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biggins

biggins

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Subscribe to will plug in articles here weekly. They have good beat writers and looking for nuggets. SMU is bragging about new players but is that a good thing?

l guess with the new transfer portal thing it’s must cal chairs.
 

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biggins

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5 SMU newcomers to watch at the start of fall camp, including a former national champion​

There will be plenty of newcomers when SMU starts fall practice on Thursday morning​

The 2022 SMU football season will be defined by first-year head coach Rhett Lashlee, but it’s important to note he and his staff are hardly the only newcomers.

SMU welcomed over 50 newcomers this season to their roster. That included many players who weren’t here in spring – the last time we saw SMU put the pads on for practice.

“I think, because of the success we’ve had the last couple of years, I guess everyone assumes we have this roster returning, but the reality of it is we have three returning starters on offense and five on defense,” Lashlee said last week. “So we lost a lot of really good players.”And added some potentially good ones, as well. Let’s take a look at five newcomers who SMU fans should keep an eye on during fall camp.

RB Camar Wheaton​

There was no other place to start, right? The running back from Garland Lakeview is one of the most talented players to enter the SMU backfield in quite some time. He was a five-star recruit in high school and signed with Alabama. He spent one year with the Crimson Tide but never played. He dealt with a meniscus injury and redshirted before he entered the transfer portal.
Wheaton will now get a fresh start back home with the Mustangs. And though he’ll have plenty of compeititon for carries, with Tre Siggers, Tyler Lavine and Brandon Epton back, Wheaton certainly has the talent to be a difference maker.

DL Dylan Frazier​

The SMU defensive line might be its strongest position. A good defensive line, however, is best when its at its deepest, featuring a strong rotation. This is where Frazier could come in.
Frazier, a three-star recruit from McKinney North, committed to SMU when Sonny Dykes was still the head coach. Once Dykes left, Frazier opened up his options — which included multiple Big 12 teams — but re-committed after talking with Lashlee and new defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux.

Frazier was a highly productive player at McKinney North. He won his district’s defensive MVP award as a senior. He also has good size as a true freshman at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make an impact early on in his career.

OL Owen Condon​

No matter what happens this season, SMU can say it had one player on its team with a championship ring. Condon spent four seasons at Georgia. This past season he appeared in 14 of Georgia’s 15 games. The Bulldogs, of course, went on to win a national title.

Now Condon is at SMU, where he’ll have a chance to become a full-time starter. The Mustangs had multiple departures, leaving multiple positions up for grabs. The 6-foot-7 Condon is one of many candidates to for a starting job.

WR Moochie Dixon​

Dixon — the brother of Arizona Cardinals running back Keontay Ingram — was one of multiple Texas transfers that ended up at SMU this fall. The former all-state receiver at Carthage spent two seasons at Texas. As a freshman, he had a 73-yard touchdown catch in the Alamo Bowl. Last season, as a sophomore, he played in every game, catching nine passes for 100 yards.
Dixon will be hoping for a larger role with the Mustangs, though there should be plenty of competition at wide receiver. There’s a lot of mystery about how the depth chart will look after veteran Rashee Rice, who expects to step in as the team’s No. 1 receiver. Dixon is one of those players.

K Collin Rogers​

And you thought the Cowboys were the only football team in Dallas with a kicking situation worth watching.
Last year’s starting kicker Blake Mazza graduated in the offseason and is gone. Brendan Hall, the team’s punter and kickoff specialist last season, has plenty of leg power. And then there’s Rogers, who SMU decided to give a scholarship to this recruiting cycle.

Rogers, a true freshman from Prattville, Ala., was a top-five kicking recruit in the country, according to Kohl’s Kicking Camp rankings. He made 15 of 18 field goals as a senior in 2021, including a 53-yarder.

Rogers was also a target of new safeties coach and special teams coordinator Craig Naivar. The last time Naivar recruited a kicker from Prattville it ended up being former Kentucky kicker Austin MacGinnis, who was a freshman All-American for Naivar and the Wildcats. SMU is hoping there could be some repeat success there with Rogers.
 

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biggins

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SPORTSTEXAS LONGHORNS

Texas’ QB competition between Quinn Ewers and Hudson Card continues into preseason camp​

Sarkisian has a mental date for naming a starter, but has not divulged the date.​

AUSTIN -- Texas still doesn’t have an official QB1 as preseason camp begins.

That’s not exactly a surprise with redshirt sophomore Hudson Card and redshirt freshman Quinn Ewers from Southlake Carroll continuing their competition.

Coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledged Tuesday having a mental date for naming a starter but declined to divulge it for fear of being held to the deadline. He did breakdown what he’s seen from both so far ahead of the Sept. 3 opener with Louisiana-Monroe.Clearly, they’re at different phases of their development, right” Sarkisian said. “A lot of it for Hud was what does his comfort level really look like in our system now in Year 2. It’s not just about him, but how that exudes to his teammates and the performance of everybody around him, and not just himself.”
Sarkisian acknowledged that Ewers is in a different place after transferring from Ohio State, where he spent the 2021 season.

“For Quinn, it’s his knowledge based in the system,” Sarkisian said. “It’s one thing to talk the offense and to talk about it in a meeting room. It’s another to actually do it, and then to do it consistently on the football field. …I give him a lot of credit — everything that we’ve asked of him to make a correction from one day to the next, he’s really worked at it and tried to do it.”
 

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After an abysmal season, Texas defense seeks mulligan under Pete Kwiatkowski​

The Longhorns’ defensive coordinator looks for redemption after a terrible 2021.​

AUSTIN – If Pete Kwiatkowski is concerned by the specter of Gary Patterson, the Texas defensive coordinator still managed a solid self-deprecating one-liner.

