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16 to 1: Ranking the Sweet Sixteen. Drinking the Forty puts the remaining NCAA Tournament teams in order.

After seeing the first spring Big 12 power rankings from ESPN and disagreeing with their placement of the Missouri Tigers at number one, I am now proud to present the first 2008 Bevo Sports Big 12 Power Rankings. This will be a weekly feature during the season and we’ll likely post updates at the end of spring practice and again in the preseason.

1. Oklahoma

   
   

   I’m not 100% behind Sam Bradford as a top quarterback but he’s definitely good enough to lead this team. They lost several good players early to the NFL Draft, but they’ve got talent and running back DeMarco Murray is a stud.

2. Texas

   
   

   Too many question marks to be ranked any higher this early, but early practice reports from this spring are encouraging. If the Horns’ secondary and linebackers improve and flourish under coach Will Muschamp they’ll be my conference favorite.

3. Texas Tech

   
   

   I struggled deciding between Tech and Missouri, but I ended up placing the Red Raiders third thanks to a slightly better defense and a love for pirates and Michael Crabtree.

4. Missouri

   
   

   I don’t trust Gary Pinkel, I think he lucked into last year’s success and was tempted to put the Tigers much lower. Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin could be poised for a huge season, but their defense leaves a lot to be desired.

5. Nebraska

   
   

   I think the Cornhusker players will play with a new enthusiasm after being rescued from Bill Callahan’s regime. Marlon Lucky is a very talented running back and coach Bo Pelini’s return should immediately improve the defense.

6. Colorado

   
   

   This is a team I’m really not sure about. They could go either way, either compete for the Big 12 North or completely suck. They lost a couple of good linebackers but if QB Cody Hawkins makes plays and Darrell Scott is as advertised they could compete.

7. Texas A&M

   
   

   I think this is a transition year for the Aggies and new head coach Mike Sherman. I think he’s a step up from Fran but I’m not sure he’s the longterm solution. The defense should be improved under new coordinator Joe Kines, but losing Yemi Babalola off the offensive line hurts bad.

8. Kansas State

   
   

   I like quarterback Josh Freeman a lot but the two other guys that killed the Horns the last two years (particularly Jordy Nelson) are gone. Ian Campbell is a beast on defense.

9. Kansas

   
   

   Welcome back to reality Kansas fans, though I still think the Fightin’ Manginos are headed in the right direction. They don’t have the same season they did in 2007 but they’re going to be a contender in the Big 12 North again soon if Mangino stays.

10. Iowa State

    
    

    Other than a win over rival Iowa last season the Cyclones and former Texas coach Gene Chizik had a rough 2007. Chizik reportedly has things headed in the right direction and two conference wins late last year might be an indication of that.

11. Oklahoma State

    
    

    The only coach in the Big 12 I think less of than Mizzou’s Pinkel is the Cowboys’ Mike Gundy. They’ve had more talent in previous years and not done much with it, this is a down year and they’ll finish near the bottom and Gundy won’t be back in 2009.

12. Baylor

    
    

    I think bringing in Art Briles was a genius move by Baylor. It is going to take a couple years for him implement his scheme and bring in his type of players, but he’s got a chance to turn the Bears into a Texas Tech caliber team. They’ll suck this year.

CFN’s 2008 pre-preseason top 10 has Texas Tech at #10 and the Horns at #15. Ha. About right for us but Tech will be Tech again.

ESPN ranks NFL QB’s from 1 to 64. Vince is 15th, David Carr is 63rd. Ouch.

Texas basketball #2 in SI’s power rankings. Big jump after UCLA win, like Augustin for the Wooden Award.

Vince Young is ABC’s tenth greatest college football player ever. Definitely would have been higher if he returned for senior season.

Texas moves up to #19 in latest BCS rankings. Moves up 3 spots and is right on Georgia’s tail.

Texas #13 on CNNSI preseason basketball power rankings. Not sure either the Horns or Aggies are deserving of their high ranks.

Texas is ranked number four in BCS according to BCS Guru. These things are exceedingly useless this early. (via)

Texas is ESPN’s third best team of the last decade. Notre Dame at number 23? Yeah right.

Dennis Dodd’s preseason top 25. Texas at number 8 seems about right, though I’m not as high on Michigan or Wisconsin.

Gatorsports.com has the Longhorns #1 in their preseason top 25. Nebraska at #4? (via)

Athlon Sports has Longhorns as preseason #2. Hope they’re right about breakout year for Charles.

Yesterday at the Super Bowl, Vince Young found out he was voted the Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year.

Texas #7 in Dennis Dodd’s preseason top 25. My only beef is with #5 Wisconsin & #6 Louisville.

Stewart Mandel’s early 2007 top 25 has Texas at #9. It should be another wide open year.