Statistically Speaking: Returning Big 12 Offensive Firepower

Previously we took a look at the returning offensive firepower in the SEC. Now it’s time to look at the most explosive offensive conference, the Big 12, and find out who has the most horsepower coming back from last year. 

*TPY= 2010 total passing yards

*RPY= Passing Yards from 2010 for players returning in 2011

There is a lot of QB talent returning the Big 12 this year. Sure Blaine Gabbert took his talent to the NFL but Landry Jones, Brandon Wheedon, Robert Griffin, Garrett Gilbert and Ryan Tannehill all return. It’s safe to say we will once again see the ball being thrown all over the field in the Big 12. 

*TRY= 2010 Total Rushing Yards

*RRY= Rushing Yards from 2010 for players returning in 2011

The team that led the league in rushing offense last year, Nebraska, is gone. Kansas State, Baylor and Oklahoma State finished next in rushing last year and they all have a lot of talent to replace. I think out of those three teams that depend on the run the most Oklahoma State is in the best position to replace the yardage that they lost. Once again Kansas State and Iowa State are near the bottom of the barrel in offensive returning production.

*TotRec= Total 2010 Receptions

*RetRec= Receptions from 2010 for players returning in 2011

Baylor was 4th in the Big 12 in passing last year and they return almost all of their production at QB and WR, so look for them to continue to improve their passing game.  Same goes for Okie State, which was 2nd in the Big 12 in passing yardage last year. Kansas State and Iowa State once again bring up the rear in offensive returning production. Looking at the receptions returning it’s clear that there is a lot of receiving talent returning. We already knew that was the case with guys like Justin Blackmon and Ryan Broyles coming back to school but this just punctuates it for us.

RETURNING OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER RANKING:

Taking into account the three metrics above (passing yards returning, rushing yards returning and receptions returning) I have compiled a “firepower” ranking which tells us which teams have the most offensive statistics returning from last year. What does this mean? I think it means different things for different teams but for consistency sake it means a lot for teams that have guys coming back. This is an interesting tool to use in conjunction with who teams having coming to challenge for playing time. In these rankings there was very little difference between #2 Texas and #6 Kansas, in terms of returning production those teams returned about the same amount (of course the talent difference at Texas and Okie State is on a different level than that at Kansas). The drop-off for the bottom 3 teams (Texas Tech, Iowa State and Kansas State) is size-able. It will be very interesting to see how those teams react to losing so much senior leadership, especially Tech since it will be Tuberville’s second season.

1. Texas A&M

2. Texas

3. Baylor

4. Oklahoma State

5. Missouri

6. Kansas

7. Oklahoma

8. Texas Tech

9. Iowa State

10. Kansas State