Who is the Best Team in College Basketball?

Josh Hart, Villanova

While March and April tend to be the craziest months of the college basketball season, that doesn't mean the sport is devoid of plenty of upsets and chaos well before that. This past week we saw plenty of evidence of that; the nation's top team, Villanova, surrendered a 15-point lead before losing to Marquette, No. 2 Kansas lost to high-flying West Virginia, Kentucky dropped to Tennessee despite being a heavy favorite and the Pac-12's "best" team, UCLA, lost twice. While an important weekend of college hoops will help us gain some clarity, it doesn't appear there is any true, invincible team to beat. Even so, there are a long list of contenders that could fit the mold of being the best in the land.

Villanova Wildcats (19-2, 6-2 Big East)
The reigning National Champion Wildcats have followed up last year's terrific run with a great year, jumping out to a 14-0 mark before suffering their first loss of the season to Butler. Their loss to Marquette, a solid, but unranked team, is likely to drop them from their perch at No. 1. With that being said, this team still has all the ingredients of a very good basketball team. Guard Josh Hart put his name into the NBA Draft before eventually returning, and the results have spoken for themselves. He is averaging 19 points per game while shooting extremely efficiently and appears to be near the forefront of the Wooden Award race. Joining Hart has been a steady crop of veterans, namely Kris Jenkins (last year's National Championship Game hero is averaging 13.7 PPG and 4.0 RPG) and point guard Jalen Brunson. Brunson doesn't get a whole lot of national attention, but the sophomore's growth has been a major reason for Villanova's success in '16-'17, as he has played smarter and with more confidence, while taking over the key role of running the offense from departed Ryan Arcidiacono. While their losses over the past few weeks have shown the Wildcats are far from perfect, this team still appears to be a prime example of a legitimate National Title contender. They have enough depth, talent and experience to repeat as champions of the sport.

Gonzaga Bulldogs (21-0, 9-0 West Coast Conference)
With plenty of teams losing in front of them, it appears the nation's lone unbeaten, Gonzaga, has a chance to take over the No.1 spot, but do they deserve it? The extremely consistent Bulldogs are up to their usual tricks, bulldozing the rest of the West Coast Conference en route to a 9-0 conference start. They also recorded a healthy amount of solid non-conference victories, including beating Florida, Arizona and Iowa State. Much of their success can be attributed to a number of high-profile newcomers, namely Washington transfer Nigel Williams-Goss and freshman Zach Collins. Williams-Goss has shown excellent command of the offense, while the youthful Collins is leading Gonzaga in rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage. Plus, 'Zaga always has gigantic Przemek Karnowski to fall back on, as the 7'1", 300-pound behemoth continues to bully opponents in the paint. Even so, there are a wide number of detractors who don't believe in Gonzaga. Playing in such a weak conference has never helped the Bulldogs gain national respect, and one could argue this team simply doesn't deserve to be called the nation's best team when they are beating squads like Portland as others are battling it out in the brutal ACC or Big 12 every night. I think Gonzaga has their usual fair share of offensive weapons and diversity, but I agree it is hard to get behind a team whose resume is not quite up to snub with some of the other top teams.

Kansas Jayhawks (18-2, 7-1 Big 12)
Like clockwork, Kansas just keeps on churning out successful seasons. The Jayhawks have withstood the losses of guys like Wayne Selden and Perry Ellis, managing to look perhaps even better in the process. You could definitely argue Kansas has the nation's best backcourt, with Frank Mason and Devonte' Graham leading the charge. Mason is as good as ever, as the senior is putting up 19.9 PPG with 5.2 APG, while the fearless Graham has proven to be one heck of a complement. When joined by tremendous freshman Josh Jackson and vastly improved Svi Mykhailiuk, you definitely can see the talent on display in Lawrence. Yet, there are also some questions KU has to answer. Key forward Carlton Bragg was just recently suspended indefinitely and his future is very murky, which hurts an already thin frontcourt. Also concerning is the vast amount of great teams in the always-tough Big 12, namely West Virginia and Baylor. Even so, KU has still won 12 straight conference titles, and looks to be clearly very good as we progress through 2017.

Baylor Bears (19-1, 7-1 Big 12)
Even the most optimistic fans in Waco may not have expected the type of season Baylor has had in 2016-2017. The Bears beat Oregon, Louisville and Xavier in the non-conference before a hot start to their Big 12 slate. They reached the pinnacle of No. 1 before a 19-point loss to West Virginia, but have responded with four straight victories, including two road wins over tough Kansas State and TCU. Big man Johnathan Motley has been a major reason for the Bears success, as the productive forward is nearly averaging a double-double (16.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG), while Miami transfer Manu Lecomte has also evolved into an All-Conference player. The big question has got to be who is on the sidelines. Head coach Scott Drew has turned around Baylor's program since he arrived, but has received plenty of criticism for his in-game and situational coaching. Against some of the other powers of the sport, who are just as talented, that could be a serious issue. Baylor still as a significant chance to be the No. 2 team in the polls next week, and a matchup with Kansas on the road could still be very telling on just how good this team is.

Kentucky Wildcats (17-3, 7-1 SEC)
Despite being immensely talented, there was certainly some questions on just how well Kentucky and their youngsters would mesh this season. Although there is still plenty of time left, the Wildcats appear to have silenced any doubters. Their youthful backcourt has been astounding, with wonderful production from freshmen Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox and sophomore Isaiah Briscoe. There was plenty of hype surrounding Monk on to '16-'17, but has smashed expectations, averaging nearly 22 points per game and dominating in a victory against UNC. Also helping out Kentucky's case is the weak conference they play in, which could help them close out the year in a big way. While South Carolina and Florida are okay, there doesn't appear to much competition for the 'Cats in the conference and while there is still plenty of time left, they might not lose another game this year, if they can get past Kansas this weekend.

Arizona Wildcats (19-2, 8-0 Pac-12)
There is no denying how good this Arizona team is when at full strength. After being beat up heavily to start the season, Arizona is flaming hot, flawless in the Pac-12 at the moment, and just beat UCLA. Dynamic forward Lauri Markannen has gone from a unheralded name to an absolute force, and true freshman Kobi Simmons has been extremely productive, and led the way to the upset of the Bruins. Perhaps most important for 'Zona, though, is the return of Allonzo Trier. Trier was suspended after testing positive for an illegal substance but is back, and could take over the duty of being the No.1 scorer on the roster. Meetings with Washington and Oregon State await before a huge clash with the similarly-hot Oregon Ducks, which could play a huge role on not only the Pac-12 scene but national stage.


The Verdict: This has been an interesting season of college basketball up to this point, and things should get even more crazy as conference play continues. There is so much talent and upside on so many different teams, and even teams not mentioned here could very well end the year as National Champs (see UNC, UCLA, Oregon, Florida State, etc.). At this juncture, my pick for the nation's top team: Villanova. It may seem relatively unexciting because they are the defending champs and have been locked up at No. 1 for a large chunk of the season. They have the veteran leadership, scoring punch and versatility needed to beat anybody in the nation, even if they don't have the same flash as say, Kentucky. Yet, there is still plenty of basketball left to be played, and things will change. While the title of "college basketball's best team" is still up for debate some things are not: this will be a season filled with plenty more upsets and a lot more fun before it is all said and done.

2016 College Football Picks: Week Twelve

Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma

2016 College Football Picks: Week Twelve
Current Record: 68-20

9 Oklahoma Sooners vs. 14 West Virginia Mountaineers
While the Big 12 is still on the outside looking in for the Playoff, it still has a slim chance at getting into the field, and that team would most likely come from this matchup. After a 1-2 start, Oklahoma has been flaming hot, thanks to a dominant offense. Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield has been outstanding, throwing for 3,212 yards 33 touchdowns, and can change games with his electrifying playmaking ability. He will be teamed up with star backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine and Biletnikoff Candidate Dede Westbrook (nation's best receiver). West Virginia's defense has had some troubles under head coach Dana Holgorsen over the years, but it has been great this season. Shutting down the versatility on the OU offense will be tough, but the group has the experience and discipline to hold their own. The Sooners could have a tough time on the other side of the ball, as West Virginia knows how to move the ball. Veteran quarterback Skyler Howard has a huge arm and will hope to further expose the Sooners' struggling secondary. Also hurting the Sooners is the fact star defensive linemen Charles Walker quit the team this week to prepare for the NFL, significantly hurting Oklahoma's pass rush. The Mountaineers aren't a great rushing team, but they could find some success against an inconsistent Oklahoma rush defense. Justin Crawford is averaging over six yards a carry, and Pitt transfer Rushel Shell could also give the Sooners' some issues. This has all the makings of a typical Big 12 shootout, especially with the way Oklahoma's defense has been playing. The Mountaineers are more balanced and have a stronger defense, but this is also a team that has struggled with consistency, and the Sooners have looked unstoppable since their rough start. Even in Morgantown, OU should be able to find success, and has more experience in big games. It could be a battle, but the Sooners should be able to get the job done.
Oklahoma, 38 West Virginia, 34

