College Confidential

Baylor in mix for possible Penn State transfers, Briles says; other Big 12 coaches express interest

DALLAS _ If any Penn State player relocates to a school in Texas to continue his college football career, Baylor looms as a likely destination.

Bears coach Art Briles confirmed Tuesday that the school has been approached by at least one player from the Nittany Lions’ roster in the wake of Monday’s announcement that Penn State players can transfer with immediate eligibility in the wake of NCAA sanctions related to the Jerry Sandusky child abuse case.

“If people reach out to us, that says they’re willing to move on. If they do that, then we’re willing to talk,” said Briles, whose staff includes three assistant coaches with Penn State connections (Brian Norwood, Chris Achuff, Cal Lowry). “If a guy can play, we’re going to look at him without question.”

Baylor added defensive end Shawn Oakman, a transfer from Penn State, to its roster on July 2. Former Bears’ defensive tackle Phil Taylor, a first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, also transferred from Penn State to Baylor to finish his college career.

Among coaches who took part in Tuesday’s session of the Big 12 media days, all indicated interest in talking to Penn State players who reached out to them. But only Briles, who cited a Baylor staff that is “heavily connected to Penn State,” indicated Tuesday that his school has been approached by a potential transfer.

Under NCAA recruiting rules, coaches cannot mention players’ names. Penn State’s 2012 roster includes three players who played high school football in Texas: kicker/punter Anthony Fera, center Frank Figueroa and offensive tackle Kevin Blanchard.

Asked about the possibility of adding a player from Penn State, Texas coach Mack Brown said: “You’d have to look at whether the player contacted you, if you had legitimate interest in him and if he fit.”
Fera, an All-Big Ten performer last season, could fill a need position on Texas’ roster.

Kansas coach Charlie Weis, who plans to start Notre Dame transfer Dayne Crist at quarterback, said he would have interest in Penn State players.

“When the dust settles, I think there will be several players that entertain the thought of going somewhere else,” Weis said. “So I think that any program that didn’t do homework prior to this decision coming out … was behind on that one.”

Briles said he was unsure if Oakman, who signed July 2 with Baylor, would be granted immediate eligibility for the 2012 season with other transfers from Penn State. A redshirt freshman last season, Oakman (6-foot-9, 265 pounds) has four years of eligibility remaining and played high school football in Landsdowne, Pa.

“It’s not critical that he’s able to go this year,” Briles said. “But it would certainly help.”
Among Big 12 schools, West Virginia’s campus sits in closest proximity to Penn State. Asked about the possibility of adding a Penn State transfer, West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said: “I think you’ve just got to look at it and see what your needs are. It can be beneficial if you identify what your needs are.”

_ Jimmy Burch

 

TCU's Patterson more concerned with early foes than tough final month

TCU coach Gary Patterson keeps hearing about how tough the final month of his first Big 12 schedule is going to be this fall.
But he’s too concerned with the Horned Frogs’ first few opponents to worry about that. After TCU opens the season and its newly renovated Amon G. Carter Stadium Sept. 8 against Grambling State, the Frogs have their Big 12 opener at Kansas at 11 a.m. Sept. 15. 
“Starting with Kansas, and I think all the way through, each one of those games poses a problem and we should approach it like that,” Patterson said. “We've always been a very workman-like group when it comes to ball games like that. Last year was a great example of kind of the mental toughness that our group had.  All the games we had to win, all the Bowl teams in our conference were all on the road.”
TCU is back for a nonconference game against Virginia Sept. 22 and at SMU Sept. 29 before moving exclusively to Big 12 competition against Iowa State at home Oct. 6. The Frogs are at Baylor Oct. 13 and home against Texas Tech Oct. 20 before the schedule is turned up a notch with two road games at Oklahoma State and West Virginia. Kansas State is at TCU Nov. 10 before the Frogs finish at Texas on Thanksgiving weekend and home against Oklahoma Dec. 1.

TCU quarterback Casey Pachall talks preseason rankings, the move to the Big 12, and the aftermath of February's drug sting:

 

TCU offensive lineman Blaize Foltz talks about the media onslaught and the question about Gary Patterson he chose not to answer:

 

TCU defensive end Stansly Maponga talks Big 12 Media Days and anticipation of the Horned Frogs' first season in the league:

 

-- Stefan Stevenson
@FollowtheFrogs 

 

USC gets favorite's nod in #BCS title race; #OU, #Texas, #TCU rank among #Big12 favorites

The return of highly touted USC quarterback Matt Barkley has helped the Trojans earn the pre-season favorite’s role in this year’s BCS national title race, based on odds released today by Bovada sports book.

