College football summer reading list: Big 12 edition

“Daddy’s Gone” by Lincoln Riley

When Oklahoma didn’t bring quarterback contestant Kyler Murray to Big 12 Media Day it raised some eyebrows. Head coach Lincoln Riley assured everyone it didn’t mean anything except that Murray is going to have to fight like crazy to win the job. You would think Sooner fans have enough to deal with – the loss of Baker Mayfield and the Rose Bowl loss to Georgia, that Riley would give them peace of mind and name a starting QB already. While Murray’s athleticism jumps out at you, sophomore Austin Kendall is more of a smooth, slow burn – a great pocket passer who is good with his progressions and is sneaky athletic. The QB position will be supplemented by a talented receiving corps and running back Rodney Anderson who will be getting his grown man on this season following his 1,161 yards and 13 touchdowns in just seven games last year. The Sooners need difference-makers to emerge on defense. But at the end of the day Oklahoma boasts more talent than anyone in the Big 12 making them virtually unstoppable.

“Fear the Grier” by Dana Holgorsen

To say that West Virginia is loaded on offense is an understatement. Will Grier completed 250 of 388 passes for 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns – he is the best quarterback in the Big 12 and possibly in all of college football this year. His bromance with wide receiver David Sills continues after last year’s 60 receptions for 980 yards and 18 touchdowns. Plus Grier will have Alabama transfer T.J. Simmons to throw to. But that’s where the good news ends. Defensively, the Mountaineers have serious concerns. The defense allowed 200 plus rushing yards per game last year, something that will need to be addressed by Tony Gibson. Lots of moving pieces due to injuries at linebacker in the spring so hopefully Grier&Co won’t have to put up 50 every game to cover for the defense. Luckily, defenses don’t win the Big 12, quarterbacks and wide receivers do.

“How To Properly Crash A Party” by Gary Patterson

In the real world, showing up at a party that you weren’t invited to is considered rude. In the college football world, it’s considered an art form. And TCU is close to perfecting their Playoff party-crashing game. The key is to surprise and delight the host. The skill position power that the Horned Frogs posses this season is sure to tickle the committee’s fancy despite Shawn Robinson being unproven and the offensive line being rebuilt. Robinson, if he wins the job over 4-star QB Justin Rogers, will have skilled targets to hit including sophomore Jalen Reagor, who led the team last year with eight touchdown catches and freshman Tay Barber who Patterson calls “the perfect child.” The defense will be good as per usual, captained by defensive end Ben Banogu, who led the league in sacks last year with 8.5. Special teams is also set – the Frogs return everyone but a long snapper. TCU needs to put it all together by Week 3, when they face Ohio State in Arlington.

“Life Is A Game Of Inches” by Tom Herman

Texas lost four games last year by four points or less. Finishing close games is clearly an issue for the Longhorns, one that should be resolved with this year’s emerging difference-makers, right Tom Herman?

(Insert long uncomfortable pause here)

All media day jokes aside, last year’s rash of injuries forced young players into games, creating limited continuity so the Longhorns main goal this year is to stay healthy. Especially with no standout quarterback yet to emerge in the battle between Sam Ehlinger and Shane Buchele, who combined for 18 touchdowns last year and 11 interceptions. The addition of Herb Hand from Auburn will limit the biggest problem from last year – critical turnovers. Another year, another incremental improvement in Austin.

“A Quiet Confidence” by Mike Gundy

The Cowboys had quite the standoff at quarterback – a four-way battle between senior Taylor Cornelius, sophomore Keondre Wudtee, Hawaii graduate transfer Dru Brown and freshman Spencer Sanders. But head coach Mike Gundy has said thar Cornelius will be “the guy” heading into fall camp, possibly because he was the one handling the bulk of snaps in spring – Sanders and Brown weren’t on campus yet. Oklahoma State has plenty of playmakers on offense including versatile running back Justice Hill, who led the league with 1,467 rushing yards last year and wide receiver Jalen McClesky who caught 152 passes for 1,710 yards and 15 touchdowns. The receiver position is very deep and the offensive line is solid, led by the fearsome Marcus Keyes. Defensively, new coordinator Jim Knowles will institute his 4-2-5 scheme which should fit better in the spread-happy Big 12. The Cowboys definitely have a quiet confidence with 12 returning starters and an easy slate of opening games. Standoffs in Stillwater should be fun this year.