10 Colorado Buffaloes vs. 22 Washington State Cougars
Few could have predicted we would be deep into November, and the Pac-12 Division leaders would be Colorado and Washington State but yet here we are. The Cougars opened up the year with a loss to FCS opponent Eastern Washington and then Boise State, but have terrific since then. The Cougars are now 7-0 in the conference, and pounded Stanford 42-16. They are led by their usual air-raid attack, with quarterback Luke Falk distributing to a strong cast of weapons on the perimeter. Falk has a huge arm and has been on fire over the past couple weeks. All-Conference receiver Gabe Marks gives Falk a reliable option to work with and do some damage against Colorado's secondary. The rushing attack has never been great under Leach, but it has been better in 2016. On the other side, Colorado has been one of the biggest surprises of the '16 campaign. The Buffaloes haven't gone to a bowl since 2007 before breaking out this season, now 8-2, with their only losses being to Michigan and dangerous USC. Much of it can be attributed to the play of their offense, which has broken out after an uneven few seasons. Veteran Sefo Liufau is one of the top passers in school history, but has missed some time due to injury, opening up the door to redshirt freshman Steven Montez. Montez will see some action, but Liufau knows how to get the job done. Liufau also could strike fear into Washington State's defense with his dual threat ability, as he has run for 316 yards and three scores on the season. Paired with veteran tailback Phillip Lindsay, rushing for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season himself. The Cougars' defense has been criticized for their struggles under Leach, but the group has shown more fight this season. Colorado may have lost top wide out Nelson Spruce, who opened things up over top for the Buffaloes last year, but Shay Fields and a number of others have stepped up. Washington State has given up plenty of deep passes all season long, which could be a big problem. Both of these teams are en route to a Pac-12 Championship berth, and they both have their motivations to win another game that should feature plenty of scoring. It could come to whoever wins the turnover battle, as both offenses have struggled to hold on to the ball at times this year. Washington State has been on fire as of late, and they have beaten more quality opponents than the upstart Buffaloes. Also, Falk is a star and has played in bigger games than anybody Colorado has on the other side. With that in mind, Washington State should be able to keep it going, and set up a huge Apple Cup battle with Washington.
Washington State, 41 Colorado, 31

16 LSU Tigers vs. 23 Florida Gators
Aside from their loss to Alabama in which they couldn't do anything offensively, LSU has been very good under interim head coach Ed Orgeron, and seems to have more energy under the former D-Line coach. Orgeron has been helped by the healthy return of Leonard Fournette, who was limited earlier in the campaign. However, there have been reports of Fournette still struggling with an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen what his future may hold. If he can't go or needs limited carries, backup Derrius Guice has already proven he can run wild in the LSU offense. Purdue transfer Danny Etling hasn't been perfect since he took over starting quarterback duties, but has given the offense more efficiency. He'll have a tough task against the dangerous Florida secondary. Jalen "Teez" Tabor is well known for being a shutdown corner and he will be up for the challenge against the Tigers' physical receivers. In fact, the entire Gators' defense should be on full display. The group continues to be terrific, allowing just 13.3 points per game, fifth in the nation. With the speed and athleticism the defense possesses, LSU will not get anything easy. While the "D" continues to dominate, the same old offensive problems continue to haunt Florida. The passing game has lacked any diversity, and the Gators simply don't create any big plays. Against an LSU defense that is astoundingly tough and talented, the Gators will have a tough time. Quarterback is a question for UF right now not only because the position hasn't been great for much of the season, but because the starter has been injured. Former Oregon State and Alabama transfer Luke Del Rio has had some moments, but has missed a big chunk of the year. The Gators are hopeful he will be ready to go this weekend but if he doesn't, they will turn to their own Purdue transfer, Austin Appleby. The questions at QB can be mitigated by the explosiveness of sophomore receiver Antonio Callaway, but they will still have to throw into a Tigers' defensive backfield that is also dominant. Corner Tre'Davious White and ball-hawking safety Jamal Adams are fearless and hungry. Unless Florida can find some success running the ball or the passing game miraculously takes some huge steps forward, the group will not score much in this one. While CU-WSU and Oklahoma-WVU will have plenty of scoring, this one should be the exact opposite. It has all the looks of a SEC slugfest, and one that will be hard fought, especially considering the Gators are trying to lock down the SEC East title. While Florida's defense will keep them in the game, they struggled to contain LSU's ground game in this matchup a season ago. If Fournette is a go, the Tigers should be able to pound the rock all day long. If Etling can make some big throws and the defense does their job, LSU should give their home crowd plenty to cheer about.
LSU, 17 Florida, 13

Other Picks
2 Ohio State, 35 Michigan State, 24
12 Utah, 30 Oregon, 20
3 Michigan, 34 Indiana, 27
13 USC, 37 UCLA, 21
21 Western Michigan, 42 Buffalo, 17

College Football Preview 2016-2017: Previewing the Big 12

Seth Russell

Big 12 Conference

2015 In Review: The Big 12 as a whole entered the 2015 season with a chip on their shoulder. Last year, the conference had been left out all together of the inaugural College Football Playoff, despite TCU and Baylor being firmly in the mix. As they charged into '15, both programs were eager to prove what they could do, while traditional powers like Oklahoma and Texas, were hoping to rebuild after disappointing seasons. TCU and Baylor both started off flaming hot but their seasons soon fell apart as injuries ravaged both sides of the ball. The Horned Frogs still rebounded by winning their bowl game in miraculous fashion to finish off 11-2, while Baylor also ended their season on a high note by running all over North Carolina in the Russell Athletic Bowl. The big story of the conference in 2015 however wasn't those two schools. It was the Oklahoma schools, who ruled the conference for much of the year. The Sooners used their explosive offense to build a strong resume that earned them a spot in the Playoff, while Oklahoma State won ten games and was in the Playoff mix after a hot start.

Big 12 Rankings

1. Oklahoma Sooners National Rank: 4
Things fit together nearly perfectly last season in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners entered last year with a quarterback competition between incumbent starter Trevor Knight and Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield, a job that soon went to Mayfield. The former walk-on at TTU quickly shined under new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley's aggressive spread system, and was in the Heisman mix until late in the season when he was banged up. The ground attack was also lethal, as Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon provided a lethal combo. All three of those are back, giving Oklahoma one of the nation's most talented backfields. The Sooners still have some holes, however. The wide receiver position will need to be figured out after top target, Sterling Shepard, graduated and the defense must replace dynamic linebacker Eric Striker and top corner Zack Sanchez. Those things may be concerning but the Sooners have unbelievable talent on both sides of the ball. If they can survive a tough schedule that includes non-conference dates with Ohio State and Houston, they could earn themselves a spot in the Playoff for the second straight year.
2. TCU Horned Frogs National Rank: 17
Many people were excited about what TCU could do entering last season (I had them ranked No. 2 in my College Football Preview 2015-2016), mainly because of their offense. That offense returned 10 starters to a dominant unit in '14, and looked like it could be even better. While it ended up being terrific, the defense was the problem, something rare in Gary Patterson's tenure. There was a ton of youth and injuries, and it left the offense needing to work some magic to win football games. The good news is that the defense should be extremely improved heading into 2016. The defensive line possesses two All-Conference talents in Josh Carraway and James McFarland, and corner Ranthony Texada is back to guide the secondary after missing all of last season. The offense will be without much of their star-power from last year, mainly QB Trevone Boykin and receiver Josh Doctson. However, Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill has shown flashes of stardom at quarterback, and sophomore receiver KaVontae Turpin is among the most electrifying athletes in college football. While TCU doesn't have the raw talent of Oklahoma, they are a strong, well-rounded football team. They could very well be a dark horse Playoff contender.
3. Oklahoma State Cowboys National Rank: 18
Oklahoma State began last season 10-0 and rose as high as sixth in the College Football Playoff power rankings. However, they had yet to hit the real teeth of their schedule and once they did, their weaknesses showed. The Cowboys lost their final three games, including a four-touchdown loss to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. While last year's ending was disappointing, Oklahoma State had plenty of promise as they enter 2016. Junior quarterback Mason Rudolph made big strides last year (3,770 yards, 21 touchdowns) and should get even better with more experience. He will be joined by one of the Big 12's best receiving combos in James Washington and Marcell Ateman. The ground attack could be greatly improved with the addition of Stanford transfer Barry Sanders Jr. Defensively, OSU has some holes, but returns stud junior linebacker Chad Whitener and dynamic safety Jordan Sterns, which should keep them afloat in Big 12 play. The Cowboys may not be on the level of Oklahoma, but they should still be in the mix for a conference crown, particularly if they end their year much better.
4. Baylor Bears National Rank: Unranked
It obviously hasn't been a fun off-season in Waco, Texas. A sexual assault scandal rocked a program that had been steadily climbing and molding into one of the Big 12's elite. That scandal led the Bears to fire head coach Art Briles and a number of other high-ranking members of the university. Interim head coach Jim Grobe (formerly at Wake Forest) then watched as much of the 2016 recruiting class opted to go elsewhere and talented QB Jarrett Stidham transferred. That leaves Baylor entering '16 with significant questions, but a lot of prime talent still remains. Senior QB Seth Russell should lock down the starting role as he returns from a serious neck injury that forced him out last season. He will be joined by senior back Shock Linwood and a talented receiver corps, even without Corey Coleman. Baylor's defense continues to make strides, and should be pretty good this season. Junior linebacker Taylor Young is one of the conference's best and the line should be very good, even without overrated defensive end Shawn Oakman. Baylor has some major long-term questions and the fallout from the scandal could continue to hurt them for a long time. Even so, they have enough talent still on their roster this year to contend for a conference title and fight for double-digit wins.
5. Texas Longhorns National Rank: Unranked
Traditionally, the third year of a head coach's tenure at a school is the year the team finally gets it going, when the recruits he has landed finally get on the field and his offensive and defensive schemes begin to fit the personnel better. Charlie Strong certainly hopes that is the case for the 2016 Texas Longhorns. In Strong's first two years, Texas has gone 11-14 and missed a bowl last year, a year that also included a 24-0 drubbing at the hands of Iowa State, who won three games. This season, Texas has the same question they have had since Colt McCoy left town years ago: who is their quarterback? Senior Tyrone Swoopes has long been trying to lock down the job but has struggled, Jerrod Heard showed potential last year but is moving to receiver, and highly touted true freshman Shane Buechele is in the mix. Whoever locks down the gig will have a lot to work with, as the Longhorns return a great 1-2 punch at back (Chris Warren III and D'Onta Foreman) and get a smart new offensive coordinator in Sterlin Gilbert. Defense has been Strong's bread-and-butter over his coaching career, but it wasn't great last season. That could change, as the Longhorns return one of the nation's best defenders in true sophomore Malik Jefferson, along with a much more experienced D-Line. If Texas is ever going to breakout under Strong this would be the year. They are the most experienced and talented they have been under the head coach and get much of their tough competition at home. If they can solve their quarterback woes, they would very well make a run at the Big 12 title, but that is a huge if.
6. West Virginia Mountaineers National Rank: Unranked