As a reporter brought up the topic of the Longhorns’ anemic pass rush Tuesday, Kwiatkowski quickly interrupted.

“What pass rush?” he said.
It also has the virtue of being grounded in truth, which is why Kwiatkowski enters his second season in Austin under a bit of cloud.

Texas ranked 100th in total defense (425.6 yards per game) and 99th in scoring defense (31.1 points per game). The Longhorns never really found an answer to the outside run schemes in the Big 12, finishing 114th in rushing defense (201.6 ypg) and 114th in yards per carry (5.2) and twice allowing more than 300 yards rushing in a game.
Yes, there’s more as they say on the infomercials including the aforementioned pass rush, which ranked 101th nationally with 20 sacks. It was led by Ben Davis with … 2.5 sacks, which used to be a pretty good game for Brian Orakpo or Jackson Jeffcoat in another era.

“We were very inconsistent playing team defense as a whole,” Kwiatkowski said. “We had stretches we were really good, and then for whatever reason – adversity, bad plays in a game, whatever it is – the wheels would fall off.Since last year to now and moving forward, it’s about how we’re going to put ourselves in position to make the plays we need to make and how we’re how we’re going to handle adversity.
Then there’s the presence of Patterson, who built a reputation in a couple decades at TCU for crafting elite defenses. He now carries the title of assistant to the head coach and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has been careful to say Patterson serves merely as his sounding board and a set of experienced eyes.

Of course, this being Texas, it doesn’t take a whole lot of imagination to see Alabama and Heisman winner Bryce Young brutalizing the defense early followed by howls for change.
For his part, Kwiatkowski calls Patterson an asset and recalled seeking him out following the 2008 season, when TCU beat Boise State – where Kwiatkowski was an assistant – in the Poinsettia Bowl.

“Him being here, I look at it as he’s a resource to me and all our coaches,” Kwiatkowski said. “He’s been in the conference for 20-something years. He has the lay of the land in the state of Texas, so there’s a lot of information that he has brought to the table that’s been invaluable.”
Kwiatkowski probably deserves the benefit of the doubt, no matter what happens early in the season. He arrived before last season with a lofty reputation for thwarting spread offenses formed at Boise and Washington.
Then things didn’t work for whatever reason, especially during a six-game losing streak en route to a 5-7 finish. It’s also been hard to get a public handle on Kwiatkowski – who everybody in the program calls PK – because of Sarkisian’s media availability protocols. Tuesday was just Kwiatkowski’s second public meeting with the press.
Sarkisian pointed out that the defense wasn’t that bad last season, stats notwithstanding. Texas didn’t allow offensive touchdowns in the first half of losses to Iowa State or Oklahoma State before things came crashing down after being on the field too long.

“We can’t let one drive or one play dictate our behavior and our morale and things all drop,” Sarkisian said. “The last time I checked, I didn’t see a team go 12 games without allowing a touchdown.”

It won’t be easy. While nearly everybody who is anybody among power conference teams makes awards watch list, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is the only Longhorn defender to get recognized.
Sarkisian admits the secondary is an area that has to improve. Besides Overshown, linebacker is a question mark with Kwiatkowski high on Jaylan Ford and James Madison transfer Diamante Tucker-Dorsey.

There a lot of veterans up front whose performance haven’t met their potential.

For all the question marks, Kwiatkowski says he has enough of the right personnel.I 100% believe these guys can do what we want them to do,” Kwiatkowski said. “We’ve just got to go out and do it.”
 

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SPORTSTEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire sets timetable to name starting QB​

Senior Tyler Shough is competing with sophomore Donovan Smith and redshirt freshman Behren Morton​


New Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire has announced his timetable to name his starting quarterback.
Specifically, McGuire said Thursday at Tech’s local media day that he was targeting about two weeks out from the Sept. 3 opener against Murray State, after two team scrimmage.
“You know, I want to get to two scrimmages,” McGuire said. “We’ve had a good spring now. They’re way ahead in the playbook. And so there’s no excuses. New offensive coordinator Zach Kittley confirmed the timetable, noting that game scripts are usually installed two weeks before game day.
That’s definitely our plan,” Kittley said. “That’s what we’re looking forward to.”

Senior Tyler Shough, who won the job last season after transferring from Oregon only to get injured four games into the season, is competing with sophomore Donovan Smith and redshirt freshman Behren Morton. Smith started Tech’s final four games including the Liberty Bowl win over Mississippi State.
“I will tell you and I stick by this, we’re not going to rotate quarterbacks so it’s not going to be,” McGuire said. “I’ve never done that. I don’t believe in that.”

But he acknowledged that each quarterback might have a special package on a weekly basis and didn’t rule out even lining up one of his quarterbacks at receiver.
 

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A&M football: Key storylines, predictions and more​

With new recruits and potential new rivalries, the 2022 season is expected to be a busy one for Texas A&M.​

The sun rises again on Kyle Field as the 2022 football season draws closer. Soon the stands will be packed with the 12th Man as fans hope to have a better season than last year.

Featuring the highest-ranked recruiting class in modern recruiting history, outranking the powerhouses Georgia and Alabama, hopes are high for Jimbo Fisher and the rest of the squad. The quarterback race will be an interesting one to keep tabs on with third-year Haynes King returning after his season-ending injury and new recruit Conner Weigman vying for the starting position.

