CFN Spring Rundown for OU's Opponents

[Desert Sapper]

I took CFN's Spring outlooks for each of OU's 2006 opponents and put them in this one location (in the order we play them) for convenience.



UAB
The big spring question is ... Can UAB figure out how to win all the games it's supposed to? There were wins over UTEP and Memphis last year, but there was also a stunning loss to SMU along with the bowl-eligibility killing loss to East Carolina to close out the regular season. There won't be heart-and-soul QB Darrell Hackney to count on anymore, so it'll be up to the veterans to provide some stability and consistency throughout the season. That means new leaders have to emerge this spring.
The most important position to watch is ... Defensive tackle. Along with seeing if Chris Williams can take Hackney's place at quarterback, the Blazers have to find replacements for Sam Williamson and Ernest Respress on the defensive interior. They were the key cogs in the run defense, and now Sam Kendrick and Clarence Respress have to take over.
Spring attitude... Win the East. Even without Hackney, there are enough returning talent on both sides of the ball to hope for a bounce-back season and a bowl bid. With 14 starters coming back and kicker/punter Parker Mullins, there's no reason the division title can't be there for the taking going into season-ending road trips to Southern Miss and UCF.

Washington
The big spring question is ... Is Ty Willingham going to be able to turn things around in his second year? The Huskies weren't as awful as they were in 2004, but 2-9 is still 2-9. Willingham's first priority has to be to strengthen the defense after spending last year looking for more consistency on offense. No, Washington isn't going to contend for the Pac 10 title, but a six win season is very possible with the right breaks.
The most important position to watch is ... Quarterback. Is Isaiah Stanback ready to take another step up and become more of a playmaker? Speed isn't a question considering Stanback is one of the school's star 60-meter sprinters, and he made nice strides as a passer throwing for 2,136 yards with nine touchdown passes and six interceptions. Willingham hand-picked his quarterback of the future by recruiting Jake Locker, but he's hopefully not needed until next year.
Spring attitude... It's time to be better. This is Washington. It wasn't all that long ago when the program was a yearly battler for the Pac 10 title and was a national superpower. Willingham can coach, and the resources and facilities are there to succeed. This year has to be a major stepping stone to next year, but confidence only comes with wins.

Oregon
Spring practice starts April 4, Spring Game: April 29
The big spring question is ... Was last year a fluke or is Oregon really a ten-win team again? A little of both. Oregon's best win last year was over ... Arizona State? Cal? Fresno State? There were only four wins over bowl teams and no dominating performance over a good team to get anyone outside of Eugene screaming about seeing the Ducks in the BCS. Even so, there's a ton of good talent returning on both sides of the ball led by what should be one of the Pac 10's best offensive lines and a talented collection of skill players.
The most important position to watch is ... Defensive lineman (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Spring_Preview/Springlooks_Pac10.htm##). The Ducks can patch the holes in the back seven, but finding comparable replacements for Haloti Ngata, Devan Long and Darius Sanders off the league's number one defense won't be done. David Faaeteete has the unenviable task of trying to fill in for Ngata, while Nick Reed and Victor Filipe will get the first look on the end.
Spring attitude... Feel disrespected. That "no one loves us" whine didn't work for the Holiday Bowl, but it could serve as motivation going into the season with Oregon likely to be ranked around third in the Pac 10 preseason pecking order. The offense should be able to hang punch for punch with anyone in America, and it'll have plenty of chances to show what it can do on a national scale in games against Oklahoma, at Arizona State, at Cal and at USC.

MTSU
Spring practice starts April 4, Spring Game: April 29
The big spring question is ... How will things be different under new head coach Rick Stockstill? Probably not much. MTSU had the league's best defense last year, and Stockstill has promised his D will be tough and hard-nosed. Then again, all coaches say that. His offense will be wide-open, which is was under Andy McCollum. Stockstill will pay off a few years from now when his recruiting skills kick in and he brings more talent to Murfreesboro.
The most important position to watch is ... Defensive lineman (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Spring_Preview/Springlooks_SunBelt.htm##). The Blue Raiders (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Spring_Preview/Springlooks_SunBelt.htm##) were nasty up front last year with a tremendous D line, but now the top tackles need to be replaced along with end Devarick Scandrett. There's decent size returning with Bobby Payne on one end and tackle Chris Anderson in the middle, but more playmakers have to emerge early on this spring if MTSU is going to lead the league in run defense again.
Spring attitude... Find a way to get more out of the offense. After getting nothing out of the running game last year, Stockstill has to either make sure the passing attack is more productive or get more production up front to get more than 110 rushing yards per game. MTSU lost three league games by a total of ten points, so if the D can be almost as good as last year, there's a great chance for a run at the Sun Belt title.

