1. Missouri: 2009 8-5 (9 starters offense, 9 starters defense)

Proven Playmakers: QB Blaine Gabbert, RB Derrick Washington, WR Jerrell Jackson, DE Aldon Smith

Not Nebraska? No. Missouri had a very uneven first year rebuilding after losing a team that put Missouri back in the national spotlight. The injury to Blaine Gabbert during the Nebraska probably cost MU that game, and really derailed their season. Their bowl game performance was definitely a step backwards, but of all the teams in the North MU returns the best collection of skill players at RB/WR, potentially the best QB, and best returning OL talent. DE Aldon Smith figures to the defensive star after a great first year in 11.5 sacks. Will Ebner at LB will be expected to raise his game with the loss of Sean Witherspoon. Add in that Missouri adds the best recruited skill position talent in the division (Marcus Lucas could be an impact WR). Still Missouri being number one is more about what the other teams have lost and (total lack of faith in the skill/talent level NU has at QB)

2. Nebraska: 2009 10-4 (8 starters offense, 7 starters defense)

Proven Playmakers: DT Jared Click, RB Roy Helu, WR Niles Paul, CB Prince Amukamara

Everyone is on the Nebraska bandwagon after a huge bowl win and a great effort against UT in the Big 12 Title game, but overlooked in all this is that the a large part of the Nebraska defense is gone/graduated. It's not just Suh, but let's start there. Jared Crick had a great year and might be an excellent DT, but all the attention Suh occupied had to play a role in that. In addition, key pieces are missing at LB and in the secondary. Nebraska still doesn't have a reliable QB, and only really has Paul at WR.  NU pretty much only has a running game. NU had a good recruiting class on defense, but offensively there's very little help on the way in terms of offensive playmakers. Pellini really needs one of his QBs to step up, NU's lack of offense productivity is really hurting them on the recruiting trail.

3. ISU: 2009 7-6 (8 starters offense, 4 starters on defense)

Proven Playmakers: QB Austen Arnaud, RB Alexander Robinson, LB Jesse Smith, DB David Sims

ISU had a nice season ending with a bowl win over a truly mediocre team in Minnesota. They return their QB and RB and should be improved on offense if Arnaud takes that next step as a QB leader. They need to find a better passing game and find a go to WR to help Arnaud. An improved passing game will stop teams from loading up to stop Robinson. The defense has lost a number of starters but returns their best players in the Jesse Smith and Defensive Newcomer of the year Sims. ISU's biggest problem though is trading Baylor, Texas A&M, and Okie State for  Texas Tech, OU, and Texas. ISU could be greatly improved with no improved win count.

4. Kansas State: 2009 7-6 (7 starters offense, 6 starters defense)

Proven Playmakers: RB Daniel Thomas

KState appeared bowl bound before a late season collapse games against Missouri and Nebraska, in fact they nearly won the Big 12 North. The biggest returning piece is Daniel Thomas who is probably the best RB returning in the Big 12 overall. It's a solid piece for Bill Snyder to build around on offense. But KSU needs a QB and Carson Coffman right would now appear to have the inside track. There's a Snyder like influx of juco talent in Manhattan again both enrolled early and arriving in August. This juco haul will be required to reload at OL and DL.

5. Kansas: 2009 5-7 (7 starters offense, 7 starters defense)

Proven Playmakers: RB Toben Opurum, DE Jake Laptad

Kansas has had a very wild offseason with the firing of Mark Mangino and the hiring of Turner Gill. While there might be a level of excitement about the new regime. Some harsh reality for Gill. No Todd Reising, no Kerry Meier, no Dezmon Briscoe. The only reasons why KU won 5 games and was even competitive are all gone. They return their top running backs, but remember KU's talent is all built around the spread. KU is hoping that juco QB Kale Pick is their starter at QB. To steal from our editor Pong, having a QB named Pick doesn't sound good, only topped by a QB actually named Interception. Defensively, there's very little to choose in terms of strengths with Darrell Stuckey having graduated.

6. Colorado: 2009 3-9 (8 starters offense , 7 starters defense )

Proven Playmakers: RB Rodney Stewart, WR Scotty McKnight, Jeff Smart LB

Somehow Hawkins is back after a dreadful 2009 season which saw CU lose 9 games. However, CU did mount a more respectable end to their season with close losses to OSU in Stillwater and to Nebraska and a win over ATM. The biggest piece that needs to be resolved is some consistent QB play. The starter should be Tyler Hansen who brings more mobility and better accuracy to the position than the younger Hawkins. Stewart is an excellent RB if he can stay healthy and there  The CU defense loses Chappelle Brown, and is absent playmakers especially any kind of real pass rush. With OOC games with Cal and UGA, it's hard to see how Hawkins can get to the bowl game that will save his job. Finally, recruiting for the Buffs was very average, all the speculation about Hawkins clearly impacting what kind of class he can bring in.

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