Skyler Howard

Long known for their aggressive and high-scoring offense, West Virginia switched things up last year. Instead of their offense solely carrying them, WVU played the best defense they have in years, which helped them improve to an 8-5 mark in 2015. However, that defense was hit hard this off-season by graduation and NFL departures, most notably first-round NFL selection Kaleb Joseph and talented linebacker Nick Kwiatkowski. That should leave the Mountaineers searching for answers on that side of the ball, but the offense will still put up points. Senior quarterback Skyler Howard is back after becoming just the fourth Big 12 quarterback since 2010 to throw for over 3,000 yards and rush for 500 more in a conference that has its fair share of wonderful signal-callers over the years. He will miss running back Wendell Smallwood, who ditched for the NFL after leading the conference in rushing with 1,519 yards. Smallwood helped take the pressure off the passing game and made WVU very balanced. His departure hurts, but former Pitt transfer Rushel Shell has the talent to lock down the position he left. With plenty of firepower returning and getting Oklahoma, TCU and Baylor at home, the Mountaineers could surprise some folks and improve on their eight wins from '15.
7. Texas Tech Red Raiders National Rank: Unranked
After a disappointing 4-8 record in 2014, Texas Tech and head coach Kliff Kingsbury were eager to show what they could do last season with a healthy team and reinvigorated offense. Led by gun-slinging QB Patrick Mahomes, the Red Raiders improved to 7-6, as the offense was dominant. Mahomes is back and could be a dark horse Heisman threat with the numbers he is supposed to put up, while running back Justin Stockton should bring much needed balance to the group and will operate behind an improved offensive line. The question is the defense, which hasn't improved at all since Kingsbury arrived and has been Texas Tech's issue since the Mike Leach era. Michigan transfer Ondre Pipkins gives the Red Raiders a physical defensive tackle up front, and the secondary includes talented safety Jah'Shawn Johnson. However, if that group doesn't improve wildly this year, it is hard to imagine TTU making much progress beyond .500 football.
8. Kansas State Wildcats National Rank: Unranked
Kansas State under Bill Snyder has long been a team that overachieves, usually finishing off a lot better than most expect from the Wildcats. That really wasn't the case last year as K-State's offense struggled and they needed three straight wins to qualify for a bowl which they lost, leaving them at 6-7. They should be better this year, hopefully with stability at quarterback, where junior Jesse Ertz returns from an ACL injury that sidelined him all of last season. If he doesn't lock down the starting job, talented newcomer Skylar Thompson could push him. Senior back Charles Jones and sophomore full back Winston Dimel (son of OC Dana Dimel) should keep the ground attack rolling. On defense, K-State should be solid, led by safety Dante Barnett who was injury early and received a medical redshirt. A tough opener on the road against Stanford will be a great test for this young team, but Big 12 play will not be easy for a team still figuring out their offense in a conference known for being high-scoring. However, Snyder has surprised more than a few times before, and the Wildcats have enough talent on both sides of the ball to make a bowl and finish in the conference's upper division.
9. Iowa State Cyclones National Rank: Unranked
After early success with the Cyclones, the Paul Rhoads era was becoming stale in Ames entering 2015. The Cyclones had been 5-19 over the past two years entering last year and while they had some bright spots they still limped to a 3-9 mark that ended Rhoads' tenure. New head coach Matt Campbell arrives from Toledo with plenty of energy and inherits a roster that has some legit playmakers. Sophomore back Mike Warren rushed for 1,339 yards last year and should be even better this year, while receiver Allen Lazard has a chance to set records at the school as he enters his junior campaign. Quarterback has been an issue for ISU over the past few years, but Campbell is hoping junior Joel Lanning can lock down the role after Sam B. Richardson graduated. Defensively, the Cyclones will lean heavily on an improving linebacker corps and a secondary that includes safety Kamari Cotton-Moya, a Freshman All-American two seasons ago that has struggled with injuries.
10. Kansas Jayhawks National Rank: Unranked
Kansas was completely and absolutely dreadful last season, and there isn't a whole lot of other ways to look at it. They went 0-12 and lost to FCS foe South Dakota State, and weren't competitive at all in conference play. That winless campaign leaves Kansas a lowly 9-51 over the past five seasons. By comparison, Oklahoma and Baylor, the two winning-est programs in the conference during that span, have won 50 games. Second-year head coach David Beaty has some pieces, namely sophomore QB Ryan Willis and junior LaQuvionte Gonzalez, a transfer from Beaty's old job, Texas A&M. Willis didn't have a lot of help last year but showed flashes, and Gonzalez is a speedster that should open up the offense. On defense, Kansas looks towards junior Joe Dineen Jr. for leadership, along with ball-hawking safety Fish Smithson, who led the Big 12 in tackles in '15, mainly because nobody else on the defense could stop anybody. Kansas still has a long, long road to respectability but first they need to win some games in Beaty's second year. If they don't win against either Rhode Island or Ohio to open up the year, they could realistically go 0-24 in the young head coach's first two seasons in Lawrence.

Big 12 Champion: Oklahoma Sooners

Projected All-Big 12 Team
First Team
QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
RB Samaje Perine, Oklahoma
RB Mike Warren, Iowa State
WR James Washington, Oklahoma State
WR KaVontae Turpin, TCU
TE Blake Jarwin, Oklahoma State
OL Kyle Fuller, Baylor
OL Orlando Brown, Oklahoma
OL Jonathan Alvarez, Oklahoma
OL Patrick Vahe, Texas
OL Victor Salako, Oklahoma State
DL Charles Walker, Oklahoma
DL Josh Carraway, TCU
DL Will Geary, Kansas State
DL James McFarland, TCU
LB Malik Jefferson, Texas
LB Jordan Evans, Oklahoma
LB Taylor Young, Baylor
CB Jordan Thomas, Oklahoma
CB Ryan Reid, Baylor
S Fish Smithson, Kansas
S Jordan Sterns, Oklahoma State

Second Team
QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
RB Shock Linwood, Baylor
RB D'Onta Foreman, Texas
WR K.D. Cannon, Baylor
WR Allen Lazard, Iowa State
TE Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
OL Connor Williams, Texas
OL Austin Schlottman, TCU
OL Michael Wilson, Oklahoma State
OL Will Ash, Kansas State
OL Dom Desouza, Baylor
DL Byron Bonds, Baylor
DL Naashon Hughes, Texas
DL Ondre Pipkins, Texas Tech
DL Vincent Taylor, Oklahoma State
LB Chad Whitener, Oklahoma State
LB Elijah Lee, Kansas State
LB Travin Howard, TCU
CB Ranthony Texada, TCU
CB Ramon Richards, Oklahoma State
S Kamari Cotton-Moya, Iowa State
S Dylan Haines, Texas

College Football Preview 2016-2017: 4. Oklahoma Sooners

Baker Mayfield

4. Oklahoma Sooners

Conference: Big 12
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
2015-2016 Record: 11-2 (8-1 Big 12)
Bowl Result: Loss in Orange Bowl (Playoff Semifinal)
Breakout Player: DL Charles Walker
Heisman Hopeful: QB Baker Mayfield
X-Factor: WR DeDe Westbrook
Recruiting Rundown  (via Rivals)
Schedule
Roster

Oklahoma entered last season eager to prove that 2014 was a fluke, after the Sooners stumbled to an 8-5 overall record and 5-4 conference mark in the '14 campaign. Oklahoma did just that; new QB Baker Mayfield led a recharged offense, Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon orchestrated a dominant rushing attack, Sterling Shepard was one of the Big 12's best at receiver and the defense did enough to aid the Sooners to a 11-1 regular season record. While the loss included a head-scratching defeat to Red River rival Texas, Oklahoma won their first outright Big 12 title since all the way back in 2010, and beat a number of great teams on the way (Tennessee, Baylor, Oklahoma State). An Orange Bowl defeat to Clemson in the College Football Playoff was a disappointing end to the season, but 2015 should still be considered a massive success. With Mayfield returning, along with the two-headed monster in the backfield, OU very well could repeat as Big 12 Champs.