A&M’s schedule starts off relatively easy in non-conference play before beginning the daunting task of SEC matchups. All eyes are on the Oct. 8 rematch against the Crimson Tide following huge storylines such as A&M beating the top-ranked team last season and head coach Nick Saban making accusatory comments about the A&M program a couple of weeks back. The remainder of the schedule features Ole Miss, Florida, LSU and UMass making a trip to College Station while the Aggies make one final trip out of the state to Auburn.The Aggies secured top recruits on both sides of the ball such as defensive lineman Walter Nolen and wide receiver Evan Stewart, so it will be interesting to see how these new players impact the team on the field. With several cards stacked in the Aggies’ favor, expectations remain high in Aggieland, but another underwhelming season is not off the table if things remain the same as last year.

Texas A&M fact book​

Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher (34-14 at Texas A&M, 117-37 all-time)
Bowl result: Pulled out of TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game due to COVID-19 protocols and several season-ending injuries

2021 offense: 391.6 yards per game (208.6 ypg passing, 183.0 ypg rushing) | 29.3 ppg.
2021 defense: 327.5 yards per game (192.6 ypg passing, 134.8 ypg rushing) | 15.9 ppg

Starters returning (off./def.): 4/5
SEC preseason media poll: 2nd in West.

Preseason All-SEC selections​

First-Team special teams: Nik Constantinou (P)
Constantinou returns to the squad as a junior following a successful 2021 season where he earned AP All-SEC First Team and Coaches’ All-SEC Second Team honors. The punter led the SEC and was top-10 nationally, averaging 41.61 yards per punt.

Second-Team offense: Devon Achane (RB)

Dual-sport athlete Achane has been electric during his time at A&M with his most explosive season being last year’s. He led the SEC in yards per attempt with 7.0 and was second on the team with 910 yards on the season.
Layden Robinson (OL)

Returning for his third season with the Aggies, Robinson boasts a selection on the AP All-SEC Second Team and was placed on this year’s Lombardi Award preseason watch list. He started in all 10 games he appeared in, including a start in the 2021 season-opener against Kent State where he helped the Aggies rack up 595 yards on offense.

Second-Team defense: Antonio Johnson (DB)
Johnson returns for his junior season after being second on the team in tackles with 79 last year. He earned AP All-SEC Second Team and PFF All-America First Team honors after last season while also being placed on the Bednarik Award preseason watch list.

Second-Team special teams: Ainias Smith (RS)

Smith is one of the team’s most versatile players. Despite making headlines a few weeks back for his arrest, the senior is ready to put all that behind him and continue being the playmaker he is.
Devon Achane (AP)

Making his way back onto the list as another versatile player on the team, Achane has been an effective all-purpose player for the Aggies. He tallied 1,472 yards last season, 122.7 per game.

Third-team offense: Ainias Smith (WR)
As a wide receiver and season-long team captain, Smith led the team with 47 receptions and six receptions in the endzone. He was second on the team with 509 receiving yards on the season.

Third-team defense: McKinnley Jackson (DL)

The Mississppi native returns for his junior season after appearing in 10 games with four starts. Jackson finished the 2021 season with 14 tackles and a sack resulting in loss of yards.
Smith again makes an appearance on this list, this time as an all-purpose player. He tallied 794 total yards on the season, with 259 of those coming from punt returns.

Fan guide​

Five must-follow Twitter accounts for ultimate Aggie fans:
@neomib_03 - Follow for updated Texas A&M football news from your SportsDay reporter!

@TexAgs - Looking for news on all things Aggie Athletics? Look no further than TexAgs.

@Travis_L_Brown - Travis has covered the Aggies for several years and has quickly become the go-to guy on anything Texas A&M athletics-related.
 

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SPORTSTEXAS LONGHORNS

Everything you need to know about Texas football: Key players, new hires and more​

After a disappointing first year, Steve Sarkisian​

Year two of the Steve Sarkisian era is finally here.

Sarkisian’s first year at Texas was marred by a six-game losing streak, the program’s longest since 1956. To make matters worse, Texas lost to Kansas at Darrell K. Royal Stadium for the first time in program history. The Longhorns were also not bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016.

made some major changes in the offseason
Year two of the Steve Sarkisian era is finally here.

Sarkisian’s first year at Texas was marred by a six-game losing streak, the program’s longest since 1956. To make matters worse, Texas lost to Kansas at Darrell K. Royal Stadium for the first time in program history. The Longhorns were also not bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016.

To prevent another disastrous year, Sarkisian made multiple staff changes in the offseason, including the hiring of former TCU head coach Gary Patterson. Another notable hire is former Pittsburgh wide receivers coach Brennan Marion, who played a heavy role in successfully recruiting Wyoming transfer Isaiah Neyor.There’s also another quarterback battle heating up in Austin. Sarkisian has yet to name a starting quarterback between Southlake’s Quinn Ewers and sophomore Hudson Card.
On the other end, reinforcements have been brought in to stabilize Texas’ defense. James Madison transfer Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, an FCS All-American, is expected to make an immediate impact on the Forty Acres.

The expectations for the Longhorns are still high, despite last year’s lack of success. But with the possibility of a new starting quarterback and a plethora of experienced transfers, things could be looking up for the storied program.

Texas fact book​

Head coach: Steve Sarkisian (51-42 overall in eight seasons as a head coach)

2021 record: 5-7


2021 Bowl result: Not bowl eligible

2021 offense: 424.8 yards per game (225.42 ypg passing, 199.3 ypg rushing) | 35.25 ppg
2021 defense: 426.6 yards per game (224 ypg passing, 202.6 ypg rushing) | 31.08 ppg

Starters returning (off./def.): 6/6
Big 12 preseason media poll: 4th

Preseason All-Big 12 selections​

Bijan Robinson, RB
Junior running back Bijan Robinson rushed for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He’s also the 2022 Preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and a projected Heisman candidate.

