Big 12 Preview: Robinson, Texas D made for each other

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- There is being run out of town and there is Greg Robinson.

Instead of facing the media after a devastating playoff loss to Indianapolis, Robinson, then the Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator, literally began walking out the back door of the locker room.

Three days later, Robinson was fired after his mere presence had become a distraction to the Chiefs. Players complained about his complicated scheme. Fans demanded his head after Kansas City's defense finished last in 2002 and faltered late in 2003. The Colts, for example, didn't have to punt in that 38-31 playoff victory.

Robinson quickly got a new job as Texas' defensive coordinator. Employment wasn't a problem after a 29-year career. The quirk is that Robinson is tied to two football-crazy towns this season:

Austin, where he is expected to be the point man for a defense that was embarrassed by Oklahoma and shaky when it could least afford to be. And Kansas City, where Robinson's absence is supposed to be the main reason the Chiefs defense will be better.

Kansas City's spin is that the defense will be better by subtraction. The Chiefs have not changed one starter on defense. Robinson has been replaced by Gunther Cunningham, who, by the way, is sporting a 300-page defensive playbook. Complicated? It's all about how you look at struggling defenses and their coordinators.

"At first ... it was hard for me to learn," Texas linebacker Derrick Johnson, a Butkus finalist in 2003, said of Robinson's scheme. "I was thinking it was going to be real complicated and we were going to have to start over from the beginning. I knew the system real fast. I was talking his terminology.

"He has a way with everybody, not just linebackers."

One city's boob, then, is another's salvation. Oklahoma would be a good place to start for Robinson. For the second time in its current four-game winning streak against Texas, Oklahoma hung 60 on the Horns. The 65-13 Red River Shootout embarrassment hung over whatever else Texas was able to accomplish last season.

So if Robinson is able to improve Texas' defense and -- hold your breath here, Horns -- help beat OU, then two cities will be happy.

"Greg Robinson brought enthusiasm to us," Texas coach Mack Brown, who has linked Robinson's prowess to that of Tampa Bay's Monte Kiffin and USC coach Pete Carroll. "Those three guys are best friends. They all like to stop the run and force turnovers."

Strangely, early indications are that Robinson's approach has been different in Texas than it was in Kansas City. The Chiefs' read-and-react philosophy has turned more aggressive in Austin. Johnson has been unleashed to blitz.

"It opens the door for a lot of other things," Johnson said. "If he came when I was young, it would be a little more complicated. For him to come in my senior year, it's great."

It should be pointed out that Robinson is not some defensive idiot. You don't go from two Super Bowl rings in Denver (1997-98) to incompetence in Kansas City. Robinson was only as good as the talent given him.

The college talent in Texas, it can be argued, will be a lot better than the pro talent in Kansas City. Former Arizona coach Dick Tomey has been a great fit as the new assistant head coach/defensive ends coach. Johnson should blossom even further coming off a season during which he was the program's first consensus All-American at linebacker since 1983. He will be a favorite to win the Butkus this year.

"We have a high standard," Johnson said. "You have to do everything right. You do something wrong it's going to blow up. I haven't beat OU yet, but the last three years have been the best three years of my life."

Team-by-team:

North Division

1. Kansas State: Heisman candidate Darren Sproles will be hard-pressed to duplicate his 1,900-yard rushing season of a year ago. Quarterback Ell Roberson probably will be replaced by the less-skilled Dylan Meier. Still, chalk another division title up to the K-State coaching staff, which is one of the most underrated in the country. Don't be surprised to see the Wildcats defending their 2003 Big 12 title in Arrowhead Stadium come December.

2. Nebraska: Bill Callahan's first season will produce a bowl and lots of yards on offense. The Huskers are still a lot like Frank Solich left them: top-heavy on defense and lacking in offensive talent. We think Nebraska will be able to eke out at least seven victories.

3. Missouri: An as-yet unproven defense combined with losses to Texas, Nebraska and Kansas State are the reasons the Tigers finish third. Brad Smith should have another spectacular season, but the element of surprise is gone. Coordinators are aware. Plus, Missouri always seems to lose to some team it shouldn't. Watch out for Oklahoma State on Oct. 23 at home.

4. Colorado: The sex-and-alcohol-for-recruits scandal is just beginning to affect this declining program. A couple of starters transferred. A couple of recruits stayed away. The Buffaloes will win four to six games, but tougher times are ahead.

5. Kansas: Mark Mangino raised a lot of eyebrows by getting the Jayhawks to a bowl in his second season. A brutal schedule will keep them below .500, but watch for sophomore quarterback Adam Barmann.

6. Iowa State: Winless against the Big 12 last year and sporting a 10-game losing streak overall, Dan McCarney added Barney Cotton from Nebraska as the new offensive coordinator. Cyclones need serviceable bodies, fast. They are back to being a doormat.

South Division

1. Oklahoma: A two-game losing streak to end last season will only serve to fire up the Sooners. They will rebound and win the Big 12 title that eluded them last season.

2. Texas: For the fifth year in a row it comes down to the Oklahoma game (Oct. 9). Otherwise, the Horns can't afford to stumble at Arkansas (Sept. 11), at Texas Tech (Oct. 23) or at home against Oklahoma State (Nov. 6)

3. Oklahoma State: Josh Fields is playing baseball. Robbie Reid is injured. The Cowboys are down to Donovan Woods (brother of Rashaun) at quarterback.

4. Texas Tech: The one-trick pony keeps on galloping. The Red Raiders will continue to put up a lot of points while giving up a lot of yards. The next system quarterback is Sonny Cumbie.

5. Texas A&M: The Aggies have gone soft in a hurry. This has to be a bounce-back year for coach Dennis Franchione or the Aggies will make those disgruntled 'Bama fans look like pikers. Quarterback Reggie McNeal has to be coached up. The defense must quit wearing out in the fourth quarter.

6. Baylor: Bears should be the favorite to win the conference. The Sun Belt Conference.