For audio interviews (OU’s Nic Harris and Manuel Johnson, and UT’s Colt McCoy and Quan Cosby) from the third and final day of Big 12 football Media Days, [click here][1].And I don’t know if you guys have checked out our Media Days video interviews of Mark Mangino, Todd Reesing and Mike Rivera, but be sure to [click here][2] if you haven’t seen them already. That’s all for now. Nice analysis on what it will take to beat OU and Texas from several individuals in the comments today. Keep discussing and happy early kickoff season to all. It’s been a great few days.**11:45 a.m. update** Texas as an underdog? That’s the depth of the Big 12 Conference this season. [The Big 12 preseason poll][3] had Texas second in the South, with Texas Tech just barely behind. “It sounds like some people don’t think we’re going to win the conference or be a top 10 team,” UT coach Mack Brown said. “There are so many good teams on the schedule. Arkansas is coming back to Austin. The addition of having to go to (Texas) Tech, when some people have picked Tech as a top 10 team. Kansas is a top 10 team. Missouri is a top 10 team. It looks like a difficult task for us. I think there’s a little buzz with our team that some people don’t think we’re ready for that.”If there’s a single unit Brown focused on with his defense, it was the secondary.”We have not stopped the pass for two years consistently, and when you look at the quarterbacks in this conference, you better be able to stop the pass,” Brown said. Stay tuned this afternoon for audio posted from Oklahoma and Texas players.**10 a.m. update** Interesting tidbit on OU coach Bob Stoops giving his thoughts on how to stop the spread offenses that are prevalent in the Big 12:”I think some of it is more speed and athleticism on the field,” Stoops said. “Scheme-wise, you’re constantly trying to mix things up and there’s always some tweaking there, but the biggest issue is speed on the field. Guys that can play, cover, tackle in space (and apply) pressure.”When it comes to team speed defensively, there’s little doubt that Oklahoma is the gold standard in the Big 12 (see first YouTube video below for more details). What’s going to be the best way for Kansas, on Oct. 18 in Norman, Okla., to offset the Sooners’ speed on defense? You have to like the depth of KU’s receivers ( [Dexton Fields][4], [Dezmon Briscoe][5], [Kerry Meier][6]), and you know [Todd Reesing][7] thrives on these types of games.Remember the questions leading up to the Virgina Tech game? Can KU deal with the Hokies’ speed on defense? Well let’s analyze. What worked the best against that speed?Statistically, Reesing was 20-of-37 for 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception – not bad. Brandon McAnderson led the rushing attack with 75 yards on 15 carries. The Jayhawks seemed to have more success throwing the ball.But it’s no secret the true difference of that game: Three interceptions (one for a 60-yard touchdown); a fake punt; a blocked field goal. I had a request yesterday for an Orange Bowl highlight video, so I’m going to honor that request here. But I have a point…The point: I think Kansas will need some of the same fortune on the road Oct. 17 for a chance to beat OU. If the Jayhawks can pull off a similar turnover differential (see the 0:21, 1:19 marks in the above video) like they did against Virginia Tech (3 forced turnovers vs. one KU turnover), plus get some special teams gem (like the 1:12 mark of the video), who knows what can happen in Norman?**9:30 a.m. update **[We talked about Missouri being a confident bunch][8] on the first Day of Media Days on Monday. In all honesty, Oklahoma might be more confident. When Preseason All-Big 12 safety Nic Harris was asked about the Sooners’ outlook for the season, his response was rather concise: “National Championship or bust,” he said. He didn’t hesitate or blink once….hmm.The following clip is what would scare me most about Oklahoma. Another year of maturity for quarterback Sam Bradford is borderline scary after he passed for a NCAA freshman-record 36 touchdowns last season. Oklahoma showed no mercy on Missouri from this clip, and many of these players will return.**8:45 a.m. update** Kansas City, Mo. – Powerhouse city this morning for Day 3 of the Big 12 Media Days at the Marriott Downtown: Oklahoma and Texas.Oh yeah, Baylor and Iowa State will also be on hand. But back to Oklahoma and Texas, two teams that Kansas will face this year. They are two teams that have dominated the South division of the Big 12…well, forever. The Longhorns and Sooners have represented the South in 10 of 12 Big 12 Championship games. This includes nine straight years. I’m going to go out on a limb (sense the sarcasm?). One of these two teams will represent the South again and make it 10 straight years. Yeah, that wasn’t too much of a limb. But I do think Oklahoma wins the South and the Big 12 this year. Let’s take a quick glance at how the Jayhawks play into this. Kansas gets Oklahoma on Oct. 18 in Norman, Okla. KU will play host to Texas Nov. 15 at Memorial Stadium. My question to you guys is what do you realistically think about facing Oklahoma and Texas this year? What do the Jayhawks have to do to win in Norman? How about beating Texas at home? As always, discuss. [1]: http://www2.kusports.com/audioclips/sets/2008_big_12_media_days/ [2]: http://www2.kusports.com/videos/sets/2008/jul/22/2008_big_12_media_days/ [3]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2008/jul/16/ku_picked_finish_second_big_12_north/ [4]: http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/fields_dexton00.html [5]: http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/briscoe_dezmon00.html [6]: http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/meier_kerry00.html [7]: http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/reesing_todd00.html [8]: http://www2.kusports.com/podcasts/spodcasters/2008/jul/21/big_12_media_day_confucius_speaks/