Xavier Worthy, WR

Sophomore wide receiver Xavier Worthy had a solid freshman year, averaging 15.8 yards per catch and netting 11 touchdown passes in 2021.

DeMarvion Overshown, LB
Fifth-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is Texas’ only defensive player to make this year’s Preseason All-Big 12 team. Last season, Overshown led the team with 74 tackles.
 

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Sooners, Cowboys find lofty positions in preseason Top 25 coaches poll.​

The Bedlam schools earned spots in the USA Today Top 25 preseason coaches poll released on Monday.
Oklahoma is No. 9, while Oklahoma State checks in at No. 11 entering the 2022 campaign.

The Sooners, under first-year head coach Brent Venables, are the highest-ranked program among Big 12 schools. Defending conference champion Baylor is No. 10, while Texas is No. 18.
Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson and Notre Dame make up the top five.
Kansas State and Iowa State also received votes among the 65-coach panel.
Oklahoma State has been ranked by coaches in the preseason top 25 in five of the past six years and eight of the last 11 years.
The No. 11 position is the Cowboys’ highest preseason rank since 2017 when it was voted No. 11.Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, Tulsa’s Philip Montgomery and Venables are not part of the voting panel.
 

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in 2022: Why QB room will make-or-break the Bears​

Head coach Dave Aranda and Co. have lots to be excited and worried about this fall.​

Baylor Bears offensive lineman Connor Galvin (76); linebacker Garmon Randolph (55) and...

Baylor football’s expectations remain sky-high following its successful 2021 season and a No. 10 preseason ranking. Will the Bears stay hot in 2022? Could they even exceed expectations? Let’s get straight to it with five bold predictions for the upcoming season...

1. QB room will make-or-break Bears​

Let’s preface by saying, Blake Shapen has the chance to be fantastic, I have no doubts about that. A bigger concern: What happens if the sophomore goes down?

In his first home start last season, Shapen took a direct shot near the sideline and had to miss a down. He also suffered a severe shoulder injury during the 2021 Big 12 Championship Game, which is also concerning. In the unfortunate event of an injury, Louisiana Tech transfer Luke Anthony or inexperienced redshirt freshman Kyron Drones would have to step into a spot Shapen was in last year.
I predict things to go sideways in a hurry if the Shreveport, La. native isn’t under center for the Bears. On the flip side, in 2021 we saw what happened when Gerry Bohanon went down. The quarterback room will prove to be huge once again.

2. Baylor stays ranked all season long​

As mentioned before, Baylor’s schedule is a road-heavy gauntlet. Every game will be close, but the Bears shouldn’t drop its ranking at any point this season. Even with an occasional close loss to a quality team on the road, the green and gold should stay afloat.

3. O-line takes Bears back to Arlington​

Almost all of Baylor’s big fellas in the trenches who helped create success in 2021 are back for another season, and they’re looking to keep pounding the rock. Whether it’s reliability from sixth-year senior center Jacob Gall or stupendous blind-side protection from Connor Galvin, the run game is going to be lethal, once again.

Even after losing Abram Smith and Trestan Ebner to the NFL, the Bears should not worry one bit. The unsung heroic O-lineman will pave the way for whoever bursts through the hole as Baylor heads back to the Big 12 title game.

4. Baylor boasts country’s best D-line​

The fact that Gabe Hall, Siaki “Apu” Ika and Jaxon Player are all on the same team is bogus. Any offensive coordinator in the country should fear preparing for a matchup like that.

These three do so much. Apu eats up blocks and dances after occasional sacks, whereas the 6-6, 296-pound Hall wreaks freakish havoc. Player, a transfer from Tulsa, is one of the best nose guards in the country, and is stoked to be with the Bears.

5. Dillon Doyle notches First Team All-Big 12​

Linebacker Dillon Doyle is a two-time All-Big 12 Honorable Mention nominee (2020, 2021) at his position. Doyle did that while being next to now-Buffalo Bill Terrel Bernard. With an opportunity to burst into a huge role, I expect the Iowa City, Iowa native to post elite numbers and finally make a postseason conference team.
 

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SPORTSTEXAS LONGHORNS

5 bold predictions for Texas football in 2022: A Big 12 title for the Longhorns?​

Texas is in position to win the Big 12 title after an offseason of changes throughout the conference.​

Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) points skyward after scoring a first quarter...

Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) points skyward after scoring a first quarter touchdown against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, September 4, 2021.(Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)
After a rocky 5-7 inaugural season that was marked by off-the-field drama, Steve Sarkisian is looking for redemption in year two, and the 2022 Texas Longhorns are looking to build off of high preseason expectations, despite falling short of them last year.

Here are five bold predictions for the upcoming season...

1. Texas will win the Big 12​

The Big 12 has no clear frontrunner after a wild offseason. Baylor, the reigning Big 12 champion, lost its 2021 breakout quarterback Gerry Bohanon to the transfer portal after he lost the starting job in the spring. TCU and Texas Tech both have new head coaches. Amidst all of the change, Texas has a wide-open opportunity to win the conference.Year one of the Sarkisian era was a time for the new staff to identify the preexisting culture. Now, Sarkisian and his team have had a whole offseason to completely overhaul the program that they found. Texas can win the Big 12 because it is much closer to figuring out how to succeed with what it has, while many others schools are just beginning that process.
Sarkisian has brought in more of his own recruits. Of Texas’ 85 scholarship players, 57 of them are either freshmen or sophomores. He’s also maintained many veteran players who have bought into his culture of play. With a cohesive group identity coming together, Sarkisian finally has a solid unit that can work toward winning a conference title.

