Big 12 South Preview: Texas

While Mack Brown is 93-22 in 9 years at Austin, things haven't always been rosy. During the rockiest of periods (where they were getting 60 put on them by OU), Coach February (a back handed compliment to Brown's incredible recruiting skills) convinced one Vincent Young from Houston Madison High to attend UT instead of Miami. Then he turned him loose. Now he owns the most lopsided 2 season victory streak in the UT/OU bloodbath, last year getting a big win without Vince. Confidence means everything, folks. A dazzling set of offensive weapons (the best in the Big 12 and maybe the nation), a great front seven, and a young but heralded secondary look to get UT another Big 12 title, and a good look at the national title.

Best Player: (#12) - QB - Colt McCoy - 6-3 - 205 - The super soph is the best QB in the conference, and when you put up the type of ratio he did in 2006, (29 TD & 7 int), it usually puts you where you need to be. McCoy was injured and faded a lil' down the stretch, or he would have been invited to New York for the Heisman as a freshman. That means you are real good, people. He's added 15 lbs of muscle and when they say he looks better in practice than last year, it carries a lil' more weight than a QB with NO prior experience (see OU).
Player to watch: (#25) - RB - Jamaal Charles - 6-1 - 200 - He's got what the pros love: Sprinter's speed. If he gets a step on you, it's peace out. He shouldn't have to platoon this year, so it will mean more carries, and with Texas' WR corps (the best in the nation) he will have some chances
Player successful season most hinges on: (#26) - SS - Marcus Griffin - 6-0 - 202 - The main thing for lil' Griff (big bro Mike is in the NFL) is to help get the 2 young CBs Chykie Brown and Deon Beasley on the right track. He'll have help from FS Drew Kelson, a cat whose head has to be spinning from the move from DB to LB, then back to DB, but he has tremendous athletic ability

Why they will win the Big 12: They have the best QB, which tips the scales in the Red River Shootout that first Saturday in October
Why they won't: Charles gets hurt, or the young corners can't play a lick

Predicted record: 11-1, Big 12 South Champs, BCS berth