Worst-case scenarios in the Big 12: What every team wants to avoid this spring
Sometimes spring practice is about avoiding the negatives as much as it is building momentum
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4 min read
Normally in spring practice, everything is positive. Everyone is undefeated and coaches are more than happy to run through a list of players that are “competing” and “working on fundamentals” during this period of organized, yet regulated, team activities. But that’s not the real world, where injuries and depth concerns loom large along with program stability and ticket sales.
Below, we’ve got some worst-case spring practice scenarios for the Big 12. Some are serious, many are not, but all of the potential topics would not be good news if they surfaced at the end of April when the final spring games are done.
Big 12 Worst-Case Scenarios
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| More off-field controversy: Technically, given the lengthy sexual assault scandal marring the school, the worst-case scenario for Baylor would be to shut down the program for a period of time (although many people believe that’s a good thing). That won’t happen, but the last thing the Bears need is more controversy. First-year coach Matt Rhule has already fired two staff members for inappropriate -- and, in one case, illegal -- behavior. This is supposed to be a time for moving forward and getting significantly better. Baylor’s transgressions can’t continue under Rhule. | |
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| A star gets hurt: Iowa State is in rebuild mode, and likely will be for some time, but there is a potential future pro in wideout Allen Lazard. The senior-to-be has been the go-to guy over the last two seasons. Losing him to, say, a season-ending injury would be a major blow to the offense, which is still finding an identity. The Cyclones have an underrated stable of pass-catchers, but Lazard is the dude. | |
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| No quarterback resolution: What? The last seven years haven’t been enough? In all seriousness, there is a sliver of hope for the Jayhawks. Quarterback Carter Stanley was a welcome improvement in November and the coaching staff received an upgrade with the addition of Doug Meacham from TCU. All of this means Kansas may actually be a thorn to a few other teams besides TCU (for some reason). But what if Stanley doesn’t progress and there’s no resolution between him and Peyton Bender? Coach David Beatty has welcomed a competition, but he also wants it resolved. | |
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| Bill Snyder takes another leave: This is a serious matter that goes above and beyond any football game. Snyder, 77, was diagnosed with throat cancer in February. Though the prognosis so far has been positive and the support overwhelming, this is nevertheless an anxious time for K-Staters. God forbid things take a turn for the worse, forcing Snyder to step aside either temporarily or permanently. Here’s hoping for a full recovery for the Hall of Famer. | |
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| No offensive help emerges: Oklahoma has to replace receiver Dede Westbrook, and running backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine. Combined, those players accounted for 62 percent of the Sooners’ offensive touchdowns from 2016. The light seemed to flicker on for receiver Jeffery Mead towards the end of the year, but he’s never caught more than two passes in a game. Running back Rodney Anderson is a gifted player coaches have raved about, but he’s never stayed healthy. The last thing the Sooners want is to exit spring with unanswered questions around quarterback Baker Mayfield. | |
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| Mike Gundy cuts his mullet: Kidding. Sort of. What the Cowboys really need this spring are answers on defense, namely with the loss of defensive lineman Vincent Taylor. We know the Pokes are going to score a lot of points on teams in 2017. The difference between being a fun team and a legit Big 12 contender is whether they’ll stop anyone along the way. The worst-case scenario is Oklahoma State exits spring feeling like it can’t. | |
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| Kenny Hill doesn’t get his swagger back: I’ll shine an unflattering spotlight on myself. I was all-in on TCU winning the Big 12 last year (oof). There were many reasons this didn’t come close to happening, but one of them was inconsistency from Hill. He’d wow you with some throws, then turn around and throw a head-scratcher. Confidence in the face of high expectations was an issue according to coach Gary Patterson. Hill needs to regain that confidence this offseason. Otherwise, TCU will face similar problems again. | |
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| Defensive changes yield few results: It remains mind-boggling that, with the pure talent it possesses, Texas’ defense has been so … fundamentally … bad. First-year coordinator Todd Orlando has shuffled some guys around hoping to find better chemistry and production. What the Longhorns absolutely do not want is to tinker with things out of necessity come August. Yes, new coach Tom Herman is in a grace period, but for all of former coach Charlie Strong’s weaknesses, he put together a roster ready to win. | |
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| Still no life on defense: This wasn’t copied and pasted from last year. Promise. Yes, the Red Raiders have to replace quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, a transcendent talent, but Nic Shimonek is at least the front-runner. It’s the defense that remains a larger question mark. There are plenty of returning players, but that’s not automatically a good thing. Having continuity with defensive coordinator David Gibbs should help, right? Right? | |
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| The offensive line struggles to rebuild: So here’s the interesting thing about the ‘Eers, fresh off a 10-win season with a new contract for coach Dana Holgorsen to boot. Florida transfer Will Grier is undoubtedly the most gifted quarterback Holgorsen has coached since he inherited Geno Smith. All indications are that Grier blew the coaching staff away as the scout team guy last year. But now West Virginia has to find a steady starting five to protect him. Three key leaders from last year’s group are gone and tackle Marcell Lazard left the team. Not great. | |