Backfield: By fall camp, it was beginning to become clear that Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield was going to overtake incumbent starter Trevor Knight as quarterback in '15. Knight had been mediocre all of 2014 after his big Sugar Bowl performance against Alabama a few months prior, and Mayfield had the energy and big arm to fit new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley's air raid scheme. Mayfield did end up winning the job and did not disappoint. The undersized (6'1") but fearless signal-caller ended up throwing for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns, while also rushing for 405 yards and seven more scores. Mayfield was right in the thick of the Heisman race much of the season, before he was banged up later in the year. Many college football fans see similarities in Mayfield's game to a former infamous college football QB: Johnny Manziel. Both play pretty reckless at times but can dominate a game despite their smaller stature. While Mayfield will lose his top target in Sterling Shepard at receiver, he should still put up huge numbers again in the second season of Riley's offense. Mayfield will be joined by junior Samaje Perine and sophomore Joe Mixon at running back. Perine has proven on countless occasions that he can punish opposing defenses, as he holds the FBS record for rushing yards in a single game after rushing for 427 yards against Kansas in '14. Perine is another relatively small guy height-wise, but he can still bulldoze over runners with his strong, compact frame. He rushed for 1,349 yards and 16 touchdowns and even an offense that often prioritizes the pass, he could find himself in the mix for the Heisman. Mixon's Oklahoma career began very, very shaky. A highly touted recruit, Mixon was involved in an incident at a bar and a video surfaced of him punching a woman. Mixon was suspended all of 2014, and the incident still overshadows his career. While Mixon will certainly have to answer questions off the field that he has matured, his performance on the field was impressive. With the same powerful manner of Perine, Mixon rushed for 753 yards and seven touchdowns last season, showing even more burst than Perine, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Perine will still enter the year as the starter, but expect OU to give the sophomore plenty of action in '16. Alex Ross (172 yards in 2015) transferred to Missouri, leaving redshirt freshman Rodney Anderson as the third-string back.

Receivers: While Lincoln Riley's offensive scheme benefited quite a bit of Oklahoma players, it didn't help one more than Sterling Shepard last season. Shepard was the clear-cut top option throw the air and he showcased his superb speed and reliable hands, reeling in 86 balls for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns. His performance helped him earn All-American honors and eventually increased his draft stock enough to go in the second round to the Giants. His departure leaves OU searching for answers at the receiver position. The cupboard is far from bare, but it remains to be seen if any of the returning Oklahoma receivers can take over the role as No. 1 receiver. Senior DeDe Westbrook is most likely the top candidate. Westbrook is a former junior college transfer with blazing speed, which he used to his advantage last season, en route to 46 catches for 743 yards. However, Westbrook has had issues with drops in his career and isn't the established route runner that Shepard was. Another former transfer, Geno Lewis, could also compete for the top receiver role. Lewis was formerly at Penn State, and has proven he can make big plays. He could be quite the helper in his final season of college football, coming in as a grad transfer. Junior Jeffery Mead, sophomore AD Miller and junior Michiah Quick are other candidates fighting for greater roles. Miller had just two receptions as a true freshman but is a wonderful athlete, while Mead proved he could move the chains last year. Quick is a former sought-after recruit who has shown flashes of big-time potential, but hasn't been able to get on the field enough. He had nine catches for 103 yards last year, but could be a serious breakout candidate, with wonderful speed and explosiveness. The tight end spot should be a major strength for the Sooners this season. Mark Andrews set a OU frosh record with seven touchdown grabs, and is back for his sophomore season. Beyond him, however, Oklahoma is pretty thin at the position, although that shouldn't be a major worry, as the tight end position doesn't play a huge role in their offense.

Offensive Line: While the Sooners' flashy skill position players were making big plays throughout all of 2015, the offensive line had some significant ups-and-downs. For the most part, the line played very well, especially in the second half of the season, but there is still plenty of room for improvement as they enter the 2016 campaign. Three starters will depart from the unit, most notably All-Big 12 center Ty Darlington, who has been an anchor on the Sooners' offensive line for years. Even without Darlington, the center position could still be a strength of the group, as sophomore Jonathan Alvarez could start there. Alvarez was very good last season, but mostly at the left guard spot. Switching Alvarez to center, where he is still pretty comfortable, gives Oklahoma an established run blocker up the middle, giving Perine and Mixon even more punch between the tackles. Oklahoma should also be very good at both tackle spots. Sophomore Orlando Brown emerged as a prime talent last season after impressing people late in fall camp. Brown should lock down the left tackle starting job after making 13 starts last season and earning himself a spot on the All-Big 12 team. At 6'8", 340 pounds, nobody will be able to get past the gigantic tackle with simply using power or strength. At right tackle, the Sooners will turn to fellow sophomore Dru Samia. Samia was switched around quite a bit a year ago, but seems like a good fit at RT. Samia isn't quite the giant that Brown is, but gets by with good footwork and technique. The guard positions are definitely going to be the question off this O-Line. Former JUCO transfer Ben Powers has impressed in spring and was well regarded coming out of the junior college ranks. Another former JUCO guy, Jamal Danley, could also fight for snaps at either guard spot. Redshirt freshman Cody Ford, junior Preston Morgan and another junior college prospect, Ashton Julious, are the other blockers fighting for a starting gig at either guard slot. Oklahoma is also hoping for big things from another newcomer, Erik Swenson. Swenson is a four-star commit out of Illinois that brings as much upside as anybody in the 2016 class.

Defensive Line: This past season, Oklahoma proved they could get after the quarterback, with 40 team sacks. Now, five of their top six defensive linemen from '15 are back, with the lone loss being end Charles Tapper. Tapper is not a small loss, however, as the veteran had 50 tackles and seven sacks last year, and made two All-Big 12 teams in his time in Norman. Tapper's production will not be easy to replicate, but a lot of people feel that his replacement this season could be even better. Expect that replacement to be junior Charles Walker, who had 36 tackles and six sacks despite not starting a single game for the Sooners in 2015. Walker is a powerful, disruptive force that finds ways to make plays. Blockers may pay more attention to him this season, but expect the talented defender to still make a major impact. Opposite of Walker, Oklahoma will turn to senior Matt Dimon, who isn't quite the pass rushing presence that Tapper was, but is still a quality defensive end. Dimon is a great run defender, utilizing good instincts and athleticism, as he had 4.5 tackles for loss last season. Do not expect the veteran to be dominant, but he is a well-built defender that does the little things well. In the middle, OU will turn to stout and powerful junior Matthew Romar at nose tackle. Romar is a solid run defender who recorded 23 tackles last year. He will give Oklahoma an experienced, physical piece in the interior to work with. Romar will also be joined by senior Jordan Wade and sophomore Marquise Overton, who will bring depth. Overton has loads of potential and could push Romar, while Wade had 23 tackles last season and made a start. The Sooners are very excited to see what a pair of unproven young defensive linemen can do. Redshirt freshman Du'Vonta Lumpkin has the power and motor to be a force in the long run for OU, while true freshman Amani Bledsoe oozes with talent. Bledsoe is a four-star prospect out of Lawrence, Kansas, who should be able to do special things at either tackle or end.

Linebackers: The Sooners will have to move on from a dynamic playmaker in their linebacker corps after Eric Striker graduated this offseason. Striker wasn't much of a run defender but he got after the quarterback, with 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss in '15. While the loss of Striker makes this unit a relative question mark, it has some young promising talent. Senior Jordan Evans is back at middle linebacker and should put together a big season after finishing off second on the Sooners in tackles this past season. Evans uses impressive athleticism and speed to rack up tackles, as he had 83 last year with four tackles for loss. The questions arise at outside linebacker, where there isn't much proven players. Sophomore Tay Evans has a great mix of athleticism and ferocity, but he played in just ten games and had eight tackles last year, it is hard to imagine him becoming one of the team's premier defenders. At the hybrid "Jack" position, Oklahoma could turn to junior Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to get after the quarterback. Okoronkwo is raw but is a strong, physical playmaker. Despite very limited action this past season, the junior managed two sacks, and he could be a pleasant surprise this season. That leaves OU also searching for answers at another outside linebacker position, where there appears a good chance true freshman Caleb Kelly will start. Kelly is one of the highest rated prospects of the 2016 recruiting class, coming in as a five-star out of Fresno. It showed just how strong of a recruiter Bob Stoops is that he went out on to the West Coast and landed the elite linebacker over other Big 12 and Pac-12 schools. With how think Oklahoma is at 'backer, Kelly will almost certainly see some important role, even if he doesn't start. Juniors Dalton Rodriguez and Emmanuel Beal could be a couple of deep reserves that see increased action this season, and could play a pretty key role. Beal is a relatively low rated junior college transfer who comes from Lackawanna Community College up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which has formed an interesting pipeline with Oklahoma over the past few years. High-upside pass rusher Kapri Doucet also comes from Lackawanna CC in this year's class.

Jordan Thomas (7)

Secondary: Despite facing some dangerous passing attacks in the pass-happy Big 12 (Texas Tech,
TCU, West Virginia, Baylor), the Sooners' pass defense was pretty strong a season ago. It could take a hit in '16 as top corner Zack Sanchez departs. Sanchez was a rock-solid defensive back that rarely made mistakes. While the secondary will undergo a transition as Sanchez departs, there are plenty of people that believe junior Jordan Thomas is the better corner. Thomas showed he could make plays last year, with 46 tackles and an impressive five interceptions. Thomas is slightly bigger and stronger than Sanchez which is important; he will face a lot of lengthy, athletic Big 12 targets and will have to hold his ground. Thomas' interception totals may decrease as he plays more man coverage this season, but he should put together an all-around better campaign. Senior Ahmad Thomas is also back to the defensive backfield after earning All-Big 12 honors in 2015. Ahmad had 75 tackles and three picks himself and returns to his field his pivotal free safety position. He'll be joined at safety by Steve Parker, who should put together a solid 2016 season. Parker isn't a wonderful athlete, but he has a good feel for the game and should continue to improve. OU is eager to see who will take over the cornerback slot opposite of Thomas. Sophomore P.J. Mbanasor is a favorite, as he was a highly regarded recruit in last year's cycle and he showed flashes, with seven tackles. Mbanasor but not be the pure playmaker Jordan Thomas is but he is a great coverage option and should be shutdown. Senior Dakota Austin is also going to compete for the starting gig; he may not have the upside Mbanasor presents, but he has more experience. However, Oklahoma is pretty thin beyond them at cornerback. Michiah Quick, the receiver I mentioned earlier, has been experimenting at cornerback, as he has the versatility and the Sooners have the need. He will need time to adjust and it is unknown how much he'll play of either way in '16, but he could be an intriguing player to watch. The Sooners are banking on newcomer Jordan Parker to make plays this season. Parker is a well-rounded prospect who also comes from the West Coast.

