-5)

Key players: QB Skylar Thompson, RB Deuce Vaughn, DB Jahron McPherson

Biggest question: Was last year’s finish just a blip or sign of decline?

A season of promise was upended by COVID-19 issues and an injury that sidelined Thompson for the season after three games. After winning their first four Big 12 games, the Wildcats lost their last five as the offense and defense fell apart. The bright spot of the season was the emergence of Vaughn, who was spectacular as a true freshman. Thompson is also back, which should help resolve many of last year’s offensive woes. Most of the big losses are on defense, so the focus has to be there if K-State wants to be a real contender.

Oklahoma

2020 record: 9-2 (6-2)

Key players: QB Spencer Rattler, WR Marvin Mims, LB Nik Bonitto

Biggest question: Is this Oklahoma’s best shot to win national title under Lincoln Riley?

The signs point that direction. The Sooners won their sixth Big 12 title in a row in a rebuilding year that saw Rattler struggle early in his first year as a starter. He enters this season as a Heisman Trophy favorite after better play in the second half that coincided with a season-ending, six-game win streak. Most of the skill players return more mature, plus RB Kennedy Brooks comes back after opting out. Mims is just one of several talented receivers. What really makes this team capable of breaking through is the defense. Gone are the days of wondering if it is good enough. The Sooners boast an impressive front seven, led by Bonitto and Perrion Winfrey, that stops the run and pressures the passer. The maligned secondary had 16 interceptions last year, more than all but two teams. OU just needs to avoid the usual hiccup that has cropped up in recent seasons.

Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) runs past Florida defensive players during the 2020 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium.

Oklahoma State

2020 record: 8-3 (6-3)

Key players: QB Spencer Sanders, RB Dezmon Jackson, LB Malcolm Rodriguez

Biggest question: Does last year’s disappointment fuel this season’s team?

The pieces seemed in place for the Cowboys to make their first Big 12 title game. That was before its three offensive stars — Sanders, Chuba Hubbard and Tylan Wallace — dealt with injury issues. The offense expected to be one of the conference’s best was just in the middle of the pack. Sanders is all that’s left of the trio, though Jackson looks to be another in the line of the program’s talented running backs. Rodriguez leads a veteran defense that could be a strength this year and may be the difference in changing this season's outcome.

TCU

2020 record: 6-4 (5-4)

Key players: QB Max Duggan, DL Ochaun Mathis, DB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson

Biggest question: Can Duggan lead the usual resurgence under Gary Patterson?

Before last year, the Horned Frogs had never gone three consecutive seasons without double-digit wins since Patterson took over in 2000. The possibility of stopping the slump is there if things go right. Duggan had a subdued sophomore year after a procedure to address a heart condition slowed his start. He must fulfill his potential to make the TCU offense explosive enough to compete with the elite Big 12 teams. Defense has always been a mainstay under Patterson. There are some holes to address at linebacker, but this shapes up to be another stingy unit that can be the backbone of a team in the title race if things go well.

Texas

2020 record: 7-3 (5-3)

Key players: RB Bijan Robinson, WR Joshua Moore, LB DeMarvion Overshown 

Biggest question: Who replaces Sam Ehlinger at quarterback?

After four frustrating and stressful years under Tom Herman, Texas changed course with the hiring of Steve Sarkisian after his impressive stint as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. The hope is that his time with the Crimson Tide has put him in a better position to lead a program after tenures at Southern California and Washington. Optimism runs high in Austin with the hope the Longhorns will look like Alabama’s high-powered offense, but that will take some time. Robinson is a great start and should be an elite performer as a sophomore. Casey Thompson and Hudson Card have the inside track on filling the shoes of Ehlinger, a four-year starter. Whomever wins the job must be up to speed quickly with an early schedule that starts with challenging non-conference games against Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas.

Texas running back Bijan Robinson breaks free during a long run against West Virginia in 2020.

Texas Tech

2020 record: 4-6 (3-6)

Key players: QB Tyler Shough, WR Erik Ezukanma, LB Krishon Merriweather

Biggest question: Will the Red Raiders be able to outscore opponents?

The biggest recruit this season for Matt Wells could be Shough, who arrives as a transfer from Oregon and looks to provide needed stability at quarterback. Only TCU and Baylor averaged fewer yards per pass in the Big 12 — a surprise for a team that lives and dies throwing the ball. Ezukanma stands to put up even bigger numbers after being a first-team all-conference selection, while SaRodorick Thompson will carry the running game. Why is the emphasis on the offense? Because the eternal question of whether Tech’s defense will be good enough has become a cliché. It’s not going to happen, so that means outscoring opponents to win games.

West Virginia

2020 record: 6-4 (4-4)

Key players: QB Jarrett Doege, RB Leddie Brown, DL Akheem Mesidor

Biggest question: Is West Virginia in position to threaten the elite?

Neal Brown is slowly putting his imprint on the Mountaineers, who went to a bowl game in his second year. Now the emphasis will be pushing into the top tier of the league. The major reason for last year’s success was a defense that ranked fourth in total defense (291.4 yards per game) and first in passing yards allowed (159.6). Mesidor is one of several key players on that side of the ball who return. With confidence opponents will be held in check, the focus will be on the offense doing its part to win the close games that decide whether you are in contention or off the pace. Brown and Doege, along with the top two receivers returning, provide promise that there will be enough scoring to threaten the best in the league.

Follow colleges reporter Erick Smith on Twitter @ericksmith

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