[Desert Sapper]

And our conference opponents:



Texas
Spring practice starts February 27, Spring Game April 1
The big spring question is ... Is Texas another Ohio State or another USC? It's not a knock against the Buckeyes since they've been so amazing since their national title season of 2002, but their inability to get back to the national title game shows just how tough it is, how many breaks you need, and what a fine line there is between getting in a BCS game and playing for the championship. Texas has enough returning talent to be the preseason number one and has to be considered a favorite for playing for the national title. Of course ...
The most important position to watch is ... Quarterback. Since the development of Colt McCoy and Jevan Sneed will be daily college football news, it'll also be important to pay attention to who the new killers will be on defense. Texas might be a factory, but it's not a positive when you lose the Thorpe Award winner (Michael Huff) and a headhunting linebacker like Aaron Harris. Also interesting to note will be a kicking game that loses placekicker David Pino and punter Richmond McGee.
Spring attitude... Act like the national champion. There was more to the 2005 Texas team than Vince Young with many of the key players returning for another run. Sure, Young gave the team an identity and a confidence it didn't have before, but having a ridiculous amount of talent all over the place can make up for the loss of one transcendent superstar. At least that's the hope. However, if Texas loses to Ohio State and/or Oklahoma and ends up failing to win the Big 12 title, you can bet the Mack-can't-win-without-Vince articles will start popping up.

Iowa State
Spring practice starts March 22, Spring Game April 15
The big spring question is ... Will the pass defense be any better? The run defense was a rock last year, but the secondary got burned way too much allowing 242 yards per game. Worse yet, the Cyclones didn't exactly play a who's who of passing teams. Three of the four starting defensive backs are gone, and pass rushing terror Jason Berryman is off the team after a variety of off-the-field issues.
The most important position to watch is ... Running back. Patching holes in the secondary and the defensive line will be the biggest issue, but the key to the season could be in the backfield. Stevie Hicks was the barometer for the offense last year, but he was rarely healthy. It would help if Greg Coleman could produce a bit more after averaging only 3.6 yards per carry. The line should be good enough to pave the way for more ground production.
Spring attitude... Keep getting in position. After the breakdowns in the last two regular season finales, all Iowa State can do is keep putting itself in a spot to play for the North title. The defense needs work, but the offense has the potential to be the best in the North with a tremendous passing game and the pieces in place for a solid ground attack. After the Kansas game and bowl game loss to TCU, motivation won't be an issue.

Colorado
Spring practice starts March 13, Spring Game April 15
The big spring question is ... How will Dan Hawkins do with Gary Barnett's players? After the brutal end to 2005, Coach Hawk should provide a shot of enthusiasm, along with more pop to the offense. However, the pressure will be on to produce right away. After all, despite all the drama and all the problems over the last few seasons, CU is still the two-time defending North champion.
The most important position to watch is ... Quarterback. With Joel Klatt gone, it'll likely be up to James Cox and Brian White, but Cody Hawkins, son of the head coach, will be arriving soon as a highly heralded prospect. While Hawkins likely won't be in the mix for a few seasons, the pressure will be on for Cox, who was awful against Texas and Clemson completing five of 20 passes against the two, and White, who was fantastic in the bowl game completing seven of 12 throws for 81 yards and a score.
Spring attitude... Things aren't all that bad. This is a good team that, once again, played for the Big 12 title last year. Just about everyone returns on defense and the entire offensive line comes back, so there's no reason to ask for anything other than yet another trip to the championship. Also, after all the issues under Barnett, it's time for the program to have more fun.

Missouri
Spring practice starts March 9, Spring Game April 15
The big spring question is ... How will the offense be without Brad Smith? While it might be impossible to replace a talent like Smith, who was responsible for 3,605 total yards last year, the offense might be more diverse and more players will be used to keep things moving. How will running backs Tony Temple and Jimmy Jackson play more of a role? How will new likely-starter Chase Daniel play in place of Smith? Everyone else will have to pick up the slack for No. 16.
The most important position to watch is ... Cornerback. Obviously all eyes will be on Daniel, but the Tigers need to replace top corners A.J. Kincaide and Marcus King, while the loss of safety Jason Simpson won't help. Fortunately, the game with Texas Tech isn't until October 7th.
Spring attitude... It's time to play for the Big 12 title. Daniel is a good enough quarterback to lead the Tigers to a big season, while enough talent returns on the defensive front to expect a stronger year against the run. The schedule is light enough early (Murray State, Ole Miss, at New Mexico and Ohio) to hope for a confidence building 4-0 start before what might be the make-or-break game in the Big 12 opener against Colorado.