USC opened today as a 3-1 favorite to win the 2013 BCS National Championship Game, ahead of defending champ Alabama (11-2), LSU (11-2), Oklahoma (10-1), Florida State (12-1) and Oregon (12-1).

National title odds for other teams with in-state or Big 12 connections include Texas (28-1), West Virginia (30-1), TCU (50-1), Kansas State (75-1), Oklahoma State (80-1) and Texas A&M (100-1).

The breakdown of odds for favorites in the 2012 Big 12 title race include: Oklahoma (1-1), Texas (4-1), TCU (11-2), West Virginia (11-2), Kansas State (12-1), Oklahoma State (22-1), Texas Tech (30-1) Baylor (40-1), Iowa State (65-1) and Kansas (100-1).

A list of pre-season odds for multiple conferences, as well as the national race, is below:

Odds to win the 2012-2013 BCS National Championship        
USC                             3/1
Alabama                               11/2
LSU                              11/2
Oklahoma                     10/1
Florida State                  12/1
Oregon                          12/1
Georgia                         14/1
Arkansas                      20/1
Michigan                       20/1
Notre Dame                   28/1
Texas                           28/1
Virginia Tech                 30/1
West Virginia                 30/1
South Carolina               30/1
Clemson                       33/1
Nebraska                      40/1
Wisconsin                     40/1
Florida                          50/1
TCU                              50/1
Auburn                          60/1
Michigan State              60/1
Boise State                   65/1
Kansas State                75/1
Miami (Florida)               75/1
Oklahoma State             80/1
Mississippi State           100/1
Missouri                        100/1
Texas A&M                   100/1
Tennessee                    125/1
Cincinnati                      150/1
Iowa                              150/1
Louisville                               150/1
Penn State                    150/1
Arizona                         200/1
Boston College              200/1
BYU                             200/1
California                       200/1
Georgia Tech                 200/1
Pittsburgh                     200/1
Stanford                        200/1
UCLA                            200/1
Washington                   200/1
NC State                       250/1
South Florida                 250/1
UCLA                            250/1
Oregon State                 300/1
 
Conference Odds
ACC - Odds to Win     
Florida State                  1/1
Virginia Tech                 3/1
Clemson                       5/1
Miami (Florida)               9/1
Georgia Tech                 15/1
North Carolina                     15/1
Virginia                              18/1
NC State                       20/1
Wake Forest                       35/1
Boston College                   50/1
Duke                             100/1
Maryland                              100/1
 
ACC Atlantic Division - Odds to Win   
Florida State                  1/2
Clemson                       11/4
NC State                       9/1
Wake Forest                       16/1
Boston College                   22/1
Maryland                              30/1
 
ACC Coastal Division - Odds to Win   
Virginia Tech                 10/11
Miami (Florida)               9/2
North Carolina                     11/2
Georgia Tech                 6/1
Virginia                              13/2
Duke                             30/1
 
BIG 12 - Odds to Win  
Oklahoma                            1/1
Texas                                4/1
TCU                              11/2
West Virginia                  11/2
Kansas State                12/1
Oklahoma State             22/1
Texas Tech                   30/1
Baylor                           40/1
Iowa State                     65/1
Kansas                             100/1
 
Big East - Odds to Win
Louisville                               9/4
South Florida                      7/2
Cincinnati                             5/2
Pittsburgh                            13/2
Rutgers                         13/2
Syracuse                      20/1
Temple                              20/1
Connecticut                         25/1
 
Big Ten - Odds to Win
Michigan                               2/1
Wisconsin                            5/2
Nebraska                              7/2
Michigan State              15/2
Penn State                    12/1
Illinois                                20/1
Iowa                                   20/1
Northwestern                 35/1
Purdue                          50/1
Indiana                              65/1
Minnesota                            100/1
 
Big Ten - Leaders Division Winner (Without Ohio State)       
Wisconsin                            1/2
Penn State                    3/1
Illinois                                15/2
Purdue                          10/1
Indiana                              15/1
 
Big Ten - Legends Division Winner   
Michigan                               11/10
Nebraska                              9/4
Michigan State              4/1
Iowa                                   8/1
Northwestern                 12/1
Minnesota                            40/1
 