Special Teams: Oklahoma is blessed with a wonderful leg to guide their special teams in sophomore Austin Seibert. Seibert, just a sophomore, was a Ray Guy seminfinalist last season (for best punter in the nation) but should also handle kicking duties. The return game will have to replace the transferred Alex Ross and graduated Sterling Shepard.

A deflating 20-point defeat at the hands of Clemson in the Playoff semifinal really dampened the hype for Oklahoma entering 2016, but they should not be overlooked; they can hang up there with the likes of Alabama and Clemson. Baker Mayfield is sometimes erratic, but there is no denying he is a legit Heisman threat, and there isn't any team in the nation that can really counter a 1-2 combo of Mixon and Perine. That should guide Oklahoma much of the season, but a receiver has to fill the major void left by Shepard, and the defense has some leadership issues. Those questions, when combined with non-conference dates with Houston and Ohio State leave OU without a simple road in '16. However, Bob Stoops has proven his Oklahoma teams can produce and hang with the best in the nation, and they should once more be in the thick of the National Championship mix this year.

Big 12 Expansion: Breaking Down the Top Options

Houston Cougars 

Two years ago, the College Football Playoff was ushered in with tremendous success. The inaugural Playoff had the debate and controversy (TCU, Baylor and Ohio State), while also setting up wonderful matchups between powerhouses like Alabama, OSU, Florida State and rising Oregon. However, it made one thing very clear: conference championships were going to be very important. TCU and Baylor who did not play a conference championship were hopped over in the polls by Ohio State, who used a dominant showing in the Big Ten Championship to get in. The Big 12, the only member of the "Power Five" conferences that doesn't have a conference championship game, soon realized they would need one to really compete with the cash-making machines of the SEC, ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12. The addition of two or even four schools would give them the guaranteed number of teams for a championship game (12+). The conference is in a precarious position, with Oklahoma and Texas both known to explore other alternatives and some staple members ditching for greener pastures over the past few years (Texas A&M, Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado). Even so, the conference has a number of options it can add for expansion. Here are the best options, with their pros and cons to joining the Big 12:

Houston Cougars, American Athletic Conference
Houston's football program has quickly risen to national relevance under head coach Tom Herman, winning 13 games and the Peach Bowl last year. They will be perhaps the best Non-Power Five team in the nation this season, and would compete with the Big 12 if they were placed in it. Houston is a great market for the Big 12 to expand, and even if Herman takes another job, coaches can recruit the rich talent that grows there. That would help instill the Cougars as a power player in the Southwest, and a good fit in the conference. Basketball hasn't been great lately, but has a rich history and a big name head coach in Kelvin Sampson. Obviously that could change, but it is still a program that could compete in the Big 12, contrary to what TCU has done in its first few years. Geographically, Houston makes even more sense, as they are right in the heart of where the Big 12 calls home with Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech all within reach. If I were to pick a program today, Houston would make the most sense and inject some life into the conference.

Cincinnati, American Athletic Conference
Cincinnati has boasted a successful football program for years now. Names like Brian Kelly and Butch Jones have ascended to major heights by using the consistent Bearcats as a base. The Bearcats also have great recruiting opportunities, nestled right in the hotbed that is Ohio and the other surrounding areas. That hotbed would give them the athletes necessary to compete in the rugged Big 12. Cincy's basketball program has also been consistently strong, becoming an every-year player in the March Madness field. Mick Cronin is back healthy, so the Bearcats will likely be playing great basketball for awhile, and would match up well with Kansas, Texas, Iowa State and West Virginia. Another advantage to Cincinnati would be their location, which would help connect West Virginia more, by bridging the distance between many of the members.

BYU, Independent in Football, West Coast Conference in Basketball
BYU made waves a few years back when they opted to become an independent in football and move to the West Coast Conference in basketball. They have always been consistently strong at football, with some big names passing through the school over the years. They would immediately bring a strong program to the equation in the Big 12, and one built to last. They have been solid in the WCC over the years in basketball, although the conference has still primarily run by Gonzaga. The program still recruits well and has strong stability so well a move to the Big 12 would be a step up, they would adjust. BYU is great on paper, but they are far away from the main campuses of the Big 12 in Texas, as they are over in Provo, Utah. They are also greatly different from many Big 12 schools in the culture of the school and its fans. That could pose possible problems down the line. Even so, BYU would still be a strong fit, even though adjustment may be awkward at first.

UCF, American Athletic Conference
The Big 12 could very well try to expand their markets eastward into Florida, at UCF. The Knights attract decent attention from viewers in Orlando and Miami, and would bring a tropical appeal to the conference. The football team went 0-12 this past season, but was consistently great in the AAC and C-USA before that. It recruits pretty well, and could still play with teams in the Big 12. The question would be basketball, as UCF has never boasted much of a basketball team, although new head coach Johnny Dawkins can win. Central Florida may not have the reputation or history of a BYU, but they would be popular because of their destination and unique style.

UConn, American Athletic Conference
It may be an awkward fit being all the way in the Northeast, but University of Connecticut is still a strong possibility. The Huskies have proven they are a college basketball powerhouse, with two national titles over the past few years. However, they have been unable to get much respect playing in the AAC, a shadow of the old Big East. A move in basketball could give us some great new rivalries between powerhouses (imagine a Kansas-UConn battle twice every year!). Football-wise UConn has been downright mediocre over the past few seasons, but the program has had some success, as they made a Fiesta Bowl a few seasons back under Randy Edsall. Football may have a tough time adjusting, but basketball could carry them.

Boise State, Mountain West
For years, Boise State has been a constant name for expansion. The Broncos have been a lovable underdog, beating down opponents in the weak WAC and Mountain West, and giving us some magic against the blue bloods of the sport. They have proven they can win even through a coaching change (Bryan Harsin is in Year 3) and a move to another conference. Back when the Big East was falling apart, Boise State was a serious name, and this move would be relatively similar. The basketball program's success has also helped Boise. The program had always lagged beyond football, but has made a few NCAA Tournaments and become much stronger under Leon Rice. They would fit well in the Big 12.

Other Options
Colorado State, Mountain West
SMU, American Athletic Conference
Marshall, Conference-USA
South Florida, American Athletic Conference
Tulsa, American Athletic Conference
Memphis, American Athletic Conference

College Football Preview 2016-2017: 17. TCU Horned Frogs

KaVontae Turpin

17. TCU Horned Frogs

Conference: Big 12
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
2015-2016 Record: 11-2 (7-2 Big 12)
Bowl Result: Victory in Alamo Bowl
Breakout Player: RB Kyle Hicks
Heisman Hopeful: WR KaVontae Turpin
X-Factor: QB Kenny Hill
Recruiting Rundown (via Rivals)
Schedule
Roster

After an infamous snub from the College Football Playoff in the 2014-2015 campaign, TCU entered last year with a chip on their shoulder. The Horned Frogs were led by Heisman hopeful Trevone Boykin at quarterback, possessed All-American candidates Josh Doctson and Kolby Listenbee at receiver, and still had some great talent defensively. However, injuries struck throughout TCU's roster, crippling an already young defense and even impacting their explosive offense. A 20-point loss to Oklahoma State hurt TCU's Playoff hopes and a loss to Oklahoma effectively killed any huge postseason plans. While the two regular season losses were relatively disappointing, TCU responded with an epic comeback against Oregon in the Alamo Bowl without Boykin, who had been suspended for his role in a bar fight days earlier. That epic bowl victory should help give the Horned Frogs some more momentum entering 2016. While Boykin and many members of the offense are gone, the defense should step up in a big way this season, and there remains enough talent that TCU should stay in contention for a Big 12 crown.

Backfield: There was no football player more dominant than Boykin over the past two years. A former receiver, Boykin locked down the job and excelled under co-offensive coordinators Sonny Cumbie and Doug Meachem. Boykin had 3,574 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns, while also running for 612 yards and nine more scores. His departure obviously stings, but the cupboard at QB is not completely bare. Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill arrives without a ton of fanfare, but plenty of potential. The starter directly after Johnny Manziel, Hill showed how good he could be at times, passing for over 500 yards on multiple occasions, and 23 touchdowns. When the Aggies began to struggle, Hill was blamed and lost his job to Kyle Allen, ending his time in College Station. Hill's big arm and large frame is a great fit for Meachem and Cumbie's scheme, and he won't have the relentless pressure he had on him at A&M. Hill will not be handed the job, however; the junior will have to compete with sophomore Foster Sawyer, a local product. Sawyer possesses wonderful size (6'5") and great mobility. Both are great talents, and TCU will be sure to use them correctly. The Horned Frogs will also have to replace their feature back, after Aaron Green graduated. Green ran for 1,272 yards last year, along with 11 touchdowns. He consistently moved the chains and always had big runs in store. His absence should push the player who finished off third in rushing (behind Green and Boykin), junior Kyle Hicks, to the forefront. Hicks showed loads of promise a year ago, but ran the ball just 56 times. TCU does have a very balanced offense, so Hicks could get upwards of 250-plus carries, and it will be interesting to see how he handles that type of workload. Hicks finished off with 262 yards and three scores last year, while also showing he could catch the ball pretty well out of the backfield. Seeing those numbers skyrocket should be highly likely, considering the increased workload. Fellow junior Trevorris Johnson should act as a great complement to Hicks. Johnson ran for 262 yards as well last year, but one ten less carries. While Hicks does most of his damage because of his size and power, Johnson is more dangerous and agile. The combination of Hicks' power and Johnson's explosiveness will give TCU plenty of versatility to work with. Beyond those two, expect sophomore Shaun Nixon and possibly even newcomer Darius Anderson to see some action. Nixon ran for 66 yards on 16 attempts a season ago, while Anderson has a bright future as three-star addition.

