One of the reasons why Baylor and TCU are the clear-cut Big 12 favorites is because of what they have in the trenches. The Bears and Horned Frogs easily ranked first and second on both sides of the line in our post-spring conference position rankings.
But what about after them?
Monday, I laid out the case for and against the teams that have hopes of challenging Baylor and TCU for conference supremacy. The team after the Bears and Horned Frogs that proves to be most stout in the trenches could be the one that contends for a Big 12 title.
Max Olson and I debate that in this week's Take Two: Who will be the best team in the conference up front, after the Big 12 co-favorites?
Take 1: Max Olson -- Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State’s defensive line should not be underestimated. If it plays up to expectations, the Pokes will be one of the Big 12’s better teams up front.
Emmanuel Ogbah is definitely capable of a 15-sack season, even if he draws more attention from opposing linemen, and his disruption creates opportunity for Jimmy Bean at the other end spot.
In the middle, I’m excited to see what Vincent Taylor does with his chance to shine. I’ve been a fan since his high school days and wasn’t surprised to see him thrive this spring. Mote Maile was a terrific find out of junior college, a 310-pounder whose athleticism will catch some teams by surprise.
If that D-line can gel together by the time we hit conference play, it’s going to be fun to watch and hard to block.
Yes, betting on a turnaround from Oklahoma State’s offensive line is risky. That group is on its third assistant coach in three years and was brutal to watch at times last season. There might not be an All-Big 12 selection on this year's line, either.
But I do think Zachary Crabtree has potential if he can stay healthy, and if the upgrade in conferences isn’t too big a challenge I think UAB transfer Victor Salako can be an upgrade at the other tackle spot. If offensive line coach Greg Adkins can get more out of the Pokes’ interior linemen, they’ll be in better shape. They can’t get much worse than the 40 sacks allowed in 2014, but I think there’s enough talent in this two-deep for a revival.
Take 2: Jake Trotter -- Oklahoma
I actually like what the Cowboys have up front. But take away Ogbah and what do you have left? A defensive line without another proven standout and an offensive line that was shaky at best last season.
Sure, Oklahoma had many problems last year. Performance in the trenches, however, was not one of them.
Behind his offensive line, Oklahoma's Samaje Perine topped the Big 12 as a true freshman with more than 1,700 rushing yards to go with 21 touchdowns. He also broke the FBS single-game rushing record with 427 yards against Kansas. Neither happens without a standout offensive line, and the Sooners boasted just that last season.
Sure, pieces must be replaced. Tyrus Thompson and Daryl Williams were underrated for their reliability at the bookends last season. But the Sooners still have Ty Darlington and Nila Kasitati on the interior. They added the No. 1 juco guard in the country in Jamal Danley. And they have a couple of promising underclassman tackles coming up in Kenyon Frison and Orlando Brown Jr. The Sooners might not be better along the offensive line, but they have a chance to be just as good.
On the other side, Oklahoma appears to be just as solid. Though he didn't have a stellar 2014 season, end Charles Tapper is just two years removed from being the lone underclassman defender to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors. The Sooners also are excited to see what Matthew Romar, D.J. Ward, Matt Dimon and Charles Walker can do in more prominent roles. All four have the athleticism to be impact players. Throw in the ballyhooed defensive line class that DL coach Jerry Montgomery inked before leaving for the Packers, and the Sooners are loaded with potential along their defensive line.
Yes, Oklahoma has major questions going into 2015, notably at quarterback and in the secondary. But the Sooners can count on having solid play again up front. And that's not a bad place to start.
