3-Point Stance: Top Big XII Defensive Backs, Sensitive Fan Bases, New SEC Starters

By Mike Farrell and Matt Perkins

National Columnist Mike Farrell is here with the 3-Point Stance, ranking the defensive back rooms in the Big 12 for next season, things that seem to affect sensitive fan bases, and ranking the new starters in the SEC.

Best Big XII Defensive Backfields

— We move onto the Big 12 for elite DB groups as a conference not known for defense has some ultra-talented players.

1. Kansas State

— Kobe Savage is the big name, but this group can cover, hit, and is pretty deep.

Nov 5, 2022; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats safety Kobe Savage (2) celebrates a defensive play during the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium.

2. TCU

— There are some big losses, but Josh Newton leads an athletic group that should be a strength of the defense.

Oct 15, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Josh Newton (24) breaks up the pass to Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Braydon Johnson (8) during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

3. Oklahoma

— Billy Bowman has a ton of potential, and Reggie Pearson is legit.

Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman (5) celebrates an interception with Danny Stutsman (28) and Jeffery Johnson (77) in the first half during the Bedlam college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov., 19, 2022.

4. Kansas

— Kenny Logan is nasty, and this group should be much improved.

Oct 8, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) rallies the crowd during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

5. Texas Tech

— Malik Dunlap and company should keep the Red Raiders close in most games.

Nov 5, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Jordan Hudson (7) is tackled by Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Malik Dunlap (24) during the second half of a game at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

Sensitive Fan Bases in 2023

— What triggers certain fan bases heading into the season? These seem to be touchy subjects.

1. Deion Sanders is over his head

— CU fans have hope, and they should, but wondering aloud about Deion’s ability as a Power Five coach is not only triggering to the Colorado fan base, but it’s oddly a cultural issue.

Dec 4, 2022; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during a press conference at the Arrow Touchdown Club.

2. LSU is overrated

— They got croaked by Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Georgia last season but beat Alabama, so everyone thinks they’re elite. They still have a lot to prove.

Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly during the LSU Tigers Spring Game at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA.

3. FSU will step back again

— It’s doubtful this will happen in the weak ACC, but even the suggestion of less than 10 wins makes the fans nuts.

Sep 18, 2021; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell works the sidelines during the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Truist Field.

4. Harbaugh can’t win when it counts

— As bad as Penn State fans have to hear this about James Franklin, people love to point out Jim Harbaugh’s 2-7 all-time bowl game record is triggering.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh signals for a timeout in the first quarter against TCU during the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 31 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

5. Texas is never back

— Just keep saying it, and Longhorns fans will lose their minds. 2009 was a long time ago.

Oct 8, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (8) celebrates with fans while wearing the Golden Hat trophy after the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl.

Best New SEC Starting Quarterbacks

— And finally, Matt Perkins ranks the new starters in the SEC

1. Devin Leary

Kentucky

Far and away the most proven of any guy on this list, Leary comes over to Lexington after a great career at NC State, where he threw for 6,807 yards and 62 TDs in 30 career appearances. Despite all of the hype around Will Levis entering last season, Leary and returning OC Liam Coen should be able to lead a much stronger passing attack.

2. Joe Milton

Tennessee

The former Michigan transfer ended last season on a high note after Hendon Hooker’s injury and showed off why he was such a coveted prospect coming out of high school. He has one of, if not the biggest, arm in all of college football, but his accuracy is still a concern. Milton has more upside than anyone on this list and is widely considered a Heisman dark horse candidate.

3. Carson Beck

Georgia

The newly-minted starter for the two-time reigning national champions, Beck has, in some ways, the easiest job of anyone on this list and the best set of targets to throw to. As long as he’s able to limit the turnovers and get the ball to Brock Bowers consistently, he’ll have the Dawgs back in the CFP.

4. Payton Thorne

Auburn

A late transfer, Thorne has quickly taken to the offense at Auburn and won the job in camp. While he was up-and-down at Michigan State over the past two seasons, he’s shown that he can make big-time throws when necessary.

5. Graham Mertz

Florida

The most ballyhooed quarterback in Wisconsin history as a recruit gets a fresh start in the Swamp, but questions remain. He’s got the arm talent to put the ball in places where few quarterbacks can, but his decision-making was suspect at best during his time in Madison. That being said, he should be more comfortable in Billy Napier’s offense that won’t ask him to be under center all of the time.