PAC 12 - Odds to Win 
USC                             5/8
Oregon                              2/1
Washington                         12/1
California                              18/1
Stanford                        25/1
Arizona                         35/1
Utah                             35/1
UCLA                            40/1
Arizona State                50/1
Washington State          50/1
Oregon State                 60/1
Colorado                               100/1
 
PAC 12 - North Division Winner         
Oregon                              2/5
Washington                         5/1
California                              17/2
Stanford                        10/1
Washington State          15/1
Oregon State                 22/1
 
PAC 12 - South Division Winner         
USC                             1/6
Arizona                             10/1
Utah                             10/1
UCLA                            15/1
Arizona State                18/1
Colorado                               30/1
 
SEC - Odds to Win     
Alabama                               11/5
LSU                              11/5
Georgia                             11/2
Arkansas                              7/1
South Carolina                    10/1
Florida                               12/1
Auburn                          22/1
Mississippi State           30/1
Missouri                                35/1
Tennessee                    35/1
Texas A&M                   40/1
Vanderbilt                      60/1
Kentucky                              100/1
Mississippi                          100/1
 
SEC - East Division Winner    
Georgia                             17/10
South Carolina                    5/2
Florida                               3/1
Missouri                                11/1
Tennessee                    11/1
Vanderbilt                      16/1
Kentucky                              25/1
 
SEC - West Division Winner   
Alabama                               8/5
LSU                              8/5
Arkansas                      4/1
Auburn                          12/1
Mississippi State           15/1
Texas A&M                   20/1
Mississippi                          50/1

_ Jimmy Burch

 

TCU's first date with the Big 12 is July 23 in Dallas

TCU has been grouped with Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech during the Big 12 Media Days July 23-24 at the Westin Hotel at the Galleria in Dallas.
TCU’s group will go July 23. The other five schools (Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas and West Virginia) go July 24. Each school’s coach and three players take part in the six-hour media blitz. 

For the last seven years TCU coach Gary Patterson and two players have traveled to Las Vegas for the Mountain West Conference's media days. The Horned Frogs officially join the Big 12 July 1.

-- Stefan Stevenson
@FollowtheFrogs 

Big 12 coaches call shutout of No. 1 seeds a show of disrespect to league

The Big 12 placed 60 percent of its men’s basketball teams _ six of 10 _ in the 2012 NCAA Tournament, the highest percentage of any BCS conference.

But the league did not receive a No. 1 seed despite having more teams finish among the top 10 in RPI rating at the conclusion of the regular season (three) than any league: Missouri (30-4), Kansas (27-6) and Baylor (27-7). Missouri, the No. 2 seed in the West Regional, became the first team from a BCS league to win 30 games and not receive a No. 1 seed.

Add it up, coaches said on today’s Big 12 conference call, and it qualifies as a slap in the face to a league that deserved better.

“Our league as a whole gets disrespected,” said Kansas State coach Frank Martin, whose 21-10 team will be the No. 8 seed in the East Regional. “We should have had a No. 1 seed. That’s a little frustrating.”

Missouri, the Big 12 Tournament champion, was graded down by members of the selection committee because its non-conference schedule strength ranked No. 294 among Division I teams. Tigers’ coach Frank Haith said Monday that he pieced together the best schedule that he could as a first-year coach _ including games against Notre Dame, California, Villanova and Illinois _ but inherited a schedule with few confirmed dates when he took the job in the off-season.

“The CBE Classic (with games against Notre Dame and Cal) was about the only thing in place,” Haith said. “We had to scramble to put the rest of it together. But … we’re fine with a No. 2 seed. We’re moving on.”

Baylor coach Scott Drew, whose team received the No. 3 seed in the South Regional, said Missouri and Kansas _ teams that posted a combined 5-1 mark against Baylor _ “both had cases to be No. 1 seeds.”

In the final regular-season RPI ratings, Kansas (No. 6), Baylor (No. 8) and Missouri (No. 10) all were Top 10 inclusions. But neither KU, the league's regular-season champion, or Mizzou, the Big 12 Tournament champ, received a top seed.

“It’s disappointing one of them didn’t get it,” Drew said. “But at the end of the day, you’ve got to play and win to advance.”

_ Jimmy Burch 

Baylor, Kansas, Missouri among top 11 favorites to win NCAA Tournament with Kentucky the top choice

Kentucky has been installed as the prohibitive favorite to win the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. But three Big 12 teams rank among the top 11 choices to cut down the nets in New Orleans, according to odds released today by Bovada Sportsbook.

Kansas and Missouri, both No. 2 seeds heading into the tournament, received opening odds of 10-1. Those are the same odds given to Syracuse, the top seed in the East Regional and the No. 1 team in the latest RPI rating.

