Stars of The Big 12: Who Can Keep This Conference Alive?

The Big 12, one of college foootballs most storied conferences. Will they suffer the same fate as the PAC 10? Losing schools like Oklahoma and Texas are huge blows to conference. They have been showing the ability to survive, but how can they get back to thiving?

Getting back to thriving all starts with the players. Stars attract attention and money, then attention and money attract more stars. The endless cycle of today's college athletics. So who are those guys in the Big 12 that will revive this conference to what it once was and put the "H-I-M in Championship for the Big 12" ?

What is the Big 12?

Once known for it high flying offenses that ran a run and gun style of play the Big 12 has seemingly balanced out when it comes to flashy offenses and stout defensive play. You have schools like Utah who over the last few years have turned out some amazing defenses but then you also still have the outstanding offenses of schools like Texas Tech.

Then there is also a school like BYU who sport both a great offense and a good defense. To say this conference lacks identity is an understatement but also makes this conference up for grabs in terms of who can take the Big 12 crown.

BYU looks poised to win the conference, but getting through tough teams like Utah, Texas Tech, and Houston all stand in their way.

The X-Factors

1. Cam Cook, RB (West Virginia)

A senior transfer RB making his last stop in college football in the mountains of West Virginia, Cam Cook is one of the most skilled players in the conference. With a mix of vision and elite contact balance cook has been able to produce at ever stop he has had so far in his college career. The only knock on his is the lack of top end speed you expect from a smaller shifty back like him.

Cook previously played in the Big 12 for TCU but struggled to produce, then he transferred to Jacksonville State and had an outstanding season. The question for him is if he can produce at a major division one level?

I think he can, being at a major division one sometimes if you do not stand out you get lost in the shuffle. Going to Jax State and being able to grow in size and skill should be helpful for Cook to have another great year for the Mountaineers and help them make some major noise in the Big 12.

• West Virginia to Win the Big 12 +4000 on Lucky Rebel

2. LJ Martin, RB (BYU)

A serious workhouse running back for BYU the 6'2″ 220 pound running back has an amazing combination of vision and power. He has his limitations though as a player, having decent hands out of the backfield he is good for check downs but lacks the elite route tree and recieving prowess to cause defenses to worry on obivious passing downs.

But that is fixable and if he can expand that part of his game on top of his willingness to be a good pass protecting back he could really transform and take this already good BYU offense to the next level.

Like I said before BYU is poised to win this division and LJ Martin is going to be a huge factor on if they are able to do that or not. I believe in him and so should you.

• BYU to Win the Big 12 +650 on Lucky Rebel

3. Conner Weigman, QB (Houston)

A surprise player last year on a surprise team, Weigman led the Cougars to a very impressive 10-3 last season. Undoubtedly the starter this year Weigman must expand on his game. Having an elite throwing motion and quick release the ball comes out of his hand FAST. That on top his dual threat ability makes him a nightmare for defensive coordinators to scheme for.

But like all young QBs with that ability, he relied on it a little too much last season. Taking some brutal hits that make his availibility a concern. On top of that his deep ball was inconsistent to say the least so defenses did not have to worry too much about that.

But again, all of that can be fixed. If Weigman can learn when to use that dual threat ability instead of relying on it he will drive defenses up a wall. If he improves on his deep passes it will make defenses respect him a lot more and create more room for him to throw the short pass and take advantage of the space defenses will have to give him with his legs.

• Houston to Win the Big 12 +1800 on Lucky Rebel

4. Devon Dampier, QB (Utah)

An elite dual threat QB for the Utes Dampier posses the ability to hurt you in so many ways. He has seeming mastered the ability to create plays when necessary and with his athleticism a play action pass for him must always be respected from the defense.

But Dampier struggles with decision making. Having all that success being creative and off script can sometimes make a player a bit more prone to forcing a play and making a mistake the defense can capitolize on.

If Dampier can work on becoming a more polished pocket passer and not trying to force a play downfield it will open up his game and defense as they will have to account for both the pass and the run with the ball in his hands.

Utah will have a stout defense like they have had over the last few seasons, but it is up to Dampier and the offense to pay off their hard work defensively.

• Utah to Win the Big 12 +850 on Lucky Rebel

5. Terrance Carter, TE (Texas Tech)

An outstanding pass catcher off the line for the Red Raiders, Carter is another headache defenses will have to deal with on this explosive Texas Tech team. He is so versatile out of the backfield and once he gets that ball in his hands he has the ability to make people miss too which is rarely seen for a tight end.

Where he lacks is size and the ability to be a good blocker on running downs. It makes it easy for a defense when you do not see Carter in the game it is most likely a run play coming your way.

He can not do much about his size but he can work on his blocking and if he does, being able to be on the field for all three downs will make defenses account for him on every play and open so many options for this Texas Tech offense.

• Texas Tech to Win the Big 12 -105 on Lucky Rebel

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