Ty Slanina

Receivers: Not only do the Horned Frogs lose two of their top three receivers, they lose one of the nation's premier talents in Josh Doctson. Doctson put on a clinic a year ago, recording 1,326 yards and 14 touchdowns. He could have done even more damage, but he was limited towards the end of the year by a wrist injury. He is off playing in the NFL, and TCU will greatly miss his insane reliability. Kolby Listenbee also graduated, leaving a big void as well. Listenbee was productive, with 597 yards and five touchdowns. His most important trait was his speed and deep threat ability, as he averaged nearly 20 yards a reception. A track star, Listenbee worked very well with Boykin, and opened things underneath for Doctson and the rest of TCU's offensive talent. Those two losses should put more pressure on sophomore KaVontae Turpin, but he should handle it just fine. Turpin came on to the scene in a big way last season, picking up 45 catches, 649 yards and eight touchdowns in his first year with the team. Turpin proved he was an outstanding athlete, changing games every time that he touched the ball. He was still prone to mistakes and drops a year ago, but those issues should decrease with more experience and comfortability in the TCU offense. Joining Turpin should be a strong cast of playmakers. Senior Deante Gray will have the chance to have a big year after taking a redshirt a year ago to recover from knee surgery. Gray proved he could break open games in 2014, with eight touchdowns. Sophomore Jaelan Austin and junior Emanuel Porter should take much bigger steps this year. Porter has showed flashes of stardom throughout his time in Fort Worth, while Austin was good in limited action a season ago, with 10 catches for 137 yards. Junior Ty Slanina is another guy that should get more playing time this year, and the junior possesses immense potential. Tight end could be an issue for the Horned Frogs, Junior Charlie Reid is the only returner with much experience, but he had just three receptions last year. Newcomer Artayvious Lynn could possibly push for playing time as three-star prospect from New York.

Offensive Line: While the losses of Boykin, Green, Listenbee and Doctson are going to be very hard to replace, there will be no transition tougher for TCU than replacing the four starters gone on the offensive line. The Horned Frogs didn't have any transcendent talents on the O-Line, but it was a solid and productive unit. While TCU's offense puts plenty of emphasis on their talent at the skill positions and their speed offensively, their offensive line is skill obviously pretty critical to their offensive success. There is some experienced talent remaining, namely guard Matt Pryor and center Austin Schlottman. Both were thrown into the starting lineup a year ago due to a rash of injuries and played very well. Pryor, a junior, offers great size and is an established run blocker that should lead the charge for Johnson and Hicks. Schlottman will provide great stability to the interior of the unit, and is great working with quarterbacks out of the shotgun, where TCU runs nearly all of their plays. The tackle spots should be in pretty good hands, as a number of veterans return to lead the way. Right tackle Aviante Collins enters his senior season as a great pass blocker, while junior Joseph Notebloom is the favorite to lock down the left tackle spot. Joining Notebloom on the left side of the unit should be Patrick Morris, a junior with amazing talent. The depth in the unit isn't terrible, but we could still a couple young pieces come in and see some action. Gary Patterson and staff recruit nationally as well as anybody, and went up into the Northeast multiple times in this year's class. Three-star Lucas Niang comes down from Connecticut as a solid piece, while fellow offensive linemen Chris Gaynor was a more local find (Dodge City, Kansas).

Defensive Line: Few programs find and produce as much talent on their defensive line as TCU. Patterson specializes in finding and developing defensive linemen, and he has plenty of fantastic talent in the front seven this season. Leading the way is senior Josh Carraway, who has the chance to be one of the Big 12's elite pass rushers. Carraway had 10.5 tackles for loss last year and added eight sacks on top of it. Carraway uses his great size and agility to make every type of plays, being a disruptive pass rusher and as a run defender, with 46 tackles. While Carraway locks down one defensive end slot, expect fellow senior James McFarland to make plays on the other side. McFarland was expected to have a big 2015 after earning Peach Bowl Defensive MVP honors in 2014-2015, but he missed the entire year due to injury. McFarland has proven time and time again that he is a disruptive presence, even a guy that can help in coverage (he had an extremely impressive interception in that Peach Bowl victory). In the interior of the line, the Horned Frogs will miss Davion Pierson, one of the better tackles in the Big 12 a year ago. Pierson had 37 tackles and 6.5 TFL, but TCU should be able to find some pieces to replace that production. Yet another senior, Aaron Curry should put together a big year. Curry had 41 tackles himself a season ago, and is a great pass rusher, with three sacks a year ago. Curry isn't huge, but his speed and athleticism is tough for slower offensive linemen to stop. There is no clear candidate to replace Pierson at the tackle spot next to Curry. Sophomore Breylin Mitchell has the chance to be the stater, but a number of other players will compete with the young linemen. Junior Chris Bradley had a solid year in 2015, but doesn't have as high of a ceiling as Mitchell. Big things are expected for true freshman Isaiah Chambers, one of the highest rated prospects in the 2016 recruiting class. Chambers is a four-star playmaker out of inside the state who Patterson managed to keep away from all the other Texas schools. Defensive tackle Ross Blacklock is another guy that TCU managed to keep away from a number of other powerhouses in the area, and the three-star prospect will produce right away.

Linebackers: There was no position group as young on TCU's roster as the linebacker corps where they missed their undisputed leader, Paul Dawson, and a number of other pieces. Patterson and defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow had to lean on a lot of young freshman and it was very understandable that the unit struggled. The unit will still be very youthful again in 2016, and won't play too critical of a role in the 4-2-5 defense. Junior Travin Howard had a huge 2015, and he should be in store for bigger honors this season. Howard recorded 107 total tackles, and 9.5 tackles for loss, making plays from sideline to sideline. Howard also proved that he was quite the hitter, forcing three critical fumbles for the Horned Frogs. The likely starter alongside Howard in the unit is sophomore Montrel Wilson, who will lock down the middle linebacker spot. Wilson was also solid last season despite being very young, picking up 60 tackles. He proved that he had a nose for the football last year, but still is improving at tackling in space, an important trait to have in the spread-orientated Big 12. Junior Sammy Douglas was little used last season, but he is a veteran that knows the system and could fight for action. Redshirt freshman Semaj Thomas is a young guy that could see an increased role and has breakout potential. The big newcomer to the group is going to be four-star recruit Tyree Horton who comes in from Highland, Kansas. Horton is a linebacker that brings fabulous athleticism and playmaking ability to the equation.

Secondary: TCU will desperately miss one of their top defensive leaders last year, Derrick Kindred. The safety did it all for the Horned Frogs a year ago, recording 86 tackles, two interceptions and forcing two fumbles. While TCU will certainly miss that production, the defensive backfield could still be a considerable strength, with solid experience and talent returning. Junior cornerback Ranthony Texada has to be seen as one of the stars of the unit, even after missing the entirety of 2015. Texada is a corner with terrific ball skills and coverage ability, and opponents will be wary about passing near the veteran. Also back in the secondary is junior Nick Orr, a safety that can help out in a variety of ways. Orr had 50 tackles last season, and also showed he could support in coverage, with nine pass deflections. Senior Denzel Johnson is yet another guy that helped out quite a bit a season ago, and the Horned Frogs should lean on the strong safety. Johnson is a terrific run defender, racking up 79 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss last season. Glasgow loves to let Johnson get out and blitz, and the defensive back, gifted with great size and long arms, is awfully disruptive. Safety Kenny Iloka was yet another player that lost his 2015 due to injuries, and should come back in a big way. Iloka was great in 2014, and the Horned Frogs will love his coverage skills. He'll compete with sophomore Niko Small for one of the remaining safety spots. The other cornerback spot opposite of Texada is a major question mark, as there isn't any favorite to lock down the position. Defensive back Markell Simmons is the big incoming freshman in the Class of 2016. Simmons is a highly rated prospect who comes over from Arizona, while three-star Innis Gaines was a steal from inside the state. One of the most interesting pieces to the recruiting class is Sewo Olonilua, the highest rated prospect in TCU's class, according to 24/7 Sports. Olonilua can do it all, and is listed as an athlete. He is a talented runner and could find his niche as a running back, but also has the potential to be a very good safety, and the Horned Frogs could use his great range in their secondary.

Special Teams: TCU said goodbye to longtime kicker Jaden Oberkrom this past season, and his departure hits significantly. Oberkrom was extremely consistent, knocking down 21 of 25 field goals and connecting on 59 of 60 extra points. A new punter will also have to emerge after Ethan Perry graduated.