Baylor, a No. 3 seed, received opening odds of 35-1. Texas, a No. 11 seed, is at 100-1.

Kentucky, the top overall seed in the estimation of the NCAA selection committee, is a 9-4 favorite to take the title, with second-seeded Ohio State at 11-2.

A breakdown of the odds, released today:

Odds to Win the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship
Kentucky (1)                                          9/4
Ohio State (2)                                        11/2
North Carolina (1)                                   13/2
Michigan State (1)                                  17/2
Missouri (2)                                           10/1
Kansas (2)                                            10/1
Syracuse (1)                                          10/1
Duke (2)                                                20/1
Marquette (3)                                         30/1
Florida State (3)                                     30/1
Baylor (3)                                              35/1
Wisconsin (4)                                        35/1
Louisville (4)                                          35/1
Vanderbilt (5)                                         35/1
Wichita State (5)                                    40/1
Georgetown (3)                                      40/1
New Mexico (5)                                      50/1
Indiana (4)                                             60/1
Florida (7)                                              65/1
Memphis (8)                                          65/1
Cincinnati (6)                                         75/1
Kansas State (8)                                    75/1
Connecticut (9)                                      75/1
Michigan (4)                                          80/1
Belmont (14)                                          100/1
Temple (5)                                             100/1
UNLV (6)                                               100/1
Murray State (6)                                     100/1
Notre Dame (7)                                      100/1
St. Mary's (7)                                         125/1
Gonzaga (7)                                          125/1
West Virginia (10)                                  125/1
San Diego State (6)                                150/1
St. Louis (9)                                          150/1
Alabama (9)                                           150/1
Creighton (8)                                          150/1
Texas (11)                                             100/1
Purdue (10)                                           100/1
NC State (11)                                        100/1
Iowa State (8)                                        200/1
Virginia (10)                                           200/1
VCU (12)                                               250/1
Harvard (12)                                           250/1
California (12)                                        250/1
Southern Miss (9)                                  250/1
Long Beach State (12)                            250/1
Colorado State (11)                                300/1
Colorado (11)                                         300/1
South Florida (12)                                  300/1
Montana (13)                                         300/1
New Mexico state (13)                            300/1
Ohio (13)                                               300/1
Davidson (13)                                         300/1
BYU (14)                                               300/1
Iona (14)                                                300/1
St. Bonaventure (14)                               300/1
South Dakota State (14)                         300/1
Lehigh (15)                                            450/1
Norfolk State (15)                                   450/1
Detroit (15)                                            450/1
Mississippi Valley State (16)                   500/1
Western Kentucky (16)                           500/1
NC-Ashville (16)                                     500/1
Long Island (16)                                     500/1
Lamar (16)                                             500/1
Vermont (16)                                         500/1
Loyola Maryland (15)                              500/1
 
Odds to Win the South Region          
Kentucky (1)                              5/7
Duke (2)                                    5/1
Baylor (3)                                  11/2
Wichita State (5)                        8/1
Indiana (4)                                 12/1
UNLV (6)                                   25/1
Connecticut (9)                          30/1
Notre Dame (7)                          40/1
Iowa State (8)                            60/1
Xavier (10)                                 60/1
VCU (12)                                   100/1
Colorado (11)                             150/1
New Mexico State (13)               200/1
South Dakota State (14)             200/1
Lehigh (15)                                200/1
Western Kentucky (16)               200/1
Mississippi Valley State (16)       225/1
 
Odds to Win the West Region
Michigan State (1)                      11/5
Missouri (2)                               9/4
Marquette (3)                             13/2
Louisville (4)                              13/2
New Mexico (5)                          9/1
Florida (7)                                  14/1
Memphis (8)                              14/1
Murray State (6)                         25/1
St. Louis (9)                              30/1
Virginia (10)                               50/1
Long Beach State (12)                75/1
Davidson (13)                             100/1
BYU (14)                                   100/1
Colorado State (11)                    150/1
Iona (14)                                    150/1
Norfolk State (15)                       200/1
Long Island (16)                         200/1
 
Odds to Win the East Region 
Ohio State (2)                            8/5
Syracuse (1)                              9/4
Vanderbilt (5)                             9/1
Florida State (3)                         10/1
Wisconsin (4)                            10/1
Kansas State (8)                        15/1
Cincinnati (6)                             18/1
Gonzaga (7)                              30/1
West Virginia (10)                      30/1
Texas (11)                                 30/1
Southern Mississippi (9)             60/1
Harvard (12)                               60/1
Montana (13)                             100/1
St. Bonaventure (14)                   150/1
Loyola Maryland (15)                  200/1
NC-Ashville (16)                         200/1
 
