Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin
| |  |
| | Julie Scheidegger/US Presswire |
| | Can Sam Bradford match the 36 touchdowns he threw in 2007? |
After sticking my neck out to do some soothsaying Thursday, I figured it couldn't hurt to try again. So here goes with my predictions for the Big 12 South Division.
1. Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford won't duplicate his incredible statistics as a freshman this season -- and the Sooners offense might be even more productive. The nation's best line and a deep rotation of running backs will mean that Bradford's passing abilities will be important but not the most pressing factor in Oklahoma's offensive success.
2. Texas Tech will finally break its five-game losing streak to Texas, but will still continue its aggravating trend of losing a game against a lesser opponent it should have won. And that could cost the Red Raiders a shot at the South Division title.
3. Brian Orakpo of Texas will lead the Big 12 in sacks -- if he can remain healthy throughout the season.
4. If Oklahoma State TE Brandon Pettigrew can have a big season and stay out of trouble, he might play himself into being selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
5. The lack of experience along the offensive line will be new Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman's biggest problem to overcome. And Mike Goodson will wonder more than once what kind of numbers he could have posted with Sherman's run-heavy offense behind last season's starting line rather than this one.
6. Freshman Robert Griffin will be starting somewhere for Baylor by the end of the season --either at wide receiver or at quarterback.
Tim Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
