NORTH DIVISION

1. Missouri

* Location: Columbia.

* Coach: Gary Pinkel (122-74-3 in 17 seasons overall; 49-37 in seven seasons at Missouri).

* Last year: 12-2 overall, 7-1 in Big 12; won North; lost to Oklahoma 38-17 in Big 12 championship game. Beat Arkansas 38-7 in the Cotton Bowl.

* Returning starters: Six on offense, 10 on defense, one specialist.

* Key players

QB Chase Daniel. Set school records for touchdown passes (33), passing yards (4,306) and total offense (4,559 yards) last season in the Tigers' up-tempo, spread offense.

WR Jeremy Maclin. Among the nation's most versatile players, scoring 16 touchdowns (nine receiving) in 2007 and gaining 2,776 all-purpose yards - an NCAA freshman mark.

LB Sean Witherspoon. Led Mizzou in total tackles (127), with 9.5 for losses and three quarterback sacks.

* Pivotal game: Saturday vs. Illinois (at St. Louis).

* The lowdown: Missouri won its first Big 12 divisional title last season, justifying the patience the school's administration showed with Pinkel. The Tigers enter this season with expectations even higher, including winning the conference for the first time.

2. Kansas

* Location: Lawrence.

* Coach: Mark Mangino (37-36 overall and in six seasons at Kansas).

* Last year: 12-1 overall, 7-1 in Big 12; second in North. Beat Virginia Tech 24-21 in the Orange Bowl.

* Returning starters: Six on offense, nine on defense.

* Key players

QB Todd Reesing. With 36 touchdown passes in his first two seasons, the diminutive Reesing (5-10, 200) already holds the school record.

TB Jake Sharp. Even while alternating, Sharp ran for 821 yards and seven touchdowns in 2007.

MLB Joe Mortensen. The mainstay and leading tackler (106 total) in a defense that allowed only 16.4 points a game last season.

* Pivotal game: Nov. 29 vs. Missouri (at Kansas City).

* The lowdown: The Jayhawks hit it big in 2007, posting 12 wins for the first time and winning the Orange Bowl. Were they one-year wonders? Most observers say no, but the Big 12 schedule, featuring Oklahoma and Texas this season, is way tougher.

3. Nebraska

* Location: Lincoln.

* Coach: Bo Pelini (1-0 overall and in one game at Nebraska).

* Last year: 5-7 overall, 2-6 in Big 12; tied for sixth in North.

* Returning starters: Six on offense, six on defense, two specialists.

* Key players

QB Joe Ganz. Started only three games in 2007 but made a splash by producing three of the school's four 400-yard passing games.

I-back Marlon Lucky. The only player in Cornhuskers history to surpass 1,000 career yards in rushing (1,876) and receiving (1,091).

WR Nate Swift. Top returning receiver from 2007; caught 36 passes for 520 yards and three touchdowns.

* Pivotal game: Oct. 4 vs. Missouri.

* The lowdown: The Cornhuskers catch their first five opponents at home, and play eight games total in Lincoln - including North opponents Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. Nice way to let coach Bo hit the ground running.

4. Colorado

* Location: Boulder

* Coach: Dan Hawkins (61-28 in seven seasons overall, 8-17 in two seasons at CU).

* Last year: 6-7 overall, 4-4 in Big 12; third in North. Lost to Alabama 30-24 in Independence Bowl.

* Returning starters: Six on offense, eight on defense, one specialist.

* Key players

QB Cody Hawkins. Broke in as starter in 2007 and will help break in a new offensive look this season. Needs to be more efficient as a passer.

WR Josh Smith. Sidelined early last season by a bruised kidney; Buffaloes need his speed and big-play potential for a full season.

DT George Hypolite. His six quarterback sacks last season were a team high, and he needs at least that many in 2008.

* Pivotal game: Oct. 4 vs. Texas.

* The lowdown: As usual, the Buffs face a killer schedule that will allow little or no margin for error. Divisional trips to Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska make a top-tier finish difficult.

5. Kansas State

* Location: Manhattan, Kan.

* Coach: Ron Prince (12-13 overall and in two seasons at Kansas State).

* Last year: 5-7 overall, 3-5 in Big 12; fourth in North.

* Returning starters: Seven on offense, five on defense, one specialist.

* Key players

QB Josh Freeman. Did his part in a roller-coaster 2007 season, setting a school single-season passing record with 3,353 yards.

WR Deon Murphy. Top returning receiver caught 57 passes for 605 yards and five touchdowns last season.

DE Ian Campbell. All-conference and all-out, all-game performer; led Wildcats with 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 quarterback sacks in 2007.

* Pivotal game: Oct. 18 at Colorado.

* The lowdown: The Wildcats went from robust (5-3) to anemic, capping the 2007 season with four consecutive double-figure losses. Prince believes recapturing the magic will be done with junior-college transfers (15 in his last signing class, 47 on the roster).

6. Iowa State

* Location: Ames, Iowa.

* Coach: Gene Chizik (3-9 overall and in one season at Iowa State).

* Last year: 3-9 overall, 2-6 in Big 12; tied for sixth in North.

* Returning starters: Seven on offense, seven on defense, one specialist.

* Key players

RB Alexander Robinson. Of his 465 yards rushing last season, 391 were gained in final four games.

WR R.J. Sumrall. Made 54 receptions (434 yards, no touchdowns) in 2007, giving him 99 for his career.

DE Kurtis Taylor. Accounted for eight tackles for loss and a team-high 6.5 quarterback sacks last season.

* Pivotal game: Oct. 4 vs. Kansas.

* The lowdown: The Cyclones won two of their final three last season, offering hope that Chizik's approach was taking root. He'll still need another couple of seasons to prove it.

