This week, we examined the steps that catapulted Baylor and TCU into becoming national powerhouses. That has come at the expense of conference flagships Texas and Oklahoma, who were never factors in the Big 12 race last year.
But can the Sooners and Longhorns return to being contenders and challenge TCU and Baylor in 2015? And if so, who has the better shot?
We tackle this question with the return of our weekly Take Two debate:
Take 1: Brandon Chatmon -- Texas
It may not look pretty now but I have a feeling Texas can force its way into the Big 12 title conversation. Year 2 of the Charlie Strong era should be much better than Year 1. With his first fully evaluated recruiting class on the way and the foundation of his program in place, Strong can focus on exceeding expectations in 2015.
The quarterback position is scary with Tyrone Swoopes showing inconsistency, Jerrod Heard as an unknown and Kai Locksley not even on campus yet. But what’s new? And an overall search for playmakers and big plays should keep the Longhorns' offensive coaches busy this offseason.
Yet, all those problems with the offense don’t stand as an immovable obstacle between Strong’s team and Big 12 championship contention because the Longhorns' defense should be able to keep UT in every game next season. Even though Malcom Brown, Jordan Hicks, Quandre Diggs and Cedric Reed are no longer in Austin, Strong’s roster has the talent to have one of the Big 12’s top defenses yet again. Defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway could take his game to another level as a junior and highly-touted freshman linebacker Malik Jefferson seems college-ready.
Both teams need to find an answer at quarterback and questions about their offenses will linger into the fall, but its defense makes UT the better choice over OU.
Take 2: Jake Trotter -- Oklahoma
Texas is coming. But the Longhorns aren't there yet.
Texas isn't any closer to finding its long-term answer at quarterback. And the Horns graduated its best running back, two best receivers, two best defensive linemen, best linebacker and best defensive back off last year's team.
Considering it may take a while for Strong's recruiting triumphs to pay off on the field, Texas is not built to win big just quite yet.
Oklahoma might not be, either. But the Sooners are definitely closer.
As Bob Stoops would say (and has many times) Oklahoma is only months removed from defeating Alabama in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Sooners bring back a front seven capable of wreaking havoc; one of the best receivers in the Big 12 in Sterling Shepard; and one of the best running backs in the country in Samaje Perine.
Like with Texas, the key to Oklahoma contending is better quarterback play. Trevor Knight was good, at times. But when he was bad, he was really bad, leading the Big 12 in pick-six interceptions. The Sooners, however, will be adding Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield, who was the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year two years ago, to the competition this spring.
If Mayfield (or Knight or Cody Thomas) can stabilize the position and thrive in new coordinator Lincoln Riley's Air Raid system, Oklahoma has the talent elsewhere to return to contender status.
That might be a big "if." But smaller than what Texas faces in Strong's second season.