2. Bijan Robinson wins the Heisman​

Junior running back Bijan Robinson is a preseason Heisman favorite, and he could become Texas’ first Heisman winner since Ricky Williams, who won it in 1998. Despite last year’s record, Robinson played exceptionally well as an individual. He had 1,127 yards in just 195 attempts and scored 11 touchdowns.
Now, Robinson has the chance to fare even better, thanks to an improved offensive line. Freshmen offensive tackles Kelvin Banks and Devon Campbell are both primed to make an early impact.

As of July, Sports Illustrated had Robinson with the fourth best odds to win the Heisman, behind C.J. Stroud (+250), Bryce Young (+350) and Caleb Williams (+900). Robinson, at +2000, is the most likely non-quarterback to win the coveted award.

3. Texas beats Oklahoma​

This year, Texas has the best chance to beat Oklahoma that it has had in a while. The departure of Lincoln Riley and the subsequent losses of Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams forced OU into a rebuild of sorts. New head coach Brett Venables quickly reloaded the roster with the addition of former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year.Oklahoma is still expected to perform well this season, despite the major changes. The Big 12 Preseason Media Poll has Oklahoma finishing second in the conference, just behind Baylor. Oklahoma also received 12 first-place votes. While Venables has been coaching for decades now, he’ll still be figuring things out in October as a first-time head coach.

4. UTSA upsets Texas​

While the Alabama game may be the most exciting game on Texas’ non-conference slate, the UT-San Antonio matchup should not be overlooked. The Roadrunners may end up upsetting the Longhorns if they can keep last season’s momentum going.


UTSA finished with a 12-2 record and won the C-USA title after a 49-41 win over Western Kentucky. Head coach Jeff Traylor is steadily building a Group of Five powerhouse that can compete against just about anyone. UTSA opened its season last year with a win over Illinois. While Texas and Illinois may not be on the same page, UTSA proved that it can win against the bigger conferences. If Texas plays sloppily in September, then it is very possible for UTSA to pull off the upset at DKR.

5. Maalik Murphy will start at least once​

Even though this summer’s quarterback battle has zeroed in on Quinn Ewers and Hudson Card, four-star freshman Maalik Murphy should not be ruled out. At one point, Murphy was the only quarterback in Texas’ 2022 class. But the addition of Ewers has not made Murphy any less ready to compete.
Murphy received offers from Texas A&M and Ohio State, among others. He has the talent to play at a high level, even if he gets overlooked. Murphy has even been compared to Cam Newton.

“You definitely see the talent,” Sarkisian said about Murphy this week.

As Murphy continues to develop his skills, he could find himself in the starting job if he continues to put in the work. The quarterback competition will only continue to improve his play.
 

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SPORTSTEXAS A&M AGGIES

3 keys for Texas A&M football in 2022: Aggies must find stability at QB, RB​

Plus, see win-loss predictions for the Aggies’ 2022 schedule.​

Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (6) sprints to a nine-yard touchdown run during the...

Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (6) sprints to a nine-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 29-19. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)(Rogelio V. Solis / AP)
Here are three keys for Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M for the 2022 season:

Finding a quarterback​

Last season exposed the problems of inconsistent quarterback play.

The talent and depth is there for Jimbo Fisher although there’s no automatic sure thing. Haynes King started the first two games of last season before a broken leg. He brings dual threat capability and even prompted some way-too-early comparisons to Johnny Manziel.Max Johnson put up nice numbers at LSU and beat A&M on a clutch throw in the final minute before transferring. Incoming freshman Connor Weigman was a five-star recruit who Fisher has pretty much gushed about so far.
Whoever wins the job will get a test from resurgent Miami in Week 3.

Can Devon Achane be the lead running back?​

No one doubts Achane’s game-breaking ability. He led the SEC last season with 7.0 yards per carry.
Remember the fourth-quarter performance as a freshman against North Carolina in the Orange Bowl? Or last season, when he burned the South Carolina defense for 154 yards and also rushed for 124 yards against Missouri?

For all his sprinter speed, he’s just 5-9 and 185 pounds and has just one 20-carry game in his career, against South Carolina. It’s not entirely his fault — he played behind workhorse Isaiah Spiller — but questions will remain about Achane’s durability.

How will D.J. Durken replace Mike Elko?​

Elko’s defense was a constant for Fisher’s first four seasons and ranked third nationally in points allowed last season.
Durken worked wonders at Mississippilast season and clearly has a ton of talent. Like Elko, he favors a 4-3 defensive front.

The key will be blending the veterans and the gifted freshmen into his system early enough to form a dominant unit. The secondary is a point of strength led by returnees Antonio Johnson and Demani Richardson.
 

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Texas A&M schedule projection:​

DateOpponentResult
Sept. 3Sam HoustonW
Sept. 10Appalachian St.W
Sept. 17Miami (Fla.)W
Sept. 24Arkansas*L
Oct. 1Mississippi St.W
Oct. 8AlabamaL
Oct. 22South CarolinaW
Oct. 29MississippiW
Nov. 5FloridaW
Nov. 12AuburnW
Nov. 19UMassW
Nov. 26LSUW

*At Arlington. Home games in bold.

Prediction: 10-2
 

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biggins

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SPORTSTEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

5 bold predictions for Texas Tech football in 2022: Defense is back in Lubbock​

You read that right -- the Red Raiders will turn the tide on their defensive reputation this year.​

Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson celebrates his sack with linebacker Brandon...

Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson celebrates his sack with linebacker Brandon Bouyer-Randle during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday Sept. 26, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas.(Mark Rogers / AP)
By Ryan Mainville
10:00 AM on Aug 12, 2022 CDT


It’s an exciting time in Texas Tech football. Joey McGuire has already proved to be a catalyst on the recruiting trail, and now it’s time to see what he can do on the field. He’ll have coordinators Zach Kittley and Tim DeRuyter to help him call plays and execute the game plan. While a lot will look different, the change could bring good things to Lubbock.
Here are five bold predictions for the new look Texas Tech football team in 2022:

Texas Tech’s defense will be good​

Texas Tech has finished within the top five of Big 12 teams in yards allowed per game just twice since 2008. Red Raider fans have been subject to some nasty showings in that time span, including 14 games where Texas Tech has allowed at least 60 points — the most in all of Division I. That changes this season. There are massive questions to be asked about the linebacker position in Lubbock this coming year. It’s a weak point, and DeRuyter will need to work some magic. But outside of backer, the Red Raiders have some serious talent everywhere else on the depth chart. Look for Tyree Wilson, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Krishon Merriweather, Rayshad Williams, Reggie Pearson and Marquis Waters all to compete for All-Big 12 Honors.

Red Raiders go bowling, again​

It’s been a decade since Texas Tech went to a bowl game in back-to-back seasons. Is it too ambitious to assume that first year head coach Joey McGuire will end the drought? No, and you don’t need to look further than Kliff Kingsbury for confidence.
Kingsbury took over the Red Raiders in 2013 as a first-year head coach. That team finished the year 8-5, including a win in the Holiday Bowl. Sure, there was a wealth of soon-to-be NFL talent on that roster. But McGuire is inheriting a favorable situation as well. With Zach Kittley bringing offense back to Lubbock and Tim DeRuyter plugging holes in the secondary, Texas Tech will be playing in January once again.

Tech will lead Big 12 in passing​

Zach Kittley is back in Lubbock and so is the Air Raid offense. Texas Tech has three viable candidates for starting quarterback: Behren Morton, Donovan Smith and Tyler Shough. It’s an embarrassment of riches for Kittley, who must feel like a kid in a candy shop.
The Red Raiders do have two talented rushers in Sarodorick Thompson and Tahj Brooks, but they won’t be forgotten. Iowa State led the Big 12 in passing yards per game while All-American Breece Hall ran the ball 21 times per game. Balance is possible, and I expect Kittley to find it.

Wilson wins Big 12 Defensive POY​

A Red Raider hasn’t been crowned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year since Dwayne Slay was given the honor in 2005. That changes in 2022. Tyree Wilson ended his 2021 campaign on a high note, tallying four tackles and two sacks against Mississippi State in the Liberty Bowl. Expect him to pick up where he left off.

Listed at 6-6 and 275 pounds, Wilson is built to be a pass rush machine. With Wilson being named to the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list, it’s clear his collegiate career has turned heads around the nation. Now, he’ll have his best season yet.

O-line survives some serious concerns​

Linebacker and offensive line are the two big question marks when it comes to position groups for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders lost a number of veterans on the line, a position where you can’t afford inexperience. But after some shopping in the transfer portal, it looks like the offensive line will be alright.The returning Ethan Carde, Caleb Rogers and Weston Wright will give Texas Tech a needed veteran presence on the line. Michael Shanahan, Cade Briggs and Cole Spencer all were picked up from the portal and will have an immediate impact. Look for returners Jacoby Jackson and Landon Peterson to have more prominent roles this season as well. As always, injuries will play a key part in determining how this group plays out. But things aren’t as grim as they initially seemed.
 

biggins

biggins

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SPORTSTCU HORNED FROGS

5 bold predictions for TCU Football in 2022: What are the Horned Frogs capable of?​

Sonny Dykes’ offensive game plan provides the Horned Frogs with a promising future​


TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) throws a pass during the first half as the TCU...

TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) throws a pass during the first half as the TCU Horned Frogs hosted the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Amon G Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. (Stewart F. House/Special Contributor)(Stewart F. House / Special Contributor)
It’s an interesting time for TCU Football, given that it will be without longtime head coach Gary Patterson for the first time in over 20 years.

This raises many questions, especially after a subpar 5-7 2021 campaign. Regardless of what the future holds, Sonny Dykes is set to take the Frogs into a new, offensive-minded era.

Here are five bold predictions for the TCU Horned Frogs in 2022.

TCU’s passing game will flourish​

Who knows who will be named the starting quarterback for the Frogs. Will it be Max Duggan? Will it be Chandler Morris? The good thing for Sonny Dykes and company is that they can’t make a wrong decision. Both quarterbacks, although different, are equipped with the necessary tools to lead the offense.
TCU finished fifth in the Big 12 Conference in passing yards last season, with Max Duggan playing 10 games. Chandler Morris also showcased flashes of his potential with a 531 total yard, miraculous performance against Baylor.

Both quarterbacks were able to find success in an inconsistent offensive system. Under Dykes, who is known for building star quarterbacks such as Nick Foles and Jarred Goff, expect either Duggan and Morris to find newfound levels of success.
 

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SPORTSTEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Three keys to Texas Tech’s season and predicting its regular season record.​

Texas Tech has decision to make and positions to prove for the upcoming 2022-23 college football season. Rather, first-year head coach Joey McGuire has tough calls to make.

Here are three keys to the Red Raiders’ season, with a record prediction:

Three keys for Texas Tech this season:​

1. Who starts at quarterback?​

It’s one of the first major decisions facing new coach Joey McGuire and offensive coordinator Zach Kittley, who fashioned high-powered units at Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky. Tyler Shough, the one-time Oregon transfer who won the job last season before being injured early in the season, has the most experience and a big arm that could thrive under Kittley.Don’t discount sophomore Donovan Smith, who gained valuable experience starting the final four games of 2021 including the Liberty Bowl. Redshirt freshman Behren Morton carries a ton of upside. McGuire said he hopes to name a starter after the team’s second scrimmage on Aug. 20.

