Practices went full pads and scrimmages this week around the conference.  And paying close attention to the developments in camps is leading me to slightly shuffle some of my Big 12 picks. 

Let’s take a stroll….Around the Big 12.  Where else can you walk from Austin to Ames in 10 minutes?

Texas – The position of tight end at Texas continues to be cursed.  Now DJ Grant is gone for the year after major ligament damage to his knee.  Blaine Irby was looking like the next David Thomas last year until a gruesome knee injury against Rice knocked him out for all of 2008 and 2009, and possibly forever.  DJ Grant was supposed to try to fill Irby’s shoes in 2009.  Now Texas is down to Greg Smith, or possibly Dan Buckner sliding over from WR.

Texas Tech – Starting RB Baron Batch injured his elbow last week in practice, and the original diagnosis was 3-6 weeks off the field.  I figured that would probably end up being close to 3 weeks than 6, and it’s looking like I’m right. 

Oklahoma State – A major ding to OSU’s depth at RB.  Kye Staley, who was apparently turning heads in fall practice, tore his ACL and is out for the season.  Also, Zac Robinson still isn’t practicing.  He’s supposed to return Tuesday.  No one is making a big deal of this, but a hamstring can be a lingering injury, and the Pokes definitely need Robinson healthy and mobile.  The terrifying letters M, R, and I were used.  Fortunately, looks like he got good news from the results.

Missouri – I wish every school had a blog like Rock M Nation.  It is awesome.  Here’s a very detailed account of the last MU scrimmage, with lots of additional links to peruse.  Optimism is starting to run high in Columbia. 

Nebraska – The Omaha World-Herald does a pretty good rundown of the interesting camp developments in Lincoln, by position.   And in other news, more throwback uniforms, to celebrate the school’s 300^th consecutive sellout!   Because what college football needs, is more tricked up uniforms!  Yay! 

Iowa State – Cyclones on their first scrimmage, “we’re sore”.  That’s some A+ in-depth reporting there. 

Colorado – Scrimmage time in Boulder.  The good news?  Young stars fighting for starting jobs on defense.  The bad news?  More kicking woes, and not enough “excitement”.  I feel very comfortable with my slotting of CU at 10^th best in the conference. 

A&M – The Aggie scrimmaged on Sunday, and despite reports to the contrary, the number seem to favor Jerrod Johnson at QB.   I don’t know what to make of a day in which the defense gave up lots of long runs, yet also tallied 11 sacks.  It probably means what I think it means – that the line play on both sides of the ball is an abomination. 

Baylor – The atmosphere at Floyd Casey Stadium might actually be different this year.  1,000 fans showed up for a scrimmage in Waco over the weekend.  Wow.    That’s more people than are usually in the stands in the 4^th quarter of a Baylor home game!

Oklahoma – The backup to starting MLB Ryan Reynolds is possibly out due to NCAA rules violations.  It’s a ticky-tack thing.  He apparently played some semi-pro ball before enrolling in JC (He’s 25 yrs old).    I don’t understand how the NCAA could rule him eligible last year, and then turn around and say he’s ineligible this year.  And here’s a practice report.   With WR Cameron Kenney still working out as punter, I totally expect to see him run back there for a fake punt trick play at some point during the season. 

Kansas – Here are things to read. 

Kansas State – If someone can find me a nice blog that can tell me what the hell is going on in Manhattan, I’ll give you a nice, shiny nickel.  It’s not that I haven’t tried.  It’s just that I don’t care enough to try really hard.

This post is tagged curses, Exploding ACLs, optimism, scrimmages, soreness, throwback unis