SOUTH DIVISION

1. Oklahoma

* Location: Norman.

* Coach: Bob Stoops (97-22 overall and in nine seasons at Oklahoma).

* Last year: 11-3 overall, 6-2 in Big 12; won South Division and league title, beating Missouri 38-17 for Big 12 championship. Lost to West Virginia 48-28 in Fiesta Bowl.

* Returning starters: Six on offense, five on defense.

* Key players

QB Sam Bradford. Threw 36 touchdown passes in 2007, setting an NCAA freshman record; was No. 1 nationally in passing efficiency (176.5 rating).

RB DeMarco Murray. Scored a team-high 13 rushing touchdowns and averaged 69.5 yards on the ground last season.

DE Auston English. All-America candidate finished with team bests in tackles for loss (13.0) and quarterback sacks (9.5) in 2007.

* Pivotal game: Oct. 11 vs. Texas (at Dallas).

* The lowdown: The talent-rich Sooners join the rush to the no-huddle, up-tempo offense this season, and they'll make it look like a natural fit - perhaps even into the postseason, where they've lost four straight.

2. Texas

* Location: Austin.

* Coach: Mack Brown (189-99-1 in 24 seasons overall, 103-25 in 10 seasons at Texas).

* Last year: 10-3 overall, 5-3 in Big 12; second in South. Beat Arizona State 52-34 in Holiday Bowl.

* Returning starters: Six on offense, four on defense, one specialist.

* Key players

QB Colt McCoy. Behind McCoy, the Longhorns amassed in excess of 400 yards of total offense in nine games in 2007; he passed for 3,303 yards last season.

WR Quan Cosby. Averaged 144.2 all-purpose yards in 2007, including 680 receiving, with five touchdown catches.

CB Ryan Palmer. Finished second in tackles (63) last season and broke up a team-high 12 passes.

* Pivotal game: Oct. 11 vs. Oklahoma (at Dallas).

* The lowdown: Though the Longhorns lack a marquee running back, McCoy's leadership and passing ability is good enough to lead them to another nine-win season, which would be their 13th straight.

3. Texas Tech

* Location: Lubbock, Texas.

* Coach: Mike Leach (65-37 overall and in eight seasons at Texas Tech).

* Last year: 9-4 overall, 4-4 in Big 12; tied for third in South. Beat Virginia 31-28 in Gator Bowl.

* Returning starters: Ten on offense, eight on defense, one specialist.

* Key players

QB Graham Harrell. Threw for 5,705 yards in 2007, becoming the second QB in school history to surpass 5,000 yards in a season.

WR Michael Crabtree. Led the nation in receptions per game (10.3) and receiving yards (150.9) as a redshirt freshman.

LB Marlon Williams. Second on the team in tackles, with 81, in 2007. Recovered two fumbles and broke up six passes.

* Pivotal game: Nov. 1 vs. Texas.

* The lowdown: This is the alleged breakthrough season for the Red Raiders in the South. If that's to happen, they'll need an ultrastrong finish, catching Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma in three of the last four games.

4. Oklahoma State

* Location: Stillwater, Okla.

* Coach: Mike Gundy (18-19 overall and in three seasons at Oklahoma State).

* Last year: 7-6 overall, 4-4 in Big 12; tied for third in South. Beat Indiana 49-33 in Insight Bowl.

* Returning starters: Seven on offense, six on defense, two specialists.

* Key players

QB Zac Robinson. Set a seasonal school record for total offense (3,671 yards) in 2007. Rushed for 847 yards and nine touchdowns.

WR Dez Bryant. Second on team last season in receptions (43), yards (622) and touchdown catches (six).

LB Patrick Lavine. Top returning tackler. His 81 tackles in 2007 tied for the team lead.

* Pivotal game: Nov. 8 at Texas Tech.

* The lowdown: Surprising stat: The Cowboys are the reigning Big 12 rushing champs, averaging 208 yards a game in 2006 and 243 in 2007. Trouble is, they can't stop anyone; they allowed 500-plus yards in five 2007 games.

5. Texas A&M

* Location: College Station, Texas.

* Coach: Mike Sherman (first season).

* Last year: 7-6 overall, 4-4 in Big 12; tied for third in South. Lost to Penn State 24-17 in Alamo Bowl.

* Returning starters: Two on offense, two on defense, one specialist.

Key players

QB Stephen McGee. Big 12's top rushing quarterback in 2007, gaining 899 yards.

FB Jorvorskie Lane. Switched from tailback to fullback, which Sherman says should suit the 290-pounder much better.

P Justin Brantly. Arguably the league's top punter, he averaged 43.7 yards in 2007.

* Pivotal game: Oct. 4 at Oklahoma State.

* The lowdown: Sherman has the credentials, A&M has the resources. But transforming the Aggies into South contenders is a formidable assignment. Ask Dennis Franchione.

6. Baylor

* Location: Waco, Texas.

* Coach: Art Briles (34-28 in five seasons overall; first season at Baylor).

* Last year: 3-9 overall, 0-8 in Big 12; sixth in South.

* Returning starters: Nine on offense, six on defense, two specialists.

* Key players

QB Blake Syzmanski. Set seasonal school records in 2007 for passes attempted (461), completed (264), passing yards (2,844) and touchdown passes (22).

TE Justin Akers. Top returning receiver caught 43 passes for 426 yards and four touchdowns last season.

LB Joe Pawelek. All-conference selection (99 tackles in 2007) will be featured in Bears' switch from a 4-2-5 to a 4-3 scheme.

* Pivotal game: Aug. 28 vs. Wake Forest.

* The lowdown: Briles directed a sweet turnaround in Houston, but Baylor is a very different scene. His three predecessors were a combined 31-94. Art hopes not to imitate them.

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