IRVING-The second day of Big 12 Media Days came and went even more quietly than the first.
Monday not only opened the event, but saw Nebraska as the first team to face the media. This season will be the last for the Cornhuskers in the Big 12, whose departure is one of only two the Big 12 will see after a spring in which it appeared the Big 12 would simply cease to exist.
Today’s teams were all in it for the long haul, although Missouri tried to join the Cornhuskers. Gary Pinkel’s Tigers were first today, and things went along smoothly after their late arrival.
Missouri finished second in the Big 12 North last year, and the 2010 media preseason poll expects the same finish from the team. Last year quarterback Blaine Gabbert carried much of the load for the team, playing through an ankle problem. Now, the second year starter is seen as the best quarterback in the North division by far and his team will be looking to knock Nebraska off their perch for a division title.
“I think he did a tremendous job last year,” coach Pinkel said. “I expect him to up his game with the experience factor.”
Another team with its quarterback situation settled followed Missouri, as Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy took center stage. Gundy will start Brandon Weeden who saw time in three games last year. The former minor league baseball pitcher turns 27 during the season, and Gundy said his maturity will serve as an advantage.
Weeden will get plays from Dana Holgorsen, a former Texas Tech coach who worked under Mike Leach. Holgorsen is now the Cowboys offensive coordinator, and he has implemented his system during the offseason.
“I was pleasantly surprised tat the organization was intact in the third or fourth practice of spring,” Gunday said. “I had prepared my self for it to be a little chaotic.”
He said Holgorsen has been on his radar for many years, but he didn’t speak to Leach before Holgorsen was brought on.
One man who has seen plenty of coaching changes is Bill Snyder. Snyder is heading into his 19th season at the helm of Kansas State with this season being his second back in coaching after a sabbatical.
Snyder isn’t sure who will be throwing the ball, saying it’s a three-man race, and he’s also losing the vast majority of his receiving corps. One thing he is sure of is whoever the plays quarterback will be joined in the backfield by last year’s conference rushing leader Daniel Thomas. With Thomas poised as the main weapon Snyder said it’s important to establish a passing game as well.
“It is important for us to have significant skill level in a variety of different positions in order not to be an offense that is reliant on solely one individual such as you mentioned, our running back Daniel,” he said.
Defenses have been used to a mostly one-dimensional attack against the final team of the day, Texas Tech, but that may be changing under new coach Tommy Tuberville.
For more on Tuberville’s press conference and other Texas Tech happenings at day two of media days: http://bit.ly/dgbizV
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