Okay, yesterday passed along some initial thoughts regarding the SEC. Today I turn to the other conference I focus on most during the regular season, the Big 12. Since Mizzou left the ranks it has forced my attention south but you don't follow a conference this closely for as long as I have then just turn it off. I have followed the Big 12 since well in the Big 8 days. My dad took me to my first Mizzou games regularly starting back in 1969 when Dan Devine was coaching the Tigers. I have resided in Columbia since 1992 and have developed some great relationships through the years. I was fortunate enough to be friends with the late Larry Smith when he was coaching the program. I want to make it crystal clear that coach had no idea at any time whatsoever that I was involved with any sports wagering activity. None whatsoever. Coach Smith was one of the most honorable men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. We met from a business transaction at the Tiger QB club meeting and just hit it off. I have the utmost respect for his memory.
Anyway, this year the changing of the guard will be in full effect. If someone had told me a few years back that Oklahoma and Texas both would be looking up to Baylor and TCU I would have told them to seek help and toss the crack pipe. But the fact is Art Briles and Gary Patterson have built solid programs and for the time being surpassed both the Sooners and Long Horns. Of course we all know the conference got stiffed in the playoff last year and enters the 2015 with a chip on its shoulder. Word I get is the Bears and Horned Frogs are neck and neck and it is a coin toss. Down in Norman Bob Stoops is feeling his seat heating up some, despite what you might hear. Stoops needs a very solid season in the worst way. That fan base is not going to sit still for long with performances like last year. OU still sees itself as one of the true blue bloods in college football and big game Bob had better produce, Now! He has made some big changes in his staff. Time will tell, I hear recruiting has fallen off some. I do personally see Charlie Strong having success in Austin as long as they are patient and give him time. Strong inherited a real entitled, country club atmosphere with some ego maniac athletes out of control. To his credit he showed clearly it is his program now and it was his way or the highway. He cleaned house and kicked a lot of ass. But sometimes that is what it takes. I applaud him. He didn't catch any break opening up this season up in South Bend I can tell you that. The Horns will be squaring off against a veteran, battle tested Irish outfit with their own designs on playoff football. If things play out as many expect, myself included the showdown in Fort Worth on friday after thanksgiving between Baylor and TCU could settle the whole deal. That has all the potential to become an instant classic. Of course there is a ton of football to be played before then but that could be a special, epic war.
In the middle of the spectrum we have a team my clients know I have followed particularly closely in the Kansas State Wildcats. There is no coach in the current business I have more respect for than Bill Snyder. The guy is a coaching genius. Period. He gets more out of less talent than any coach I have ever seen and he does it year after year. Snyder is not getting any younger and is actually starting to groom his son to eventually take over the program. That is not a public fact but I trust my sources. This shapes up as a major challenge as he must somehow fill the shoes of both Jake Waters and the most underrated wide out in college ball last year, Tyler Lockett. The Seahawks got a steal with Lockett. Snyder is a magician and I put nothing past him. On the flip side over in Lawrence the Jayhawks may just field the worst team in the history of the Big 12 conference. I see their only prayer of a conference win coming against Iowa State. Too bad, the Jayhawks had a winning program until they ran Mangino off and then hired Turner Gill. Nicer guy you will never meet but the stubborn fact is Gill gutted that program in short order and once that is done it is hell rebuilding. Going to be another long, long season in Lawrence where they are already counting down the days until Bill Self introduces his new edition of Kansas hoops.
Okay, that is it for now guys. As the season unfolds I will offer up thoughts and observations on both the SEC and the Big 12. I will also continue my posts regarding the Missouri Tigers. And yes, I will state it yet again. My regular clients all know the drill by heart. If you are going to gamble on sports do it to win, don't do it half assed. Do with with self discipline and money management. Otherwise you are simply road kill for the bookies. I know, I was a bookie for many years. Thanks and best of luck with your action guys. Take care.