“Keep Calm & Campbell On” by Matt Campbell

Iowa State may still be 1-2 years away from upper echelon-ness, but second year head coach Matt Campbell received high praise for his first season that included a 7-5 overall finish, five conference wins and a bowl game victory over Memphis. Quarterback Kyle Kempt, a calm, precision passer competed 66 percent of his passes in 2017 and threw 15 touchdowns with only three interceptions. Composition is key for Campbell – he likes his players to remain cool under pressure. Like running back David Montgomery, who was ice cold last year rushing for 1,146 yards (3 ^rd  in the Big-12). The offense is laden with big, talented wide receivers as well. But the defensive improvement last season is what aided in Campbell’s program turnaround. The defensive line is the deepest unit and senior cornerback Brian Peavy will be a force for opposing offenses to reckon with – Peavy is the active career leader in tackles, interceptions and starts for the Cyclones. Iowa State is a deeper, more athletic team and significantly better in the trenches which should help them win the close games. Expect them to finish in the upper half of the conference.

“Age Before Beauty” by Bill Snyder

Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder will turn 79 this season. Let that sink in. And imagine yourself roaming a college football sideline nearing 80 years old. Yeah, right. But 26 years and 210 wins means Synder will probably be doing this forever. This year, the Wildcats have a decent amount of returning talent particularly on the offensive line, which returns all five starters and is led by Dalton Risner, one of the best blockers in the country. That bodes well for the strong, deep running back group. With two new coordinators and uncertainty at key positions like quarterback, the usual slow Kansas State start won't cut it, especially with a tough early part of the Big 12 schedule. Synder will need to hit the ground running if he wants another six or even seven win season in Manhattan.

“Play by the Rhules” by Matt Rhule

First things first – the Baylor Bears need to shake least year’s 1-11 season off like a Taylor Swift song. It’s easy to understand why head coach Matt Rhule’s first year went down the way it did, but it’s what he does next that will dictate the new culture at Baylor. The schedule is gentler, with four games before facing a formidable Oklahoma squad. Quarterback Charlie Brewer is mobile and accurate – he passed for 1,562 yards and 11 touchdowns in 4.5 games last year. The Bears are stacked at receiver and will utilize a running back by committee approach on the ground. An experienced defensive line will generate better pass rush and force more turnovers, which won’t be super hard since Baylor only had three interceptions last year. With greater overall depth, thanks in part to transfers, Baylor will be moving in the right direction. And if the Bears can stay healthy it will bowl game or bust.

“Things Have Changed” by Kliff Kingsbury

The Red Raiders want everyone to know that this isn’t your grandfather’s Texas Tech team. The 2018 Red Raiders boast a reliable defense and an unpredictable offense. Not necessarily a bad thing but also not the norm in Lubbock. The quarterback battle is fierce with junior McLane Carter and sophomore Jett Duffey, both dual threat QB’s. But we are told that freshman Alan Bowman looked so encouraging and commanding in spring ball that he has a legitimate shot. The offense lost 70 percent of its receiving production but luckily it still has sophomore running back Da’Leon Ward, who is a major key to Texas Tech’s success next season. Plus an offensive line that returns five starters and will be coached to perfection by Kingsbury’s capable staff.  Defensively, the Red Raiders return nine starters who are both athletic and aggressive. According to one coach, senior Dakota Allen is the best linebacker he has seen in his many years as a Division 1 coach. Texas Tech will be better than people expect because they will be playing like Kingsbury’s job depends on it. Because it does.

“Some Like It Hot” by David Beaty

There is no college football coach in a more precarious position this season, mainly because most coaches don’t live to see a 3-33 record in three years. To say hot seat is a major understatement. Kansas head coach David Beaty might as well be walking on the sun. The good news is that the Jayhawks are statistically bound to be better – KU returns a combined 91 percent of their offensive and defensive production from last season, the second highest mark nationally behind Michigan State. The offensive line has concerns but running back has potential to be the best position on offense. On the other side of the ball, things are better. Daniel Wise will anchor the defensive front and Joe Dineen Jr. adds experience at linebacker – he led the nation in solo tackles last season with 7.6 per game. Kansas also recruited heavily in the secondary, hoping to improve the team's speed and athleticism. Enter freshman CB Corione Harris, whose speed and agility make him dangerous to opposing offenses. If Kansas can limit mistakes and tighten things up across the board, things could look up in Lawrence.