3-Point Stance: Big XII Linebackers, Units That Need to Step Up, Predicting the SEC Standings

National Columnist Mike Farrell is here with the 3-Point Stance, ranking the Big 12 top tier linebackers for next season, teams that need key units to step up, and Matt Perkins’ SEC standings predictions.

Top Big XII Linebacker Rooms

— Moving on to LBs groups in the Big 12, we have Texas and the rest.

1. Texas

— Jaylan Ford leads an athletic group that is supposed to help the Texas defense take the next step. Barryn Sorrell should be awesome at the JACK.

Texas Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford (41) celebrates a late 4th quarter fumble recovery during the game against Iowa State at Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Oct. 15, 2022.

2. Oklahoma

— Danny Stutsman was awesome last season and will only get better under Brent Venables, and this unit should take a huge step forward.

Oct 8, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) reacts during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl.

3. TCU

— I love Johnny Hodges, and this unit is deep with Jamoi Hodge, Marcel Brooks, and Shadrach Banks.

Nov 19, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Blake Shapen (12) is sacked by TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Johnny Hodges (57) and defensive lineman Dylan Horton (98) during the second quarter at McLane Stadium.

4. Kansas State

— Austin Moore isn’t the biggest linebacker, but he could make a case for the best and leads a unit that runs well sideline-to-sideline.

Sep 10, 2022; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Nathaniel Peat (8) is tackled by Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Austin Moore (41) during the fourth quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium.

5. Cincinnati

— I’m counting do-everything star Deshawn Pace in this linebacker group that will surprise some folks as they enter the Big 12.

Nov 25, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Tulane Green Wave wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson (4) runs with the ball against Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Deshawn Pace (20) on a punt return in the second half at Nippert Stadium.

Units That Need to Step Up

— The true contenders for the national title are the same old names — Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, LSU, Alabama, and so on. But there are some that could surprise if certain units step up

1. Clemson QB play

— Clemson has the roster talent to get back to the college football playoff. And Garrett Riley should be an upgrade as an OC. But is Cade Klubnik the real deal? He gave the team a spark at the end of the season compared to DJ Uiagalelei, but he also looked lost at times. If he has a massive season, then watch out.

Oct 22, 2022; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) throws a pass during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina on Saturday, October 22, 2022.

2. Florida State defensive line

— Jared Verse is awesome, but depth along the offensive line was a concern at times last season. Has that been addressed with the addition of Braden Fiske and Darrell Jackson? If it has, then FSU could run the ACC.

Dec 29, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Jovantae Barnes (2) during the second half in the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium.

3. USC’s defensive line

— USC couldn’t stop the run and gave up nearly 5 yards a carry and 29 touchdowns. They were absolutely gutted in late-season losses and need to be much more physical upfront to have a chance. UGA transfer Bear Alexander is a nice start, but the unit is largely unproven.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Bear Alexander (99) celebrates after sacking TCU quarterback Max Duggan (15) during the first half of the NCAA College Football National Championship game between TCU and Georgia on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.

4. Washington’s secondary

— Injuries killed the secondary last year, so staying healthy is crucial. The talent is there, and the Huskies always produce solid defensive backs, but everyone in the secondary seemed to have an injury issue last year, and that can’t happen again.

Nov 4, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies safety Asa Turner (20) tackles Oregon State Beavers wide receiver TreShaun Harrison (0) following a reception during the third quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.

5. Tennessee’s secondary

— The Vols are a longshot with a new QB, but they should put up massive offensive numbers. The problem is they can make any QB look like a star, and that needs to change. They will be better only because they can’t be worse, but how much better will determine a playoff run.

Dec 30, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Antonio Williams (0) is tackled by Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Wesley Walker (13) during the first half of the 2022 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium.

Predicting the SEC

— And finally, here are Matt Perkins’ SEC standings predictions.

East:

1. UGA

2. Tennessee

3. South Carolina

4. Kentucky

5. Florida

6. Missouri

7. Vanderbilt

The Dawgs continue to have the deepest roster in all of college football, so no matter who is taking snaps, they’ll have the ability to bully anyone they play. They’re the favorites for a reason. Tennessee’s offense, even with the erratic Joe Milton, should continue to put up points, and their defense should improve with key transfers Keenan Pili and Gabe Jeudy-Lally from BYU. South Carolina came on strong at the end of 2022 and are looking to carry that into 2023, but their offensive and defensive lines leave something to be desired and are a clear step down from UGA and Tennessee.

It’s a toss-up between UK and UF for fourth in the division, but the quarterback situation in Lexington is far superior to that in Gainesville, so that puts the Wildcats ahead of the Gators, in my opinion. Missouri has a couple of nice pieces, but their roster, on the whole, still has a lot of areas that need to be addressed. And Vanderbilt is gonna Vanderbilt – Clark Lea‘s team might pull off a couple of upsets like they did last year, but you can’t count on them to be a factor.

Dec 30, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III (7) throws a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the 2022 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium.

West:

1. LSU

2. Alabama

3. Ole Miss

4. Mississippi State

5. Arkansas

6. Texas A&M

7. Auburn

I’m splitting hairs between LSU and Alabama, as they’re two of the deepest rosters in college football, so I’ll take the better quarterback in this situation, which is clearly Jayden Daniels. So while I’m not entirely sold on any of the options that new OC Tommy Rees has in Tuscaloosa, the rest of the roster will make them the favorites in nearly every game they play. Lane Kiffin has more options than anyone at quarterback, and his offense will continue to put up points as long as Quinshon Judkins, arguably the best back in the country, is on the field. I’m bullish on Mississippi State this year with Will Rogers back and a team that is clearly locked in and playing in honor of the late Mike Leach.

Sam Pittman‘s Arkansas teams have one of the best QB-RB combos in the country with KJ Jefferson and Raheim Sanders, but their defense lost a lot of pieces from last year, and the talent on the offense outside of the two key players in the backfield leaves something to be desired. The Aggies will continue to be as volatile as anyone, as they’ve got loads of talent but an unproved quarterback in Conner Weigman and a coaching staff full of red flags. Auburn is a clear rebuilding project for first-year head coach Hugh Freeze.