Injuries and youth hurt TCU significantly last year, but they still managed 11 victories. While life without Boykin and Doctson will be no breeze, Gary Patterson is one of the nation's better coaches, and he has an immensely talented roster. The offense still has the potential to be dangerous, and they should be very stout defensively, headed by perhaps the Big 12's most complete pass rush. Other good news for TCU is the fact that unlike much of the Big 12, their schedule is not tremendously back-loaded. Their toughest opponents, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State both come in relatively soft parts of their schedule. They get Oklahoma in between SMU and Kansas, and Oklahoma State after Baylor, which isn't absolutely terrible. Also, outside of Arkansas, their non-conference slate is very manageable. It may be an odd transition period for the Horned Frogs, but they should not be overlooked. Both Oklahoma schools are favorites in the Big 12, but the Frogs should certainly contend. If their offense can iron out their issues, TCU could very well challenge for a New Year's Six bowl berth.

College Football Preview 2016-2017: 18. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Marcell Ateman

18. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Conference: Big 12
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
2015-2016 Record: 10-3 (7-2 Big 12)
Bowl Result: Loss in Sugar Bowl
Breakout Player: DT Vincent Taylor
Heisman Hopeful: QB Mason Rudolph
X-Factor: OT Victor Salako
Recruiting Rundown (via Rivals)
Schedule
Roster

One year after a disappointing 7-6 mark, Oklahoma State was eager to show they had improved entering 2015. They proved they had a in a big way, starting off the year 10-0, with a victory over TCU to boot. They were sixth in the College Football Playoff rankings, and looked poise to win a Big 12 title, but faced a daunting slate to finish the year. Losses to Baylor and Oklahoma knocked them out of conference title contention and a loss in the Sugar Bowl to Ole Miss showed the Cowboys still have work to do. While the end to 2015-2016 was disappointing, 10 victories should still be considered a major success, and there is plenty of talent back in Stillwater entering this season. Led by junior QB Mason Rudolph, a deep backfield and plenty of talent defensively, OSU has enough to be a more serious Playoff contender this year.

Backfield: Head coach Mike Gundy used a two-quarterback system a year ago, and it worked to perfection. J.W. Walsh, the established veteran, came in near the goal line and in short yardage situations, where his running ability could be utilized. That left rising Mason Rudolph to handle most of the other duties, and he did not disappoint. Rudolph recorded 3,770 yards and 21 touchdowns in Oklahoma State's up-tempo attack. He cut down on turnovers from a year prior, limiting to nine this year (which should continue to come down) and looked like a star. Walsh has graduated, leaving things all to Rudolph. His huge arm is a perfect fit for the spread system that Gundy and fourth-year offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich favor, and he has decent mobility as well. Rudolph tossed for 290 yards a game last year but didn't get a lot of touchdowns because Walsh got crucial snaps in the red zone. The touchdowns and total stats should skyrocket and if everything goes to plan, Rudolph could be a sneaky and overlooked Heisman candidate. Helping out the junior quarterback will be a very deep and experienced running back position. Oklahoma State has been pretty thin at back since Joseph Randle graduated a few years ago, but senior Chris Carson showed he could be something special with a strong showing in 2015. He picked up 517 yards and four scores last season, but missed some time with injuries and splitting carries. He should be looked at as the Cowboys' feature back entering this year, but there is enough talent to compete with him. Fellow senior Rennie Childs also played pretty well a year ago, with 276 yards and two touchdowns. Carson and Childs weren't bad by any means in 2015, but they averaged just 3.9 and 3.8 yards per carry, respectively. That leaves a lot of room to be desired and expect them to get pushed by the Cowboys' biggest newcomer: Barry Sanders Jr. Yes, the son of Oklahoma State legend Barry Sanders decided to play his final year of collegiate ball in Stillwater, transferring away from Stanford. Sanders Jr. showed plenty of promise with Stanford but Christian McCaffrey leapfrogged him for the starting gig and Sanders wasn't going to see much action behind the Heisman candidate. He still rushed for 630 yards the past two years with the Cardinal, and should bring immediate playmaking potential. Sanders Jr. may not have the talent of his father, but he still can wow you with his speed and quick cuts. His big-play ability should fit in very well with the Cowboys dynamic offense.

Receivers: Oklahoma State's offense spawns great receivers, evidenced by Justin Blackmon and Dez Bryant over the past few years. It appears they have found their next great wide out in junior James Washington, who quietly put up huge numbers in '15. Washington earned All-Big 12 honors after compiling 1,087 yards and 10 touchdowns off of 53 receptions. His numbers were impressive on their own last year but they become even more impressive when you consider he was just a sophomore. He became just the fourth OSU underclassmen to finish off with 1,000 receiving yards. That list includes Bryant, Blackmon and Rashaun Woods. Joining Washington will be senior Marcell Ateman, who doesn't have Washington's big-play ability, but put together a strong 2015. Ateman had 45 catches for 766 yards and five touchdowns, and proved to be extremely reliable. Washington is dangerous because of his speed, while Ateman has success because of his size and ability to position himself. At 6'4", 215 pounds, Ateman will tower over Big 12 defensive backs and he will certainly use that to his advantage. Along with the two veterans, sophomore Jalen McCleskey has the chance to have a special season. He isn't as proven or as experienced as either Ateman or Washington, but the Louisiana product had 29 receptions, 253 yards and three touchdowns. McCleskey averaged just 8.7 yards per reception a season (Washington had 20.5, Ateman 17 by comparison) but he proved that when he did get some space, he could make plays. He is lightning quick, and the Cowboys will experiment with different ways to get him the ball. Senior Jhajuan Seales is also returning for his final year on campus and offers plenty of playmaking ability, with 321 yards a season ago. Gundy and Yurcich will also be gifted with stability at tight end, where senior Blake Jarwin returns. Jarwin will play OSU's "Cowboy Back" position again this season. The "Cowboy Back" is a hybrid tight end/fullback role where the Cowboys rely heavily on Jarwin's blocking ability. Jarwin isn't a great pass-catcher, but he did have 17 receptions for 200 yards last year. One of the big gems of Oklahoma State's recruiting class was three-star prospect Tyrell Alexander. Alexander will be hard-pressed for snaps this year, but he has the long, athletic frame that Gundy loves.

Offensive Line: Despite good stability throughout the unit and not much injuries, Oklahoma State's offensive line struggled last season. Over the course of two years, Oklahoma State has allowed 72 sacks, among the highest in the Big 12. The good news is that nearly all of the line remains intact, headed by two strong tackles, Victor Salako and Zachary Crabtree. Salako is a former UAB castoff that played okay last season. Now a senior, Salako will play a pivotal role at left tackle; if he can be a brick wall, it will really help Rudolph succeed. Crabtree enters his junior year after a productive year and brings wonderful size to the right side, at 6'7", 315 pounds. The interior of the unit was also decent last year, but didn't really help create too many holes for Carson or Childs. Expect senior Michael Wilson to play a big role in his senior season. Wilson can contribute at either guard spot and should lead the charge for the rushing attack. Center should be in pretty good hands, thanks to the return of junior Brad Lundblade, who had a solid showing last year. The big newcomer for the unit is four-star prospect Tramonda Moore. While Oklahoma State has become a school that can land elite talents, Moore was their only four-star pickup this year, so coaches are going to be expecting big things. Moore is natural at left tackle, and should learn from Salako and maybe even push him, but can play a variety of roles. Also arriving are two three-star guys in Shane Richards from Mexico and Matt Kegel from Chaska, Minnesota. Both offer plenty of upside in the near future for the Cowboys. Overall, the unit returns plenty of talent and experience. But, it has to prove itself after a rough few years. Guys like Salako and Crabtree should help the unit succeed.

Defensive Line: No unit on Oklahoma State's roster was hit as hard this offseason as the defensive line. The Cowboys lose one of the Big 12's best defenders and one of the best pass rushers in the entire land. Defensive linemen Emmanuel Ogbah could play a number of different positions, and star at each. He picked up 12.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss with OSU before declaring for the NFL. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round. However, Ogbah is not the only big loss form the unit. Jimmy Bean graduated, leaving a big gap at defensive end. Bean had 5.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss himself a season ago and was a great complement to Ogbah. That means a few young faces are going to have to step up to the spotlight. Sophomores Jarrell Owens and Trey Carter are the favorite to take over as Oklahoma State's top pass rushers. Owens was a force last year despite limited action, recording three sacks. He showed plenty of power and was a natural disruptive presence at end. He should see his number rise, and the little used Carter offers plenty of upside. The losses on the line could help junior Vincent Taylor put together a big 2016. Taylor had a decent year last season, with 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He proved he had the versatility to be a dangerous pass rusher or become a run stopper. He'll have a big role for Oklahoma State this season, but he may expect more double teams or other blockers. Joining Taylor up front is going to be senior Motekiai Maile, who showed promise a year ago. Maile had 21 tackles a year ago, with two of them going for a loss. Expect contributions from sophomore Darrion Daniels as well in the interior, as he showed great ability in the spring. Despite their losses, Gundy and staff didn't grab a lot of talent at defensive line in this year's recruiting class, which puts more pressure on the veterans. However, three-star Cameron Murray was a nice grab out of Arkansas. Murray is a beast in the middle who is more athletic than Maile.

