http://www.yardbarker.com/content/school/56 Recent Yardbarker Articles: Kansas State Wildcats en-us I want to make it clear that every list you'll see regarding the most difficult schedule for the 2008 college football season is entirely subjective. I took into account where those tough games take place - at home or on the road. Ultimately, I ranked the teams based on the total number of pre-season Top 25 games on the schedule and how many of those games are at home or on the road. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:47:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294169 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294169 Athlon continues to preview the 2008 college fantasy season with a look at the Big 12. This conference boasts a plethora of starting quarterback options, but several intriguing running back battles are worth watching in the fall. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:09:57 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293126 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293126 The NBA draft went off as predicted, Derrick Rose No. 1, Michael Beasley No. 2, O.J. Mayo No. 3 and so on. Next comes the dozens of experts trying to determine the winners and losers and who will make the biggest impact etc. But if you look a little deeper at who was drafted late, you might find some hidden gems. www.rawsportsblog.com Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:45:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283033 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283033 In a year where gunslinger quarterbacks reign supreme, the Big 12 has no shortage of fantasy receiver options either. Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree is the top fantasy receiver in the nation. In fact last season, Crabby had arguably the top fantasy season by a college receiver - ever. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:02:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282172 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282172 Fantasy owners should find no shortage of roster options in the Big 12 this year and just like the quarterback position, running backs are stocked. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:13:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279452 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279452 2008 should be a huge year for quarterbacks in the Big 12 and there are plenty of fantasy options at this position. Check out these fantasy quarterback rankings from the Big 12 - Graham Harrell is the obvious number one pick, but Missouri's Chase Daniel isn't far behind. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:02:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276880 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276880 I continue on with my rankings for Big 12 defenses. This info should be helpful to those who play in leagues where points are earned based on team play. Some players are mentioned to help out those who play in individual player leagues. These rankings are my opinion and are based on several factors including experience, talent, schedule strength, etc. This is also in no way a reflection of my picks for how teams may or may not finish in the standings or polls during the season in terms of overall and conference records. Thanks to all who view these rankings, and feel free to reference back to my site when the season is on-going. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:27:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276525 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276525 If I am Michael Beasley I would have a chip on my shoulder from all the mock-ery drafts being published. The lastest comes from HoopsWorld (this is Mock Draft version 3.0 for them) where they place Jerryd Bayless at the 2nd pick in the NBA draft. Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:15:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275837 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275837 Now we move onto my favorite conference, the Big 12! Today, we cover the Big 12 offenses. This should be beneficial to those fantasy players that play fantasy college football that uses offensive and defensive units like Sporting News with their game. I will throw some players out there on teams that you could also use in individual player leagues, too. I'm using various methods to determine my rankings which include, but are not limited to, returning starters, skill level on that side of the ball, balance, schedule strength, etc. Having inexperience or lack of skill on each side of the ball can have a direct effect on how they do on either side of the ball, so each intrical part is important and could explain why they are performing well or not. Also, these are my rankings, and in no way reflect or necessarily pick how I predict teams to finish in the standings of each conference in terms of won-loss records. Boomer Sooner! Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:05:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275247 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275247 Moving along in our look at the upcoming 2008 college football season, FIO staff writer Dan Mesday gives you the first installment of his College Football Conference Outlooks. Included, you can find: Key Returnees, Key Losses, Best H.S. Signings, Must-See Games and Previews for each team. This time around - the Big 12. Fri, 30 May 2008 08:46:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/272407 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/272407 Brad Underwood, an assistant basketball coach at Kansas State, told the Konza Rotary Club (can somebody please explain to me what a rotary club is) that O.J. Mayo called Bob Huggins around the time of national letter of intent signing day and begged the coach to allow him to play for K-State. Huggins reportedly rejected Mayo's plea. Wed, 28 May 2008 07:18:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/271640 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/271640 A pretty good case made for O.J. Mayo as the #3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft by NBADraft.net. Tue, 20 May 2008 12:45:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/269005 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/269005 Ivan Maisel and Mark Schlabach break down three things that could have an impact on the Big 12 Conference race in 2008. Ivan Maisel 1. Texas may be trying to figure out who will run and catch the ball this fall, but the offensive line will be deep, deep, deep. That's great news for quarterback Colt McCoy, because the Longhorns finished next to last in the Big 12 in sacks allowed last season with 25. The line is a year older, stronger and smarter. 2. Michael Crabtree, despite what you may have thought, didn't have the only breakout year among Big 12 freshman receivers. Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State caught 43 passes for 622 yards and six touchdowns. Bryant is big (6-2, 210) and will be the go-to guy for Zac Robinson now that Adarius Bowman is gone. That is, if the Cowboys find someone who will do for him what he did for Bowman -- keep the secondary honest. 3. Kansas has three issues to overcome this season, in ascending order of difficulty: self-satisfaction after going 12-1 and finishing No. 7; being the hunted instead of the hunter; and a schedule that includes South Florida, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Texas, four bowl teams that the Jayhawks didn't play on their road to 2007 glory. Mark Schlabach 1. Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops wants his offense to play faster. It's hard to believe the Sooners can get much faster after leading the country with 80 touchdowns last season. But QB Sam Bradford will operate out of a no-huddle offense this coming season after throwing 36 TDs and only eight interceptions in 2007. 2. Kansas and Missouri came out of nowhere to contend for the Big 12 title last season. Will both teams be able to keep pace without several of their star players? The Jayhawks lost tailback Brandon McAnderson, All-America cornerback Aqib Talib and tackle Anthony Collins. The Tigers lost RB Tony Temple, center Adam Spieker and tight end Martin Rucker. Which team will adjust faster? 3. With QB Graham Harrell and WR Michael Crabtree returning, Texas Tech might be even better on offense than it was a year ago. Red Raiders coach Mike Leach believes a handful of juco transfers will make his defense up front, giving them a legitimate chance to compete for a Big 12 South title. Tue, 13 May 2008 15:09:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266536 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266536 The Denver Nuggets have the 20th selection in the 2008 NBA Draft and are leaning towards several candidates. How many people reading this thought they have a chance of landing Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, or O.J. Mayo? www.rawsportsblog.com Sun, 11 May 2008 11:12:26 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265705 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265705 Recruiting and signing the Michael Beasleys and O.J. Mayos of the world can be great for a program but this positive also has a negative. The NCAA has recently revealed it's APR (Academic Progress Rates) sanctions. USC basketball has lost 2 scholarships and Kansas State basketball lost 1 scholarship. When these top athletes leave for the NBA (one and dones), they have only went to school for 1 semester and are busy doing workouts for pro teams. These workouts result in them mising class. Why would these players care anyways? They are getting selected in the draft and getting millions of dollars from it. The colleges on the other hand are paying for it dearly. Lacking a greater number of scholarships means losing out on a chance to maximize a coach's ability to get a top recruit. Michael Beasley and O.J. Mayo have left their marks on Kansas State and Southern Cal. The one and done idea is a stupid idea and I hope David Stern does not increase the number of years. The NBA should copy the MLB in the way they handle the amateur draft. The MLB allows players to enter the draft after high school but if they go to college they have to stay in school till at least their junior year. This may not be the ideal that Stern is looking for but it is certainly better than what he has set up. The NBA is using college basketball as a free minor league system but the colleges suffer from it. This is taking away the student aspect from the idea of the student-athlete. Players have different reasons for leaving for the draft. For some, it is financial and others are legitimate superstars (Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, etc.) who are ready for the NBA and do not need the college game to develop. Wed, 07 May 2008 20:08:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264543 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/264543