Texas A&M
Spring practice starts March 3, Spring Game April 8
The big spring question is ... Is this the last chance for Coach Fran? A 16-19 record isn't exactly what Aggie fans were hoping for when they got Dennis Franchione away from Alabama, and there might not be a year five if there isn't a solid turnaround and a bowl season in 2006. Fortunately, the Aggies have a tremendous stable of running backs, a promising young offensive line, and a highly ranked recruiting class to get excited about. The potential is there for a good season.
The most important position to watch is ... Defensive back. All eyes will be on the quarterback situation, but that should turn out to be just fine with both Ty Branyon and Stephen McGee more than competent. The bigger question mark is in the secondary where the nation's worst pass defense loses coaches Melvin Smith to Mississippi State and Chris Thurmond to Houston along with heart-and-soul safety Jaxson Appel. In case you were wondering, the Aggies get Texas Tech in the Big 12 opener on September 30th.
Spring attitude... Do everything with an eye on starting fast. Barring a total disaster, the Aggies will be 4-0 (The Citadel, UL Lafayette, Army and Louisiana Tech) before facing Texas Tech. If they can go unbeaten at home, that would mean wins over Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Nebraska before the season finale at Texas. Considering the road games are at Kansas, Oklahoma State and Baylor, anything less than an eight-win season will be considered a disappointment. An early home might be devastating.

Texas Tech
Spring practice starts March 22, Spring Game April 17
The big spring question is ... Is this really such a sound system that the quarterbacks can keep being replaced without a hiccup? It appears so, and now the defense has begun to match the success of the offense after finishing 30th in the nation last year. This isn't just a gimmicky team, it's good enough to actually challenge for the Big 12 title on a yearly basis. Now the program has to prove it can continue to play at a high level.
The most important position to watch is ... Running back. Of course the quarterback race will be the main focus, but there offense will still be high-flying with Graham Harrell or Chris Todd under center. The underrated cog in the machine over the last few years has been Taurean Henderson, who leaves Lubbock after rushing for 3,241 yards, catching 303 passes for 2,058 yards, and scoring a total of 69 touchdowns. Shannon Woods will be the main man early and has the talent to be another Henderson, but he has to prove he can block.
Spring attitude... Be consistent. There was the blowout win over Texas A&M, but that was followed up by the loss to a lousy Oklahoma State team. There was the destruction of Kansas State, and a struggle against Baylor. It would be heartbreaking for the Red Raiders to finally beat Texas and Oklahoma in the same year only to see it go for naught with losses to Texas A&M and Iowa State. The faster a starting quarterback can be named and the faster the holes in the secondary can be filled, the more consistent the team will be.

Baylor Spring practice starts March 8, Spring Game April 8
The big spring question is ... What does the team have to do to take the next step and go to a bowl? More offense would be nice after averaging a mere 318 yards and 21 points per game while also getting more production out of what was a solid D. Head coach Guy Morriss accomplished the nearly impossible task of making Baylor more than a speed bump, but getting over the next hurdle could prove to be even tougher.
The most important position to watch is ... Safety. Willie Andrews and Maurice Lane were two of the Big 12's best tacklers and best all-around safeties. The heart and soul of the Baylor D needs to be replaces meaning players like Dwain Crawford, Marlon Price and Jake LaMar have to turn into playmakers in a big hurry.
Spring attitude... Yes, Baylor can actually win in the Big 12. It's one thing to have a good attitude, but it's another to have something to back it up. Last year's wins over Iowa State and Oklahoma State, and near-misses against Oklahoma and Texas A&M, proved BU can be competitive. Considering the Bears have a late stretch of four road games in six dates before finishing with Oklahoma, coming out of the gate strong is an absolute must. They need every practice they can get before facing TCU.

Oklahoma State
The big spring question is ... How much improvement will there be in year two of the Mike Gundy era? Things just didn't seem to work out in the first season trying to switch offenses while having problems getting a meaningful stop on defense, but there are some exciting pieces in place going into this year. Mike Hamilton is one of the Big 12's best backs, D'Juan Woods is one of the top receivers, and there's enough talent on the defensive line to hope it can grow into something special, however ...
The most important position to watch is ... Quarterback. The entire defensive back seven needs working on, but getting more out of QB Robert Reid will make or break the season. Injuries have wreaked havoc on Reid's career, but he was solid in the win over Texas Tech to suggest that he might be the answer for the Cowboy offense. However, he has to start using more of his mobility and rushing skills to add another dimension to the attack. Alex Cate was the star of the 2006 recruiting class and will be around for spring ball to challenge for what has to be considered an open job. Al Pena had his moments with a great performance in the loss to Baylor, but he's not the answer.
Spring attitude... Time is still needed. A thousand thank yous to the schedule makers who gave OSU another joke of an early slate playing Missouri State, Arkansas State and Florida Atlantic before going to Houston. Those four games should be enough to finally get the offense going before dealing with a road trip to Kansas State, but it would be nice if things started to click in spring ball.

[NormanPride]

Thanks!

[BoomerJack]

Thanks for the info, DesertSapper. I'll have to think of a way to archive/save this to review after spring drill and even this August.

[OUTrumpet]

Several mention d-lines as a problem for early games...should help the o-line gel and take some pressure off of Peterson :)

[Desert Sapper]

Several mention d-lines as a problem for early games...should help the o-line gel and take some pressure off of Peterson :)

Yeah. Of our first four opponents, only Washington doesn't mention D-Line issues. And that's a home game. I'm hoping our O-Line is solid and rocking by the time we hit Red River.