Linebackers: The Cowboys have not been viewed as a defensive team for much of Gundy's 12 years with the team. Yet, it is a group that has improved, and will look to take big strides in 2016. For that to happen, they need a talented linebackers group to set the tone. Much like the defensive line, the linebackers do lose plenty of talent, but have a ton back and are deep. The big loss for the unit is Ryan Simmons, who made 31 starts at the position and was an impact player before a knee injury ended his senior season prematurely. Simmons was a great leader and playmaker, so that will need to be replaced. Big things are expected of senior Jordan Burton, and for good reason. Burton finished off second on the team in tackles a year ago, with 98. He had also had nine tackles for loss and picked off a pass. Burton proved to be a versatile athlete that had a wide range and could help in coverage. Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer will look to Burton to do much the same this season, and he can deliver. Senior DeVante Averette was a great linebacker last season as well and look forward to an even better season. Averette picked up 30 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions and will be looked at as a playmaker off the edge. Expect Spencer to cut the veteran loose in various blitz packages. The other likely starter to the unit is junior Chad Whitener, who was great last year. Whitener had 93 tackles and also showed his ability to be a major help in coverage. With him and Burton, Oklahoma State has so much versatility to work with. Another likely key contributor will be Gyasi Akem. Akem saw action in eight games last year and proved he could make plays when called upon, finishing with nine tackles. He'll have to adjust like a lot of new pieces, which makes an opener with Southeastern Louisiana favorable. Redshirt freshman Kevin Henry is yet another guy looking to play a bigger role and he has seen big improvements after his redshirt. Incoming freshman Calvin Bundrage has the chance to be very, very good. Bundrage is a three-star prospect, and a guy that make some plays at outside linebacker.

Jordan Sterns

Secondary: Oklahoma State's secondary has had some issues (like the rest of a pass-happy, little defense Big 12), but they have produced some nice talents. Cornerback Justin Gilbert has struggled in the NFL but was a first-round pick, while others have also gone on. The next big stud in the defensive backfield is none other than safety Jordan Sterns. Sterns proved just how good he was last year, finishing off with 108 total tackles. He proved he had great range and was a great tackler in space, an important trait in today's college football, with 71 solo tackles. Sterns is slated in at the strong safety spot, and will be looked at as a guy that can help in a variety of ways. He also had two picks and three pass deflections last year, though coverage isn't his strength. Cornerback should be an interesting position to watch this year for the Cowboys. Senior Ashton Lampkin has to be looked at as OSU's No. 1 coverage guy. He was solid a year ago, but was prone to mistakes at times. He'll have to continue to improve this year, as he'll face plenty of talented wide receivers in the Big 12. Junior Ramon Richards is the likely starter opposite him, and proved he was a guy that could wow you. Richards also suffered mind lapses and mistakes, but will continue to show consistency this year. He also picked off two passes last year, bringing one all the way back. Last but not least is junior Tre Flowers, who returns at free safety. Flowers had 83 tackles last year, and also batted down seven balls. While Sterns is a hard-hitter that can do so many different things, Flowers' importance to this defense should not be overlooked, he is a major piece. Junior Jerel Morrow is likely the backup to Flowers, but Morrow offers great upside and should look for snaps. There are a couple of pieces in this year's recruiting class that could offer some help, in the long term and now. Three-star pickups like Madre Harper and A.J. Green should offer assistance. Green arrives from DeSoto, Texas, which produces some great talent all around.

Special Teams: Stability at both kicker and punter will be key this year for Oklahoma State. Senior kicker Ben Grogan is back after a solid 2015, while punter Zach Sinor was great as a young freshman. The return game is unsettled, but plenty of talent exists in it.

Mike Gundy has proven that he has taken this Oklahoma State to new heights on countless occasions. Yet, this 2016 Oklahoma State edition may be Gundy's most talented and well-rounded group he has since 2011. That year, OSU went 12-1 and was within a crazy upset at the hands of Iowa State away from a National Championship Game berth. QB Mason Rudolph could do some crazy things, with Washington and Ateman helping him, while the defense will still be rock-solid,even without Ogbah and Bean. The schedule will once more be an interesting factor. The Big 12 is amazingly backloaded, and OSU will have to finish the year at both TCU and Oklahoma. While that may be daunting, this team has the chance to be very, very dangerous. Oklahoma is everybody's pick in the Big 12 after their Playoff berth last year, but their instate rival could be just as scary, and sneak their way into the Playoff this time around.

Final Four Picks 2016

Brice Johnson

1 North Carolina Tar Heels vs. 10 Syracuse Orange
Who would have ever thought that Syracuse, who entered the NCAA Tournament 19-13 and extremely cold would be playing in the Final Four this season? The Orange certainly have gotten some help from sheer luck (such as Michigan State, their likely second round matchup, bowing out early) but they also have played great and have shown amazing will power late in games against Gonzaga and Virginia. The Orange will now get a chance to continue their crazy run against the tournament's last remaining No. 1 seed, the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Syracuse doesn't have a lot of big-name NBA prospects, but the talent on their roster is undeniable. Former Duke guard Michael Gbinije has been terrific this tournament, freshman Malachi Richardson has turned into a true weapon, and underrated Tyler Roberson has made his impact felt. The Orange lack a true point guard, but their entire lineup has great length and playmaking ability, and Jim Boeheim's patented 2-3 zone has worked to perfection throughout this tournament. North Carolina's biggest weakness is their three-point shooting, and it is hard to really have success against the 2-3 without at least hitting some threes. Marcus Paige has turned it on as of late, but beyond that, UNC may be pressed to score. Sharpshooting senior Trevor Cooney is sure to make an impact as well for Syracuse, and freshman Tyler Lydon has had a great couple of games. Though, the Orange run just seven guys, and UNC runs the floor extremely well, because their bigs are just so athletic. That could be a major problem for Syracuse, and it will be interesting to see how Boeheim counters it. Talent-wise, I think UNC is by far and away the best team left in the tournament. Paige can run the show, Justin Jackson has turned it on significantly after a turbulent year, and I don't think there is a team in the nation that can match up with the Tar Heels' frontcourt of Brice Johnson, Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks and Joel James. Johnson will play a huge role for the Tar Heels; the senior has been an absolute monster all year long and will be determined to go out on top. He likely will spend a lot of time positioned right in the heart of Syracuse's 2-3, where UNC will rely on him hitting mid-range shots, which he has proven he can do. He will also have to do work on the glass, because he is definitely a better rebounder than Lydon or even Roberson.

Talent-wise North Carolina is a better team, and they have more experience and depth. But, the Tar Heels also have choked away many games away throughout the Roy Williams era, and the Orange have capitalized this tournament, coming back in big ways against both Virginia and Gonzaga. However, I think UNC may just be too much for the youthful Orange too handle. Unless Richardson and Gbinije absolutely dominate, and Johnson struggles or gets in foul trouble, the Heels should roll. Physically no team can match up with UNC, and their experience and discipline should also help guide them to a win over the Tournament's dark horse.
North Carolina by eleven

2 Villanova Wildcats vs. 2 Oklahoma Sooners
Earlier this season, Oklahoma and Villanova squared off in a non-conference clash. The Sooners thoroughly dominated, winning by 23 points, and waking up the nation that this team is a legit National Championship threat. Months later, the two teams will meet again, but with vastly different circumstances. Villanova has made a very surprising Final Four run behind a veteran lineup and plenty of sharpshooters, while Oklahoma has continued to play great behind likely National Player of the Year Buddy Hield and scorching hot Jordan Woodard. While the Sooners will be a tough out, one thing is nearly certain: they will not be coming out with a 23-point victory in this one.

The Villanova Wildcats don't look a ton different this year than the past few years, when they have had disappointing and short lived NCAA Tournament trips. Though, they are much more balanced than in year's past, are on fire from three and have a dominant big man for the first time in a long time. The addition of Jalen Brunson has enabled Jay Wright to use two ball-handlers, with senior Ryan Arcidiacono also playing a huge role. It gives Villanova more options, consistent point guard play and a good offensive attack. It also helps that Arcidiacono is playing some of the best basketball of his long four-year career at Villanova. Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins are playing terrific as floor-spacers, and Hart has proven that he can take over games when this team needs him to. Perhaps even more important than these other things for 'Nova is the play of center Daniel Ochefu. Ochefu has been strong all year long but has been even better this NCAA Tournament, showcasing a tireless motor and an aggression we hadn't seen much before. Oklahoma is notoriously weak in their frontcourt beyond Khadeem Lattin and Ryan Spangler, and Villanova will likely use Ochefu as a serious advantage. On the other side, Oklahoma has well, Buddy Hield. Hield has only continued his absolutely dominant play throughout this March, and there doesn't appear to be a complete, lockdown defender on Villanova's roster. Also supporting Hield will be Isaiah Cousins and Woodard, who has stepped up in a big way this tourney. A former Gonzaga transfer, Ryan Spangler is another vet that should push Oklahoma to success. A very notable thing about these two teams: neither are extremely deep beyond their strong starting lineups. Both definitely have options off the bench but they don't go exactly 12 guys deep. Pace will be a major factor in this game, and so far Villanova has done a great job of dictating it in their run, which has been instrumental in wins over Miami and Kansas.

I will be the first one to admit it: I was not at all a believer of Villanova when the tournament began. Enough first weekend exits had convinced me the team was basically doomed when March rolled around, and a rather weak showing against Seton Hall in the Big East Championship did little to assuage me. However, their play this NCAA Tournament has made me a believer. I think Kansas may have been the most balanced and best team in the entire nation, and the Wildcats really outplayed them start to finish. Hield may be tough to stop, but forcing him to attack the rim instead of just chucking up threes can at least hurt him somewhat. Villanova also should employ a more up-tempo, attack offensive and defensive strategy, because it is very likely Oklahoma may not respond well. Like I said, the Sooners are going to be a very tough out. But, the way Villanova is playing, it is hard for me to pick against the Wildcats.
Villanova by nine