Odds to Win the Midwest Region       
North Carolina (1)                       8/5
Kansas (2)                                2/1
Georgetown (3)                          10/1
Michigan (4)                              15/1
Temple (5)                                 18/1
Purdue (10)                               18/1
Belmont (14)                              18/1
NC State (11)                            20/1
St. Mary's (7)                             25/1
San Diego State (6)                    30/1
Creighton (8)                              35/1
Alabama (9)                               40/1
California (12)                            50/1
South Florida (12)                      100/1
Ohio (13)                                   100/1
Detroit (15)                                150/1
Lamar (16)                                 200/1
Vermont (16)                             225/1

_ Jimmy Burch

 

Four Baylor players, Texas G Brown honored by Big 12 men's basketball coaches

Four Baylor players received honors from Big 12 coaches and Texas guard J’Covan Brown was named to the first-team unit of the 2012 All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Team, as selected by league coaches.

Other first-teamers on the squad, announced today, include Kansas forward Thomas Robinson (Player of the Year), Iowa State forward Royce White (Newcomer of the Year), Missouri guard Marcus Denmon and Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor.

Baylor forward Quincy Miller shared Freshman of the Year honors with Oklahoma State forward Le’Bryan Nash. Miller was one of four Baylor players honored by coaches, joining two second-team selections _ point guard Pierre Jackson and forward Quincy Acy _ as well as third-team honoree Perry Jones III.

Kansas coach Bill Self, who led the Jayhawks to the school’s eighth consecutive regular-season title, shared coach of the year honors with Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg.

Robinson, a junior, averaged 18 points and 11.9 rebounds per game _ with 22 double-doubles during the season _ to earn Player of the Year honors.

Below is a breakdown of all honorees:
2011-12 PHILLIPS 66 ALL-BIG 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL AWARDS
Player of the Year: Thomas Robinson, Kansas, F, Jr., 6-10, 237, Washington, D.C./Brewster Academy [N.H.]
Defensive Player of the Year: Jeff Withey, Kansas, C, Jr., 7-0, 235, San Diego, Calif./Horizon
Newcomer of the Year: Royce White, Iowa State, F, So., 6-8, 270, Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins/Minnesota**
Co-Freshman of the Year: Quincy Miller, Baylor, F, Fr., 6-9, 210, High Point, N.C./Westchester Country Day School
Le'Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State, G/F, Fr., 6-7, 230, Dallas, Texas/Lincoln
Sixth Man Award: Michael Dixon, Missouri, G, Jr., 6-1, 185, Kansas City, Mo./Lee's Summit West**
Co-Coaches of the Year: Fred Hoiberg, Iowa State [Career and at ISU: 38-25, 2nd season]
Bill Self, Kansas [Career: 470-156, 19th season; At KU: 263-51, 9th season]

 

All-Big 12 First Team Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School(s)
Royce White, Iowa State** F 6-8 270 So. Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins/Minnesota
Thomas Robinson, Kansas** F 6-10 237 Jr. Washington, D.C./Brewster Academy [N.H.]
Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas** G 6-3 185 Sr. Hoboken, N.J./St. Anthony
Marcus Denmon, Missouri G 6-3 185 Sr. Kansas City, Mo./Hogan Prep
J'Covan Brown, Texas G 6-1 197 Jr. Port Arthur, Texas/Memorial
      
All-Big 12 Second Team Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School(s)
Quincy Acy, Baylor F 6-7 235 Sr. Mesquite, Texas/Horn
Pierre Jackson, Baylor G 5-10 180 Jr. Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Pines/College of Southern Idaho
Rodney McGruder, Kansas State G 6-4 205 Jr. Washington, D.C./Arlington Country Day [Fla.]
Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri F 6-8 240 Sr. Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan/Central Florida CC
Keiton Page, Oklahoma State G 5-9 165 Sr. Pawnee, Okla./Pawnee
      
All-Big 12 Third Team Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School(s)
Perry Jones III, Baylor F 6-11 235 So. Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville
Scott Christopherson, Iowa State G 6-3 195 Sr. LaCrosse, Wis./Aquinas/Marquette
Jeff Withey, Kansas C 7-0 235 Jr. San Diego, Calif./Horizon
Kim English, Missouri G 6-6 200 Sr. Baltimore, Md./Randallstown/Notre Dame Prep
Phil Pressey, Missouri G 5-10 175 So. Dallas, Texas/Dallas Episcopal

_ Jimmy Burch 

 

Big 12 football teams to begin spring football drills Friday, with Texas Tech batting leadoff

Big 12 officials released the league’s 2012 football schedule Tuesday. Texas Tech begins its spring football drills Friday, becoming the first league school to take the field in organized workouts in preparation for next fall. Texas (Feb. 23) and TCU (Feb. 25) also are scheduled to begin spring drills in February.