2. What players must step up at linebacker?​

Tech saw significant experience and productivity go out the door with the losses of Riko Jeffers, Colin Schooler, Brandon Bouyer-Randle and Jacob Morgenstern. The defense wasn’t great by any stretch but had its moments with key stops, especially late. Back is Krishon Merriweather, who ranked fifth on the team with 52 tackles last year and will be counted on for more.
Krishon has played a lot of football here,” linebackers coach Josh Bookbinder told reporters recently after practice. “He is day-in, day-out setting a tone and is kind of the pace car in our room. It’s hard not to work hard when you’re around that guy.”

Transfer Dmitri Moore is likely to play early and often. The Cedar Hill product had 219 career tackles in three seasons at Vanderbilt.

3. So how much will Tech run the ball?​

While Kittley is all about the passing game, Tech has a couple of productive backs when healthy in Tajh Brooks and SaRodorick Thompson. The coaching staff is promising a commitment to the run. But how many touches will they get? Last season, Western Kentucky averaged 49.7 passes per game to 24.9 rushing attempts.

Texas Tech schedule prediction:​

DateOpponentPredict.
Sept. 3Murray StateW
Sept. 10HoustonW
Sept. 17at NC StateL
Sept. 24TexasL
Oct. 1at Kansas StL
Oct. 8at Oklahoma St.L
Oct. 22West VirginiaW
Oct. 29BaylorW
Nov. 5at TCUW
Nov. 12KansasW
Nov. 19at Iowa StL
Nov. 26OklahomaL
Prediction: 6-6
 

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1. Is Spencer Sanders really ready to take the next step?Entering his fifth season in Stillwater, it seems like his time has come. But Sanders’ final two games of last season illustrated just how inconsistent he can be. The redshirt senior from Denton Ryan tossed four interceptions in the Big 12 championship game loss to Baylor followed by 496 yards of total offense and four touchdown passes in the Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame. Simply put, when he is good, he can be among the most dangerous quarterbacks in the country.“He has now become a magician in our offense,” coach Mike Gundy said. “He understands. The middle toward the end of last year he started to make really quality decisions in a short amount of time, which is very important in quarterback play in our opinion.​

2. Who gets the carries that Jaylen Warren received last season?​

Warren is gone after rushing for 1,216 yards and 11 touchdowns. Just as importantly, excluding a cameo appearance in the Big 12 title game, Warren averaged almost 20 carries a game. Junior Dominic Richardson will get the first chance at replacing Warren. Richardson ran for 373 yards on 79 carries last season but had only three games with more than 10 carries.

“He’s a different type of runner. He’s more of a slasher,” coach Mike Gundy told reporters in preseason camp.

“I don’t worry about his attitude. I don’t worry about his toughness. We just need him to be durable and to give us 18 carries a game.”

3. Can the defense be as good without Jim Knowles and some key playmakers?Doubtful but it still may be solid. Knowles, the architect of a top five defense, left for Ohio State and was replaced by Derek Mason, who knows a thing or two about building solid defenses. The biggest challenge is replacing heart-and-soul linebackers Malcolm Rodriguez and Devin Harper, who combined for 226 tackles.​

Oklahoma State schedule prediction​

DateOpponentPredict
Sept. 1Central MichiganW
Sept. 10Arizona StateW
Sept. 17Arkansas-Pine BluffW
Oct. 1at BaylorL
Oct. 8Texas TechW
Oct. 15at TCUW
Oct. 22TexasW
Oct. 29at Kansas StateL
Nov. 5at KansasW
Nov. 12Iowa StateW
Nov. 19at OklahomaW
Nov. 26West VirginiaW

Prediction: 10-2
 

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Game-by-game predictions for Baylor in 2022: Can the Bears live up to the hype?​

Picked as the favorites to repeat, Baylor has a target on its back all year long.​

In less than two weeks, Baylor faithful will make the trek across the Sheila and Walter Umphrey Pedestrian Bridge toward McLane Stadium in hopes of seeing a Bears win. The green and gold play host to Albany and enter the season with high expectations, coming off a 12-win season.

The question is: Can they do it again? Are the Bears going to live up to the preseason hype?

Here are predictions for every game on the 2022 Baylor football schedule:

Sept. 3: Albany vs. Baylor​

This is a good entry game for the Bears this season, as lots of eyes will be on them. Expect some Baylor first-half mistakes, but once they settle in and get the crowd into it, Albany will get steamrolled. Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes will keep a conservative playbook for this one, so the offense may “struggle” at times, but Baylor takes the cake in game one.

Sept. 9: Baylor at BYU​

This matchup, which will be broadcasted on ESPN, is a must-watch. Last year, the Bears “upset” the Cougars in Waco, although Baylor came into the games as the favorite. Even then, it was a tight contest the whole way through, and this will be Blake Shapen’s first real road test. Shapen will set up a great comeback story after struggling to generate offense in Provo, Utah. The future of the Big 12 is bright with matchups between these two schools and this year will be further proof of that.


Prediction: BYU 28, Baylor 16

Sept. 17: Texas State vs. Baylor​

The Bears will be thankful to return home after a bitter loss, thus providing a spark to crush the Bobcats. Texas State was a few costly mistakes from altering Baylor’s 2021 campaign, but this year will be much different. Shapen and Co. will bounce back in a huge way en route to a comfortable win.
Prediction: Baylor 52, Texas State 21

Sept. 24: Baylor at Iowa State​

This is where things get tricky. People are quick to write off Iowa State after who they have lost, but they are no slouch playing at home. There is a real shot Baylor gets knocked off here, but losing to BYU in week two will provide experience for the Bears to prevail in this one.

