In this week's Big 12 roundtable, we examine the biggest keys for new coordinators Rob Likens, David Gibbs and Lincoln Riley.
What is the biggest key for Likens?
Chatmon: The Jayhawks need to figure out if the man who can run their offense from behind center is on campus. Michael Cummings, Montell Cozart and T.J. Millweard will get their chance this spring before a pair of freshmen, Carter Stanley and Ryan Willis, arrive. Frankly, if one of the guys on campus doesn't run away with the job this spring, Kansas should be prepared to turn to one of the freshmen and be willing to take lumps in 2015 if Stanley or Willis are clearly superior fits for the offense.
Olson: This is a start-from-scratch spring for Kansas' offense, and right now teaching is far more important than evaluation. The roster ain't great; there's really no way around that. For Likens and David Beaty, the key has to be installing and instilling an offensive vision and finding out who buys in and steps up. I'd worry about that offensive line, too. Charlie Weis and his staff did a poor job evaluating and developing there, relying too often on juco takes. That group will need extra attention this spring.
Trotter: My goodness, where do we begin? I would start with finding out who can play and who can help. Not only is the staff largely new, the players are largely new, too. No team in the Big 12 returns fewer starters than the Jayhawks. Evaluating and identifying a potential two-deep is Step 1, especially up front along the offensive line.
The biggest key for Gibbs?
Chatmon: How to take advantage of the talent the Red Raiders do have should be first on Gibbs list. Texas Tech has pieces to work with, from linebacker Pete Robertson to cornerback Nigel Bethel, so identifying the best way to take advantage of their skills is key. Gibbs' track record of building defenses that create turnovers means that will be a focus, but figuring out the players who he can trust to win their individual battles consistently then allowing them to excel is a top priority. The plan should be simple: Don't waste time trying to make up for what you don't have, invest time in maximizing what you do have.
Olson: Got to start by finding a way to consistently stop foes from doing what's easiest: running right at these Red Raiders. Opponents ran the ball nearly 50 times per game against Tech last season, 11 more than the league average. No wonder they ended up with the worst run D of all Power 5 teams. I like a lot of the pieces Tech has in its front seven entering 2015 and am curious to see what solution Gibbs can offer for perhaps their big weakness.
Trotter: I'm with Max. If the Red Raiders don't do a better job of stopping the run, then anything else Gibbs does won't matter much. The good news is Tech should be deeper up front with the addition of Breiden Fehoko to the tackle rotation. Mike Mitchell should assist in run support as a potentially sure tackler from the weak side. If the Red Raiders fare better against the run, they'll automatically fare better everywhere else, as well.
The biggest key for Riley?
Chatmon: Identifying his best players is the key for Riley. Oklahoma has talent that could have been misused in the previous offense, resulting in a lackluster passing game and a lack of balance. In other words, preconceived spring plans for how someone like Joe Mixon or Michiah Quick may fit into the system will be Riley's enemy. Once he identifies his playmakers, Riley can then mold his system around their strengths during the summer months. The players should decide what Riley's offense will look like in the fall, not OU's first-year offensive coordinator. And this spring is his chance to see what they can do.
Olson: Leadership at the quarterback position. Which passer will Sooners players rally around this spring? Who's going to do the best job of not only grasping Riley's scheme but also guiding those around him? Riley will have to do a good job of keeping a finger on the team's pulse here. There's no doubt that between Trevor Knight, Baker Mayfield and Cody Thomas, two confident and competitive guys ultimately aren't going to get their way.
Trotter: Like Brandon noted, tailoring the offense to fit the skill set of his personnel will be the key. Riley's air raid system and OU's plethora of talented running backs led by Samaje Perine, who is a between-the-tackles runner, is little like a square peg in a round hole. It can work. But it's going to be a challenge to find the right balance.