Seeing that the 2008 season is a total loss and disaster, I think its time we start looking towards next year (I'm pretty sure some of you started that after Arkansas St.). Our schedule next year sets us up for a very good season a possible 9 win season. Here is how our schedule breaks down next year and how I think it will play out.

Game 1: New Mexico - W

Game 2: Utah State - W

Game 3: UAB - W

Game 4: Arkansas (at Jerry World) - W

Game 5: Oklahoma State - L

Game 6: at K-State - W

Game 7: at Tech - W

Game 8: Iowa St. - W

Game 9: at Colorado - W

Game 10: at OU - L

Game 11: Baylor - W

Game 12: Texas - L

Breakdown after the jump.

Even though we lost to Arkansas St. last year, our first three games should be wins and decisive ones as well. We beat New Mexico this year and they will be coming off the same record as us this year (4-8). It should be a win and anything less than a blowout will be a disappointment. Utah State will be introducing a new head coach and that should be another decisive victory. UAB should be another blowout as its a bad football team with inferior talent. Anything less than 3-0 heading into the game at Jerry World against the Pigs will be a huge disappointment.

The game against Arkansas will be the first game of the season where we could potentially lose and where a loss would not be so shocking. Arkansas will likely be coming off a 5-7 season and with expectations similar to ours in that anything less than an 8 or 7 win season will be unexpectable. I honestly think that we will win this game.

After the Arkansas game Big 12 play will start and we will open up with, most likely, an undefeated top 10 Oklahoma State team. I don't see us winning this game Okie Light will be loaded on offense with a very physical defense. My only expectation for this game is for it to be close and competitive. A win would not shock me, but I think that the talent gap is too far between us and OSU.

To save time and shorten the post I won't go into an indivdiual break down of the three Big 12 North opponents. It is simple for the season to be any kind of success we have to win the three games against K-State, Iowa State, and Colorado and the four non-conference games. K-State has to be a win as they will be breaking in a new head coach and most likely breaking in a new qb. Iowa State is just terrible and it will be an easy win. Colorado is going to be the toughest of the three Big 12 North teams, but I see us coming through because they are just not that good offensively to give us huge problems. We played our best defensive game against them and our defense has no where to go but up from this year.

Sandwiched in between the three Big 12 North teams is the Tech game. All I have to say about this game is this is Sherman's statemant game. If Sherman really is going to turn this program around this is the game to show us that he can. This is a game that we can win and, frankly, should win. If we are every going to beat Tech in Lubbock this will be the year to do it. Tech will be breaking in a new qb (even though it really doesn't matter with Leach's offense, but he won't be anywhere near as good as Harrell) and without Crabtree who will be playing on Sundays. They will also be losing alot of playmakers on defense as well. I honestly think that we can win this game. If this program has made any progress we will come out on top. We gave them a good game for a half this year and offensively we might be having an offense that could give us a chance for the first time in years. I think we come out with the W.

After Colorado we go up to Norman where my only expectation is for the game to be reasonable competitive. I don't see us winning this game as no one wins in Norman and once again the talent gap is too far to make up in two years. My hope is that we keep it close. Even a 21 point loss would not be that bad as OU probably be ranked in the top 5 at the time of the game.

After OU we get Baylor and Sherman its simple win this game. I can live with losses to Tech, OSU, Texas, OU but not to Baylor. I don't care how you do it, win the game. Honestly, I truly expect us to win this game. Baylor will be improved but so will we and we will be too as well.

After Baylor its the game against Texas on Turkey Day. I think we will be welcoming an undefeated number one ranked Texas to Kyle Field. This is another game where I really don't think we have a chance of winning the game. It might be a competitive game because the game is at Kyle Field, but UT is so far ahead of us talent wise that it will be really tough for us to win the game. My expectation is for us to give them a good game.

Baiscally, I think we have the schedule to go 9-3 with a maximum of 10-2 and a minimum of 8-4. I think we can go 9-3, but most likely we will go 8-4 with three for sure losses and a slip up against either Tech or to Colorado. I, personally think, anything less than 8 wins will be a disappointment.

What do you guys think?