Prediction: Baylor 31, Iowa State 28

Oct. 1: Oklahoma State vs. Baylor​

A Big 12 title game rematch, disregarding the fact that the game is in Waco. This game is a tough one to gauge, but it feels like the Bears will fall behind early and slip up at home. Oklahoma State will roll in with a tunnel-visioned focus and sneak away with the win, shattering Baylor fans’ hearts in the process.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 38, Baylor 24

Oct. 13: Baylor at West Virginia​

Morgantown, W. Va. is never fun to visit and the Bears won’t like what’s in store for this one. This game will be one of those low-scoring defensive slugfests. Both teams will struggle to generate offense, and it may end up coming down to special teams. Like Iowa State, a very losable game, but Baylor squeaks out with a win.

Prediction: Baylor 17, West Virginia 14

Oct. 22: Kansas vs. Baylor​

There won’t be a Kansas fan in sight at McLane Stadium for this game, and it’s probably for the best. The Rock Chalk community has already reserved their season tickets to watch men’s basketball in Allen Fieldhouse, so I’m sure they aren’t too worried about what’s in store for this game.

Prediction: Baylor 56, Kansas 21

Oct. 29: Baylor at Texas Tech​

There is a lot to be excited about with Joey McGuire at the helm for Texas Tech, and it’s safe to say the Baylor family wishes him good luck in Lubbock. However, once TTU is up next on the schedule, all that goes out the window. Sorry coach McGuire, you’re on the right path but you won’t get the best of your old team just yet.
Prediction: Baylor 35, Texas Tech 14

Nov. 5: Baylor at Oklahoma​

Hopefully, Brent Venables doesn’t call a timeout with one second left, resulting in OU students storming field early and causing chaos. Oh, wait — that will stay exclusive for Aranda and Baylor students. This will be another exciting one, just like 2021′s matchup that featured all its chaos. Unfortunately, the “Boomer Sooner” chants will be too much for the Bears, as they’ll end their winning streak in Norman, Okla.
Prediction: Oklahoma 42, Baylor 35

Nov. 12: Kansas State vs. Baylor​

K-State is always sneaky good, and very lethal at home. Deuce Vaughn will be an absolute headache to deal with, but Baylor will return home and handle business. The friendly environment will play a huge factor in the Bears getting back in the win column, providing huge momentum for the final stretch of the season.
Prediction: Baylor 31, Kansas State 17

Nov. 19: TCU vs Baylor​

Baylor’s biggest thorn in its side has to be TCU, no question. The Horned Frogs always find a way to pose major problems against the green and gold. It’ll help that Baylor stays home for this one, as it feels like it never goes well in Fort Worth. Barring another Johnny Manziel-like performance from backup quarterback Chandler Morris, the Bears should handle this one with ease.
Prediction: Baylor 38, TCU 14

Nov. 25: Baylor at Texas​

Fired up after back-to-back home wins, Baylor will have one last challenge. In the final game of the season, the Bears will make the short trip to Austin in hopes of putting together another impressive season under Aranda. This will be another grind-it-out win for Baylor, but this one is much more losable than TTU, Iowa State or West Virginia. Keep an eye on this one, it may have big-time implications both ways.
Prediction: Baylor 28, Texas 24

Prediction for the 2022 season: 9-3 (7-2 Big 12)
 

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biggins

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Because of the inexperience, at least at their current schools, rating the Big 12 quarterback rooms is plenty murky beyond Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

At one time, Ewers was ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the country at Southlake Carroll before enrolling at Ohio State early. Now his delayed debut is about to happen.
So far, coach Steve Sarkisian likes what he sees.

“Quinn is not a wear his emotions-on-his-sleeve kind of guy,” Sarkisian said Monday. “Yet I can feel his confidence. You can almost see it in the decisiveness on certain throws and then obviously rapport with the frontline guys. I think he’s in a good spot.”
It’s possible he could post big numbers under Sarkisian, the quarterback whisperer. Or he might not even be the starter when Texas closes the season at home against Baylor on Black Friday.
The same scenario fits a lot of Big 12 quarterbacks. Here’s the breakdown

1. Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State. Sanders has the most starts at his current school and probably the most realistic upside this season. Not everybody goes for 496 total yards against Notre Dame in a bowl.

2. Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma. His biggest competition may be recent history. OU quarterbacks are defined by names like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts and Caleb Williams. Gabriel was very good at Central Florida. He’ll have to step up his game at Oklahoma.

3. J.T. Daniels, West Virginia. OK, it gets dicey and uncertain from here on. Once upon a team, Daniels was the next big thing at USC, then supposedly the missing piece at Georgia. Now, he’s got another chance to fulfil all those expectations. Running Graham Harrell’s offense is a good start.
4. Blake Shapen, Baylor. Yes, he has exactly those two starts but he performed far beyond what anyone was expecting in the Big 12 title game. And he was good enough to dethrone Gerry Bohanon, the 2021 starter. Just remember, he won’t have the playmakers at running back and receiver.

5. Quinn Ewers, Texas. There seems to be a major difference of opinion. For everyone who remembers Ewers’ elite status in high school, there’s a corresponding person waiting for an implosion. Expect mistakes but more big plays.

6. Tyler Shough, Texas Tech. His abbreviated 2021 season consisted of four games before a broken collarbone against Texas. He’s got the arm talent, size and athleticism to potentially woo NFL scouts. And Zach Kittley’s offense is to quarterbacks what spinach is to Popeye.
 
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