Below is a look at the spring football schedules for schools that will be competing in the Big 12 during the 2012 season. The list also includes Texas A&M and Missouri, schools that are Big 12 members this season but will be moving to the SEC on July 1:

BAYLOR: Spring drills begin March 19. Spring game is April 14.
IOWA STATE: Spring schedule remains TBD.
KANSAS: Spring drills begin March 27. Spring game is April 28.
KANSAS STATE: Spring drills begin April 4. Spring game is April 28.
OKLAHOMA: Spring drills begin March 5. Spring game is April 14.
OKLAHOMA STATE: Spring drills begin March 12. Spring game is April 21.
TEXAS: Spring drills begin Feb. 23. Spring game is April 1.
TEXAS TECH: Spring drills begin Feb. 17. Spring game is March 24.
TCU: Spring drills begin Feb. 25. Spring game is TBD.
WEST VIRGINIA: Spring drills begin March 11. Spring game is TBD:

Current Big 12 teams headed to SEC next season:
TEXAS A&M: Spring drills begin March 31. Spring game is April 28.
MISSOURI: Spring drills begin March 6. Spring game is April 14.

NOTE: All dates are subject to change at the discretion of the school.

_ Jimmy Burch

 

Five must-watch games on the 2012 Big 12 football schedule released today

The 2012 Big 12 football schedule, released today, includes first-year members TCU and West Virginia and offers lots of matchups with historic implications. Here are five games that should not be ignored:

Sept. 15, TCU at Kansas: The Horned Frogs make their Big 12 debut against a Kansas team led by first-year coach Charlie Weis, who won three Super Bowls as the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator under Bill Belichick. How quickly will the reigning Mountain West champs adjust to their new neighborhood?

Sept. 29, Baylor at West Virginia: The Mountaineers play their first game as a Big 12 member in a matchup of the two highest-scoring offenses in bowl history. Baylor defeated Washington, 67-56, in record-setting fashion at the Alamo Bowl before West Virginia broke the Bears’ bowl scoring record with a 70-33 rout of Clemson in the Orange Bowl. One huge difference: Baylor QB Robert Griffin III is headed to the NFL. West Virginia QB Geno Smith returns in 2012.

Oct. 13, Texas vs. Oklahoma (Dallas): The neutral-site setting in the Cotton Bowl remains one of college football’s best spectacles, regardless of how well the teams are playing. If Texas can solve its quarterback riddle, this matchup could have title implications at the conference and national levels.

Nov. 10, West Virginia at Oklahoma State: This contest features a rare matchup between conference members that both won league titles, as well as BCS bowl games, last season. Oklahoma State, the defending Big 12 champ, won the Fiesta Bowl. West Virginia, last year’s Big East champ, won the Orange Bowl. This also is a reunion for West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen, who served as the Cowboys' offensive coordinator in 2010 before taking over the Mountaineers' program.

Dec. 1, Oklahoma at TCU: The Horned Frogs close their first Big 12 season with a home game against Oklahoma, the pre-season league favorite and a national title contender. TCU could be going for its fourth consecutive conference title in this matchup: one in the Big 12, plus the last three in the Mountain West.

 _ Jimmy Burch

TCU's 2012 football schedule:

 

2012 TCU Football Schedule

Sept. 8 – vs. Grambling State

Sept. 15 – at Kansas*

Sept. 22 – vs. Virginia

Sept. 29 – at SMU

Oct. 6 – vs. Iowa State*

Oct. 13 – at Baylor*

Oct. 20 – vs. Texas Tech*

Oct. 27 – at Oklahoma State*

Nov. 3 – at West Virginia*

Nov. 10 – vs. Kansas State*

Nov. 22 – at Texas*#

Dec. 1 – vs. Oklahoma*

*Big 12 game

#Although the initial schedule has the game tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 24, sources from both Texas and TCU have said that it will be played on Thanksgiving Day.

Note: All kickoff times and TV plans will be announced later