Day 2 of the Big-12 Media Days got under way in Arlington Thursday morning. If you missed it, then you’re in the right spot. Kansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Baylor, and Texas all took the stage for Day 2. We got to hear from a lot of new faces within the Big-12 , most notably Steve Sarkisian. We talked offense, defense, transfer portal, NIL rules and even some Star Wars.
Baylor
Dave Aranda fits what Baylor needs as a head coach and seems to be really establishing his mark on the roster. Aranda really stressed just turning over a new leaf and getting the Bears back on their feet. This offseason Aranda wanted to make sure this team became more of a family. He wants this squad to work for each other and hold each other accountable more often. Baylor is returning a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball. I would expect to see a strong defense leading a young offense this season. Kyron Drones has a legit chance to play as a true freshman, and Hal Presley was a big time transfer for the Bears too.
Kansas
Obviously the Kansas football program isn’t gonna get fixed overnight. Lance Leipold has had tons of success with smaller schools but working in the Big-12 is a big step up. With how late Leipold was added to this team during the offseason I dont have high expectations for the Jayhawks. I think the Jayhawks will have to do a lot of feeling out throughout the season.
Texas Tech
Texas Tech will be a pesky team in 2021. Tyler Shough is a big time transfer for the Red Raiders and really fits what the offense looks for in a quarterback. Sonny Cumbie is back in Lubbock and should bring more consistency to the quarterback position. As normal the Red raiders season will really be determined by their defense though. Last season Kansas barely beat out Texas Tech as the worst defense in the Big-12. If the defense can step up and help the offense out we could see a team that upsets Iowa State or Texas.
Oklahoma State
Early in the Oklahoma State portion of the day Coach Gundy was asked about Spencer Sanders and his development as a quarterback. He pretty much stated the offense will live and die on Spencer Sanders shoulders this season. The Cowboys did lose a lot of talent at key positions this offseason and it will be very important they are able to replenish that talent. Gundy hopes to see Tay Martin and Brennan Presley step up in the offense this year as they lost their top two receivers from the past few seasons.
Texas
Just like everyone else, I am very interested in how a Post-Saban Steve Sarkisian performs as a head coach. He talked on Thursday about how he wants to build the culture in the Texas program. Sark said it takes team first and program first players to build a consistent winning program. He named players like Bijan Robinson and Keondre Coburn as well as transfers Ben Davis and Keilan Robinson as guys that have bought into that mentality. There is still a quarterback battle to finish up in Austin, but I think both QBs offer rather similar ceilings for the offense this year.
